Anthony & Jarei

Blog from Anthony about his role as a mentor in the Aspire Movement. Anthony is married, a father of two boys, and he owns and operates his own business. 

"After doing various service projects I heard that there was a mentoring program that partners adult Christians with 4th graders from the Fairfield community to assist in raising a historical low graduation rate and walking alongside them in an intentional way. I love working with children and figured this would be great for me...until I found out that this would be a nine year commitment!  I have boys of my own ranging from ages 27 down to 15 years old, and I have been looking forward to the empty nest in three years.  

But I prayed and God answered, so I went about seeking out someone whom had more knowledge and information about the program which led me to Pastor Jason and the rest is history as they say.

Jarei was a 4th grader at C. J. Donald Elementary School when I met him.  I started off just meeting with him during his lunch period in school where I would join him and just converse to break the ice and get to know a little about him.
  

He’s a blast! 

It’s so amazing how he lights up at my arrivals for visits, that alone blesses me. I met his mother a few weeks after meeting Jarei.  She is very happy to have a mentor for Jarei because his biological father is not in the picture.


Our first meeting outside the school environment was a Young Business Leaders dinner.  Since then we’ve been to the Indy races, the mall, and the Stacy Williams Company venders’ showcase, and soon we’ll start biking, swimming and doing some work together where will learn a great deal from each other.  I haven’t had to help with any homework thank God, Jarei is an “A” student, and I don’t want to ruin that.  

It is a blessing that God has allowed me to see, the difference I can make in one life. I am realizing it is not the spectacular and grandiose moments together but rather the consistent, faithful showing up that makes a difference. 

Anybody can mentor! It takes a little bit of time but once you get over the initial shock of committing to 9 years and actually meet the child, you desire to be with them for the long haul and watch them develop into the leaders of tomorrow". 

Big Wheels, Bodily Training & Being Holy

Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.--(1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV)

Anybody remember the Big Wheel? 

I didn’t grow up in a time period of 12 volt motorized cars. We didn’t have fancy bikes that shifted gears and certainly we were never required to wear a helmet! I don’t even remember ever being placed in a car seat. In fact my mom said I used to ride in the back of our old station wagon facing the opposite direction!

How’s that for child safety? 

What I did have growing up was a big wheel. And not just one big wheel but multiple big wheels. It seemed as though I probably owned at least 20 big wheels during my childhood. 

From the outset God designed me with the ability to give 100% to my passions. If there is one thing God has placed inside of me it is the desire to go all in on whatever He puts in my heart. Those of you who know me well have certainly experienced this being around me. 

You see I can’t just do something half way it has to be full throttle with the pedal to the floor. While this has certainly been an asset to my relationship with Christ, others, and his calling on my life in ministry, it can also be a huge weakness for me. 

Recently I have taken on training for a triathlon and the desire to become physically fit. Of course like everything else I do, it must be done to the max. Smoothie shakes twice a day, trips to GNC, biking & running, ab workouts and changing my entire diet. 

While this is fantastic and many people have commended me on how diligent I have strived to lose weight, I also see the dangers of idolatry creeping in subtly. It is very easy to take good things that God has provided for us and make them the centerpiece of our lives and where we put our hopes and satisfaction. 

I was reminded today in my devotional time that while training the physical body is important, there is a far more important discipline that is needed and that is the pursuit of holiness. It is so easy for me to get out of balance in life as the pendulum swings and I take on various passions in life. Maybe you too have experienced the subtleties of good things becoming the main thing. 

When various amoral or good things become our focus we tend to elevate them to a position of prominence and unknowingly judge others based on our own passions. All the sudden I see people who don’t work out and care for their bodies and pass judgment on them. It is so easy to become an accidental pharisee. 

In conclusion I am reminded to thank God and give praise to Him. The only reason I go all in is because he has wired me like this. The only reason I began caring about my physical body is because He placed a desire in me. The only reason I am able to see potential dangers that come from His gifts is because He has gracious given me His Holy Spirit. 

Working out is fine. Being the best at your job is fine. Having a passion and going full throttle is a good thing! But be careful and keep watch over where your satisfaction and joy comes from. It must be rooted and grounded in the person of Jesus Christ and fixed on the hope of His glorious resurrection. 

Jesus is only satisfaction in this life that won’t break or falter due to circumstances. My body may and will eventually break down. I could become physically unable to work out at any given time and if my hopes are in how good my body looks I am in trouble. Your capacity to work or job may be wiped away in a second. Even your family, status, and bank account can disappear in the blink of an eye and if you have been finding your satisfaction in those things you are in for a severe let down. 

Fix your eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is the one and only place to put all your hopes, dreams and passion in because His promises are secure and in Him is love, joy and peace in the midst of anything we will go through. 

While training my physical body is teaching me serious discipline in my life, my spiritual workouts are what will ultimately sustain me and give me an everlasting joy as I seek to be conformed into the image of God's Son. 

Lizzy & Emily

My husband and I live in Fairfield, the city where ASPIRE is focusing its attention. We moved here in order to bring Christ to an urban community. My husband lived here for a couple years before we got married and was already leading a Bible study with some high school guys, but I was looking for a way I could reach out to some girls. Then I heard about ASPIRE. The model fit in perfectly with my work schedule, so I signed up right away. 

I have only been involved with ASPIRE for a few months, but I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Lizzy. She’s just finished the fourth grade and is very smart and loves gymnastics. She and some friends have a band, though none of them knows how to play an instrument. And she is a middle child, like I am. It has been great remembering what it’s like to be a kid, and learning how to get on her level. 

Most of my involvement in Lizzy’s life so far has consisted of meeting her for lunch at school about every other week. During Spring Break, I invited Lizzy and her best friend, Kennedy, and Kennedy’s mentor, to come over to my house to bake cookies. Afterwards, we sat on the front porch talking and shared some cookies with the neighbors as they came home from work. 

As a result of meeting Lizzy for lunch regularly, I’ve also come to be recognized by other students who live in the area. On multiple occasions when my husband and I have been out for a walk, a classmate of Lizzy’s has recognized me. Now when they see me in the lunchroom, they too will come talk to me. 

I look forward to seeing her perform some gymnastics this summer and getting to know her even better when school starts up again. 

The Richness of Diversity and Why We Need It

It has been evident and obvious to me over the last few days that most American’s seem to live in a homogeneous bubble. Just take a peek at all the comments and links splattered all over social media and you will find many speaking emotionally, rarely taking the time to think through a comprehensive grid. 

But how can we think through a comprehensive grid when our circles, churches and families are primary monolithic and unbalanced? 

I have the amazing privilege to be a white man married to an educated black woman. I also happen to have 3 children, 2 of whom are very educated and thoughtful bi-racial teenagers (my other child is bi-racial and smart too, she is just too young to understand yet!). If you look at my facebook “friends” you will see a diverse group made up mostly of minorities. God chose in His infinite wisdom to groom me by placing me in an urban black context during the most impressionable years of my life. 

This allows me to see events like the Trayvon Martin death through a wider, more comprehensive scope taking into consideration many factors though I am certainly not an expert on race, and am certainly not black so I could NEVER completely carry the burden of what it means to be black in America (Thought my kids would argue I was born the wrong color...lol). But although I may be white, because of my experiences I view life differently and see things from a more robust worldview. 

I feel the pain of blacks who have been racially profiled and put into certain categories all their life. I know what it’s like for my wife when white’s ask her for the “black perspective”, as if she or any other black speaks for the entire race (Why we project that any individual speaks for an entire race is beyond my comprehension and lacks common sense). 

I feel the pain of whites who have experienced liberal mainstream media taking advantage of every racial opportunity to spin and promote for the purpose of gaining viewers and making a dollar while ignoring many other justice issues. 

I feel the pain of blacks because the systemic racism and segregation that built this country on black labor continues to operate through a white racial framing (most whites have no idea they think through this lens...read “The White Racial Frame” to learn more). 

I feel the pain of whites because they see gross hypocrisy in outcries of justice when Trayvon Martin’s life is valued but most blacks are silent regarding black on black killings that take place every year by the thousands. I feel the pain that innocent children are aborted (disproportionately black) and for the most part there is no outcry of injustice. It seems to many whites that the only time black life is valued is when it is taken by a non-black person. 

I feel the pain of blacks that experience on going racism in our country and know first hand that white privilege exists. I also feel the pressure blacks face to “prove others wrong” because unfortunately stereotypes exist in which they start out on an unequal playing field. I also feel the pain of the young men I mentor and the challenges they face as black men growing up in the inner city. One of my 11 years old's commented yesterday that “he wished he were white” because he already has internalized racial oppression and carries a low view of himself because from his vantage point, "life for a black man is hard"... 

I feel the pain of whites who have tried to understand race but live in fear of being rejected and misunderstood when it comes to speaking out about race. 

I feel the pain of blacks who don't understand why more whites simply fail to have compassion toward a family who just lost a precious son. 

I just feel pain that most of the polarization I have seen is from Bible believing Christians who don’t have a wide enough pallet of friends to see a bigger picture here, on both sides of the spectrum. 

This is why I believe race is still a huge theological issue that needs to be addressed from our pulpits. Preachers cannot talk about revival and restoration in our country if they are only addressing it to one people group and fail to deal with the sins of the past and the damage that has caused and will continue to cause. America is made up of a diverse group of Christians and we need the “manifold wisdom of God” which Paul speaks of in his letter to the church at Ephesus. 

How is that so many pastors can speak to the "ism's of life; materialism, hedonism, sexism...but never address racism as a theological and ethical issue?

I feel the pain of blacks when whites constantly comment about how good our country used to be. We speak as though our nation has always been God fearing and project this idea that the country was built on Christian principles while ignoring the mass killing of Native Americans and the institution of slavery which happened not only under only the churches watch, but was based on a theology and anthropology contrary to Bible though using Scripture wrongly. 

Until we re-assess this glorified view of America, neglecting due diligence in our understanding of historical facts from black history, we will never progress because we are not dealing with the past from a broad enough lens in order to move forward in a repentant manner. 

While God has been gracious to America I believe it is actually in spite of us, and simply because He is merciful not because we have always been so moral, so upright, so good or so loving. In actuality the church in America has always been divided over race and mixed race congregations are the exception not the norm. 

It is interesting to me that Jesus told His disciples “they will know you are my disciples by the love you have one for another”. Not your intellectualism, not your piety, not your beliefs, but LOVE. Love is not cynical or sarcastic it is patient and long suffering. Love is not emotional and reactionary but intentional and thoughtful, speaking the truth yet doing so patiently. It considers implications before it speaks and responds. 

Revival and change will not happen until love is seen and experienced across ethnic and socio-economic lines and until then we will remain polarized and divided, mocked by the world around us, not because of the offense of the gospel, but because of the hypocrisy they see. 

We need a new movement. 

A movement where we are needy and dependent on one another’s gifts and experiences. Where white churches take on the cares and concerns of poor blacks in a dignifying way, realizing how much history has played a part and seeking to learn from them about suffering and the injustice and oppression they have faced and continue to face. And black churches need forgiveness and a willingness to be vulnerable and patient when explaining hurts and frustrations, realizing that whites unknowingly operate out of a framework that requires deconstruction on many levels. 

Until we realize that race is an issue that must be tackled we will remain stagnant in our country and divided. Sure conversions will still take place and God will accomplish His purpose, but we will all miss out on the richness that diversity brings in how we understand Scripture and see the world we live in. 

So in conclusion I don’t have an opinion of the Trayvon Martin case because I wasn’t there. I am not an attorney, I don’t know the law, and I don’t know facts because the whole case was propagated from the very outset. While many have jumped to conclusions and chosen a side, I feel pain for all those involved. 

I feel pain for the Martin's on the loss of their son. I feel compassion toward the issues that many blacks in America. I am always ready to listen and learn and repent where I am wrong and seek forgiveness. 

I just know that this case has exposed a deep need in our country for racial reconciliation and that is something that only the gospel can bring about. Only the gospel brings broken sinners together unifying them at the cross of Christ where we are equally broken before a holy God and in need of a new record (Christ sinless perfection), a new life (guided by the Holy Spirit), a new family (made up of every tongue, tribe, and nation), and a new found repentance which promotes continuous vulnerability and love one for another. A love that will be willing to suffer rejection and misunderstanding but remain faithful to God’s call for the restoration of all things. 

Khari & Joseph

Over the next few months I will chronicle stories from mentors regarding their involvement in the Aspire Movement. Most of these blogs are written by the mentors and will serve as a way for you to see inside our program and explore how these mutual relationships provide inspiration and hope. 

Joseph is one of our pioneering mentors who has now been matched with Khari for 2 years. They have contributed to each others growth and development and Joseph has earned the right to speak into Khari's life. Joseph is also quick to note that Khari speaks into his life and is never short for words of admonition and encouragement as well. 

In Joseph's own words...

"Six months after taking Khari to his first Auburn football game I found myself heading back down 280 from Birmingham on a different excursion. Not to a football game, but for a few other first time experiences. A few I had anticipated and some I didn't. 

I picked Khari up at his house in West Birmingham to take him fishing for the first time. He was extremely excited because we had been talking about going for some time. Not being a great fisherman myself, I knew just enough to point him in the general direction. Thankfully the place where we fished was a fully stocked pond and large mouth bass came easily.

We also had our first golf cart driving experience at the pond, which proved to be more difficult than catching fish. After a miscommunication, poor driving instructions from me, and a "panic break", (as Khari calls it when you slam the gas and you intend to slam the brakes) we became one with the pond finding ourselves chest high in the drink while finding the golf cart fully submersed. This was definitely not a first experience I had planned for.

Thankfully we were able to retrieve the golf cart and restore it to its original working condition. We also restored our nerves eventually as well and were able to calm down a bit. 

Accidents happen, especially when you try new things. We were able to discuss that trying new things and failing is a part of life. Without trying new things there are no new experiences. 

No growth is possible. 

Through the Aspire Movement I've been able to experience many new and sometimes uncomfortable things. I think I am beginning to scratch the surface in understanding that these are a part of our journey and we are blessed by trying new things. Praise God for new experiences".~Joseph 

The transforming nature of mentoring

After college like many athletes I stopped working out with the consistency I did during my basketball playing years. Eating too much, working a desk job and neglecting my body became the norm. I managed to put on 100 pounds and got up to 310 pounds at one point last year. 

As many of you know I mentor at risk inner city youth. One of my young men is grossly overweight and participates in limited physical activity. He is only 11 years old and wears a 50S jacket. I wanted to share with him the importance of working out and staying in shape but who was I to speak into his life dealing with my own lack of discipline and activity? 

God began to convict me as I worked on my annual plan for growth and development. The plan focuses on 4 different phases, one of them being the physical body. As I looked through my goals from the previous year I realized how lethargic I had become in setting goals that were not very challenging. 

When I thought about my mentee and my own lack of discipline toward remaining physically healthy I started developing a deep motivation to challenge myself in this area. It started so simple, skipping those cinnamon crunch bagels every morning from Panera, eating smaller portions and drinking water instead of soda. 

Before long I developed a passion to walk and start jogging again. I was losing weight at a furious clip and became convinced that indeed I could lose 90 pounds this year. My students picture became my motivation. 

A few weeks ago I was challenged again by one of the mentors in our program. He wanted to compete in a triathlon to raise money for the Aspire Movement. Then he put me on the spot and asked me if I would participate as well. Realizing that God had been readying me for this challenge all year I embraced it and began working even harder than ever. In September, Lord willing, I will compete in my first ever triathlon to raise money for our program. 

As I sit and think about these students and the challenges they face on a regular basis I realize that disciplining my body is not so bad. I realize that in order to be a godly role model I must show forth the discipline of Christ in all areas of my life not simply spiritually. After all my spirit resides in this mortal flesh that if not taken care of can break down and fail to function. 

It is through mentoring that I am learning that teaching is best through imitation. My student now comes to the pool with me and is learning to swim. He too is starting small. God is teaching us both simply through our ever growing relationship where we care about each others entire being. 

I want him to be a godly man and husband one day. I want him to value education and his health. My desire is to see him become a leader of men and follower of Christ in every facet of his being. And through the relationship I am learning the importance of being these things myself. 

Won't you consider donating to our ministry as we seek to recruit more mentors? Won't you give into a ministry that is not only changing urban youth but people like me as well? 

*Update* - Today I embark on a 101 mile bike ride. Now you know why I ride. It's not just for me but for change. We have been featured in Birmingham magazine so go check out that link as well! Birmingham Magazine Article

Clink the link to participate in our fund raiser so more children will have mentors and inspirational experiences they wouldn't otherwise have. 

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