Breaking the Fatherless Cycle Through the Isaiah Promise

America's Fatherless Crisis.

"Far too many people are unaware that society's most pressing problem in America can be traced to the father's absence in a child's life." In fact, the statistics are shocking. Fatherless children are more likely to face abuse and neglect, abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer emotional and behavioral problems, commit crimes, and go to prison. They are 2X more likely to drop out of high school, 4X more likely to live in poverty, and 7X more likely to become pregnant as a teen. But it does not have to be this way.

Why the Isaiah Promise? – UTM’s Proactive Response.

Every fourth Sunday of June, ministries, non-profits, and churches shed light on the issue of Fatherlessness and its impact on communities across America. This significant day, recognized by the National Day Archives as National Fatherless Children's Day, holds a special place in our hearts at UTM because it perfectly aligns with our mission to break the fatherless cycle in urban communities through the transformative gospel of Christ. This is why our unique approach to this observance is through UTM’s The Isaiah Promise, which includes specific programs that we plan and deliver beginning with National Fatherless Children's Day and throughout the summer.

A Biblical Call to Action. God's Special Concern for the Fatherless.

Throughout the Biblical narrative, God repeatedly reveals his loving and just character by showing special care for the fatherless.

• In the Old Testament, God himself becomes a father to the "fatherless. (Psalms 85:6).
• If the people of Israel oppressed the fatherless in any way, they faced severe retribution. (Exod. 22:22-24).
• Every three years, the people of ancient Israel collected a tithe for the fatherless and other vulnerable groups. (Duet. 26:12-13)
• Israel's prophets, such as Isaiah, reminded God's people to "take up the cause of the fatherless." (Isaiah 1:17).
• The Apostle James in the New Testament declares that "Religion our Father accepts is to look after the fatherless and widows in their distress." (James 1:27).

For almost 2000 years, the church throughout the world has "become family" in their care of the fatherless.

Who Are the Fatherless?

According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, you are fatherless if:

• You have never met your father.
• Your father does not live in the home with you, and you have limited or no time with him.
• Your father has died.
• Your father lives in the home with you but is not socially or emotionally engaged.

What is the Isaiah Promise?

Isaiah 1:17 is a practical reminder to "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless. Plead the case of the widow." The Isaiah Promise is not just a concept but a tangible, obedient response to our loving and just God, who "defends the cause of the fatherless (Duet. 10:18). UTM takes up the cause of the fatherless primarily through "life-on-life" mentoring relationships and programs where fatherless youth are:

1. Introduced to God their Heavenly Father, discover their purpose and new identity in Jesus Christ, and grow to become leaders in their homes and in the community.
2. Taught spiritual, emotional, relational, educational, and economic skills essential to breaking the fatherless cycle.
3. Connected to select relationships with additional mentors, non-profits, counselors, businessmen and women, churches, entrepreneurs, and other resources to help them establish social capital and better their lives.

How You Can Help Make a Life Changing Difference Now?

Honestly, none of this can happen without the generosity and prayers of friends like you. By supporting the Isaiah Promise, you will be joining other friends, families, churches, and organizations in "Taking up the cause of the Fatherless” through these practical activities:

1) Take up a special UTM/Isaiah Promise offering on June 23rd (the 4th Sunday of the Month) or a Sunday sometime in the summer. Here are areas of specific need:

• $2500 where needed most for sustaining and growing our serve to fatherless students.
• $1000 equips 20 students with registration fees and UTM uniforms for a weekend basketball tournament.
• $500 covers the expenses of a weekend camping trip for 10 teens and their mentors.
• $200 sponsors an under-resourced urban youth to attend Kids Across America (KAA) Camp, where they will experience God in a culturally relevant urban context.
• $100 covers one month’s expenses in mentoring a fatherless student.
• $50 covers the registration fee and uniform for an individual student with a UTM team at a weekend basketball tournament.
• $25 pays for van gas used per week to transport UTM students home from the ROCK and Hype programs.

2) Create a care package for UTM youth returning from KAA Camp.

Over 25 UTM youth, many of whom come from unstable families, will return from summer camp on June 22nd. Most of them will have made life-changing decisions with their relationship with God. We encourage churches, families, and groups to put together a care package for one or more students, including snacks, socks, lotion, small gift cards, an athletic ball, and notes of encouragement and prayer. Care packages can be dropped off at New City Church between 8 am and 11 am. M-Th. Contact Joel Shaffer at 616-206-866 for more information.

3) Pray

• Praying for UTM students as many navigate unstable home lives.
• Praying for one UTM student who is currently homeless, living on the couch of one of his friends. Praying that his family becomes financially stable enough to afford housing.
• Praying for UTM students returning from KAA Summer Camp who made decisions in their relationship with Christ.
• Praying for UTM staff as they help students connect with a local church in the urban context.
• Other (Fatherless Prayer Guide) https://open.substack.com/pub/joelashaffer/p/fathe...

4) Volunteer in a UTM program

• Hype (UTM’s teen program) leader (Time commitment: 4 to 8 hours per month)
• Hype van driver (Time Commitment: (2 to 4 hours per month)
• Rock (UTM’s teen basketball program) Basketball leader (Time commitment: 4 to 8 hours per month)
• Rock van driver (Time commitment: 2 to 4 hours per month)
• Bike shop repair leader (Time commitment: 2 to 4 hours per month, seasonal)

5) Mentor a UTM youth or young adult

• Life-on-Life Discipleship Mentor: A discipleship mentor gets to know the mentee through volunteering at a UTM program and meets with the mentee at least twice a month for discipleship. Life-on-Life mentors may seek to equip mentees with life skills and help mentees with social capital connections (Time Commitment: 10 to 15 hours per month)
• Equipping Mentor: An equipping mentor connects with the mentee as a coach, tutor, teacher, financial counselor, employer, etc. Equipping mentors teach life-skill tools to their mentees, which can lead to life-on-life discipleship. (Time commitment: 1 hour per month to 10 hours per month, depending on the mentor's level of involvement)
• Connecting Mentor: A connecting mentor utilizes social capital to help mentees develop social networks for employment and educational opportunities. (1 hour per month)

It takes a faith community to fill the daddy gap that a father's absence creates in the life of a child. We invite you to join us in "taking up the cause of the fatherless" and to break the fatherless cycle in urban communities through the transformative gospel of Jesus.

If you have additional questions about how your church, family, small group, or business can get involved with the Isaiah Promise, please contact Joel Shaffer at 616-206-8666 or email him at shafferutm@gmail.com.