“Shane, you are one #$%*&#!” Brayden, a young man at my middle school club, had just told me clearly and articulately what he thought of me. He had been out of control and rude, yet when I confronted him about his behavior, he got mad at me (funny how that works). Regardless, I could tell that deep down, Brayden actually wanted to be at 71Five. Sure enough, the next week, he skateboarded back and apologized. While his behavior hasn’t always been great at Club–with ups and downs and ups again–he knows that we care and provide a safe space for him.

 

Because of you and your support, we can present the Biblical God who loves second chances to Brayden (see Luke 15:20). Just from talking to him, I can tell that Brayden has had people give up and walk away from him. Thanks to you, we are here and in his life to show him a different type of life and love. One that doesn’t abandon him when he’s going through a hard time, but one that loves, forgives, and even calls him to forgive others: Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. [Matthew 18:21-22] You are, quite literally, holding out a lifeline to kids like Brayden. Thank you so much for being a part of his story with your life-changing support.