From Words to Actions

Growing up we watch government running countries, parents running homes, teachers running schools... 

       adults rule the world!
                                         ...or do they?

As soon as you get adolescents fired up about making a difference, remarkable things can happen. 

Give an adolescent who has passion and willpower a voice, and listen to change.

Give an adolescent the opportunity to make a difference, and watch the change. 

Our generation is tired of watching our nation being led to shambles. 

We're speaking up, we're seeing what needs to change, and we are doing something about it. 

This was taken at the Prayer Walk April 16, 2011, where we marched alongside 30,000 people in Detroit to make a statement that we're not giving up, and that God can re-build this rundown city.

I was blessed with the opportunity to share my testimony for 2wordstory and was marveled at the impact it's brought, and the hearts it's touched. Thousands are now knowledgeable of how Christ changed my life, and now it can be used as an instrument for others to let Him change theres. My friend, Emily Potter has become the poster child of the "American Dream for Detroit" where she's been featured on Detroit2020's website, got to be ON Channel 7 News, and got the opportunity to speak in front of a class of thirds graders who were inspired by her. (check out the video of the third grade class she visited here!) It's so amazing to look and see one of my friends really following her heart and actually putting action to her words. I'm proud, inspired, and amazed by her remarkable accomplishment to get her voice heard. My lovely friend Rachael Rutcowski has really stepped up her game with making sure she's spreading the love. She created a group on Facebook called "Spread the Love" for girls. It started off with a decreasing number, but now it's at a proud 168 girls. On this page is where they can leave encouragement, kind words, hope and just spread the love! She's in the makings of starting a non-profit organization to keep the love spreading. There is just so much going on to make a difference in this world, whether it be big or small, things are happening. At Woodside Student Ministries, we've really been tested to how much we can really do make a change with the 40 Day Challenge; a list of random acts of kindness and pay it forward stuff. From paying for someone's lunch, to fasting for Detroit it's really heating up the movement! Play for Japan was an event geared to raise money to send funds to the the destroyed country of Japan. After a devastating earthquake, there's only so much you can do from so far away. That's not stopping us though! The EACH campaign is specifically designed for Detroit and is a movement giving everyone a chance to hear. Hundreds of collaborating churches are taking part to reach this broken city, and share the love of Jesus Christ with the people in desperate need to hear it. there's been the EACH Youth Rally, the EACH prayer walk where 30, 000 people marched in the city of Detroit to make a statement that we are not letting this city die. All this in the last two months! We've just begun our transformation to make a difference. And when you want to say "the young can't do much" ha, I beg to differ. 
Sincerely,
Stephanie