“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16).
The Men’s Center actually has two program phases. The first phase is the 32-week program and after that the men have an option to apply for our economic phase where they connect with Fresh Start and seek employment, attend evening classes here at the center, and also give back by ministering to the men in the first phase of the program.
Recently, a few of the second phase men asked if they could go to an Elevation Worship Night in Tampa. What started as two guys ended with a group of 24 who all joined together to praise God for all He has done in their lives. It was a group of men who have graduated the program praising God for the new life He has given us. Some of the men brought their children.
It was so powerful to witness these men in tears, worshipping with their children—children who had a first-hand account of God’s redeeming power in their family. I personally saw each of these men come through the program; I have witnessed these same men shed tears over the hurt they have caused their family, and now to see the tears of gratitude and love for God was truly amazing. I saw men worshipping with their wives; the same wives that were ready for divorce now worshipping God together in true redemption. I witnessed a completely full stadium of dry bones come alive to praise their Lord, their God, for all He is and has done.
As the message of Christ dwells in our hearts, as we sing to God with gratitude in our hearts, it brings forth the power to overcome storms to break chains that make dead men come alive!