Consistency and the Amazing Love of ChristWhen a correctional facility of any kind is built, a community sometimes begins to complain. But when Swan Valley Youth Academy was built, two churches swung into positive action. Condon Community Church and Swan Chapel pastors, Jim Moore and Gary Morton respectively, approached the administrators who openly received their proposal for a weekly chapel service. The facility has 18 boys, ages 13-18, in serious trouble. It will house between 40 to 50 boys within a year.  The two churches began bringing music and message of the gospel this past February in Sunday evening chapel services. Jim said, "The first six to eight weeks were extremely difficult. Kids came out of curiosity; they were not required to come. A real spiritual battle was going on. Most don't even have homes. They come from extremely bad situations."
Every Sunday five people come to lead, and every Thursday night they come back for recreation time with the boys. Two people from another church sometimes join them. The visitors spend time, both evenings, in one-on-one time with the boys. Jim gives an update: "After time, chapel became easier; and now they would be real disappointed if we weren't there. 95% of the boys have come to Christ... and we have seen real growth." He observes, "They know they need to make a change, and they come asking to receive Christ. It has floored all of us. We're amazed at what God has done." His church youth leader commented, "I've never seen a change like this in my life." But Jim's response is, "These kids are at the bottom; they've got no place to go. Youth group kids aren't backed into a corner. These kids' response is nothing short of unbelievable. It's extremely encouraging to everyone in the church, even those who are not actively involved. The whole church prays, probably daily." Boys are only there a year; when new ones come in, they don't feel so threatened about coming. It makes it easier. Almost the whole crew attends chapel. But it is the consistency of the visitors that has made the opening for Christ. And, as Jim adds, "We sing real, real loud, and they can't stand it so they come 'hang out'. Two of the staff who were not Christians approached us to ask for Bibles so they could learn too." One young man said he was so impressed when he first came because the Christian community came so consistently. He was confused and hurting, but the consistency of the people led him to Christ. Recently, a new believer said, "I didn't know what to believe (after hearing cultic teaching). I was so confused. So I said, 'I know what I'll do; I'll pray and ask God.' I couldn't believe it--God spoke not audibly, but clearly! God told me that Christianity was the right way--no doubt." | 
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