“The panic attack began just as her online class was about to begin.”

“The panic attack began just as her online class was about to begin.” 

I was talking with the parent of an MTHS Freshman discussing the impact of remote learning on her daughter (a straight-A student). She couldn’t handle the pressure of another Zoom class or virtual project. As her mouse hovered over the “Join Meeting” button, her heart began to race. Instead of participating in class as expected, she emailed the teacher privately to ask for another method of completing the project.

I’ve talked with numerous students during this pandemic who are in similar positions. Emotions fluctuate constantly. Anxiety and depression levels are rising. Some students are embracing extremely unhealthy coping mechanisms.  Many students have become “turtles” hiding in their shells waiting for the whole thing to blow over. They know things aren’t going well, but they also don’t know how to ask for the help they so desperately need.

Would you pray for us as we strive to come alongside these students and their families? 

Pray for the Holy Spirit to open doors of communication, encouragement and support. Pray for students to hunger for time spent in authentic relationships with YFC leaders (despite those relationships having to be virtual in nature). Pray for parents who are navigating this unprecedented time alongside their students. Pray for educators who can’t wait to return to the classroom to spend time with “their” kids!

Thank you for your support & partnership!

Can we talk?

“Mr. Genders…I heard you are a Youth Pastor. Is that true? Can we talk?”  I was recently substitute teaching at MTHS when a student I didn’t know asked me these questions. I was in the school to teach Geometry & Algebra for a few weeks, but it seems like God had additional plans for my time. I had chosen to “dwell among” students for a brief period of time, and God chose to use my presence for his purpose. Imagine if Metamora YFC had a plethora of leaders on-mission in places where students already gather - classrooms, sports teams, extracurricular activities, special events, etc.?

Jesus tells us that “the harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38) Metamora Youth for Christ is seeing more people join our team as Ministry Leaders. These are men and women who work on the frontline with students sharing the love of God through Authentic Christ-Sharing Relationships. They are staffing the Center after school. They are running Campus Life and leading Bible studies. They are coordinating service projects. They are attending games, concerts and special events with students. 

We are seeing an increase in the number of leaders, but we are also seeing a greater harvest field than ever before. Students are desperately seeking purpose and community. We need more leaders who will “dwell among” students and be available when students have tough questions. 

Would you join me in praying for more workers for the harvest? Or maybe you don’t need to pray; maybe you are that worker. If the ministry of YFC intrigues you, send me a message at  (309) 573-5175 or cgenders@yfcpa.org to discuss your next-steps!

Chris Genders

Thank you so much...

“Thank you so much for all you did for my kids during their years in Middle School and High School!”  

These were the words a parent said to me the other night as they handed me a $500 one-time donation for the Metamora Center. I was grateful for the donation, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflected back on the privilege it had been to walk alongside this family.

As we move into November, our minds naturally drift towards thankfulness. I am obviously thankful for the incredible financial generosity of people who have contributed to the Center. However, I am just as thankful for those who have contributed their time and services to meet the needs of the Center (cleaning, painting, repairs, etc.) as well as meeting the needs of the students (meals, encouragement, tutoring, spiritual formation, etc.). 

I am thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside students during their formative years in Middle School and High School. I am thankful for the opportunity to support adults as they experience the joys and struggles of being parents. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with local pastors for mutual encouragement. I am thankful for the opportunity to form partnerships with local businesses and non-profits who share a similar mission of impacting local students and families.

Above all else, I am thankful for the privilege of being called a “son of God” because of the work of Jesus on the cross. I am humbled I get to spend my days running after Jesus and helping students do the same.

Thank YOU for your partnership in helping YFC reach one million teenagers with the Gospel of Jesus!

Chris Genders

If you could ask God one question…

“If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?” recently gathered with a group of 40+ local Middle School students and posed that question. Students wrote down questions on Post-It notes and stuck them to the wall. The questions ranged from the silly to the profound to the heart-breaking.

“Why do good people have to suffer?”

“Can I have a selfie?”

“Who made God?”

“What if Jesus was lying about being God?”

“How high can I jump off stuff?”

“What was your plan when my parents got divorced?”

“Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Why am I in the wrong body?”

My leaders and I took turns reading the questions and silently praying for these young students under our care. The rest of the night was spent helping them understand that God is not afraid of their questions. At the end of the night, we took time to answer some of their questions but most of them remained unanswered because of time constraints on the evening. 

If we’re honest, we all have unanswered questions about life and faith. Our hope is for the Metamora Teen Center to be a place where students will feel comfortable asking questions and finding answers. A place where students and adults will meet to share their faith stories and experience life together. A place where students will discover the ultimate answer to all of life’s questions - JESUS.

Thank you for your prayers & partnership as we take the next steps in providing this new Ministry Site for students.

Chris Genders