"One thing leads to another." I've heard that phrase many times over the years but it became very real to me on one of the longest road trips of my ministry. I praise God for unexpected surprises like I experienced this past week. We call them "divine appointments".

First of all, this amazing week, visiting our old and new ministry partners, couldn't have happened without your recent gift. It is your faithful giving that provides the resources to go visit, encourage, train, equip and lift up these mighty warriors for Jesus. So how do I begin?

It all started when Mike, the Executive Director of Boys-To-Men Inc. invited me to rural Tennessee to speak at their annual banquet, work with their staff, and help build a partnership with a large local church that wants to help this ministry for the long-term. So I booked a flight to Johnson City without realizing the connecting flight was in Charlotte (more on that divine layover in a moment). On Saturday I met with Mike and the pastoral team of this large local church to build strategies for how this church could get more involved in a true partnership and support this great ministry which mentors, tutors, and disciples at-risk kids.

On Sunday morning and evening I spoke to the Junior and Senior High groups of this large church which also caught the vision to send their teens to NYC on one of our CityConnexx urban mission trips this summer.

We spent the afternoon with other church leaders brainstorming how to build this church/ministry partnership. Then I ran over to the home of our dear friends, Dr. Dan and Cindy Tolan, to speak to their college "Missions Chat" group. Their basement was packed with students looking for ways and places to serve God in urban and foreign missions. The Tolans served with us in medical missions in Kenya several years ago.
 
Monday was spent in more meetings with the church, leading the ministry staff in devotions and discussions on how to focus on this three year strategic plan. I coached Mike in the afternoon and we came back for the banquet to honor and thank a crowd of 200 mentors, tutors and their kids. It was a great celebration.

Tuesday involved a 200 mile drive over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains to Greensboro to meet with youth leaders from the Anglican Mission in America.  They are bringing 150 teens to Denver for a CityConnexx missions experience. While there, I was able to meet a great group of ministers and lay people who are on fire for God. It's an amazing story how God is blessing this new movement of former Episcopal churches. God provided many divine appointments at this conference including an unexpected invitation to their church planting seminar since they don’t have any urban coaches.

Thursday meant more driving. One of the staff found out I was flying back through Charlotte and asked how long my layover was. He wanted to know if I had time to meet a good friend of his that started an urban ministry there. I said, "Well, I didn't plan this but my son is going to college in Charlotte and I have a three hour layover so we're getting together for breakfast before his 8am class. I could meet him after that." Another "divine appointment".

After giving my son a hug goodbye, David showed up and I had a great hour long visit to hear his passion and incredible testimony. He brought a friend who wants to start a similar ministry in his hometown. David has 100 boys he is reaching through soccer and sports outreach ministries. My kids play soccer and we shared lots of ideas.  He wants me to return to train his board and volunteers.

We prayed and I got on yet another plane, on my way to another church planting conference in Louisiana where I help train and coach urban leaders. As we took off, my mind and heart were full of gratitude that your gifts allow me and our staff to see God move in some amazing ways. And the best part is that this church planting conference covered the nearly all of the expenses! That's another way we multiply your donations, by forming partnerships that build His Kingdom.

Can't wait to see what "divine appointments" God has planned for next month. Stay tuned!

For Him and Them,

Dean Cowles
YouthPartnersNET
President

LIVE COMPASSION!

Your Donations at Work:

The primary mission of Little Lights Urban Ministries is to strengthen and enlighten the hearts and minds of some of Washington DC’s most underserved children and youth by providing a caring place of emotional, academic, social and spiritual growth. 

Camp Heaven is a seven week academic and recreational summer camp for children ages 5-13 from the Potomac Gardens Public Housing Complex and surrounding neighborhood.  Expecting 100 children this year, Little Lights will provide these children with a safe and enriching environment that will deter them from engaging in at-risk behavior while encouraging them to pursue their dreams and develop their natural talents. 

More than 90% of the Potomac Garden children live in one-parent, female-headed households and a number of the children’s parents are incarcerated.  Over 50% of the adults in this housing facility are involved in illegal drug use.  And most of the children are two grade levels behind in their academics.  Without intervention less than 2% of the youth growing up in Potomac Gardens will attend college.

Camp Heaven incorporates an academic curriculum plan to improve their reading, writing and math skills in addition to games, meals, creative development activities, enrichment field trips and ends the summer with a talent show and community barbeque.

Prayer Request:

The staff at Little Lights Urban Ministries has requested prayer to find camp counselors that have open hearts and want to serve the at-risk children that will participate in Camp Heaven this summer.