youth

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Jennifer, loved your comments. I guess the thing that drives me so with our youth
is that I don't want to see them do the things that I have done. I can speak from 
experience. My young life was full of turmoil. I was born without a father, raised 
between my grand parents house and a boys home. They lived in a housing project. Both
places were - survival of the fittest.
  At 13 I was doing burgulary. At 14 I was trying to get a pistol to begin armed 
robbery. I was already an immoral boy at 13. It it hadn't been for an uncle moving me 
out of state at 14 for a year and a half, I would have been dead. 
 I failed three times, quit school at 17 in the ninth grade and joined the Merchant 
Marines. I traveled all around the world. I spent three years in the Army. I was 
introduced to drugs in Vietnam.
 As a boy in the home we had an old Lutheren minister that would come each Wed night
and teach a Bible story. God dealt with me at a young age though I didn't understand 
it and it was not explained. I recall at 11 or 12 having to go to an Assemblies of 
God Sunday School, and there praying at the altar. I experienced true repentance but 
don't know anything about the Holy Ghost, so in a few months I was worse than before- 
no teaching.
  Jennifer I remember what it was not to have truth. I have wittnessed 5 generations
during my few years in Pentecost. So like I said, I can relate to them. I do all of my 
own lessons. I use Search for truth, Reader's Digest, and Guide Post Magazine just to 
quote a few sources.
  I wrote an article a few years ago called,"The flawed foundation." In this article I 
put most of the blame for the loss of MOST of our youth on their parents, not their 
teachers, and not their pastors.
  I have stopped being shocked many years ago at the doctronial ignorance of many of 
our youth. Many come from very good homes, but don't know what we believe , or why . I 
try to break down principals to their level. I have alot of discussions, and questions.
I run from 45- 50 ages 12 -21, street and church kids.
 I have never met a young person that I couldn't do some good with. I fail to reach 
some, but I believe to plant a seed in their hearts, and leave an open door of 
friendship is all I can do in such cases. 
 I am not a miracle worker but, it sometimes shockes me to see some of them almost grow 
up over night once they have been in my class for a few short weeks. I try to get to 
know a child and react in the Holy Ghost rather than my emotions. I guess I try to ask 
myself," Now why is the guy always shooting his mouth off?", rather than throwing down 
on him in front of the class. Now don't get me wrong, I maintain order but not to the 
point of inhibiting the kids, it is a very relaxed atmosphere.
  I throw in alot of history, and try to tie in current events for the kids. I always 
build them up, never talk down to them. I guess I could go on and on, but to summerize
what I want to say let me say--- You have got to love the youth, remember where you were 
at one time, try to understand them, listen with an open mind, don't be afraid to admit 
when you are wrong about something, be creative, etc. 
  Don't know if I made any sense, but in closing I believe if a young person listens to 
someone like me saying," I have been where you are, but you have never been where I have 
been, and you will be very hurt and scared for life if you do go there. Also they 
can hear from someone like you who is their age telling them it is a wonderful life to 
live clean and free from sin, together we can make a difference.

  Shoot me your church address and I'll mail yous few samples of my lessons. There may 
be s few type os. Thanks for your comments, continue serving God and you will never 
regret it.

      Your friend and brother in Jesus Christ

        Roger Evans             
        2338 Champagne St
        Marrero,La.   70072  
        FPC
        3200 Ames Blvd.
        Marrero, La.  70072