M O V I N G MOUNTAINS

Transcription

1 M O V I N G MOUNTAINS M I N I S T R I E S District Youth Services REACHING THE YOUTH... ONE DECISION AT A TIME Young people are our nation's most valuable resource. But like all resources they have to be handled wisely. Especially troubled ones. Moving Mountain Ministries can be a part of the solution... [1]

2 Introduction Moving Mountain Ministries grew out of my own troubled life experiences. Because of my parents' lifestyle, I was poor, desperate, and very angry. I determined to get everything I wanted for myself, no matter how I got it. By 20 I discovered that dealing cocaine was a get-rich-quick scheme, and I embraced it avidly. But no man is the master of coke, and I eventually became an addict. Rehabs, prison, overdoses were a normal part of my life. Finally I overdosed so badly I was comatose for 28 hours, with only a 20% chance of survival. A Christian friend came and prayed for me; when I opened my eyes he led me in a prayer repenting of my sins and asking for God's forgiveness - I could only blink my eyes as my sign of agreement!!! But God heard me, and over time I was healed physically, and freed from drugs. My relationship with God gave me hope that I could change, hope for a different future. Over a period of time, decision by decision, with that knowledge of God's love and encouragement, I addressed the issues that had caused my addictions and utter misery. I know there are many kids out there like me, who have built both physiological and psychological mountains that seem hopeless to overcome. I also know that a life trashed by greed, drugs, violence, even prison, does not have to continue in an out-of-control downward spiral. God can and will intervene. It is this hope for a better future that I want to share with others. Standly Wayne Miranda, Jr. From left to right, Pastor Chip Ganiear, Pastor Paul Campo & Pastor Roger Williams Special thanks for the support of my pastor, Paul Campo, who has preached for 35 years, 27 of those on Cape Cod. His ministry has had great success with people other groups have given up on. Victory Chapel has been welcomed and approved in the state prison facilities for many years; Plymouth Forestry Minimum Security State Prison since 1995; Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane since 2000; Barnstable House of Correction since [2]

3 Hopes Dreams Success become become Strong in Faith Strong in Mind Strong in Body All Things are possible for those who believe [3]

4 THE GOAL THE GOAL OF MOVING MOUNTAINS MINISTRY IS.. To connect with the youth of today through building relationships & trust. To present to them other lives that have been turned around To encourage them to face personal issues that cause fear & anger To empower them through the Spirit of God... to move the mountains that they face today Reaching the troubled heart AIMING FOR HOPE, MEANING & YES, HAPPINESS, IN LIFE Due to many societal factors (unwed motherhood, divorce rate, absentee fathers to name a few), many young men are growing up without the anchor and instruction by example available in the families some years ago. In their hurt, isolation and rage they make choices that create more and more problems for themselves. Their energy and drive is applied in all the wrong places, and eventually they find themselves without even the ABILITY to make the right choices any more. In Moving Mountains Ministries, we believe that some of these young men can be rescued if they think there is hope that they really CAN change. We want to connect these young men to slightly older men who have already tried that path and felt the despair. Through a series of choices that enabled them for face themselves and begin to ask for help, these men have learned that God, at least, can be trusted. Choice by choice they have resolved or given up the issues that had caused [4] them to run from responsible behavior. They have successfully established new thought & behavior patterns that have permanently changed who they are. They have made, and maintained, meaningful relationships and become productive members of society. Their basic outlook on life is now hope, faith, and yes, happiness. Life has a purpose and meaning. It is this hope, and the necessary process, we want to share.

5 THE METHOD Music ACCOMPLISHING OUR GOALS Bible Studies Videos [5] Skits Testimonies

6 MOUNTAINS DO MOVE Below are vignettes of men involved in this ministry who have traveled down dead-end roads, learned that God can be trusted, & choice by choice, established new patterns of JULIO CONCEPCION BACKGROUND: RAISED IN A SINGLE-PARENT, ALCOHOLIC HOME. RESULTS: VIOLENCE, DRUG ABUSE, STOLEN CARS, JOY-RIDING,! DRUG ADDICTION. GRADUATED TO: DEALING DRUGS AND GANG VIOLENCE. TURNED TO GOD AT THE BRINK OF SUICIDE. TODAY: DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE! MARRIED WITH TWO KIDS! FULL TIME JOB IN THE GLASS BUSINESS! MINISTERING TO OTHERS IN LOCAL CHURCH AND PRISONS. SAM ROAN BACKGROUND: ALCOHOLIC HOME. RESULTS: IN AND OUT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES GRADUATED TO: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND ALCOHOL HABIT!! DEAD-BEAT DAD WHILE IN A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, SAM HEARD ABOUT JESUS AND PRAYED FOR FORGIVENESS. HIS TURN-ABOUT BEGAN AT THAT POINT, HE SAYS. TODAY: DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE! FULL TIME JOB AS A MACHINIST! GRANTED GUARDIANSHIP OF HIS 3 YEAR OLD SON BY THE! COURTS [6]

7 ......LIVING PROOF!! STANDLY MIRANDA (FOUNDER MOVING MOUNTAINS MINISTRIES) BACKGROUND: UNSTABLE, 2 PARENT FAMILY RESULTED IN: IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM BY 13 FOR VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION. GRADUATED TO: COKE DEALER BECAME ADDICTED TO THE WEALTH, POWER AND CONTROL OVER PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY WOMEN) THAT COKE GAVE.! IN AND OUT OF PRISON,! 67+ RUN-INS WITH THE LAW FATHERED, IGNORED 2 KIDS VIOLENT, PARANOID 'COCAINIAC' MANY OVERDOSES & REHAB STAYS TODAY: OWNS HIS OWN LANDSCAPING BUSINESS MARRIED WITH CHILDREN WANTS TO HELP OTHERS LIKE HIMSELF CLYDE PERRY BACKGROUND: PLACED TOP-10 IN POST-35 NATIONAL BODYBUILDING COMPETITIONS PERSONAL TRAINER/BODY GUARD FOR MAGIC JOHNSON, MARK WOHLBERG, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, WHITNEY HOUSTON, DIONNE WARRICK & SONS RESULTED IN: ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION!!!! GRADUATED TO: REHABS & HALFWAY HOUSES!! WHEN SON WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN BY DSS BECAUSE MOM WAS AN!!!!! ADDICT, LEFT THE HALFWAY HOUSE TO CARE FOR HIM!!! GIVEN SOLE CUSTODY OF HIS SON!!! ATTENDED NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS FOR 13 YEARS!! STILL EMPTY, NEEDED WISDOM FOR SON!!! SO WENT TO CHURCH AND MET A REAL JESUS!!!!!! TODAY: DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE!!!! RAISING TEENAGE SON!!!! USHER IN LOCAL CHURCH!!!! OWNER OF ASPHALT COMPANY [7]

8 From left to right: Brandon Gomes, Julio Concepcion & Dave Murphy. MOVING MOUNTAINS MINISTRIES SPENCER MACLEOD - A MAN WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE One dramatic instance of a life that made a difference for many people is that of Spencer MacLeod. Spencer had been a troubled kid who gave his life to Jesus, but couldn't separate himself from his old friends, many of who were into drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. He fearlessly told them about the power of Jesus to change lives. He unfortunately ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A local gang, thwarted in finding their intended mark, settled for beating up the guy they DID find. Spencer jumped to the defense of his friend and was fatally stabbed. As a result of his death, the friends he had been telling about God all that time actually decided to try Spencer's God. Dozens of lives have been touched and permanently transformed. Some of these same men will be available in Moving Mountains Ministries to talk to kids. They also desire to see their lives make a difference in other young men. [8] Having met Spencer s God, these men have also been transformed To contact us call: