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Recent Posts & Updates
Ferguson and a Way Forward
I write this post right after the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri. The Grand Jury has made the decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown.
Magnification and Prayer
Almost every day, I find myself reciting 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Dealing with the Crisis of Mass Incarceration
Our nation has a serious crisis when it comes to mass incarceration. We are in need of major reforms within the broader criminal justice system.
Out of the Wild: Kaleo Teen Camping Trip
At the beginning of November, The Oaks staff was able to facilitate a leadership campout for young adult guys associated with the Kaleo ministry in LA.
Breaking the Cycle
One of the most difficult things to witness in the inner city is the cycle of generational poverty and generational sin.
Learning and Growing
I have a smaller class this year of just 11 students: three boys and eight girls. Despite what you might think, there are plenty of challenges in teaching this class.
Poor-a-Phobia
Yes, I know that “Poor-a-phobia” is not a word, but I believe it is a sickness that exists within our society today.
The Privileged and the Poor
Last week while attending my first board meeting of the National Association of Evangelicals, I was able to sit in on a discussion on Evangelicals and Poverty.
Flavor Fest
Hip hop culture has consistently set cultural standards of dress, language and social consciousness. Whether or not you like rap, this fact cannot be denied, and it is even true in the Church.
Empowerment Theology
Many times when Christ was declaring or demonstrating that the Kingdom of God was near, He did so through interactions with the marginalized, oppressed, and physically challenged.
Do As I Have Done
Darryl approached the Mobile Medical check-in with a limp… As he answered some basic questions, I was surprised when he said his age. A hard life had added many years to his face.
Believing in the Urban Poor
Last week I was watching a story about terrorist groups on cable news. The largest target group for recruitment in many cases are unemployed young men from under-resourced communities.
Church Leaders’ Luncheon- Chester, PA
In June, more than 60 local pastors and church leaders met at Mt. Olive Baptist Church to be encouraged by World Impact President Efrem Smith and to learn more about TUMI Chester.
Child Discipline: Spare the Switch?
The recent news about Minnesota Vikings Running Back, Adrian Peterson whooping his 4 year son excessively with a switch has sparked a lot of discussion throughout social media.
King’s Kids Bible Club
Seventeen years ago, a World Impact church plant in Newark started the King’s Kids Bible Club. It continues as a ministry of World Impact today.
Newark Christian School Provides More Than Education
On June 12, Newark Christian School held its first eighth-grade graduation.
Violent and Passive Men in the Church
With the releasing of the TMZ video showing NFL player Ray Rice punching his then fiancée so hard that she was knocked unconscious, we once again see that domestic violence is a serious and tragic issue among professional athletes.
East Coast Ministry Update
Butch Patrick is an East Coast World Impact Associate, serving in Philadelphia, PA. He is involved in many endeavors in his neighborhood to bring transformation and the Kingdom to life.