By Patricia Barnes-Cannon

When you make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ you never know where He will guide you. Many years ago, I worked as a Juvenile Probation officer in Maricopa County, AZ. On the Justice team, I began to hear His call to serve the King County Youth Chaplaincy association after the study of the book Just Mercy and the Equal Justice Initiative. I began to learn more of His mercy and grace and His purpose for me. I thank you, Jesus Christ, the Justice Team, and BelPres Church where He placed me to be a member of the body to serve you and our community.

Since 2009, King County Youth Chaplaincy has been ministering in the King County Juvenile Detention Center through chapel services, one-on-one chaplaincy with youth in the center and supporting young people through their journey in the justice process.

As their work in juvenile detention ("juvy") has continued, they have learned that the scope of need for chaplaincy reaches far beyond juvy. So, they have extended their mission to the long-term state youth facilities, group homes and treatment centers where some of the youth are sent. They are also continuing to grow into the post-release portion of the mission by extending their network of ministries, church partners and social service partners to continue to support the youth in their walk of faith and journey toward lasting success.

During Covid, they have been keeping in touch with youth at various facilities via phone and they do church via video. They continue to support youth who have been released via phone, texting, and in-person meetings outdoors at parks.

If recent events have given you a desire to take specific action to advance racial justice, we encourage you to attend their virtual fundraiser and then pray about how God might be calling you to participate in their work.