6 The Courier sun • JULY 3, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Glendale pastor writes YA self-help book BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ ejankiewicz@queenscourier.com @ericjankiewicz Writing a successful book for young adults can be hard if it doesn’t have magic and vampires in it. But a pastor in a Glendale church wrote a book aimed to help troubled teenagers in 2011, and since then, the book has taken on a second life, spurring the creation of conventions and a clothing company. Even a hip-hop group called Social Club released an album called “Misfits 2” which features the pastor rapping in a song. The Rev. Chris Durso, a pastor in Christ Tabernacle, wrote “Misfit” in 2011 and since then interest in the book has become national, with religious youth conferences called MISFIT Tours being held in Washington, D.C., and other places. These conferences have attracted Christian rappers like “Da’ Truth” and Sean Simmonds. And in August, there will be another MISFIT conference. “I had no idea that the book would get so big,” Durso said. “I never sought out to be an author. I grew up diagnosed with ADD and I never read many books. So it’s pretty ironic.” The book reads like a self-help book and in the first few pages Durso writes about a student, Eugene, he knew in school who committed suicide. Durso wrote the book in the hopes that today’s youth won’t go down the same path. “I didn’t want the book to read like I’m telling the reader what to do,” Durso said. “I wanted it to feel like we’re on a journey together.” JYD AUTO GROUP (844)593-5327 (IN CONJUNCTION WITH BROADWAY AUTO BROKERS) DMV# 7114307 162-38 CROSS BAY BOULEVARD • HOWARD BEACH, NY 11414 You Work! You Drive! Bad Credit, No Problem!*Call a JYD Team Specialist Now!* 2011 Jeep Wrangler 70th Anniversary $30,995 Description: Miles: 38k, Cylinder: V6, Drive Train: AWD, Color: Black, Navigation, Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Keyless Entry, Removable Hard Top, Running Boards, Premium Audio, Second Row Folding Seats, Smoke Free. 2008 Volkswagen Eos Komfort $10,995 Description: Miles: 85k Cylinder: V4, Drive Train: FWD, Color: White, Convertible, Hard Top Convertible, Sunroof, Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Premium Audio, Keyless Entry, Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, Smoke Free. 2012 Honda Pilot EX-L $26,995 Description: Miles: 14k, Cylinder: V6, Drive Train: AWD, Color: White, Navigation, Back Up Camera, Bluetooth, Sunroof, Third Row Seating, Alloy Rims, Fog Lights, Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Keyless Entry, Smoke Free. 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L $18,995 Description: Miles: 47k, Cylinder: V6, Drive Train: AWD, Color: Black, Navigation, TV/DVD, Premium Audio, Back Up Camera, Alloy Rims, Fog Lights, Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Smoke Free. Free 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS $9,995 Description: Miles: 83k, Cylinder: V8, Drive Train: RWD, Color: Black, Alloy Wheels. Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Power Seats, Fog Lights, Keyless Entry, CD, Smoke Free. 2012 Honda Accord EX-L Coupe $18,995 Description: Miles: 21k, Cylinder: V4, Drive Train: FWD, Color: Red, Navigation, MP3 CD Player, Sunroof, Leather Seats, Heated Seats, Alloy Rims, Keyless Entry, Smoke Free. Disclaimer: Prices include all costs to be paid by the consumer except for license, registration & taxes. Used vehicles have normal wear, tear & mileage, some may have scratches & dents. All deals are subject to primary lenders programs, approvals and vehicle availability. Offers are valid up to 7 days after publication. Navi- Along with the periodic tours, Durso, who is the youth minister, holds a youth group meeting at the church called Misfit NYC. Every Friday, kids from the area and all over the city sing, rap and hold a religious service. The group, led by Durso, discusses many of the issues that are in the book: being yourself instead of conforming to others and pursuing goals in life that are personally worthwhile. “I want this book to spur you on and reach your goals,” Durso said. “There are too few revolutionaries in this world and if we had more we could see this world in a much better state.” THE COURIER/Photo by Eric Jankiewicz
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