By Ashley McCleery

The North Jefferson News



Soon the youth of north Jefferson County can enlist in the army — the Lord’s army, that is.

The Youth Force Ministries International Church in Warrior is now re-establishing its community outreach called Youth Force, a non-traditional ministry dedicated to impacting the lives of today’s youth.

Founders and Christian country musicians of Twice Robin Robin D. Bullock and Robin R. Bullock began this ministry in their hometown of Warrior in 1988, but they decided to take a break in 2002 to concentrate on their music.

Not only has Twice Robin received the Country Christian Music Award’s (CCMA) Vocal Duo of the Year, Group of the Decade, and DJ’s Pick for Duo of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year, but they were also inducted into the Alabama Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

“We used that [the induction into the Alabama Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame] as a cap to go ahead and come off the road, move home and start the youth ministry again,” Robin D. said.

So after building their musical career, husband and wife team returned to their other passion and calling — youth ministry. Although the Bullock’s began their ministry as youth pastors in 1988, Robin D. said he had developed a heart for youth a while ago when he was a troubled teenager.

Since his parents were musicians, he spent most of his time on the road being toted from one gig to the next. When his family settled down, he was a lonely teenager, looking for acceptance. “I wanted to get involved and was involved in some gangs,” Robin D. said. “It wasn’t good for me. What drew most people into the gangs was camaraderie- you know wearing the same clothes, the same colors.”

Many years later, Robin D. followed in his parents’ footsteps as a musician and managing several bands, but he said he was miserable. Until one day he got into the car and listened to the gospel tape his sister had placed in his stereo. “It got to me. I just kept thinking that there’s got to be more than what I’m doing.”

Before he knew it, the Lord had changed Robin D.’s heart, allowing him to break free from the secular music business and into ministry. With his new wife by his side, Robin D. began using his experience as a teenager to target the youth of Birmingham.

Based on the concept of the army of God, the Bullock’s turned an old grocery store into a weekend hot spot for youth. On Friday and Saturday nights, the kids could watch Christian music videos, witness dramas and hear a message of hope.

In order to create the militaristic atmosphere, they painted a city scene and skyline on the stage, placed street lamps throughout the building and decorated the walls with camoflauge and Christian graffiti. “It’s the same concept as me wanting to be in gang. They want to belong, so we wanted to create a non-threatening environment where they can belong.”

As the Bullock’s followed the Lord’s calling with this ministry, he continued to bless their efforts. Within two years, 2,000 people had become Christians, and as many as 400 kids came to know the Lord in one weekend rally.

And now they want to kick off the re-establishment of Youth Force with “Takin’ It To the Streets,” a youth rally on Oct. 27 from 6-10 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Warrior. After the kick-off rally, the Bullock’s will host Youth Force every other weekend at their converted grocery store in downtown Warrior beginning the first weekend in November.

While Youth Force is in its second time around, Robin D. said he’s only starting the program to reach the youth for the Lord. “As Christians we have to live for somebody else, not ourselves. And I’m trying to point them [the youth] to the only one who can change them.”

For more information about Youth Force, contact the Bullock’s at 647-8791.