God Can Use the Little we Have to Bring About Big Things

For Lorraina Armenta, growing up was tough. But thanks to positive adults in her life who invested in her and loved her, she is now able to take what was given to her and give back to her community.

Lorraina serves youth in South Central L.A., one of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. Check out her story:

“The youth I serve doubt God’s love for them because of the pain, poverty, and brokenness around them. They distrust authority because of societal injustices they see on a daily basis. They carry deep wounds from fatherlessness and trauma, and they experience educational disadvantages because of cultural or family expectations and lack of resources. I was the kid who shouldn’t have made it but did—the kid who was lucky enough to have positive mentors and neighbors who loved me and invested in me. I felt like God was calling me to a life of urban ministry and to go deeper with Him.

I recently mentored a student who had trouble connecting with her class socially. Through tears, she told me how she would never have made it without someone believing in her and investing in her over the long haul. After she told me that, I realized that God can use even the little we have to bring about big things in His Kingdom.”

Thanks to Lorraina’s love and perseverance, this student was the first person in her family to graduate from high school.

UYWI is proud to support leaders like Lorraina by providing the latest tools and strategies to help impact communities—and lives.

We want to support you too.

That’s why we’re hosting 360—The City Needs a Father, our national conference in Los Angeles May 15–17, 2014. Come join urban youth leaders from across the country for three days of powerful workshops, training, worship, speakers, and connection with other leaders who share your calling and passion to help youth.

And don’t forget to subscribe to our e-mail newsletter so we can keep you up to date on important information, helpful resources, and inspiring stories.