Today, I was asked if I would be interested in going to Israel in May on a missions trip. I asked what type of missions and to my surprise, I was told that it would be outreach to the youth and that the problem with gangs was out of control. Gangs in the Holy Land? Yes!
I was in Africa two years ago and was speaking to a group of pastors between services. Three boys came to the window to look at my assistant, Mike Darnell, because they weren't used to seeing whites in person. Mike waved at them and they waved back with a gang sign. I was sure that we had misinterpreted the sign until I got on the plane to go to the next country. I read an article on the front page of the newspaper that said Kenya is facing rising problems with gangs. And you thought that it was an American problem, right? Wrong! I think that gangs are a generational problem of youth without fathers. Most of these youth are searching for love in all the wrong places because they have no fathers to speak into their lives.
In my devotional time today, I was meditating on a scripture in the book of Malachi (4:6) which states that God is turning the hearts of the fathers to the sons and the hearts of the sons to their fathers. In America, the majority of single parent homes are headed up by the mother. So how is it that the fathers and sons will be connected? What is a father’s responsibility to a son? I asked myself this question and the answer is that I have both a natural father in my life who is an awesome man of God and I have a spiritual father in my life who speaks into my destiny as a minister of the gospel. I also have mentors in my life who hold me accountable in certain areas of my daily life. The word of God makes a point by saying that we have many instructors but few fathers. There’s that word again – “father”.
So, I ask myself and you, how are we going to reach this fatherless generation of youth who are throwing away their precious, God-given lives? How much is enough to save a lost soul? The truth is we can’t do enough to save them but we have to do whatever we can. Maybe you’re only saving four out of ten and twenty five out of a hundred. When you’re spending money, having brainstorming meetings, throwing everything that you know at saving them and its not enough. You have to follow the principles of Paul: you sow, water and let God give the increase. My role as a father to this lost generation is to gather the harvest. It’s going to take the mothers and fathers of the faith to change this generation that seems to have no restraint or fear of the unknown.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: G.A.N.G. Seminar with guest speaker Marc Fomby on Friday, March 14th beginning at 9:30 am. The seminar will be held at Teen Arena on RWOC’s campus in the Main Sanctuary. There is no cost to attend. If you are interested in identifying gang growth and activity in your community as well as applying prevention and intervention strategies to make your community safer, you need to be there.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
I'm so THANKFUL to have such a Powerful man of GOD to call Father! God called you to be the father to the fatherless and that is why so many children in Greenville and around the world call you FATHER!
Pastor I love the blog its a hit. I totally agree that this generation is seeking fathers to raise the children. I beileve thatis in the heart of God right now. You are in tune with the spirit because in order to recognize fathers in your life you must understand honor. Both of these are your God elements. I support you all the way
YOUR LIFE is your train. You are the conductor and a passenger. You are in control of how your train moves and where it ends up. Your talents, abilities, dreams and goals are your tickets. You are going many places because you use your tickets. Opportunities are stations along the way. Your heart will not allow you to leave anyone standing at the stations because they are late and you encourage those that have tickets and not using them. There are people that will say, "my train will not wait for you. I cannot hold the train for people that are late." You, Evangelist, will stop your train at every station to make sure everybody who wants to ride is on the train. Keep your train well fueled, keep it clean, be on the look out for nicks and cracks in the tracks. You will never run over people because you move out at a steady pace, slow but sure. Because you are a conscientious and alert conductor, your train will never take a wrong turn!!
Thanks Parker for those kind words. I'm glad to be able to pour into these youths. I feel that God has trusted people like me and you to go after a people that not many people are going after. I didn't have many fathers in the ministry when I was trying to figure life out, that's why it's great to have people like yourself and others call me daady or father. I don't take this lightly. I'm humbled by it. Keep doing what you're doing Parker, you're making a difference!
What's up 103? I'm glad that you like the blog, it gives me an opportunity to speak with other like minded soldiers i this this army about the things that concern the true father. Guys like you make it easy for guys like me to do what I do. You have made my success your success, you seem to understand the order of God, of what you make happen for others- God will make happen for you.You talk about honor, what an honor it is for me to have someone like you standing with me in ministry. I love you son!
Hey Rita you're such an encourager, where would the men and women of God be without the encouragers. Your roll in this war against the enemies of this world is as vital, important and key as anyone I know. You represent the hidden part of the body that Paul speaks of in the book of Cor. The body couldn't function without you. It's words like these that keep people like me fired up and ready to go.So let's keep this train moving full steam ahead. Thanks for being a friend and partner in ministry.
Pastor thank you for bring in people like A V Strong and Marc Fomby it really was a eye opener. Thank you also for being that light in my life. I am so glad to have a mighty man of God, a father like you.
Pastor Hasker speaking into my life. You and your staff encourages me every week (it's all about the kids). I am so glad God has connected me with you. I love you. What about lunch? You are a Father of many.
thanks mike fowle
I thank you Pastor for being a father figure in my life. People ask me how do I like Redemption. I often tell them I sit under a mighty man of God name Hasker Hudgens. YOU make all of us proud to be apart of OP GO! What about lunch?
I love your blog. You should do it once a week!
You are truly ON POINT with your message. I was raised in a single-parent home and was HUGELY affected by the absense of a father. I sought my identity in all kinds of things and in all kinds of people. I had no sense of who I was so I believed I was who others told me I was.
The affects of a fatherless home are widespread and they are not easily broken. I'm commend you, Pastor Hasker, for not only addressing this issue but taking ownership of it. God is using you to revolutionize an entire segment of society. And, as a child of the fatherless generation, I say THANK YOU for working for us and for authenticating our hurts. You are a gift from God and you are annointed to bring forth great change!
Pastor Hasker,
I am so proud of you and the site looks wonderful. Thanks for being in my life and teaching me about outreach. You are a Father to many and God could not have picked a better man for the job. God Bless
Post a Comment