When I Look at These Kids, I See Hope

When I look into the eyes of a 6th grader who genuinely wants to grow in Christ, I see more than just a student. I see hope. I see the future church. I see young men and women who can break cycles, shift family legacies, and carry the gospel into places I may never reach.

That is why I am honored to introduce YEP “Youth Empowered Project” through Miry Clay Ministries.

YEP, is not just another youth program. It is a three-year, Christ-centered mentorship journey that begins in 6th grade and walks with students through some of the most formative years of their lives. We are intentionally investing in a generation that is hungry to grow in Christlike character and boldness.

These students are not perfect. They do not have it all together. But they are willing, and that is where God does His best work.

What Is Youth Empowered Project (YEP)?

The Youth Empowered Project (YEP) is mentorship specifically for 6th grade students who have a genuine desire to:

• Grow in their relationship with Jesus.
• Develop strong, Christlike character.
• Belong to a community where they can face challenges and find encouragement.

From the very beginning, I have made it clear to the students: YEP is not just something you attend; it is something you commit to.

Over the course of three years, our goal is to:

• Anchor their identity in Christ.
• Build a foundation of biblical character and conviction.
• Walk with each student through real-life issues, school, family, friends, peer pressure, and identity.
• Equip them to become disciple-makers and leaders in their generation.

  Three Commitments That Define YEP

Early on, I invited five, sixth graders to make three shared commitments… not to me, but to God and to each other. They embraced them wholeheartedly:

1. Grow in Character

We emphasize that character matters to God.

Growing in character means choosing honesty over lies, respect over disrespect, purity over compromise, and obedience over rebellion.

Together, we explore Scripture, talk through real-life scenarios, and ask:

• Who am I becoming?
• Does my life reflect Jesus when no one is watching?

We are not just shaping behavior; we are inviting the Holy Spirit to shape their hearts.

2. Hold Each Other Accountable

Accountability is not about shaming. It is about loving each other enough to tell the truth.

In our empowerment project, we are building a culture where students can:

• Be honest about their struggles.
• Celebrate victories together.
• Pray for one another.
• Challenge each other when someone is drifting.

I remind our guys often, “Real friends don’t just go along with you, they help you grow.”

These 6th graders are learning what it means to walk in authentic, Christ-centered friendship.

3. Follow Christ

This is the foundation of everything.

We are not just teaching principles; we are pointing them to Jesus.

Following Jesus means:

• Surrendering their hearts to Him.
• Learning and loving His Word.
• Listening for His voice.
• Obeying His leading, even when it is hard.

Whether we are talking about social media, friendships, school drama, or family life, we always circle back to this question:

What does it look like to follow Jesus here?

Why This Matters So Deeply to Me

For those who may not know my story, I did not grow up imagining I would one day mentor young people for Christ.

I met the true and living God in a jail cell. I experienced His grace in the darkest places. I know what it means to be bound and I know what it means to be set free.

I share more of that journey in my book, The Divine Set Up: From Prison to Pulpit. God took my brokenness, my sinful past, and my failures, and He turned them into a testimony of His redeeming power. Today, I have the privilege of preaching the gospel, discipling others, and walking with young people who are standing at the crossroads of their own futures.

This same testimony fuels everything we do with our youth.

The Heart of Miry Clay Ministries

Miry Clay Ministries exists to share the gospel of Jesus so that captives are set free, redeemed, and restored.

When I talk about “captives,” I am not only talking about those behind physical bars. I am talking about anyone, adult or child who feels trapped in sin, fear, shame, addiction, confusion, or brokenness.

The Youth Empowered Project is an extension of that mission. We are sowing seeds of freedom, identity, and purpose in Christ early, before any of the chains that bound me ever have a chance to wrap around them.

If God can lift a man out of the miry clay of a prison cell and place him behind a pulpit, He can certainly raise up these young students to be bold witnesses, servant leaders, and culture shapers in their generation.

What I Pray Over Every YEP Student

When I pray for my 6th graders at the start of this three-year journey, I am not just praying that they stay out of trouble or make good choices. I am praying that they:

• Encounter Jesus personally and powerfully.
• Learn to hear and recognize His voice.
• Walk in purity, integrity, and courage.
• Become grounded in Scripture and unshaken in their faith.
• Grow into men and women who know Christ and belong to Him.

In Jesus name, some will preach, lead, or plant churches. Others will influence classrooms, neighborhoods, businesses, and families. But all of them, will live free, redeemed, and restored in Christ.

How You Can Partner With YEP

If you are a parent, guardian, or grandparent of a 6th grade student who wants to grow in Christ, I invite you to connect with the Youth Empowered Project.

You can partner with us by:

• Praying regularly for the students and mentors.
• Encouraging your student to show up, stay engaged, and honor their commitments.
• Talking with them about what they are learning and how they are growing.
• Supporting Miry Clay Ministries through prayer, giving, and serving as we continue to reach captives with the hope of the gospel.

Youth empowered is not about entertainment. It is about discipleship. It is about forming Christlike character, building godly community, and calling this generation to follow Jesus with all their heart.

A Final Word from My Heart

As these 6th graders step into YEP and boldly commit to grow in character, hold each other accountable, and follow Christ, I remember that God is still writing redemption stories, one young life at a time.

My name is Shawn O’Neill, author of The Divine Set Up: From Prison to Pulpit and founder of Miry Clay Ministries. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to walk with this next generation as they begin this three-year journey of empowerment, discipleship, and transformation in Christ.

The pressures they face are real.

The world is loud.

But Jesus is greater.

And by His grace, these young disciples will not just make it through middle school, they will shine for Jesus every step of the way.

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