Blog

“The men from Juntos are the only positive guys that my kids have ever been around. They are the only good example they have.” Karen and I stood in her apartment parking lot talking about her four boys. She was telling me that the three youngest weren’t allowed to play outside anymore because they kept getting in trouble and fighting with neighborhood kids. Her oldest has chosen to live with his dad and is spending his days and nights on video games. She was clearly overwhelmed by the situation – three young boys cooped up in a small space in 100+ degree weather while she is trying to make ends meet. “Any time there is anything happening at Juntos, please come take them!”  

This summer Karen’s boys participated in Kids Club, summer camp at CrossBarX Youth Ranch, sports camp at Highland High School and two of them met with their mentors weekly. Her oldest, now in high school, spoke weekly with a Juntos volunteer who is discipling him.  

As the school year kicks off they will all attend weekly Rally Nights at Juntos (our Monday large group outreach), continue to meet one on one with their mentors through the Juntos Mentors program, and participate in tutoring and outdoor opportunities with godly volunteers. Her oldest son will have the opportunity to participate in leader training with other young high school students.    

Programs are not our focus at Junto, but, rather, we call them “a vehicle for relationship.” Through them, the Lord has provided wide open doors into families like Karen’s. As we build trusting relationships, the Gospel naturally flows and there are many opportunities to share the transforming love of Christ.

Although Juntos is a youth leadership program, we believe that the Lord has put us in a position to minister to whole families. As a reminder, “At Juntos we believe that whole families and entire communities can be transformed by young people discovering and living out their God-given purpose.”  

Spending time with Karen’s kids has allowed us develop a deep, trusting friendship with her. This has led to Gospel conversations and a front row seat to the transforming, healing, and restoring work of Christ in her family.