"It's not fair!" We use this for many reasons justified or not it's kind of a universal belief in our world. You want to know what I think is unfair? Satan stealing God's precious ones! Our youth are constantly bombarded with messages from the evil realm saying they're not good enough, skinny enough, pretty enough, valuable enough, smart enough, old enough. Well guess what Satan got some news for you you don't win! God is going to have the final victory and I can't wait!!!
My heart beats and bleeds for the youth. I didn't know this until I was given the privilege to be a youth group leader. I was at a much different stage of my life and not skilled in life that I didn't lead the way I would now. I was told by a youth pastor that not a lot of people are called to the youth in fact most people want nothing to do with middle and high school students. That's just not me!
I can't wait to spend time with our youth! I love the energy they bring! I love getting their help and perspective, I love spending time with my family and youth hanging out! I call them my kids! God carved out my heart for my own kid/s and many many others! You know who you are but know this from the bottom of my heart any youth that I have ever worked with I'm still praying for and with you! I expect great things from you!
So I don't find it remotely fair when such beautiful children are starving, getting hurt, shot at, forced into prostitution, being sold drugs and alcohol. There's a much higher calling for the youth then that! God is calling all youth and their elders in the last days to unite as one! That's just what I am going to focus my attention on! I want every single youth that comes into my path to feel the love of God so much that maybe that encounter leads them to make the right decision.
Ultimately I want as many of our youth rising up for Jesus! I want to see a move of God in our schools, churches, work places, homes, community, and (large scale) world. We so desperately need the youth to rise and those that will lead their effort and be advocates and their voice. Here's a thought, if they are on this Earth then they have a God appointed destiny to fulfill. Don't let anyone stop that!
I once thought youth are just rebellious and don't care what I say. Then I met some that changed my view of youth forever! What I realized just like all of us that the youth just want someone to show them they are loved. I don't think there is a single person that can say they don't want love, or are loved to much they don't need anymore. If you ever hear that you are dealing with a hurting heart. I want to share a vision that is just now coming to pass!
4 years ago I lost a job at a daycare center when I still lived in Wisconsin. The day that happened I saw a vision of me with the youth. I thought I was a youth director but God this week showed me a different role! In the vision my husband and I trade off the baby and I spend the rest of the night with the youth. I didn't know I wanted to work with youth until this vision and ever since I just couldn't wait to. So Zechariah and I have a really exciting opportunity for ministry!
With both our hearts geared and centered toward the youth we are feeling led to provide a safe haven to the youth of North Minneapolis. (Don't worry it's not going to be our house it's too small). We are starting to poke around the area for a coffeehouse that we will remake into a youth hangout! We want to offer both food and entertainment! Right now we are switching off with care for Nathan. I work every other weekend Zechariah is working the other. This confirmed the vision of me trading the baby off to my husband. (Also that I would be married!)
As soon as Zechariah told me about this I felt immense peace and excitement and instantly remembered that vision! God is going to bring this to pass!! Much more important than bringing a vision to pass is the safety and potential life change for the youth!! I can't wait to see what God does!!
At this point we are asking for your prayers! We want to follow God's perfect timing and leading! If he builds it they will come!! If you know of anyplace that would be helpful for this adventure please let us know!! We are so honored and excited to be chosen for this great task and mission! I also always wanted to find a place my kids could grow with I couldn't think of a better opportunity for Nathan to see what church does outside of the church walls! We want to be light in our community and we feel North Minneapolis is in dire need of it! Thank you for all that support our effort! We can't wait to partner with you! I'll keep you posted on our progress! For now I want to share some songs that I feel are a perfect reason to begin this difficult task.
We love you with all our heart!
Tina Martina Putney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gSugruC1jQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-g4uwQlXKw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8
