When we started Sozo three years ago, we always had the vision that these kids in the Hilltop and from Remann Hall would gives their lives to Christ, and would one day be the leaders that replaced us. I’m not going to lie…it seemed like a very lofty goal at best. The minority of the youth who had already given their lives to Christ were still struggling with gangs, drugs and sex and were nowhere near leading their peers in positive lifestyles.

Fast-forward to three years later…

We are seeing the beginning stages of the things that God had promised! Not only has he saved and redeemed kids from Satan’s grasp, but he is developing these youth into leaders that are impacting kids in their community. He’s raising up indigenous leaders—leaders that come from the community to whom they are ministering. I could talk about a lot of our “indigenous leaders”—Justin, Airfeaira, Mister, Patrick, Devan, Miranda, Lecario—but I’m just going to focus on someone who is near and dear to my heart: De’Marko.

De’Marko’s Story:

Three years ago, De’Marko didn’t know Christ. He hated church, and didn’t want to have anything to do with God. He only came to Sozo because of the food and basketball, but the Holy Spirit got hold of him right away and He gave his life to Christ the second month of Sozo. One of our leaders started discipling him right away, and laid a solid foundation of Biblical truth and practical disciplines.

De’Marko’s dad never wanted anything to do with him, and he has no relationship with him. He was raised by his grandparents, but never learned a lot of the practical disciplines like getting up for school and finishing homework. As a result, by the time he was 19 years old, he barely had sophomore credits for high school, and it was looking like he would never be able to finish school.

God gave him hope and support system through Sozo, and he started attending night classes at Bates Technical College. After one year of night classes, De’Marko not only attained his high school diploma from Bates, but he also received a certificate in carpentry and found work doing construction.

That was last January. But God has done so much more in De’Marko’s life since then. I hired De’Marko to work (through Metro Parks, one of our community partners) as a leader at Sozo Kids, our elementary-aged late night. The first week, De’Marko was terrified to work with young kids. By the third week, De’Marko was literally a kid magnet. Everywhere he goes, there are about 15 kids completely drawn to him. He has become an unbelievable leader who loves kids, is easily the kids’ favorite leader, and is often responsible for cleaning and locking up. I also hired him to help me run Sozo and Teen Late Night. De’Marko’s attended Warm Beach Camp with us the last two summers as a camper. But this year, De’Marko was an Assistant Counselor in my cabin.

DeMarko and Sozo

A month ago, we found an internship opportunity with one of our community partners for out-of-school youth. To make a long story short: De’Marko is now paid to mentor middle school students through Tacoma Youth for Christ at Jason Lee Middle School. He is such a role model for the middle school students who are growing up in his community, and at 6’5” he walks with a lot of authority. The Vice Principal is thrilled with De’Marko, the students are being impacted by him, and De’Marko is so thankful for the opportunity to not only be paid, but be used by God. He said he’s learned so much already, and since he’s started leading and giving his life away, he views everything differently.

It’s amazing to see how much life transformation has already occurred among so many of our youth in the last 3 years, and it’s incredible to see how much they’re already beginning to serve and give their lives away. This is only the beginning….I don’t think anything brings me more joy than knowing that in 30 years our youth will be pastors, missionaries, community leaders, and amazing parents who will be breaking generational patterns of poverty.