It's one thing to daydream about what we might do to help guide the youth of today given the opportunity - or even to earnestly pray for that opportunity. It is quite another, to literally leave all that is comfortable and familiar behind and actually go forth on the mission field.
Just such an opportunity was presented to
Ministers Sonji Pass and Sonia Crawley
(shown here above left to right) of
University Park Baptist Church,
Charlotte, NC, where the Pastor is Claude R. Alexander, Jr. University Park is partnering with Shalom Outreach, Inc., to send Ministers Crawley and Pass on a six-month mission to bring a message of abstinence to the youth of Kenya.
These two young women have responded to that opportunity with what can only be described as courage, character and commitment. Both ministers will leave behind jobs, family and all that they have come to know in their day-to-day lives to bring what they believe is a desperately needed message that they hope will accomplish two critical goals:
- Encourage the youth of Kenya to deepen their commitment to lives that both honor and reflect the character of Jesus Christ.
- Help to stem the devastating spread of deadly HIV/AIDS infections that is estimated to be claiming well over 800 lives daily.
If you, your church or organization would like to help with the financial burden, contact Shalom Outreach Executive Director, Pastor J. Julian Danger field at jdangerfield@shalomoutreach.org. You should be aware that all financial donations are tax deductible and very strict accounting mechanisms have been put into place to ensure that all funds are used as they should be.
Ministers Crawley and Pass will receive local support in Kenya, in the form of housing and assistance in meeting some of their basic day-to-day requirements from Ridgeways Baptist Church, pastored by Elijah Wanje. They expect to routinely visit about ten schools in Kenya and present a comprehensive message to an estimated 7,000 teens.
