On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige welcomes friend, motivational speaker, and author of Worth Seeing, Amy Williams. Amy is a certified Gang Intervention Specialist, a youth ministry veteran of over 29 years, and currently the Project Coordinator for the Ilinois Youth Center for New Life Centers Chicagoland. Paige and Amy discuss God’s heart for the marginalized and why the church has a responsibility for serving these groups. Amy shares that a growing number of young people are experiencing hopelessness which means they have no plans or dreams for their futures - but that we as followers of Christ carry hope wherever we go! It should be our joy and great privilege to share the light, peace, worth, and belonging we have in Him.

Paige’s Takeaways:

• People are NOT Projects
  • If we see people as problems to fix, the relationship dynamic shifts. Most of the time, people just need us to sit with them and show empathy. We can’t and shouldn’t try to change people - only God can do that!
• We Never Know Their Story
  • Oftentimes we allow our ignorance to place a judgment over their present circumstance - when in reality, we have no idea what led them to this place.
  • Lean in with compassion and ask questions. Be willing to learn - and be wrong.
• We Already Belong
  • Even if we don’t know the full story, there’s usually a catalyst that has led people to their current situation - and most of the time, it stems from a desire to belong.
  • As followers of Jesus - we already belong! We are chosen, we are beloved, we have worth and value simply because Jesus loves us. We don’t have to strive or perform our way into belonging!
  • This point is particularly important while raising your kids. When they know to whom they belong, it’s not as easy to be swayed or tempted by different crowds with the lure of “belonging”. Teach them whose they are and instill the worth and value that Jesus has placed on them - on each of us.

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: paigeclingenpeel@gmail.com

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

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Connect with Amy Williams:

Website: https://www.ahopedealer.org/

IG: @ahopedealer

Email: ahopedealer@gmail.com

Books:

Worth Seeing: Viewing Others Through God’s Eyes: https://a.co/d/1YfNVV3

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