Jeff Cheeseborough, ministry and Father’s Day
June 21 is Father’s Day, which is a celebration of fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many will hear a sermon regarding fathers but if you would rather see a sermon instead of listening, here is the life of Jeff Cheeseborough.
We, as a nation and society have a crisis — families without fathers. Jeff Cheeseborough was a father to the fatherless in 36 years of ministry to young people as a chaplain to the youth detention in Kootenai County and reached thousands of other young people.
Jeff was introduced with the excellent article in the June 11 edition of The Press and his obituary a week ago. He was among those in our community who are unsung, even unknown by many and yet were changing lives.
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said, “Jeff had a unique gift to relate to young people and they knew that Jeff loved them.”
Jeff didn’t limit himself to those incarcerated but had given over 1,600 presentations to schools to reach young people before they were in trouble. “He spent a lot of time talking to the boys about what it means to be a man,” said Linda Hoss, Juvenile Detention Center assistant director.
Pastor Tim Remington said, “as we worked together in the jails for years he left a legacy in this city of his love for Jesus and his love for the youth.” That is also a good message for fathers and men in general this weekend.
Jeff opened his heart about the problem with families and why this was at the core of our problems when we interviewed him in 2018. He pointed out that over half of children in our area don’t live with their biological father.
Over half of juveniles incarcerated in Idaho live in a single-parent home and in the inner-cities in our country it approaches 85%. The solutions were not more government programs or better policing — it centered around families and two parents doing the job. Being a single mom trying to raise children and support a family is a daunting task. Dads need to be there.
When we interviewed Jeff there were over 300 in youth detention and about one-third were female. Jeff had eight associate chaplains, mostly volunteers that assisted as mentors. What was heart-breaking was when Jeff told us that two-thirds of those incarcerated would not have a visit from a parent.
When we asked Jeff what his needs were he responded, “We see a need for mentors to young people. When those in incarceration turn 18 they are walked from the Juvenile Detention center to the adult jail. They need direction. When a child in foster care turns 18 he is “out of the system” and needs a mentor to direct him into further education and life decisions.”
Jeff’s ministry continues and if you would like to support it or volunteer contact Juvenile Justice Outreach, 2900 N. Government Way, PMB 248, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or go to juvenilejusticeoutreach.com.
My wife, Jane, and I have met so many people in our area that are “sold out” for Christ and changing lives. As we remember Jeff and the multitude of others in our community who are involved in Christian ministry and reaching the community for Jesus Christ and don’t achieve fame or fortune I am reminded of the story of the missionary Henry Morrison.
Henry C. Morrison was a great missionary who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. On the way back to United States, he began to wonder “will anyone remember us?” Unknown to Henry Morrison and his wife, Teddy Roosevelt, president of U.S., was also on board that ship. He had gone to Africa for a hunting trip.
When the ship pulled into New York harbor he looked to see if anyone had come to welcome them back home. Thousands of people were there cheering. Bands were playing. There were signs, banners, and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home.”
Henry and his wife were so excited about the crowds of people that were there to welcome them home. When they went to get off the ship they realized that the people were already gone. They had come to welcome Teddy Roosevelt.
Henry Morrison went to his hotel room with a heavy heart. As he sat there on the bed, he asked his wife, “Honey, I just don’t get it … for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home!”
His wife came and sat down next to her husband, she put her hand on his shoulder, and comforted him with words that he would never forget, “Henry, you have forgotten something. You’re not home yet!”
Welcome home, Jeff!
“I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you … I will put MY Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes.” — Ezekiel 36:26
• • •
Bob Shillingstad’s columns appear Saturdays in The Press. Email Bob: bjshill@mac.com
