<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: You mentioned the Boys and Girls Club last week. What do they do, and how can I help? A: Denzell Washington and Evander Holyfield talk on TV of positive experiences in the Club as they grew up. Our Club in Jasper is affiliated with their national organization through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas. Also in this unit are Lufkin, Nacodoches, Diboll, and Crockett. Each remains responsible for its own program and fund raising. Their impact is such that other communities in the area are looking into establishing clubs for themselves. What is the Boys and Girls Club? Not a babysitting or day care service, it is a refuge for children whose parents work, and for those at risk of dropping out of school, society, and life. The Club teaches life skills, building the confidence to apply them. It has a code of behavior based upon respect for self and others - expecting the young people not only to meet the minimum standards, but to seek to exceed them. It's a place we can tell the children, "We love you, we need you, we want you to succeed." It's where our young people can learn to overcome differences in race, religion, and economic background. Black, white, and Hispanic - all share in the Club's benefits. It's not a dumping ground, but a training ground. It's a garden, not a land fill. That's why the Boys and Girls Club is my main charity outside the Church. Christians believe that their Savior came to do more than merely reconcile sinners to our Father in Heaven. Calvary is more than preparation for life in heaven. It transforms life on earth. Christ still "loves the little children," desiring to bring the young to himself. We shouldn't get in the way. ("Forbid them not," he says.) If our Savior sees the children in this light, so do his people. He says, "I am making all things new." This newness will not be completed in this life, but that's no excuse not to start. Sin corrupts individual lives. It also ruins relationships. Ultimately, only Christ restores our relationship with both God and each other, yet he entrusts his Church with his ministry of harmony. We can do this in our individual lives; we can also work through such cooperative ventures as the Boys and Girls Club. Satan, the "Father of Lies," tells us that white is better than black or black better than white. He says to those with more, "The poor are lazy bums," to those with less, "The rich are greedy thieves." He tells the strong to dominate the week, and teaches the week to resent the strong. He says, "Every man for himself." He whispers in our ears, "Let someone else do it." These are damned lies: Lies, because they are contrary to God's Word, damned because they are of hell itself. We, as Christians, know the truth - Christ is no respecter of persons, and loves all equally. He forgives us for listening to these lies, and turns us back to his truth. How can you help? Listen to your Savior. Remember his love for and patience with you, and his forgiveness. Listen to your heart, to your desire for a stronger, more stable, more sharing community. Then commit yourself. Pick up your phone, call one of the numbers on this page, and promise to help the children in need. The benefit dinner will be Thursday at the Wesley Center of First Methodist Church. Buy a ticket to the dinner. Your neighbors have volunteered food and cooking - now you can come eat. An individual seat is only $50.00. Those whom God has blessed with greater wealth may reserve an entire table to share the work of the Club with employees or friends. If you can't attend, send in donation. If it comes to my address, I'll forward it. Still, I urge you to come to the "feast." The children know you care if you contribute. Attending is an even greater sign - the children will see that you not only care "for the young," but that you are lovingly committed to them. Don't give excuses, like the invited guests in Jesus' parable ("I've just bought oxen, I've just gotten married," etc.). Give in to Christ's love and answer the invitation with delight. A final note: Last year, an anonymous challenge was offered. If one person gave $5000.00, it would be matched. Courtney Mattingly's heart was touched, and she gave as she'd been blessed. The challenge has been issued again. The grant is not from here, but from an individual elsewhere - one who has never lived in Jasper - yet who believes in our children and in our love for them. Will we rise to not only meet this challenge, but the greater challenge and joy of bringing up our youth in the paths of goodness? Don't do it just to "keep them off the streets" and out of sight. Do it so they can step into responsible positions in our community. Do it because it's right. To contribute call me at 698-9952, Kerry Lacy (City Hall) at 384-4651, or the Newsboy at 384-3441. You may also mail or e-mail your pledge to "Ask the Pastor" at PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951 (xrysostom@aol.com) or hand it to me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas, and coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.