BLOG

“When someone isn’t coming from somewhere specific, that's not a good thing.”

As simple as that sounds, it rings out as more important today than ever.  Rosa Chapman had a way of putting her finger right on the heart of the issue.  And if you knew her, her husband Prince Chapman, or the work of Friends of Bethany, then you would understand why their ministry providing the seed for us means so much, and why we care to nourish it for the future of today’s youth.  You could say..

‍It’s like the seed that fell to the ground so it could multiply.

‍And that seed was a life with humble beginnings, and yet it responded to the call of God.  It didn't have great resources, education, or power, but it simply trusted God and allowed Christ to live through it.  It wasn'tashamed of the gospel or afraid to speak the truth.  It’s very identity was in Christ, and it wouldn't shy away from it when asked.

It had the nerve to fight for the community and to give itself wholly into God’s work.  It had the heart to stand in the gaps of the lives of young men, women, and children who needed someone to show God’s love.  When it was called to give up hobbies, passions, or businesses to follow God’s leading, it did so happily. In other times, when the call was for patience and perseverance, it stayed faithful for years serving in nursing homes, hospitals, and churches.

It was a community builder, unifying and encouraging families from church to church.  It withstood the resistance and pushback from popular culture.  It put on the full armor of God and went to battle. It called all parents, communities, and lawmakers to Christs standards.  It passionately advocated for those who are being taken advantage of and used by the system and the powers that be.

It shared the gospel with those in prison.  It had a special heart for single mothers, bringing mentors to help fill the void of missing fathers.  It coached football and basketball teams where young men were given a productive outlet, away from drugs and violence in the streets.

It didn't wait around for the calamity to happen.  Rather, it said let’s come together and talk, make an assessment of our predicament, and decide what to do about it.   It encouraged neighbors to look after each other, even if you feel your own home is doing fine, because God blessed you so you could bless others.

It emphasized the importance of identity, needing to overcome distortion in order to have a healthy self-concept, affecting all aspects of a person’s life. It spoke of unity by the Spirit, not allowing silos and division to get in the way of God bringing us together to do good works in Jesus’ name.  

And most of all, it preached the gospel, giving all of the glory and honor to God.  It did not want to receive any of the praise.

This is where Father-Figure.Org is coming from.  And we want to take this ministry into the future for the youth in the communities we’re apart of.

‍