I was in for a surprise this time around. You see, we've been serving in the Cass Corridor area on a monthly basis for over a year now with the youth group. After a while you get to know some of the people that live there. I met George about a year ago while serving. George had a rough life, drug problems, and lost his home and wife. We were able to give him a meal to eat and I prayed with him afterward. What would become of him?

About six months later I saw George again while serving with Converge, our young adult ministry. He got connected with a church and was serving Jesus with his life, but still experienced financial difficulties. We were able to pray together again and we believed that God would move in George's life to make him a witness of God's goodness. When we saw each other yesterday, we were so excited! God had given us a love and concern for one another deeper that our backgrounds and life experiences. We share the love of Jesus Christ as spiritual brothers. It turns out that God had provided a place for him to live, restored his relationship with his wife, and his faith was stronger than ever! It was so encouraging to share that experience with George and see how God can work ANY situation out for good in the end.

Do you need hope today? Are you secretly suffering depression, financial burdens, loneliness or something else? Jesus is our hope for the future! Not only in heaven, but right here, right now as well. Don't go through your struggles alone. We are here as Christians to encourage one another and bear each other's burdens. Share what you're going through with a pastor, youth leader or Christian friend and pray together for God's strength. He will get you through this time of struggle and will never leave you. As we place our faith in Jesus, we can feel His strong protection more each day. Jesus has defeated death and the grave, and gives us hope for today!

In Christ, Jonathan