The Joseph Project is looking for a few real men
By Jerome A. Brown
For the St. Louis American
Several years ago my pastor and spiritual father Creflo A. Dollar of World Changers Church International sensed that there was something wrong. His desire was and is to affect a lasting change in the lives of struggling men, and although others may have refused to give these men with troubled pasts a second chance, Dollar felt compelled to do something proactive. After much prayer, thought and strategic planning, The Joseph Project was created in February 2002.
The name Joseph was derived from the son of Jacob in the book of Genesis. Joseph was rejected by his family and sold into slavery, but because of God’s favor he became second in charge of a nation that was not his native land.
Most men measure their success by the amount of money they make, the type of car they drive and the size of their home. These attributes are important, but they are not the sum total of life. Some will even say they don’t need a program like The Joseph Project, because they assume it is only for those who have struggled with drug addictions or incarceration. The truth is that many men don’t have a clue of how to handle the real issues of life.
For the most part men are too afraid to share their hurts and pains with other men, because it’s not the macho thing to do. Sadly, a young man told that real men don’t cry releases his tears through the trigger of a gun or by beating his wife or girlfriend.
As a graduate of the 2003 Joseph Project, I share the passion to see the lives of men changed. It is my heart’s desire to introduce the Joseph Project to St. Louis. I once was a man with a troubled past, but I had a desire to change. I am confident that if you have a desire to change, then change will take place.
The program centers on teaching men the spiritual and practical principles they need to become successful. Men are taught the true meaning of manhood and how to develop the character of God, which is love.
Although the program is open to men who have criminal histories, it is not a prison outreach, and does not provide housing, job placement or financial support. It is not a conventional drug rehabilitation program, but participants are given the tools they need in order to be delivered from bonds of addictions. The program provides training for various life skills such as money management, credit repair, conflict resolution, workplace readiness and dining etiquette.
The program is free and open to men over 20-years-old. Contact Jerome A. Brown by calling (314) 363-8767 or at josephprojectstl@yahoo.com
