New Year, Same God

Derek

One passion the Lord has set on Campus Life is a heart to invest in students. Sure we play goofy games, take trips, dress up in silly costumes, but in the midst of all theses events are leaders who consistently love each student. One of our leaders who helped last spring got involved in some discipleship making relationship with students. Derek went on a trip to Alabama with us last year and continues to go to numerous sporting events to sit with students as we cheer on their teams. Derek is a loved member of our leadership team, but the previous summer he accepted a job at Yellowstone Park. Students were deeply saddened to see Derek head out for a season. 

Derek was able to come back this last semester to help out on Monday nights.  What surprises me is that although he does not live in the area anymore because he is attending school two hours away, Derek still makes the drive each Monday night to connect with students. 

What a love and compassion Derek has for students and it's because of his deep love for Jesus. Recently all the leaders and I took our student leaders ice skating and then wrapped up with a close look at Matthew 5, seeing how simple yet transformative the Beatitudes are. 

Just as the Beatitudes tell us what the kingdom of God is like, let us also keep our eyes on the kingdom of God. Always looking forward to eternity as we pray fervently for Eureka students.

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!

- Dan L

Big Events and Appointments

Battle Ball Soccer Night

We ended 2015 with a YFC Camp style Christmas banquet awards night where leaders served dinner to dressed up students. We started 2016 with a Back to School Battle Ball soccer night where students slipped in less formal inflatables and played soccer at Pearce Community Center. What happened during the 3 weeks between those two events?  Tons of appointments with teens at Track Inn, a favorite breakfast hangout with students in Chillicothe! We use these times to intentionally engage students in one-on-one settings to listen and point them toward God’s 

Story whenever we can. It’s difficult to do that at big events like parties and Battle Ball soccer.

Another great thing about Christmas break is we get to catch up with many former students.  We listened to many shared the struggles that come with the freedom to make decisions about their future, and the stress that accompanies it.  For some, the stress came because making decisions that lined up with their faith cost them something.  For others, the stress came as they met with leaders after making decisions that didn’t line up with past commitments.  

They aren’t exactly adults, but they aren’t really children either. Campus Life doesn’t seem to stop, as graduates wrestle with life beyond high school. Who knows? As we look for areas of growth, we hope to expand into middle school soon.  Please pray for the high school and college students as they return to campus, and for Campus Life as we begin another semester.  We won’t ever give up on students because God hasn’t given up on us!

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue giving generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!! 

- Dan L

2016, Here We Come

Expansion

As the calendar turns from 2015 to 2016 I want to look back as well as look forward.

Looking back…. new followers of Jesus … I transitioned from YFC/USA and rejoined Central IL YFC …. new granddaughter … more fundraising…. I held key leadership roles at 2 YFC Camps…

Looking forward….. I’m pumped aboutexpanding YFC ministries in the BLONO communities.  I’m leading a start-up process we hope will build a sustainable mission that will reach kids for many years to come.  I’m beginning to spend 2-3 days a week at the Bloomington/Normal effort.  

Looking forward….inviting friends of YFC to include YFC in their estate planning.  Periodically we receive estate gifts.  What if YFC received 5-10 estate gifts a year?  Our mission could leap forward to reach more teens! It will be a privilege to lead toward this worthy effort in 2016.

Looking forward….more kids trusting Jesus … new ministry sites reaching lost teens …. stable mission resources….healthy sustainable ministry efforts ….

The partnership of many through prayers, love, and financial support is needed, noticed, and appreciated.  We’re looking forward to what God has in store for 2016!

Thanks for your part in the journey. God is using you to impact many for His Glory!

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!

- Dan L

Wish I Had Good News... Pray

Sharing truth with students

God has been moving in some great ways, however, today I come to you with a sad heart. Many times when we meet with students outside the detention center, they are faced with life choices. Sometime our students choose to continue to trust God, and other times they decide to do what they think is best.  Please be praying for one of our students that we have been mentoring. 

Susan* has been meeting with our ministry on a regular basis. She was plugged into a small group, going to church, has a relatively healthy family, and has been pursuing a job. Despite “turning” her life around, she tried to end her life recently and in the process of getting help, she assaulted a police officer. 

Please take a moment “right now” to pray for Susan, and others in similar situations. Our ministry is a tough ministry with ups and downs. As we continue to press forward, we would greatly appreciate your prayer for our leaders, students, parents, and the staff at these institutions.

Some of our immediate needs: 

1. Prayer!
2. Leaders for McLean County JJM 
3. New or increased monthly funding of $25 or more
4. New church partnerships in McLean County
5. Leaders for Peoria JJM 

- CJ Fisher

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!

- Dan L

Refreshed

YFC Institute - JJM Breakout

In early January, I got to spend a week in Denver for something called YFC Institute. That’s where new YFC staff from around the country gather to gain a deeper understanding of the mission, values, and activities of Youth for Christ. Through this training,  each participant develops a game plan for implementing once home. Institute was 1 full week of 12-hr training days. I was exhausted.

God used Institute to expose areas in my own heart that were preventing ministry from progressing forward. I can humbly say, the Spirit’s rebuke was not only necessary, but quite refreshing. By His grace, the Father revealed areas where ministry can move forward. These are Ministry Leaders & Prayer. 

We need more loving adults engaged in authentic Christ-sharing relationships with lost students. I want you to prayerfully consider your role in serving with us. Please consider 1 friend you believe God can use in JJM ministry and then sign up for our See the story event at yfcpeoria.org/see-the-story.

We also need to deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on our behalf. Would you pray for us? Would you join us in our desire to be a ministry that starts on our knees? If so, please go to yfcpeoria.org/jjm-pray and sign up!

Serving with you,

Jon Watts

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!.

- Dan L

Fun Meets Mission

Driving already...

We had a CORE TEAM meeting last Wednesday that captured our heart at Metamora Campus Life. We spent half the meeting laughing uncontrollably and the other half talking about how we can reach more students for the name of Jesus.

The laughter originated from a new plan on how we will greet students on Monday nights as they arrive. The plan was to use an app that changes your name to a gangster name. A student will come in, give their name, and then receive a name tag with their gangster name on it. Turns out my gangster name is No-Pants Indian. Who knew? Next week will be viking names!

After we laughed our pants off for a while, we dug into a different aspect of our mission. How can we as a team refocus our hearts and minds to reach more students with the love of Jesus this semester? What students are we reaching? What students are we missing? Are we investing well in the students that are part of Campus Life? How can we bring new life in the dead of winter?

So as you pray for us pray for these things. Pray that through things like laughter and fake names we can reach more students with the love of Jesus.

                -Josh (aka No-Pants Indian)

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!

- Dan L

In Their Own Words

I want you to hear one of the many stories of life change that happen because of your prayers and financial support.  In the words of a former student, Elaine…

“I always heard about Campus Life around Limestone but I had no idea what it was. I think the first time I went was my sophomore year at the campfire at LeRoy's house. From then I just went randomly every now and then. I was very caught up in my own life and I failed to see that there was so much more to Campus Life. Around the end of my junior year, my boyfriend broke up with me and I found myself severely depressed and friendless. I ended up going to Campus Life more frequently. I eventually decided to go to camp that year as work crew and that was only the beginning of the beautiful relationship I formed with God. Campus Life provided for me an escape from the judgements and stress of high school. It was so easy for me to get lost in the social aspects of high school but Campus Life reminded me every week that high school is temporary and my relationship with God is forever. As a freshman in college now, I can say that I really believe I've reached a place where I feel solidified in my relationship with Jesus. Campus Life helped me to grow as a woman of God and the whole experience has changed the decisions I know I would have made in college if I did not have a strong foundation in Christ like I do now.”

Wow. Thank you. I want to invite you to hear more stories of life change on March 6th at our annual banquet. Mark your calendars- more info to come!

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As 2015 ended, we told all who would listen, “YFC finances are behind”. We prayed and we asked for a generous December. And Then … It Happened. People gave a bunch. We finished our 1/2-year budget of $485,000 ahead by 2%. Thank You Friends. Thank You Jesus! We hope you will continue generously, because Jan-March income is typically lower than the rest of the year. Wow. That was big. Happy New Year!!!

- Dan L

Only the Beginning

Smile if you love CL!

The summer has come to a close and the school year is here. At Campus Life, we are excited for what God has done.  Get this… In the last month and a half, 12 students involved in Campus Life in the Limestone area have given their lives to Christ.  TWELVE STUDENTS have made life-altering decisions in the last 45 days!  

Here’s the thing though… I am convinced this is only the beginning of what God is going to do this year through Campus Life. Before kick off we had a “work night” at the Rocket Room where we have club on Mondays. After the work was finished and all of the students had left, one student was still hanging around. He came to me with a question and a piece of paper in hand- the paper was one we use for leaders with a ‘statement of faith’ on it. 

Simple truths about God were written on the paper, but the student told me he just wasn’t sure about some of these statements. We sat down and talked through each of them. Thirty minutes later, we had talked through the Gospel and God’s amazing love for him. Aaron gave his life to Christ that night.

It’s just the beginning. God is moving. You are a part of this. Thanks for giving, praying, and being an advocate for this ministry. Don’t stop- step in, step up. God is using you, I promise. 

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Donor-Friend-Advocate

The way I see it, you are one of these three things, at least when it comes to Campus Life. I’m so glad you’re involved, but I’m asking you to step up! If you are donor, become a friend. Call me up and let’s get lunch. If you’re a friend, share the story. Tell those in your life about Campus Life and see if they would like to start being a donor.