FCS Community Economic Development has always been committed to job training over the past thirty years. Although now, instead of Home Resource and The Family Store, we are the South Atlanta Marketplace and Community Grounds Café. Even still, there is the same commitment to training leaders from the community.
Antwain and Bryan are two young men that grew up in neighborhoods around South Atlanta. They have attended summer camps, after school programs, and played sports – all through ministries supported by and partnering with FCS over the past ten years. We first met Brian when he was just 10 years old and Atwain 15. They are 20 and 21 years old today, one attends college and our commitment is to get the other in soon.
These young men have met Jesus and walked with us over many years. They both now work in our businesses in South Atlanta. They open the stores, price the merchandise, make the coffee, greet customers and help plan the marketing. In a society where young black men aren’t always seen in the best light, we have two incredible young men being trained as leaders in our shops today. Many more come behind them, working in our camps and afterschool programs.
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new. Isa. 61:1-7
Think about it, young black men meeting Jesus, being discipled, getting trained for work, discovering their God given abilities and talents, and then turning around and running businesses in the community. It sounds too good to be true. But it is true and doesn’t need to be imagined – only supported by you to continue.
Leroy Barber
Co-Executive Director, FCS Urban Ministries