"The Agape Center? I used to go up there when I was a kid!" I heard similar exclamations shared over and over, whenever our staff and volunteers advertised for our after-school program, S.A.Y. Yes! Centers for Youth Development®. As we engage parents and neighbors it's clear that our Christian community center has a legacy. For years God has been reaching people with His love through our programs, staff, and volunteers.
Some of our staff have lived and served in our neighborhood for 20 or 30 years. Recently a woman named Jessica came by the Agape Center to sign her kids up for S.A.Y. Yes!®. She had participated when she was a kid. Jessica asked for staff members by name. "Are Mr. Marc and Ms. Sandy still up here?" She remembered their love and care. Marc and Sandy are still here, still serving kids and their families!
As I interacted with a neighbor named Tanika, I asked if she was interested in signing up her kids for our after-school program. She said it was just what her kids needed — structure, safety, assistance with school. "I know all about the Agape Center," she said. "I used to go there when I was in school." She remembers Bible studies, gym games, and snack times. Mostly she remembers an orderly, safe place where she could simply be a kid.
Praise God with us for the seeds he's helped us sow. Praise God for the fruit we're seeing from generation to generation. Join us in praying that God will continue to transform people and their families through faithful witness to the gospel.
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Brad Harry serves as co-director of Cru Inner City in Chicago.
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