As I am writing this, we just had our first day of a three-day prayer event called “14 Blocks”. Over 35 people showed up and we are expecting more over the next two days. Words cannot describe how powerful it was to be in a building with no heat, gathered with people who care about prayer, praying together, and then going out into even colder conditions so that we might seek Him together for our community. Before we started, I explained why the Lord had brought this idea to my mind. As a community organization, we share the ups and downs our community faces and, more times than not, the media like to share only the negative. Yet, even they don’t define what Tiger Pause or Beaver Falls is. There are godly people who want to do, and are doing, good things for the Beaver Falls community. The following pages will be filled with positive facts that show we are doing good things as an organization, improving, developing, and impacting our community in areas that were not dreamed of before.
Unfortunately, as a community, we've had our failures. I know all three of the boys involved in the shooting incident in December. They had come through the Boys’ Center a time or two. In fact, one of them was doing community service for us just five days before that tragedy. He came Monday and did well, but called off Tuesday. On Wednesday, I felt that voice telling me, “You better call and find out why he isn't showing up.” But, I ignored it. On Thursday, I saw him on 8th Avenue as I was driving. He was high. I was going to stop and give him a hard time, but I was in a rush. I was headed to a four-day chemical warfare training at the Air National Guard. I was on duty, but in the wrong place.
Because of my position, I get to meet many different people with various perspectives. Yet, no matter how they feel, the same questions are always brought up: “Where is our country heading?”; “What is wrong with today’s youth?”; “What can I do?”; and even “Why should I do it?”
As a response, we at Tiger Pause remain committed to creating a culture of making Him known and understood so that we might see His power displayed. We have also created a culture of rugged individualism and personal responsibility and are committed to refining that process. We don’t look forward to it, but we are preparing our youth to be Daniels in a broken and twisted world – to stand up against edicts and continually do what is right so that the “king” might say, “May your God whom you serve continually preserve you for He is the living God and He endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed; His dominion will never end.”
Those that gathered to pray at our 14 Blocks campaign got to enjoy having kids waive and hug them and even ask them for prayer. City and school officials thanked us and asked us to do it more regularly. Additionally, not by coincidence but planned providence, the younger sister of one of the boys walked by the building where we gathered after we prayed.
Folks, the fields are ready. We just need some harvesters who have this in their hearts and minds:
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Phil. 3:13-16)
Semper Fi,
Matt Nance
