Former Youth Offender Uses
His Music to Challenge South Florida Juveniles
February 2006
Yul spent seven months at a juvenile camp
in Levy County, Florida, where Breakaway had established
a weekly outreach program since 1999. When Yul got to the
camp, he immediately started attending the Bible studies
led by Breakaway Outreach and volunteers from the Church
of the Nature Coast. It was during these services that the
St. Pete native teen began to learn about a personal relationship
with God.
One of the videos that Yul saw during a
church service at the camp had a profound impact upon his
life and his outlook on Christ. Through the "Hittin Da Bricks"
DVD produced by Breakaway Outreach, Yul realized for the
first time how he could take his talents and abilities,
and use them for God's glory.
He started writing songs about God while he was
locked up and would occasionally perform them for visitors at the
camp.
Since being released from the juvenile camp
almost one year ago, Yul has been living at The Shepherd's
Place Inn, an affiliate ministry of Breakaway, serving as
a discipleship home for former juvenile offenders operated
by Ross and Debbie Hoffmeier.
Yul attended our juvenile justice ministry training
workshop in West Palm Beach and then joined our team during
the South Florida Skillz 4 Life tour, performing his Christian
songs for incarcerated teens in addition to sharing his
personal 'transformation' story. He says his passion is
to continue going back into these institutions to give other
kids a Gospel "wake-up" call through his music.
This summer, Breakaway will be releasing
"Chosen,"
a DVD featuring Yul 's testimony and his new music video
"Whose Side You On?"
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