15 Weeks of YFC Camp

From 2006...to 2015

There’s something very special about camp. I should know, this years will mark my 15th week of YFC Camp in my 9 years with Campus Life. I’m thankful to have seen God at work through different lenses serving on the leadership. In this I’ve seen many lives change through God’s work at camp over the last decade.

Life change isn’t limited to the high school students we take either. I’ve seen God work in my life and the adults we take too.  

I just realized I’m the age as leaders who were kind and patient with me when I was a camper. I guess it’s my turn.

I’ve sorted some things out with my family, I can move back closer to home now.

It feels like I’ve wasted the last 10 years of my life not being part of this ministry.

I came to camp to tell God I was done with Him but He wouldn’t let me go.

Please take a moment and pray wherever you are for the adults and the students who will attend YFC Camp in 2015. It’s a big deal to have you along for the ride.

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We’re not done yet!

We have spent the summer raising money to help send students to camp who can’t afford it. We still have gaps that need filled to fully fund this trip. Would you consider giving a special gift to help us fill in some of those gaps. Your gift could mean a lifetime of difference for a student who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend YFC Camp.  Thanks!

Come Swing with Me

As the season warms and the sun stays out a little longer at night, we find ourselves spending more outside during Campus Life. Instead of racing towards the door, students show up and spend their time on the lawn. A few weeks ago, one student says to another: hey, come swing with me.

I took notice of this tiny gesture and weeks later it still has me thinking. It was kind, it was nice, it was love shown to a student who seldom feels like he fits in.  Usually I can tell stories about leaders reaching out students, but this is different.  This was an upperclassmen who noticed a student who spends a lot of time wonder why they don’t fit in.  This still has me welled up with pride.

It reminds of the way Jesus noticed Zacchues.  It reminds me of love shown to us from God, “even while we sinners.”  It reminds me of exactly why we dedicated our lives to this ministry, of raising up life long followers of Jesus.

Please take a moment to pray right now for these two students; for the one who noticed and the one who notices.  Pray they will continue to grow Jesus, and we as leaders will know how to encourage them along their way.

Credibility

Alex and Jake exchange many text messages throughout the week. They talk about their days and what they had for lunch. Every Monday Jake sends an ‘On My Way’ text after our leader dinner then heads down the road to pick him up for Campus Life.  They usually they just listen to music and talk about sports. He knows Alex has had a painful past, but has never had the privilege to know the details. But tonight the ride was something different.

Alex began to talk about his years living at the residential treatment center, and his recent move to a new foster home. He talked about how at school he felt like the only person who had been through something like that. Some days Alex just didn't think he fit in.

"Hey, that was me too." His ministry leader shared. "I lived in a place like that, and I was in foster care too."

Not much more was said about their similar experiences that night, but this ministry leader will tell you it was the moment their real relationship began. In the weeks that followed, he heard from Alex more and the car rides have now turned to weekly discussions about what's happening in Alex's life.

Please take a moment to pray right now for Alex and his ministry leader as they spend those precious minutes in the car each week. Thanks again for your generous financial partnership which keeps us pointing hurting teens towards Jesus.

We've Grown Up

Hi! I’m Mallory and I’m Brady. Not only are we cousins, but best friends too. We are both juniors at Pekin High and have been going to Campus Life since our freshmen year. I guess you could say we have grown up with Campus Life. 

Campus Life is something we look forward to every Monday night and not in an obligated way. Whether it's a tiny hayrack ride, playing 9 Square in the Air, eating PopTarts hanging from a string without hands, flashlight tag or just standing around talking, there’s always something fun and exciting to do that brings us closer to our friends. Being a part of Campus Life has given us the opportunity to know so many different people at our school we would not have known otherwise. You won’t find many other groups where they have this much fun, make so many friends, AND get to learn and talk about Jesus.

And that’s the other thing. Campus Life is more than friends, laughing, and doing crazy stuff.  Every week we have a discussion about a different topic, like conformity or gossip and it helps give us a higher perspective on the way we view life. Our adult ministry leaders take the time to share stories from what they’ve learned in life, all while pointing us to Jesus. It really helps us get through our every-day high school struggles. They are never too busy for us.

So thanks for your part in making Campus Life happen.   We really don’t know where we would be without it.

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Every Monday before Campus Life our leader team sits down for a meal together. If you’d like to bring us a meal or send dinner for us, we’d love to eat whatever you send our way. We’re not picky and it would be great if you stayed to eat with us too. To bring us a meal visit pekincl.com/meal or call Jarrod!

We Just Sat There...

I picked Josh up for lunch one Saturday. On our way, we went by the thrift store and by his work to check the schedule. We talked about his classes and extracurriculars. We reminisced about the first time he came to Campus Life. His friend just picked him up and didn’t really say what they were doing.

Lunch was great too. We got to talk about all the things we could do to make Campus Life a better place and how to get more students like him there.

But when we got to his driveway, we just sat there. He didn’t get out of the car. Our conversation continued for the next half hour about the more difficult things in his life. "Things haven’t been normal for a few years." Josh was able to share a few of the harder things he and his family are facing.

What I heard from Josh was pretty serious and I couldn’t help but think high school students shouldn’t have to worry about the things he is worried about. But I’m glad Josh got it out. I’m glad he knows his YFC leaders are a safe place to share.

There are thousands of students at Pekin and I know many of them have stories like Josh’s. It seems impossible to be able to reach a substantial portion of them. But we’re continuing to work with the dozen’s God has brought to us.

Continue to pray for us leaders and the student’s we work with. We want to keep encouraging them through their hard situations and point them towards a Savior who loves them.

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Thank You For Being Brave

Pekin Students

Thank you for being brave.

You shared your fears, your shame, your sin. You confessed sacred words, words that  were your secrets. In a room full of peers your words were there for all to see. 

You were open.  You were honest.  You were real. And I couldn’t be more proud of you.

jarrod

In case you missed it or you aren’t in high school, April was a month of secrets at Campus Life.  Students had the chance to share anything safely and anonymously. But before we as leaders asked anything of them, we went first. We laid out our own secrets from both present and past for students to see.

The intention was not to force students into emotional wrecks or to embarrass them.   Instead our goal was to create a safe space, a place where they would know maybe for the first time they were not alone in their struggles. 

It goes back to the beginning of time, since Adam and Eve.  The fall.  The apple.  The snake and his lies.   As they hide from God in their makeshift clothing, He appears and asks them a simple question:  “Who told you that you were naked?”

“WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED?”

Who told you you weren't good at anything?

Who told you you would never get into college?

Who told you you would be just like your parents?

Who told you no one would ever love you?

Who told you you'd never be as good as your brother or sister.

Who told you your dream was stupid?

Who said you wouldn’t be able to wear white at your wedding?

Who said you were ugly?

Who told you you were fat?

Who told you that you weren't enough?

Who told you you’d never be better than your addiction?

Who told you___________________?

Ephesians 2:1-5 says

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!

WE WERE AS GOOD AS DEAD BECAUSE OF OUR SIN AND OUR SECRETS. 

BUT GOD.  

IN CHRIST, YOU ARE NOT WORTHLESS, HOPELESS, DUMB, UGLY OR FORGOTTEN.

IN CHRIST, YOU ARE NOT NAKED.

 

SO, WHAT’S NEXT?

Maybe you’re already in Christ but haven’t been living like it. Let’s talk.

Maybe you’re not and it seems like there’s more. Let’s talk.

Maybe you think I’m stupid and you think there is a better way. Let’s talk.

Regardless of where you’re at us leaders are committed to helping you find the answers. It wasn’t long ago that we were where you are.

For now we’ll keep the secrets inbox open and might review them from time to time.  You’re welcome to share your secret with a leader IRL or online. 

I’m not sure how to close this out so I’ll just stop talking and leave you with one last verse.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.