Encountering Jesus 2,700 Miles from Home

A student sat quietly as the team began to disperse after an evening group where one of our leaders shared about their faith. Through tears she shared a difficulty that she was facing at home. When I asked if we could pray for her she said, “I wish I believed like you do that praying to God would make a difference… but I don’t ”. I thanked her for being honest with us. I told her that I’ve seen prayer make a difference in countless areas of my life.

Next to me was another student who had recently responded to the message of Jesus at our Youth for Christ high school conference called Excel this past January. She said, “I want to pray for you too. I’m not that good at praying yet but I still want to do it for you.” The three us prayed in the middle of the Mohave Desert for God to intervene in a concern that was 2,700 miles away in New York. The day after we arrived home this student attended our church where she heard more about this God who loves her and answers prayer. 

Our recent spring break rock-climbing trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California was a huge success! 

We saw each and every prayer request answered. Our team of students worked together flawlessly and grew closer to one another throughout the trip. Our travel days went extremely well and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We were protected physically with only a few minor scrapes here and there. We also had a very close surprise encounter with a rather large rattlesnake that ended well. Your prayers were evident! 
Our hope was for each student to use this experience as a way to engage, re-engaged or go deeper in his or her journey with Jesus Christ. This hope was realized in many really cool ways. 

Another one of our students towards the end of the trip said, “I’m not much for religion but I’d like to hear more about this Jesus you guys keep talking about”. A few of our leaders took him to a local climbing area the day we returned to New York and throughout the day shared further about Jesus and what a relationship with Him looks like. 

Through a friendship forged during a rock-climbing trip the doors are opened for meaningful conversations about faith, surrendering, trust and the forgiveness we find in Jesus Christ. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we follow up with each of these students over the next few weeks.
Your prayers and support of this ministry are impacting the lives of kids with the Good News of Jesus Christ.   
Thank you for standing with us! 

Steve Prettyman, Director - Shiloh's Edge Wilderness Ventures
(I asked Steve to serve as guest writer this week - thank you, Steve, for sharing the JTree stories!) 

 

Adults Who Empower

Not one of them is the same.  Some minister closely with kids each week and outside of events such as club meetings. Others might drive teen moms to and from Parent Life gatherings. A few pull security detail, making sure our weekly clubs are a safe place for kids.  Still others handle logistics for larger events, paperwork for trips or set up and tear down.  There are some who serve on our chapter board of directors or as a community resource team.

I'm talking about those adults who serve alongside our staff every week.  These are adults who empower us and empower kids in their pursuit of Jesus.  We strategical develop and equip adults to reach young people.  This is part of what we call the Five Essentials of ministry. 

The other Essentials are Widespread Prayer, Collaborative Community Strategy, Loving Relationships, and Faithful Bible Teaching.  These principles are at the core of each ministry site and staff member.
 
Let's face it. If we did not have these caring adults working side by side with us, consistent and effective ministry would be difficult and exhausting.  But seeing God use an incredible community of volunteers who has a passion for Jesus and a great compassion for lost kids is amazing.

Last time, I shared with you several testimonies from our annual Excel High School Conference.  That event brings together a wonderful team of volunteers who shower Christ's love on the kids who attend Excel.  A majority of those volunteers attended Excel and Break Out as students and are now giving back to God through their time and talent!  They are empowered by their Excel experience to help make the weekend an life-changing one for students.

I would be remiss if I did not say THANK YOU to our team of conference volunteers.  I am always impressed with their own testimonies of God at work in them during Excel, too.

We always have room for more caring adults to help us reach more kids.  We would love to talk to you about that.  Keep praying for us.  Pray that God will raise up more volunteers for each of our ministry areas so that we can bring His life-rescuing message to more young people.  Thank you.

Free Fun Day a Rousing Success!

We wanted to say "thank you" to the community.  We've been in our facility in Halfmoon for three years.  Town officials, neighbors, local businesses and patrons at the Edge have been so gracious to us as we continued to expand and renovate.  Last Saturday, it was time to give back.

You likely saw some form of advertising for YFC's Free Fun Day @ The Edge.  Everything here was free: indoor rock climbing, the outdoor high ropes course, GaGa Ball, food, the gymnasium.  From the start, it was an amazing time.  The Lord gave us one of the most beautiful fall days I've seen in years.  Bright sunshine and plenty of warmth with a slight breeze.

In the week leading up to the Free Fun Day, our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to get our facility ready.  When we opened the doors Saturday afternoon, the crowds began to pour in.  We had set aside climbing time slots at the Edge and on the ropes course. Both filled up within the first hour and a half.  There was an exciting and festive atmosphere throughout the day.

Our kitchen staff gave out smoothies, snacks and the very special Christi's Cafe' House Blend of coffee non-stop.  YFC staff not only ran the various game and climbing areas, but had many opportunities to talk with our guests, to share the story behind the bricks and mortar.  Families brought their children, youth groups came from all around.  When all was done, over 500 came through our doors - many for the first time.

One of our staff told me that their new next door neighbors stopped by to check things out.  While the climbing spots were already full by mid-afternoon, they took a tour, grabbed some snacks and promised to come back and climb at the Edge.  So many guests told us how impressed they were with the Adventure Center and that they, too, would come back soon to do it again.

I have to thank our business sponsor for the day, Simmons Capital Group, for backing this outreach to our community.  Their partnership allowed us to provide everything for free and at the same time not have a huge bill waiting for us at the end.

If you were one of our guests last Saturday, THANK YOU for making the day an incredible success.  We were constantly fascinated with how many came through our doors and with the enthusiasm everyone showed for our facility.  If you did not make it to the Free Fun Day, there is another opportunity for you to see not only the Adventure Center, but to hear about Youth for Christ's ministry.

On Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, our Annual Banquets will take place, focusing on our mission of bringing the light of Jesus Christ to lost kids. If you would like to be our guest at one of the banquets, please let us know by clicking on the banquet button to the right. The banquets are part of the Grand Opening & Dedication Weekend for Christi's Light of Mine Cafe', named in memory of my late wife Chris.  Information on the Grand Opening itself is a just a click away on the button to the right.

Thank you so much for standing with us to reach kids for Christ! We are constantly amazed, grateful and inspired by your partnership with us.

 

This Is Not Really Me

The room was silent.  Kids shifted in their chairs, but no one seemed to want to share as the Point Break program wound down.  In one of the small groups, a boy stood up. He was wearing a slick name-brand track suit with his hair carefully in place.  But something was bothering him - you could see the emotion already stirring in his eyes.

He pointed to a boy across the room in the community center and called him out by name.  That boy was dressed in what you might consider stereotypical 'farm boy' clothes.  The track suit boy, a high school freshman, then began to apologize to the boy across the room. He admitted that he had bullied the farm boy for years, picked on him, called him names, abused him.  As he spoke, the tears flowed.

Then he made a confession - one no one probably thought was coming.  He said that he bullied the farm boy because...that was HIS true identity as well.  The boy in the track suit also lived on a farm...but he wanted so bady for years not to be known as a farm boy.  He had taken on a different look, a different personality just so other kids would think differently about him.

With that confession and apology made, the boy in the track suit sat down, weeping, shaking and pulling his hood over his head.  Then, from across the room, the farm boy stood up.  Tall, lanky and with a deep voice, he sauntered over to the boy who had been his bully, whom he likely avoided as often as he could in the school hallways.  The farm boy did one simple thing - he stood next to the boy in the track suit and put his hand on his shoulder. Few words were spoken, but few were needed.

That one act spoke volumes - forgiveness, grace, understanding.  For a boy who hid his real self for years behind a mask, there was releif. For the boy who had been the subject of years of bullying, there was an opportunity for an act of mercy.  Both boys left that day experiencing a change that will stick with them for life.

While our Point Break anti-bullying programs are faith-neutral, we see over and over how love, forgiveness and hope can deeply affect kids who participate. As our staff and other volunteers work alongside these kids for a day, they communicate the love and light of Jesus through their actions and attitudes. 

The changes are stunning.  The confessions, from students and teachers, are often deeply moving.  The impact on a school is widespread.

We are so grateful to the Lord for the many schools we'll be bringing Point Break to this year.  We're thankful that several have allowed us in for multiple years, making an impact on an entire high school culture!

Please pray for our Point Break facilitators and volunteers as they will present to four different schools just in October alone.  Please pray for the remaining details to be worked out for other districts who want to bring in the program. Thank you.

You'll notice that there are a number of web links posted on the side of this email - October is a very full month for us!  Please take the time to visit each of these event's web pages and find out what YFC is offering.

As I mentioned in our last e-note, be sure to mark Friday, October 31st on your calendar. We'll be holding our Grand Opening and Dedication of Christi's Light of Mine Cafe' from 11:30am - 2:00pm. 

On Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, our Annual Banquets will take place here at the YFC Adventure Center, continuing the theme of being a light to lost kids. If you would like to be our guest at one of the banquets, please let us know by clicking on the banquet button to the right.

Light in the Darkness

No matter how dark a room is, it doesn't take much to light it up.  Picture yourself in a totally dark room with your eyes closed. Someone comes in and plugs in one of those LED bluish dim night lights into a wall outlet.  That light is only meant to give you just enough to get around; you certainly couldn't read with it.

But if you start to open your eyes just a bit, the darkness is gone. The light may be faint, but it's there and you can see a little.  It doesn't take much to bring light into the darkness.

That's our calling as followers of Jesus Christ - to be His light to everyone.  Jesus maps this idea out in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others..."  Our mission is not just to be a light, but to shine, to burn brightly if you will for Jesus so that anyone we encounter can see Him clearly lived out in us.

Next month, we embark on a significant step for Youth for Christ.  We celebrate the Grand Opening & Dedication of the YFC Adventure Center the weekend of October 31-November 2.  Yes, the Edg Climbing Gym has been open since 2011.  True, we finished our gymnasium in 2012.  Now we are set to unveil the final phase - Christi's Light of Mine Cafe'.

The cafe', named after my late wife Chris, is a place where purposed Christ-centered conversations will take place between staff and students and among students themselves.  We want this entire facility to not just be a "cool building" or be known as an amazing rec center.  It's our desire that it be a brightly shining light for Jesus where kids come and find love, hope, forgiveness and grace.

Please mark Friday, October 31st on your calendars. We'll hold our ribbon cutting and grand opening from 11:30am - 2:00pm.  More details will follow in upcoming emails.

Kids need to know the true Light of the world.  We are blessed and privileged that we are called to that very mission.  Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving to YFC's ministry. God bless you. 

Repentance & Forgiveness

"It’s been bugging me for the entire year. Would you please forgive me? I was way out of line.”  That comment came from a local high school principal during the wrap up portion of one of our Point Break anti-bullying programs.  Toward the end of the day, we encourage the students and teachers attending to share something they learned during the day, perhaps to seek someone out to ask for forgiveness or just to share a hug.  The principal stood up after a few of the kids had shared.

He spoke to one of the teachers directly and told her that a year ago, they had a conversation in the hallway at school and he responded to her abruptly and in an unkind fashion.  He admitted that his actions and harsh words had stuck with him for the whole school year – and he knew he needed to do something.  He asked the teacher to forgive him for what he said and how he treated her that day.  Then he sat down. The room was silent.

Admitting we’re wrong is not easy.  Recognizing that we’ve done something we regret and need to seek forgiveness can be risky.  Repenting of something in front of a large group of your high school students takes a lot of guts – but he did it.  And the example that principal set for his students and for his staff I’m sure carried on in countless ways into the future.

We’ve seen this in kids, too.  Just recently, City Life’s Cherie Vedder took a group of nine girls aged 10-12 out on a weekend camping expedition.  They slept in tents. They cooked over a fire and small grill. They hiked and explored nature.  One night, Cherie challenged them to write down their bad experiences and choices in life and place them in a box.  As Cherie talked about what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus, the girls started confessing their sins, seeking God’s forgiveness.  Several of them surrendered their lives to Christ that night.  They knew they needed to bring their sin before God and receive His love and forgiveness.  What a blessing to witness the Spirit moving in young lives!

As we rejoice with every story of a changed life, would you also join us in praying for our Edge Climbing Gym staff as they lead a climbing trip to Rumney, NH next week. Pray for open Christ-centered conversations with the kids who go. Also, pray for the two climbing camps coming up August. Lastly, pray for our Schenectady City Life team as they are in the midst of major renovations at the City Life Center on Ontario Street.  Pray for wisdom with contractors and for the timing of the repairs. We would love to see them finished before the start of the school year.

Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving generously.  We truly value your partnership with us in reaching lost kids!

Ice Cream!

Summer brings all sorts of images to our minds.  The beach, vacation, boardwalk, waves, backyard BBQs...and ice cream.  Nothing hits the spot on a hot summer day like a good old-fashioned ice cream cone.  Did you know that there are parts of the country, sections where it's hot often, where they don't have ice cream stands?  Unbelieveable!

As I've told you before, Youth for Christ uses a wide variety of methods and ministry models to build relationships with kids.  Ice cream is one of those models.

This week, we were blessed to have 40 kids come to the Schenectady City Life Banana Split party.  Now you need to know that our banana splits are not your average 6-inch paper bowl with a few scoops of ice cream, a half of a banana and some random toppings.  We go BIG when we do ice cream!  We fill several (brand new and clean) plastic rain gutters with ice cream, toppings and bananas.  This is a split like none you've probably seen...or eaten.  Kids LOVE it.

I could end the story there and you might say, "hey, that's great, YFC provided kids ice cream and fun."  But you know us - that's just not enough.  We used the banana splits as yet another point of relationship-building with kids.  After the ice cream was consumed, our staff shared a very clear message about Jesus' love and forgiveness. 

The bottom line is that we are not ashamed; we're not ashamed to have loads of fun with kids, to get messy (and believe me, some splits have produced PLENTY of that); we're also not ashamed to clearly, lovingly share the life-rescuing gift of Christ with every young person we meet.  It's a privilege we don't take lightly.

So, the next time you sink your teeth into a big, double stacked, extra toppings waffle cone, remember how such a simple treat can help us tell kids about Jesus.  Thank you so much for praying for us through a very full summer of ministry.  Thank you for your generous giving - we rely on those gifts every day to keep reaching more lost teenagers.

P.S. Here are a few photos from our just completed canoe trip down the Allagash River in Maine.