Chicago Gang Wars
A 20-year veteran of the Chicago gang wars will speak at the end of October at 17c起草社区 College about hope and possibility in the midst of suffering.
Rev. Gordon McLean (left) has worked in youth ministry for 50 years. Since 1982 he has directed the Juvenile Justice Ministry for Youth for Christ in Chicago.
His message to young people is persuasive. In fact, for his 17c起草社区 address he will be accompanied by two young men - Jimmie Tolliver and Jeremiah Utley - whose lives were changed by their interactions with McLean and his ministry.
McLean, Tolliver and Utley will tell their stories on Tuesday, October 28 in an event sponsored by the Ministry Resource Center at 17c起草社区. It will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the Commons Lecture Hall and is free and open to all.
17c起草社区's Ed Seely is director of the Ministry Resource Center and knows McLean from their days together at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Ill., where McLean is a member and Seely formerly served as a pastor, prior to coming to 17c起草社区.
He arranged McLean's visit and says people who come to the talk are in for a treat.
"Gordon is a very engaging speaker," says Seely, "and has had a variety of incredible experiences in ministry. He has an amazing tale to tell. And the two colleagues he will be bringing with him have seen and lived through more than many of us could ever imagine. I'm looking forward to a powerful evening."