New Orleans can be a dangerous place for young men to grow up. Poverty in the city runs rampant. Extreme poverty increases the likelihood that the lives of children will be steeped in trauma and lifelong learning difficulties. Further, the City of New Orleans is plagued with crime and violence, boasting one of the highest murder rates in the world. Growing up in such a dangerous, impoverished and crime ridden environment, young men are apt to encounter situations and circumstances that are detrimental to their well being and development. There are disturbingly high number of young men in our community being led down a road of destruction because they are not adequately equipped to cope with such a hostile environment filled with so many potential traps and snares. Further, because of the increasing number of female led, single parent families, many of our young men lack strong male role models. Our youth are in a desperate need of guidance. To know that there is a problem, and choose to ignore the problem, is to become part of the problem. Bethel City of Refuge is a youth mentoring and disicipleship ministry of Bethel Community Baptist Church. Our mission is to reach out to young men and boys in our communtity who are at risk of falling victim to poor education, unemployment, crime, violence, gangs, drug addiction and alcoholism. We empower these young men by connecting them with positive male role models who demonstrate for them, in both words and actions. The God-centered standard of manhood that was defined by the life and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We help young men grow and bear fruit in their lives by introducing them to Jesus Christ; by teaching them christian values and principles; and by providing a social support network that might otherwise be lacking in their lives. We provide one on one mentoring as well as various group activities. Group activities include: Educational, Recreational, Bible Studies, Workshops, Camping, Cook-Outs, Volunteer Projects, Games, Sports, Movies, Prayer, Praise and worship, Church Services.
