Wearing sunglasses and dressed head to toe in bright red, Carlos was an intimidating figure strolling into the City Life Center. He sat down by himself in the corner. Phil, our City Life Club Leader, noticed Carlos sitting alone and made his way over to talk to him. Even though Carlos was slow to open up, Phil asked if he could pray for him and Carlos agreed. The CLC Director, Camille, also approached him and asked how he had heard about the Center. “A friend invited me; he told me it was safe here.” After they talked for a few minutes, she said, “Carlos, I want to see you here next week.” He nodded respectfully and said, “Yes, Ma’am, I will come.”
A week later, Carlos was back. He wasn’t wearing sunglasses, was dressed in jeans, and the only red he now wore was his shirt. That night, he shared more of his story. “Everyone in my family is part of a gang and I don’t want that to be my life, but I don’t know how to get out of it.” Camille told him we could help him and he asked if he could call her “Mama”.
By his third week, Carlos wasn’t wearing anything red at all. He listened intently to the Gospel presentation, but that night, distractions were happening left and right. The frustration building in him was obvious. Camille pulled him aside and asked, “What’s going on?” Carlos said, “I’m just trying to get through the day. I love coming here but the girls are annoying me. I just want to focus on getting my life straight.” “What does it mean to get your life straight?” Camille asked. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t have a high school diploma, had been shot three times, and had a bullet lodged in his back. “Gang life has hindered me from getting things accomplished in my life,” he sighed.
As they continued to talk, Camille asked, “What do you think about the Lord? Are you saved?” Carlos explained, “I believe in God, but I don’t know if I’m saved.” Camille started sharing the Gospel with him and Phil joined the conversation. Phil took the next 30 minutes to explain salvation to him, one-on-one, and Carlos responded, “Yes! I am so ready to do this” and gave his life to the Lord. The peace shining on Carlos’ face was obvious as he said, “No matter what happens now, God has me.”
Carlos continues to come to the City Life Center. He is still reserved but he is a joyful presence that is greatly missed when he’s not here. He wants to build his future and is currently working on completing his GED so that he can join the military. Two of our volunteers are coming alongside him and supporting him in that process. We are grateful that Carlos walked into the City Life Center that first day and that now we get to watch God continue the work He began in this amazing young man’s life.
Will you help us reach more young people like Carlos with the message of hope? Please consider partnering with us financially.
A week later, Carlos was back. He wasn’t wearing sunglasses, was dressed in jeans, and the only red he now wore was his shirt. That night, he shared more of his story. “Everyone in my family is part of a gang and I don’t want that to be my life, but I don’t know how to get out of it.” Camille told him we could help him and he asked if he could call her “Mama”.
By his third week, Carlos wasn’t wearing anything red at all. He listened intently to the Gospel presentation, but that night, distractions were happening left and right. The frustration building in him was obvious. Camille pulled him aside and asked, “What’s going on?” Carlos said, “I’m just trying to get through the day. I love coming here but the girls are annoying me. I just want to focus on getting my life straight.” “What does it mean to get your life straight?” Camille asked. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t have a high school diploma, had been shot three times, and had a bullet lodged in his back. “Gang life has hindered me from getting things accomplished in my life,” he sighed.
As they continued to talk, Camille asked, “What do you think about the Lord? Are you saved?” Carlos explained, “I believe in God, but I don’t know if I’m saved.” Camille started sharing the Gospel with him and Phil joined the conversation. Phil took the next 30 minutes to explain salvation to him, one-on-one, and Carlos responded, “Yes! I am so ready to do this” and gave his life to the Lord. The peace shining on Carlos’ face was obvious as he said, “No matter what happens now, God has me.”
Carlos continues to come to the City Life Center. He is still reserved but he is a joyful presence that is greatly missed when he’s not here. He wants to build his future and is currently working on completing his GED so that he can join the military. Two of our volunteers are coming alongside him and supporting him in that process. We are grateful that Carlos walked into the City Life Center that first day and that now we get to watch God continue the work He began in this amazing young man’s life.
Will you help us reach more young people like Carlos with the message of hope? Please consider partnering with us financially.
