You can also go to their website at
http://dynamicteencompany.org/
December 16, 2009
I read this on CNN Heros
CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member. My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life," says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. "We were pressured to join."
He's not alone. In the Philippines, teenage membership in urban gangs has surged to an estimated 130,000 in the past 10 years, according to the Preda Foundation, a local human rights charity. "I thought I'd get stuck in that situation and that my life would never improve," recalls Fajardo. "I would probably be in jail right now, most likely a drug addict -- if I hadn't met Efren."
Efren Peñaflorida, 28, also was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. Vote now for the CNN Hero of the Year
"Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old," says Peñaflorida. "They are all victims of poverty."For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.
Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future. "Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education," he recalls. "I will strive hard; I will do my best."Don't Miss
Get involved: Dynamic Teen Company
In depth: CNN Heroes
In high school, Peñaflorida faced a new set of challenges. Gang activity was rampant; they terrorized the student body, vandalized the school and inducted members by forcing them to rape young girls, he says."I felt the social discrimination. I was afraid to walk down the street."
Peñaflorida remembers standing up to a gang leader, refusing to join his gang. That confrontation proved fateful. At 16, he and his friends "got the idea to divert teenagers like us to be productive," he says. He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved. "They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.
Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Peñaflorida and his trained teen volunteers. Watch Peñaflorida and his group in action with their push cart classroom » "Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children," he says. The group also runs a hygiene clinic, where children can get a bath and learn how to brush their teeth. Since 1997, an estimated 10,000 members have helped teach more than 1,500 children living in the slums. The organization supports its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle. Take a look at the slums where Peñaflorida and his group spend their Saturdays »
Through his group, Peñaflorida has successfully mentored former gang members, addicts and dropouts, seeing potential where others see problems.
"Before, I really didn't care for my life," says Michael Advincula, who started doing drugs when he was 7. "But then Efren patiently dug me from where I was buried. It was Efren who pushed me to get my life together." Watch Advincula describe how he met Peñaflorida in the slums »
Today, Advincula is a senior in high school and one of the group's volunteers.
Peñaflorida hopes to expand the pushcart to other areas, giving more children the chance to learn and stay out of gangs. "I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."
CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member. My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life," says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. "We were pressured to join."
He's not alone. In the Philippines, teenage membership in urban gangs has surged to an estimated 130,000 in the past 10 years, according to the Preda Foundation, a local human rights charity. "I thought I'd get stuck in that situation and that my life would never improve," recalls Fajardo. "I would probably be in jail right now, most likely a drug addict -- if I hadn't met Efren."
Efren Peñaflorida, 28, also was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. Vote now for the CNN Hero of the Year
"Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old," says Peñaflorida. "They are all victims of poverty."For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.
Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future. "Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education," he recalls. "I will strive hard; I will do my best."Don't Miss
Get involved: Dynamic Teen Company
In depth: CNN Heroes
In high school, Peñaflorida faced a new set of challenges. Gang activity was rampant; they terrorized the student body, vandalized the school and inducted members by forcing them to rape young girls, he says."I felt the social discrimination. I was afraid to walk down the street."
Peñaflorida remembers standing up to a gang leader, refusing to join his gang. That confrontation proved fateful. At 16, he and his friends "got the idea to divert teenagers like us to be productive," he says. He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved. "They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.
Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Peñaflorida and his trained teen volunteers. Watch Peñaflorida and his group in action with their push cart classroom » "Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children," he says. The group also runs a hygiene clinic, where children can get a bath and learn how to brush their teeth. Since 1997, an estimated 10,000 members have helped teach more than 1,500 children living in the slums. The organization supports its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle. Take a look at the slums where Peñaflorida and his group spend their Saturdays »
Through his group, Peñaflorida has successfully mentored former gang members, addicts and dropouts, seeing potential where others see problems.
"Before, I really didn't care for my life," says Michael Advincula, who started doing drugs when he was 7. "But then Efren patiently dug me from where I was buried. It was Efren who pushed me to get my life together." Watch Advincula describe how he met Peñaflorida in the slums »
Today, Advincula is a senior in high school and one of the group's volunteers.
Peñaflorida hopes to expand the pushcart to other areas, giving more children the chance to learn and stay out of gangs. "I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."
December 15, 2009
New Creed Song
So the other day I was driving out Jim Ned and listening to 95Q and their morning show and I heard this song come on the radio. I was like who is that??? Then the DJ said Creed and I was excited. As many of you know that Scott Stapp gave his life over to christ and made some huge changes. I thought it was awesome that he was back with the group and I found my new favorite CD! Bringing back memories of 1998 and drivers ed! Me and my friend would listen to Creed all the time while driving!
September 11, 2001
This spring break I have the chance to take a trip of a lifetime to New York. If you were to ask what am I looking forward to?? I would tell you going to ground zero and having the chance to show respect to the place that changed our lives. I will never forget the day for as long as I live. I was a young 19 year old working for Power 103 and KBCY. Our operations manager called everyone in to work around the clock. Then right after that I went to KTAB TV to work my shift and it was there when I knew my life had changed.
I will never forget the newsroom and how it felt....Bob Bartlett who was able to always hold back emotions cried several times on-air. Tom Brokaw lost it, Dan rather had to ask someone to take over for him for a bit. News people were n longer trying to get the top story. We all came together and were able to see Unity. But this what got me the most....the kids who lost parents. Bellow is a video that will make you cry and it is a little girl who lost her father in September 11.
More then anything else when I go I want to be there and I want to remember an even that brought me closer to my savior Jesus Christ. I knew at that moment that my life would be different. But also while I am there I want to honor those who gave their lives to rescue and keep in mind that even though I dont always understand God has a plan that is bigger than I. From what I hear from people that City is not the same. I love history! Most of all I love the people of history!
I will never forget the newsroom and how it felt....Bob Bartlett who was able to always hold back emotions cried several times on-air. Tom Brokaw lost it, Dan rather had to ask someone to take over for him for a bit. News people were n longer trying to get the top story. We all came together and were able to see Unity. But this what got me the most....the kids who lost parents. Bellow is a video that will make you cry and it is a little girl who lost her father in September 11.
More then anything else when I go I want to be there and I want to remember an even that brought me closer to my savior Jesus Christ. I knew at that moment that my life would be different. But also while I am there I want to honor those who gave their lives to rescue and keep in mind that even though I dont always understand God has a plan that is bigger than I. From what I hear from people that City is not the same. I love history! Most of all I love the people of history!
December 13, 2009
Better Days
If you ask anyone who works with teens or children they will more then likely sit down and tell you the biggest question is Why??? I believe that working with any student is going to have it's ups and downs. There are times that I am frustrated and times that I am excited. I am slowly learning that that God's love and grace goes far and beyond you an I, but yet we are right in the middle for one of the greatest rides of all times. For the last two weeks I know all that we have heard on the news in Abilene is "bad news" about our teens. I have been one of those peoples who have been frustrated with the news, schools, and even the church (the church as a whole....not just the Mission) as I was frustrated and mad it hit me hard that I am not doing a single thing by being upset. I believe it's time to look at the positive. 115 Freshman students from Cooper serving at Mission Thanksgiving. The $820.00 that was raised for foster care kids for Christmas. Teachers writing 25.00 checks to help out a teen that will not have a Christmas.
As I was driving to a school the other day it really hit me when I heard a song from the Goo Goo Dolls. The song is "Better Days." Bellow is the lyrics that hit me the most!
I need some place simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's ten million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
I know our salvation comes from Christ, however God has put you and I in charge to spread his word of love and compassion. I believe that Christ is the only one that is able to give us the peace that we all need. At the same time we must remember how Jesus was born here on planet earth. His reason was not so God could make a statement, it was simple he was need of a savior. The other part of the song hit me hard as well.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
I see that with our community now that we are fighting a endless fight because we live in a world that is not our home. We are going to have better days and we must have the faith in Jesus Christ to provide that. Instead of trying to fight something that is ongoing, lets start with loving and showing respect to people.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
As I was driving to a school the other day it really hit me when I heard a song from the Goo Goo Dolls. The song is "Better Days." Bellow is the lyrics that hit me the most!
I need some place simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's ten million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
I know our salvation comes from Christ, however God has put you and I in charge to spread his word of love and compassion. I believe that Christ is the only one that is able to give us the peace that we all need. At the same time we must remember how Jesus was born here on planet earth. His reason was not so God could make a statement, it was simple he was need of a savior. The other part of the song hit me hard as well.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
I see that with our community now that we are fighting a endless fight because we live in a world that is not our home. We are going to have better days and we must have the faith in Jesus Christ to provide that. Instead of trying to fight something that is ongoing, lets start with loving and showing respect to people.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
November 21, 2009
Something New
The least few month God has been doing a new work in me. Not in a ministry way or even in a personal way....but from a view point and how I see things as a human. Understanding people and there culture has become very important to me and how I do my work and ministry. Working with students in the Bible belt can become draining and very hard. Even though daily I encounter student's who are hurting from their mistakes or the mistakes their parents have made. I believe this is because we live in one of the greatest cities and so many people are not happy with it. This includes me at times. But when I sit and thank about all that I have here is awesome...God's house is all over this town. Their is a place for every person in this city to worship...but yet we struggle. Now I could extend this and say that when we look at America as a whole, we have the same type of attitude. I started thinking about this when I met two students from different countries. They were in my class, their English was broken and they struggle to understand...but when I asked "What is so different about America?" they replied people aren't happy, they are always mad. WOW, now I understand this not everyone and I believe there are people who are thankful in America. What hit me was "I can be that person they are talking about." For those two students they came here to become better people and to find a new way of life.
I need to understand that God has done so much in my life and when I look around I have so much. This is something that I believe that God will honor. Is it okay to have stuff??? Sure! Is okay to have fun??? Sure! Is it okay to enjoy life??? Yeah it is! But lets not forget we also have a job and I believe it's more then a Bible study, it's a life style!
I need to understand that God has done so much in my life and when I look around I have so much. This is something that I believe that God will honor. Is it okay to have stuff??? Sure! Is okay to have fun??? Sure! Is it okay to enjoy life??? Yeah it is! But lets not forget we also have a job and I believe it's more then a Bible study, it's a life style!
November 7, 2009
Going above
It's amazing to me how in today's world we struggle with going above and beyond. What we forget is how Jesus Christ saved us fron our own life by dying on the cross. I believe the world tells you that this is your life and you do things for you. Look at us now Ipods and Iphones. We spend so much time talking about us and taking care of us. We forget Jesus went above and beyond for you and I. He didnt think about just him,he thought about us. It's important to give back because of the freedom of Jesus Christ.
September 16, 2009
We must go
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."1 Peter 4:10
I believe that the beauty of Jesus Christ is not all that he has done for us. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I am thankful for that but what I find to be awesome is that he has empowered me has a sinner to live out his will for planet earth. I believe that God has such a plan for his people that we have no ability to know what it is. I believe that taking that first step is hard and after that we see more and more. I knew when I gave my life over to Christ that youth ministry was the direction I wanted to go. I will be honest I was scared and I wasn't sure what I was doing. In fact I still don't know to this day. It was just funny to me that's what I knew I was to do. I also knew God didn't want me to hop around building programs but to shape and take the least of these and empower them to follow the will of God.
In December it will be six years since I started volunteering at Mission Abilene. It's crazy to look back and see all that God has done...but I must say this year has been a huge eye opener for me. There was a time to where I though I was through and that God wanted me to move on. Not because the church was bad or because of my students, I just felt that I wasn't in the will of God anymore. So I worked more thinking that it was just because I wasn't doing enough. Then it became clear....I spent more time launching stupid programs and teaching and less time empowering students who need a place to belong and a purpose. When did students knowing more about the Bible make them "true disciples" my favorite one is "that kid is good over there because he can sit and listen. You see Jesus came so that we would stop sitting and listening, he cam came so that we would have purpose and put our faith to action. Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." WOW this means that I need to study my Bible but however Jesus cares more about my purpose in life before he care about how much I know?Since school has started it has been amazing to watch my group of kids that were the trouble makers. My church is a Church open to all people and trust me they come. The kids that were the trouble makers have made a huge turn around because of a foster home that is not even open. It started with an idea and then all of our leaders were talking one day about the student who are always in trouble and what we could do different. It hit us, at camp all they said was "this is like a family, we have this no where else." It was time for our youth group to stop being a stupid program and become a family. This meant that we were going to have to step it up and stop thinking about how we felt and empower these students like Jesus. We did just that and it was messy and hard. I had a few students leave because of it but it was time for Paradox Student Ministry to live up to it's name. We must be different and we must love. The foster home became our church on Sunday afternoons. I knew it was a perfect match when I talked with Tim and then was able to see how he worked with the students.
A young man for the first time had blisters on his hand because of a saw and cutting down a tree limb. What was so good about that? His dad passed away when he was eight, no one has ever taking the time to teach him....he was proud of that blister and took a picture. Another young man that hated getting dirty went walking through a muddy pond so that he could help clean it out, and two girls found a trash dumpster and pulled it out. 
I have found that we started serving in away that we never had before and our students have a found a purpose. I am seeing more and more that we must empower this generation to serve one another in love in order for people to see Jesus. Words are cheap now but action speaks for its self. When I look at that hand, I no longer see that hand as the hand of some teenager who did something good. That is the hand of Jesus. Our youth group should never be just a group for silly games, but a family of believers reaching out to others in need. To me as their youth pastor I have three things that I try to help them with. 1. A personal relationship with Jesus 2. A servants heart 3. Their education. I am not there to be cool, my job is to empower and help direct them in the right direction.
It's time to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to love those who are in need of love!
September 14, 2009
Come as you are leave differene
I am not sure if I am the only one that feels this way, but it's amazing to me what God is trying to save us from. All of us have our labels in life and that is what we live by with out even thinking about who we really are in Christ Jesus. Jesus didn't come so we could remain the same, he came so that wecould leave different. The older I get the more I see that a relationship with Jesus is estential. I am not talking about attending a church or 15 Bible studies. I am not even talking about all the acts of service you might do in one week. I am talking about seeking God and trying our best to live for him. When I first gave my life over to Christ, I did all the right things. I only listened to Christian music because I felt that is what a good Christian did. I didn't see a movie that fighting, kissing, or anything else. As I did all that my relationship was struggling....In the last seven years I have been out of church on a Sunday three times. Since I have been the youth pastor I have only called in sick once. I am dedicated to what I do, but am I dedicated to the creator? You see when we read the word of God it's tough and it was amazing the other day when I read in Acts how this story jumped out......
Acts 3 1-5One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.
6-8Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.
8-10The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.
11The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves.
You see the begger though he knew what he needed, but God had a different plan. I love this because we are able to see the power of Jesus and his desire for us to make a change and how he doesnt always give us what we want. Also Peter and Paul taking the time to talk to this guy because someone had to carry him to the gates....my question is why did they leave them there? We I know we understand that this guy was the least of these and what gets me the most is how Jesus used Peter and when people saw this begger walking people notice.
I believe that is what makes our story so powerful. When we hear what God can do with his people if we allow him is amazing....me must come as we are, but leave different!
Acts 3 1-5One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.
6-8Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.
8-10The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.
11The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves.
You see the begger though he knew what he needed, but God had a different plan. I love this because we are able to see the power of Jesus and his desire for us to make a change and how he doesnt always give us what we want. Also Peter and Paul taking the time to talk to this guy because someone had to carry him to the gates....my question is why did they leave them there? We I know we understand that this guy was the least of these and what gets me the most is how Jesus used Peter and when people saw this begger walking people notice.
I believe that is what makes our story so powerful. When we hear what God can do with his people if we allow him is amazing....me must come as we are, but leave different!
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