I believe it was sometime in 2010 when the Lord impressed it upon my heart to pray for the City of Newburgh, New York...
Situated along the west bank of the scenic Hudson River, the city has seen better days. Once a bustling industrial town, Newburgh has fallen into poverty and despair, and "off the charts" violent crime.
When it comes to Newburgh, shootings, stabbings and killings often lead the news. It's a city awash in misery. Overrun by gangs and drugs, too many of its young die before their time. A headline from a 2010 edition of the local newspaper, reads, "Again, a City Yearns for Peace."
Ministers are calling for gun buybacks, while police are being pressured to take control of the streets. Parents are pleading for an end to the senseless violence. Newburgh is indeed a city deserving of prayer.
Yet all is not, bleak. Within its ranks are those whom the Bible refers to as "salt and light" - men and women who believe that God is the answer to Newburgh's problems. And one of these individuals is Pastor Rosey Andrews, a lady minister who runs and oversees a storefront, church called
Northeast Gateway to Freedom.
Located in Newburgh's most crime-ridden neighborhood, the church is something of an oasis of hope for kids who are not only poor, but hungry. As with many American cities that are in varying states of decay, a lot of Newburgh's kids, "live without steady meals," wrote reporter Doyle Murphy in an article about Pastor Rosey Andrews' feeding program.
The folks at Northeast Gateway want to teach the local youth about Jesus Christ. They know they're up against tremendous odds. Many of these kids are not expected to lead product lives, so say the "experts." Many believe most of them are expected to eventually join gangs, use drugs, and commit crimes. All of which means trips to and from prison, or a one-way trip to the graveyard.
Not, too long ago, I sent Pastor Rosey a letter of encouragement to remind her that nothing is impossible with God. Something she already knows. But it's good to have someone come along to confirm what the Lord has already placed within her heart.
I want to make it my business to continue to pray for the citizens of Newburgh.
D.B.
Northeast Gateway to Freedom, Inc
P.O. Box 2187
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845-567 -6959)
SOURCES:
Adam Bosch, "Again, a City Yearns for Peace."
Times Herald-Record, Sunday, January 17, 2010
(www.RECORDONLINE.COM)
Doyle Murphy, "N'burgh Churches Join Forces to Feed
Kids This Summer," Friday, July 23, 2010
(www.RECORDONLINE.COM)
When it comes to Newburgh, shootings, stabbings and killings often lead the news. It's a city awash in misery. Overrun by gangs and drugs, too many of its young die before their time. A headline from a 2010 edition of the local newspaper, reads, "Again, a City Yearns for Peace."
Ministers are calling for gun buybacks, while police are being pressured to take control of the streets. Parents are pleading for an end to the senseless violence. Newburgh is indeed a city deserving of prayer.
Yet all is not, bleak. Within its ranks are those whom the Bible refers to as "salt and light" - men and women who believe that God is the answer to Newburgh's problems. And one of these individuals is Pastor Rosey Andrews, a lady minister who runs and oversees a storefront, church called
Northeast Gateway to Freedom.
Located in Newburgh's most crime-ridden neighborhood, the church is something of an oasis of hope for kids who are not only poor, but hungry. As with many American cities that are in varying states of decay, a lot of Newburgh's kids, "live without steady meals," wrote reporter Doyle Murphy in an article about Pastor Rosey Andrews' feeding program.
The folks at Northeast Gateway want to teach the local youth about Jesus Christ. They know they're up against tremendous odds. Many of these kids are not expected to lead product lives, so say the "experts." Many believe most of them are expected to eventually join gangs, use drugs, and commit crimes. All of which means trips to and from prison, or a one-way trip to the graveyard.
Not, too long ago, I sent Pastor Rosey a letter of encouragement to remind her that nothing is impossible with God. Something she already knows. But it's good to have someone come along to confirm what the Lord has already placed within her heart.
I want to make it my business to continue to pray for the citizens of Newburgh.
D.B.
Northeast Gateway to Freedom, Inc
P.O. Box 2187
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845-567 -6959)
SOURCES:
Adam Bosch, "Again, a City Yearns for Peace."
Times Herald-Record, Sunday, January 17, 2010
(www.RECORDONLINE.COM)
Doyle Murphy, "N'burgh Churches Join Forces to Feed
Kids This Summer," Friday, July 23, 2010
(www.RECORDONLINE.COM)
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