MATTERS OF FAITH: Community must rally to help boys in crisis

I would like to tell all my faithful readers that the reason I share important social issues with you is to raise awareness, and hopefully somebody will be helped through the process.

The topic I will be covering is one the issues that is very dear to me. This topic has been discussed in so many forums, assemblies, community events and town hall meetings.

The topic is: American boys are in crisis.

It seems to me like we are losing the battle against the crisis that our teen boys are facing, and these issues have already infiltrated the elementary schools.

Last year, I wrote about African-American boys and the issues they are facing. And, of course, many of those same issues affect families in other races as well.

As we all know, African-American boys are grossly over-represented in the correctional facilities and the Department of Juvenile Justice, and large numbers of African American boys are truant.

There are an increasing number of people of other races who are in the system as well.

These young boys are struggling with a number of issues such as smoking cigarettes and other illegal substances, teen alcohol use and abuse, teen sex, lying and stealing, gang issues, and the list goes on.

All they need is somebody to be there for them, someone who will take the time to help them go through the challenging times. The majority of them do not have that positive male role model in their lives.

I am calling on the churches — black, white and all races — to come together and help these boys. If the church does not step up and get involved, I don’t who will.

I believe that the church should be addressing social issues as well as teaching and preaching the word of God. We cannot separate the two.

At the rate we are going, and seeing the rapid growth of the crisis, if we choose not to get involved and act now, in 10 to 15 years we will have a generation that will have no foundation. It will grow up with no education, no spiritual foundation.

The urgency of this situation requires every pastor to take the time and look into this issue. Churches need to take the lead in providing education and support to single parents, grandparents or guardians of young boys.

If we don’t reach our boys today and give them a proper foundation, we won’t have strong families, and that will also affect the community at large.

Dear pastors, I’m sure you preach and teach that Christ is the answer to everything. If you believe that, then get involved and remember this is a social issue and Christ was about social issues.

God bless.