Incarcerated youth in Colorado

I spent the morning with Nathan Jones and his team to hear about Youth For Christ's Juvenile Justice Ministries at the Mountview Correctional Facility which is located right behind our church building. I've been to Mountview a few times to visit students over the years, but had not been exposed to what YFC is doing. We already do monthly ministry there as we hold a worship service there once a month for the girls who are detained. I found out some interesting stats about incarcerated youth in CO:

- Approx. 10% of youth in CO between the ages of 10-17 are arrested each year.
- 10,698 youth were incarcerated in CO last year.
- 63.3% of incarcerated youth had 1 or more previous incarcerations.
- 23% were between 10-14 years old.
- Incarcerated youth are diverse: 42% White, 38% Hispanic, 16% African American, 3% other...23% Female.
- Over 60% ran away from home in the year previous to arrest believing they were better off.

I am praying that our church and other churches in our area can be places where these students can land to be in spiritual community once they are outside the fence. I am really excited for what God is doing through these men and women to live out the Great Commandment and Great Commission to these youth.