June 3, 2002
BGCT plans pre-emptive strike on juvenile justice ministries
___By Ferrell Foster
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--Texas Baptist juvenile justice ministry is trying to get out of jail.
___After several years of focusing on a mentoring program with incarcerated youths, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is changing its approach, said Tomi Grover, consultant for juvenile justice ministries.
Tomi Grover
___"We're going to have to get outside the bars of the incarceration units," she said.
___The new emphasis is on helping "at-risk" children and youth before they are imprisoned.
___"It's a change in our focus and vision from the tactical hands-on ministry to incarcerated youth to a more strategic vision," said Grover, who joined the BGCT staff in November. She will be seeking to educate churches regarding the need and "advocating on behalf of the children," most of whom are "outside their walls."
___Those at-risk young people can be identified in a variety of ways. Their parents may be incarcerated, or they may already be in trouble with the law but have thus far avoided confinement. They may suffer abuse or neglect. They may have difficulties in school.
___Various ministries, community organizations and state agencies work with at-risk youth in specific ways. All of them, however, need volunteers, people who are willing to invest themselves in the lives of teenagers who often have little or no contact with a church.
___The BGCT will help churches understand the need in their communities and connect with those who can assist them in ministry.
___"A lot of government agencies care about physical and psychological well-being but cannot touch the spiritual aspects," Grover said. "That's where the church needs to be a voice for these kids."
___There is "no resounding voice from the Christian perspective" on what these children and youth need, she added.
___A number of effective services are available. She cited Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship that ministers to the children of prisoners at Christmas, as one example. Children of prisoners are nine times more likely than other kids to become involved with the juvenile justice system themselves. The BGCT wants to help churches participate in Angel Tree and also help them find other ways to minister to children of prisoners throughout the year.
___Grover also wants to help churches partner with schools, law enforcement agencies, probation officers, judges and others in their communities who can identify at-risk children and understand their needs.
___The BGCT no longer will be directly tied to New Life Juvenile Justice Ministry, an interdenominational effort it has been involved with since about 1997, but will continue to help people connect with the ministry. New Life provides mentoring and Bible study for incarcerated youth. Over the past couple of years, New Life has been "very successful" with little BGCT funding and oversight, Grover said.
___By moving away from only one specific effort into a networking function, the BGCT is "plowing a lot of new ground as far as restorative justice ministry," she said. "We're trying to move toward a holistic approach to the problem."
___Juvenile justice ministries is supported by Texas Baptists through the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions. A special training conference will be held Aug. 17 in Waco. Topics will include child advocacy in the courts, mentoring incarcerated youth, aftercare involving the church and understanding at-risk children and their educational needs. There is no charge. For more information, contact Grover at (888) 311-3900 or (214) 418-8318.
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