A Throw-Away Child Becomes a Powerful Man of God
A Throw-Away Child Becomes a Powerful Man of GodIn August of 1993 Tyrone Flowers received the, ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ from the
16th Circuit Jackson County Family Court where I served as the Volunteer Coordinator.
I remembered sitting in my office back in 1991 putting together training materials when
the court receptionist called saying a young man was there to see me. I told her I had no
appointments and was busy. She said, “You are going to want to talk to this young man.”
I was shocked when I met Tyrone Flowers in the reception area for the first time.
“I want to make a difference in the lives of the court youth, because I know how they feel,”
Tyrone said. “I have been where they are. I want to volunteer to help them.”
We went to the lunch room where he told me the following story.
Tyrone; Age 7 Taken From Family to Live in Abusive System
I was born in 1970 to teenage parents who were not married and unable to raise a child.
I saw my dad only a few times before he was murdered when I was 10. I was put in
the custody of my grandmother where I was loved and surrounded by family. She was
raising 12 children of her own in a single parent home in the projects of Kansas City. At
the age of 7 my grandmother became ill and I was removed from her care. The Division
of Family Service took over my life. From that time until I was 17 I experienced mental,
physical and emotional abuse. I was told I was going to be just like my father, either
dead or in jail. They shuffled me between 3 foster homes, 8 group homes, hospital
mental wards, detention, McCune School for Boys and a youth center in Poplar Bluff,
MO. At the age of 8 while in a foster home I was locked in a dark basement all night
where I prayed and cried, “Let me out. I’ll be good.”
Diagnosed and Drugged
I was diagnosed with Behavior Disorder (BD), Learning Disorder (LD), and Attention
Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). I was forced to take Thorazine and Haldol
(Antipsychotic Drugs) to control the disorders they said I had. I was labeled incorrigible
and beyond hope.
Released From the System to Become a Basketball Star
In August 1987 when I was seventeen I was released from the center in Poplar Bluff to
go home. I was put on a bus to go back to Kansas City. I wasn’t sure where home was.
I stayed with an aunt who had a drug and alcohol problem. There was little food and
utilities were often turned off. But I was free. I was told from the time I was taken from
my grandmother and put in the system that I would never amount to anything. I was
determined to prove everyone wrong who believed I was a failure. I was put in regular
classes at Central High School and did well academically. I went to night school to
earn credits to graduate. Being athletic and 6’4” I was good at basketball. I became a
star overnight. I was up for a basketball scholarship, but wasn’t sure what a scholarship
was.
Shot with a .357 Magnum
Two weeks before graduation in May of 1988 I was on a bus when a jealous basketball
rival from Central High challenged me to fight. We got off the bus and I threw up my
guard thinking we were going to fist fight. He pulled out a .357 Magnum and shot me
three times. I was hit in the left hand, the left leg and in the neck where my spinal cord
was nicked. I didn’t feel any pain so I told everyone I was alright. All I was worried
about was my black leather jacket. An ambulance was called and I spent 3 months in
intensive care surviving the gun shots. I almost died that night and was told I would be
in a wheelchair the rest of my life.
Through rehab and all the adjustment of trying to live in a wheelchair, my life goal was
to kill the guy who shot me. I had questions for God like, “Why Me?”
God told me that in order to be forgiven, I had to forgive. The only way I was going
to have a relationship with God was to forgive the guy that shot me. After I forgave,
I wanted to know why God saved me and why I had to go through the things I went
through.
Tyrone was handsome young black man dressed in a suit and used an electric wheelchair.
He spoke as one who was well educated. His face radiated a joy that did not fit his tragic
circumstances.
New Life for Tyrone
Members of his father’s family asked him to come and stay with them. Being in a stable
family helped him to think about his future. Tyrone went on to tell me that he would
have killed the young man that shot him had he not given his life to Christ in 1989.
With the help of Pastor Steve Houpe from Harvest Church in Kansas City, Tyrone started
a new life with faith in Christ. He was able to forgive the young man that shot him.
“God got me, before I got him,” he said.
Volunteer of the Year for Mentoring Youth
Tyrone began working in the CHAMPS Mentoring Program developed for the youth in
Family Court Facilities. He started going to the Detention facility several times a week
where he made a major impact on many of the 80-90 youth that lived there. One of the
youth in Detention wrote a poem called, “My Mentor Has No Legs”. He told of how
Tyrone taught him the importance of an education and helped him believe in himself and
God. After winning the, “Volunteer of the Year Award” in August 1993 he went on to
do a practicum at McCune School for Boys where he was once a resident. Memories
of the abuse he had endured just a few years previously echoed in his mind. But as he
talked with the youth, he realized he could make a difference in their lives because he has
been where they were.
Tyrone Helps Multitudes of Youth
Tyrone married his beautiful wife Renee in 1993 and together began developing a not
for profit 501C-3 organization called, “Higher M-Pact”. He received his Bachelor’s
degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri in Columbia. In 1998 he received
his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law
where he was awarded the “CALI Excellence for the Future Award” for his excellence
achievement in “Children & The Law”. In 2007 President George W. Bush presented
him with the Celebration of African American History Award. In March of 2012 he
told his story on the 700 Club. Higher M-Pact won the Trumpet Award for Outstanding
community service. He was also recognized as the “2004 Distinguished Recent
Graduate Award.”
Tyrone says the lack of caring and abuse of the workers in the system caused more
damage than the three bullets that paralyzed him. Today thousands of youth have hope
because Tyrone and Renee have made the sacrifice to do whatever it takes to give them
an opportunity through mentoring, training in life and social skills, spiritual development,
education, job training, guidance counseling and recreational services.
Tyrone tells of the miraculous things God has done in his life. He gives all the credit
to God. His purpose and joy in life is knowing he has helped a youth overcome the
obstacles of this society to go on to live above their circumstances.
Each of us has a divine purpose in life. God took Tyrone Flowers out of the court system
and raised him up to be a powerful man of God redeeming thousands of youth from a life
of crime and early graves.
Beliefs of Higher M-Pact
“At Higher M-Pact we sincerely believe that all youth are a blessing from God, are
valued members of our community and society, and are a key to our communities and
society’s future success. Our job is that of a servant. The youth we serve have God-given
talent and the potential to be successful and productive citizens. There are no better
youth in this country then the ones we serve. We believe that they are inherently valuable
individuals, thus they are treated with the utmost respect, regardless of their current
lifestyles, actions, value systems, outlooks on life or the choices they make. Our youth
are provided with quality service through Higher M-Pact programs and affiliates (staff,
volunteers, and members). For perhaps the first time in their life, they experience an
atmosphere of unconditional respect, acceptance and love.”
Patricia’s Experience at the Family Court
I worked at the Jackson County Family Court in Kansas City for 13 years. In 1987 I
developed “Pathmaker’s for Troubled Youth” to bring new opportunities to the youth
through volunteer programs. I worked as a Youth Worker while getting a Social Work
degree. I saw the emotional and mental abuse Tyrone spoke while employed as a Youth
Worker. I saw youth that had experienced ‘TRAUMA’ come back from the hospital so
drugged up they could hardly walk. Instead of counseling the youth for Post Traumatic
Stress, they were put on drugs and labeled, Attention Deficit, Borderline Personality,
Behavior Disordered. One twelve year old girl saw her uncle kill her grandmother. They
put her in the hospital. She came to the facility I worked in so drugged up she could not
talk. The court system was not rehabilitating the youth. They were hardening the hearts
of the youth through constant emotional abuse. The first time I visited detention I saw
a pair of tennis shoes outside the door of isolation. I could hear a 12 year old boy crying
to get out of that little cell. I heard and saw youth workers abuse the youth, but had little
power to change it. I remembered a 10 year old girl ask me one evening, “Do you think
I’m a slut. Ms. ___ told me I was a slut.”
“What is a slut,” I asked.
“I think it is someone who isn’t very clean,” she said.
“I see you took your shower tonight. You look clean to me,” I said. “Sweetheart, do
NOT accept everything people say about you. You are a smart, clean and sweet little
girl.”
She was put in the court facility for not going to school.
I loved the youth in the court system and went to Central Missouri University to get
a Social Work degree to get in a higher position to help them. I went through a time
of fasting and prayer after graduation. In a vision in my mind I saw thousands of
volunteers coming to the court to help the youth. I had thought God would use me to
help the workers become more caring or to make new policies. But He said, “You can’t
put new wine in old wine skins.” You can’t change the people that already work at the
court, but you can bring in people that care who can present new opportunities, love and
encouragement to the youth.
I remembered the day I sat in the Administrator’s office a year before I graduated from
the university. The court administrator and three managers who had supervised me the
previous 4 years sat in a circle accusing me. I was accused of praying with a 13 year
old girl who had attempted suicide. The managers accused me of singing to the youth,
giving them Bibles and conducting church services. The administrator said, “According
to Supreme Court Laws the children have a right to freedom of religion.”
I said, “Everytime you say the word right you are taking a freedom away from a youth.
Even our inmates in prison have more rights than our kids have. An inmate can call a
Chaplain. Our youth have no one.”
I wasn’t fired but was told, “Volunteers can talk about God to the youth, but an
employee will be fired.”
I want back to the administrator office and asked if I could start a volunteer program.
My position as Youth Worker was changed to Volunteer Coordinator and Pathmaker’s
for Troubled Youth was developed. My dream of making a difference in the lives of
the youth was being met by caring, trained volunteers. Through God’s help I developed
programs in mentoring, careers, chaplaincy, crafts and more. Being a small, blond
woman driving in from the suburbs made it appear that I had no understanding of the
needs of the youth. Most of the youth and staff were black and felt I had no business
changing their system by bringing in volunteers and developing programs. I remember
walking down the halls of the court praying, “Lord, we really need a 6’4 black man to
help the youth. A wise leader that has a passion for the youth and loves them more than I
do.”
I could not imagine anyone loving them more than I did after 6 years of working as a
Youth Worker. The voices of the youth went through my mind, “I am a nothing and a
nobody and no one cares about me anyway.” “I haven’t felt joy since my dad tried to
flush my head down the toilet.” I remember the 12 year old crying and throwing a chair
over after finding out his mother had died of an overdose. The only feeling he knew
how to express was anger. Their pain along with their hopes and dreams motivated me
to start Pathmakers: The boy who wanted to be a news caster. The 16 year old girl that
wanted to be a counselor to help abused children like she was.
In 1991 Pathmakers won a National Award through the National Council of Juvenile
and Family Court Judges. But in October 1993, I was forced to resign by the new
administration that had taken over the court system. The previous administrator had
given me total support mentoring and teaching me how to develop and run programs.
When Pathmakers was destroyed, I rejoiced knowing that the work would continue
through Higher M-Pact. Tyrone Flowers is my hero. The 6’4” giant that has brought
hope and opportunities to multitudes of youth in the inner city.
(Coming soon: The Children Nobody Wanted.)
The Heavenly Christmas Party
There is an empty chair at the Christmas table and a space under the tree that once held presents for loved ones who are no longer with us. The Christmas lights shine, but to the heart that longs to be with a loved one there is a dark cloud filled with sorrow. Christmas songs ring in the air, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” But there is no joy for those who have lost loved ones.
This inspiration is written to those whose loved ones have gone to be with the Lord. May the Lord comfort you in the knowledge that the end of our earthly life is the beginning of a new life in heaven and that our loved ones are safe in the arms of Jesus. In memory of those who cannot be with us this Christmas.
THE HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS PARTY
by Patricia Partney Dascher
There is a big Christmas party in heaven where our loved ones gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord. The Lord himself is at that party shining as bright as thenoonday sun.
The heavenly Christmas party is filled with singing and rejoicing for all the tears that have been wiped away by our Lord.
Christmas gifts that none on earth could give are given at the heavenly Christmas party. To those who had bodies racked with pain, new bodies filled with health and strength are given. Old bodies are made young, failing hearts are made new and minds are renewed.
At the heavenly Christmas party there is no fear or pain, sorrow or despair. For the Lord himself wipes away every tear and exchanges all fear for faith. Where there was pain, He gives joy. Where there was despair, He gives hope. The are filled with joy and peace as our loved ones sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and natures sing.”
The Lord turned to each of his children asking if they had anything they would like for Him to give them this Christmas season. A young girl came forward and bowed her head humbly before the Lord. “Oh Lord, my body was in great pain and I suffered night and day. You have given me a new body and wiped away all my tears. Yet I have but one request. It is not for me that I ask, but for my loved ones who are still upon the earth. Let them know that I have been healed.”
A grandmother came forward saying, “Yes Lord, if you could just let my husband, children and grandchildren know the glory I am in right now, it would ease their grief. If they could just have a glimpse of the new body you have given me, they too would have reason to rejoice this Christmas.”
A handsome gentleman came forward saying, “My heart had grown weak and I was full of worry and fear upon the earth. Here all my fear has turned to faith and my heart is filled with love. If you could just let my wife and children know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, they would no longer grieve at my absence.”
A young mother stepped forward saying, “Lord, I am happy here in my heavenly mansion. But as long as I know my husband, mother, children andfriendsgrieve for me night and day my joy can not be full. Tell them of my heavenly home.”
The heavens were quiet as grandmothers, grandfathers, husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles andfriendswaited for the Lord’s reply.
“I will tell them,” the Lord said. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That in my Father’s house are may mansions. And that God will wipe away every tear. I will tell them that where there is an end, there is always a beginning. The end of life on earth is the beginning of a new life in heaven. All the world shall know that I did not remain a baby in a manager, but became the resurrection and the life. Suffering and death no longer hold the final victory, for I came to give eternal life.”
WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR.
I Believe
I believe that my God is bigger than any situation I face.
I believe that when I cry out to him, he will answer me and show me great and mighty things.
I believe that when I am weak, he is strong in me.
I believe when I call to Him, He answers me and shows me great and mighty things.
I believe He is more important than anything on earth to give my heart to.
I believe with all my heart that he loves me.
I believe that all my sins, past, present and future are forgiven.
I believe he is the creator of all things.
I believe he loves me with all his heart, an everlasting love, so much that he gave his Son to die on a cross for me.
I believe that he is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. That He always was and always will be.
I believe that He is giving me eternal life with Him because I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior to the best of my understanding.
I believe He has a purpose for my life here on earth and His greatest desire is for me to love and know Him.
I believe that any weapon formed against me can not stand because He stands up for me. He is my mighty fortress.
I believe that God love those I pray for and calls me to stand in the gap for them.
I believe without God, I am nothing, but with Him all things are possible.
He is my JOY, HOPE, the LOVE OF MY LIFE.
He is my EVERYTHING.
When I am weak, He is my strength.
When I am poor, He is my resource.
When I have been abused, broken and alone, He is my redeemer.
He is the healer of my Soul.
The joy of my mornings.
The hope of my tomorrows.
Magnificent Glory.
ADD What you believe to this list……so we can put it together to encourage others.
Worry About Nothing Pray About Everything
Worry About Nothing Pray About Everything
Lord,
I am so worried about some of my family members and friends. I have no peace. I wake up at three in
the morning worrying about those I love. I am filled with fear.
Trust in ME rather than your circumstances. Believe what I have told you in the scriptures rather
than your feelings.
The scriptures say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”
The scriptures say, “Worry about nothing, pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don’t
forget to thank Him.”
The scriptures say,
“If two or more agree on anything the Father will do it for them.”
You are my beloved. I love you with an everlasting love. I hear your prayer. Trust in me with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding. In everything acknowledge Me and I will direct your
paths.
Lord, thank you. I have poured out my heart to you and now I trust you. I put my delight in YOU.
Ungodly thoughts straight from the evil one have tormented me. But as I delight in you, there is no room
for fear. Thank you.
You have snatched me from the snare of the fowler. You have blessed me day and night. You bless my
family and loved ones. You forgive my sins. You draw me close to you and empower me with your
spirit. I have been so tired Lord, but you are my strength and salvation, a tested help in times of trouble.
I thank you for helping my family. I ask that you bless them spiritually, physically, emotionally and
financially. And again Lord, I want to thank you for my husband.
I love you my Lord. I love you. With a passion I love you. You are my strength. You forgive and
empower me to live above the evil that surrounds me. You are my joy. You are my hope. You are my
everything. Please forgive me and set me free from evil thoughts. Fill me with your presence. Help me
to pray, YOUR WILL BE DONE. Oh how I love you Lord. I can say that, but if I don’t live it, my
words make no difference. Show me how to live your love.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
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