If you watched the evening news Thursday in Pensacola or read the Pensacola News Journal Friday morning you have heard about Operation Brownsville. This is a month long effort to clean up a 40 block section of the city. County officials are leading the effort to make the area more livable for residents. On Thursday afternoon I took a ride through the area with sheriff department officials. I was astonished at what I saw. Debris piled high in yards was abundant. Crack houses were being torn down. Prostitutes walked the streets. The officers told me of drug dealers and their work. I left asking if there is there hope for the people of this area. Many good and decent people live in the crime-infested zone. But what can be done? Can real change come?    

About four hours later I received a living parable from the Lord and His work of grace. Hope? There is hope! On Thursday evening I attended graduation at the Waterfront Rescue Mission Career Development Center. There men told of how they were one time dealing drugs and hooked on the evil substances that ruled and ruined their lives. Then two graduates that now attend Olive told how the Gospel changed their lives. I had tears in my eyes. These men started with nothing at the Rescue Mission. They then attended a group home that led them to become disciples. And now they have been through career development. They are on the road to being productive citizens and healthy growing Christians.    Our government officials are to be commended for the effort to make a difference. The church must come along side them with the life-changing message of King Jesus. He is the One who makes all things new. I was greatly encouraged on Thursday to see the great need in our city and realize God is still at work one heart at a time.   

Pastor Ted Traylor  

Posted on Friday, February 9th, 2007 at 9:31 am.
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