Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The ministry wants to reach teens before they get into trouble or are incarcerated.
YOUNGSTOWN — Mount Gilead Baptist Church 2821 Hillman St., will begin an Inner City Outreach Youth Ministry led by Minister Keith A. Neal.
Sessions will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 6 through April 9, at the church. The ministry will reach out to 12- to 16-year-old boys and girls and talk to them about life, using concepts from the Bible.
“We want to reach them before they get into trouble or are incarcerated,” Neal said.
Neal is a chaplain with Youngstown Police Department and a 15-year correctional counselor with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. He has a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and a master’s degree in counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary.
Neal said the program will use the Emmanus study course, which teaches young people how to apply biblical truths to their everyday lives.
“My approach is bold and effective and kids respond to that,” Neal said. “It’s not entertainment.”
Neal said he plans to arrange talks by former inmates as part of the program.
Neal said his own career background has given him life experience to share. Already, he noted, there is interest in the ministry by parents and young people.
“Our church is in the heart of the city,” Neal said, and is poised to help young people.
The Rev. Clifford Kimbrough is church pastor.