Fight disillusionment among young people with prayers for Truth

With chaos erupting throughout our country, young people can feel like they’re wandering in a country that offers little hope, rare justice, and no escape. They may hunger for someone to follow and see few leaders they respect, and they may ache to lead themselves but don’t know how.

It’s understandable. Their disillusionment may ferment into rage after being disappointed by parents, teachers, political leaders and other older adults. In their street protests and in the cynicism that floods social media, their frustration boils over about joblessness and economic inequities, along with the violence occurring in their neighborhoods and during confrontations with police.

Young people are wrestling with a lot. There’s no better time than now to pray fervently for younger generations to hear the Voice of Jesus Christ, the One who cherishes their lives beyond human understanding. It’s a time to deeply intercede for young people, to pray that the Lord gives them wisdom and raises them up as the young Samuels and Davids of our day.

At Dallas Leadership Foundation, we’re prayerfully trying to position our teams as a reliable source of encouragement for young people. Especially young people in under-served communities. We’re hosting Power Lunch sessions in schools and serving as leaders who depend on God to equip youth when they come to us with their questions and problems.

Keep young people in prayer. Keep us in prayer. Future leaders are emerging, and may they be Spirit-led change agents for His kingdom.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," from Jesus in John 14:6

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” from Jesus in John 8:32 

To learn more about how you can link arms with us as we reach out to young leaders, visit dlftx.org.

From the wilderness of prison to the Promised Land of freedom

Why does Corey Clark go back to prison after being jailed three times?

“God said, 'go back and show your gratefulness to Me,'" Clark said. "He told me to go back and be an example. He told me to go back and be a light so that they can see and turn from their wicked ways and turn to Him. He told me to go back and be a voice for Him."

Clark, 41, was imprisoned at Hutchins State Jail. He first went to jail for burglary, then went back for theft and for the third time, he went to jail for robbery. Clark said he "was on drugs and that’s the reason why I was stealing —  using drugs and in that cycle over and over — running around in the wilderness."

Life changed when he applied to live at Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Faith-Based Dorm during his third time at Hutchins. He was discipled to be a spiritual leader by James Reed, director of DLF’s Reentry program that operates the dorm. “He was a great example in my life,” Clark said of Reed. “He preached the Word to me."

Corey Clark ministering the Gospel that radically changed his life.

Learning what the Word says about Jesus Christ transformed Clark. "He allowed me to come into the Promised Land. He exposed me and gave me knowledge of His promises, and now I'm in my sabbath rest in Christ. There's milk and honey in Christ."

The New Orleans native has been active in ministry and has married since his release. His wife Austerlitz shares his passion for Christ, and they serve together by feeding the poor and visiting the Salvation Army.  They've been married more than a year. "She's a lover of Jesus, she evangelizes, and she has a passion for Christ and a love for Christ, and she expresses it every day."

Clark was certified to work in prison more than two years ago. At one time, he was visiting the jail twice a month, but now he visits every Tuesday. "Just like Peter was called to go to the circumcision, and Paul was called to go to the Gentiles, I was called to go to the prison,” he said.

When he sees men he knew in prison, and other men strung out on drugs and struggling, he sees his former life and his heart fills with compassion. Clark said he tries to be an example to them and encourages them with his testimony. "God took ahold of my heart, came in, and gave me a new one. And now he's leading me to do different things with my body.

"You can, with the Lord, do good," he said. "You don't have to keep on doing evil. "

God calls Christians to remember the prisoner, Clark said, and He uses the weak things to confound the wise. "So, it's very important to invest your time and your efforts into ministering to men and women who are broken in prison," he said.

To learn more how you can help DLF reach men like Corey Clark and disciple them, visit dlftx.org.

What happens when a vet gives to others? Something special.

Tommy Briggs has a reputation for cheerfully putting others first. The U.S. Navy veteran and former Dallas teacher volunteers with the Ideal Neighborhood Association and with Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Treasures of Hope Christmas Store.

The 62-year-old widower – his wife passed away in 2009 – stays busy. His daughter either drives him to places he needs to be, or his South Dallas neighbors can glimpse him on the move in his wheelchair, headed for the bus stop. During the recent National Night Out, for example, he navigated the event by his wheelchair. 

“That’s how determined I am,” Briggs said. “Once I decide to do something, or do a program, then I’m going to be in charge of that program. Therefore, I’m going to be in charge of me getting there.”

In November 2015, the dedicated volunteer and leader experienced a situation he couldn’t handle by himself. His 80-year-old home – the same South Dallas house where he grew up – was badly damaged by heavy rains. The roof collapsed, damaging the kitchen, along with two of the four bedrooms, including one where he slept. Briggs also said he believes the rains damaged the electrical system.

When DLF learned in 2016 about the house conditions Briggs was facing, DLF tapped into its network of partners to help.  The interior repairs coordinated by DLF are another answer to prayer for the retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class, who served two tours, crossed the Equator twice, served on the aircraft carrier the USS Ranger, spent a year in Japan, and taught in the Dallas Independent School District for more than a decade.

The service and leadership gifts in Briggs that inspire people today are traits his mother modeled before him. “That’s what my mother did back when she was living. She gave back to the community, whether it was doing girls’ hair – she had a little beauty salon – and stuff like that. I kinda picked that up from my mother, and I’ve been giving back ever since I came out of the military. … She just always wanted us to do our best, no matter what.”

To learn more about DLF or to support its work in Dallas, visit dlftx.org.