When one thinks of a hero, they think of a man of courage and ability, who is admired for his brave deeds. Or of a man who has performed a heroic act to save the life of another; or who gave their life for their country.
However, when some hear the word heroine, they think of some damsel in distress; who is the main character in a romance novel.
Maya Angelou, American poet, says it is important for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes….and she-roes!
Anita Favors is a She-roe.
If you were to ask Anita what she does, she would likely answer: “My job is real easy...I simply and purely get to love and care for ‘throw-away’ children!”
She says: “If you are a mom, a dad, an uncle, grandparent or an aunt...you would love my job too! It just makes simple sense to love; because God is love.”
Anita Favors was a medic for the Atlanta Fire Department; and time after time she saw the guts of the underworld in Atlanta. She saw what most people in the ‘burbs would never see; much less understand.
She saw the tragic results of gang violence, homeless neglected children; she saw lives of those who lived in the inner city self-destruct through drug and alcohol abuse. She saw those who would use children rather than love them.
She says, “I remember going home one night after my shift and telling God that if I had an opportunity to be financially secure, I would go out on the streets and help the same people that I was watching self-destruct-- if God would help me."
The vision was birthed in 1997 when Pastor Anita Favors came across far too many drug fights and gang activity around her church in the community of Pittsburgh in Atlanta.
With her gift of discernment, passion in Christ and strength of God, she began socializing, feeding and representing kids who got caught up in the life on the streets.
Shortly thereafter she was offered a building free of charge to begin housing and training the lost. The Kingdom Center and Jars of Clay was born.
She felt the calling on her life in 1996, the vision was birthed in 1997; and in 1999 she saw her passion for these inner city children become a reality. After fifteen years, she is still moving full steam ahead on behalf of these “throw-away” children.
Giving up a secure job with regular hours she traded her future for a job that requires 24/7 and 365 days a year. Her vision and passion for a ministry (to these forgotten people) has reached way beyond the city limits of Atlanta; as those who believe in her vision work to make a difference.
Once when a child asked why God made so many different colors of people and the reply was “I think (since we are made from the earth) that God just made children according to the color of soil He was standing on at the time.”
Anita cites II Timothy 2:20:21 as her catalyst: “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” II Timothy 2:20-21
She says: "If you look closely at clay, you can notice different colors, a lot of hues, and if you put it together or mold it together, it'll be a beautiful vessel for God’s honor."
“So it is with the diverse socioeconomic range of people in any given community. Anita saw these homeless, hopeless, and some time abandoned children as jars of clay.”
Clay jars come from a very simple substance – the earth. God created the first man Adam, from the earth. Shards and whole pots have been discovered by archeologists that have survived for thousands of years because of the strength of the clay they were made from; and the conditions where they were found. A wise person once said, “What don’t kill you will make you stronger!”
Clay jars that have been fired in a hot furnace will become stronger and be more resilient to wear and use. But by the same token, if dropped they can shatter quite easily. That is so like the lives of us all. Anita deals with dropped, shattered children.
Anita knew that God could mend broken pots; and He can also mend broken hearts and lives. Sometimes it is the broken things in life that makes one stronger through the process. Silver is also refined by extreme heat.
Anita and Rodney (and those who believed in their mission), began a ministry to protect innocent children against neglect, homelessness, abandonment or sex trafficking; so for the last fifteen years she has been the founder and leader of Kingdom Worship Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ms. Favors is a modern day William Booth who started the Salvation Army in England also among that nation’s poorest.
The ministry to the children, Jars of Clay (JOC), empowers more than 10,000 children a year in one or more of the many programs and services. She feeds, clothes, and gives shelter to these children and provides as normal a life as possible for them.
She has uniquely involved businesses and churches in reaching out to these kids; but the expenses are great as one could imagine.
Anita shudders at the statistics that involve children, mostly in large cities like Atlanta, where 240,000 children in our country every year are removed from their parent’s home because of convictions, abuse, or neglect.
Hard to accept, she says that in 2009 there were approximately 1,770 children murdered by a member of their own family.
Jars of Clay is a bona fide recognized charity with the United Way; and the program serves as a referral agency for job and computer training, community service for willing parents; and counseling for the juvenile justice courts of Fulton and Dekalb counties. They can also refer drug/alcohol addicts for rehabilitation.
But without Pastor Anita, there would be no JOC. She is JOC.
Go to the Jars of Clay ministry site and learn more about the mission of this dedicated woman who did not just sit back and wait for someone else tomake a difference – she stepped forward and said, “Here, am I Lord, send me!”
Ms. Favors is a true Atlanta hero; oops, heroine; oops, She-roe.
Personal Note: Through “Jars of Clay” Ms. Favors works to bring those who are stable in life with those who are homeless, helpless, and sometimes hopeless. Those who volunteer always say they receive so much more than what they give - by helping Jars of Clay.
When this writer first heard about “Jars of Clay,” it was thought to be the musical singing group coming to Atlanta. Then it was explained by her 14 year old grand-daughter that was not the case.
Katie said she was going to be gone for a week of camp helping these inter-city kids. She spent an entire week with this great bunch of loving children at Red Top Mountain State Park in North Georgia.
One little girl stuck to her like glue all week long. Her name is Izzy. See the video below of this precious little girl receiving a love gift of clothing from someone who cared enough to send the very best – love!
Our granddaughter came home at the end of that week a changed person. Her love for small children grew even more. Later, she would also participate when a large group of these kids came to her church to have a weeklong camp out in the pasture next to her church. It rained and poured buckets. Even though their tents collapsed, they rushed into the building and continued their fun.
From this experience grew our Katie’s passion for helping children who were not only challenged by economic and home issues; but those with disabilities. She volunteered to be a “buddy” to a group here in the county that helped to train mentally challenged children for the “Special Olympics.”
Today at 16 years old, she is helping to lead a Sunday School class for special needs children in her church. Ms. Favors not only helps those in need; but she also inspires those who volunteer.
We know the depth and breadth of this ministry although we do not know Ms. Favors personally. Her accomplishments in following her heart of passion to help these children (and to follow in obedience to God), has taken Atlanta by storm; a storm of love, compassion, aid, and substance to the words of Christ who said, “When you have done this to the least of these, you have done it unto me!” This ministry relies on those who care... for their utilities and all other expenses.
Testimonies of those who know Jars of Clay from a personal stand point:
Mrs. Jennifer Hall – Parent: “JOC of Atlanta does amazing things for needy children and families. But JOC also has an awesome impact on the people and teens who volunteer to help this organization. My teen daughter was blessed to be a part of this organization; and was profoundly impacted by the children there. God showed her how blessed she was; and how she can bless others through the hard work done to help these families (and children) to get back on their feet and live for God.”
Paul Allen – Minister of Youth: “The kids at Jars of Clay are amazing. We got involved thinking we were going to serve and instead we were the ones who were blessed. Pastor Anita and her team operate a life-altering ministry, fueled by God’s power and massive amounts of love.
I simply couldn’t understand how so much could be accomplished with so little. The more time I spent around the JOC, the more I saw the profound principle of “waiting on God.” God’s provision is always far superior to anything we could come up with or possibly provide. Pastor Anita doesn’t slow down or let up. Her expectations are through the roof because she takes God at His word. God seems to really enjoy “showing off” at the JOC.”
Jars of Clay official web site: http://www.jocatlanta.org/
YouTube Video Library of folks who love helping out at Jars of Clay:
Ms. Favors sharing with the YouTube crowd the hopes and dreams of their church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz4t6fl8UYI
Izzy gets new clothes video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jNbQpa0vts&feature=related
Loving on the babies video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBSSnfSxZMA&feature=related
Tutors helping with homework video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwrMaitZZ3k&feature=related
Jars of Clay Camp video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnlLikcn00o&feature=related
Teens’ interview after visiting Jars of Clay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZjgZZ89bpo&feature=related
Previous articles written by Patricia D. Walston: - Atlanta Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/family-issues-in-national/he-is-the-potter-we-are-the-clay
http://www.examiner.com/faith-family-in-atlanta/children-are-like-jars-of-clay
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