Just last week, all across the McDonough County kids began walking through the doors of Macomb High School. Another year of studies, sports and social interaction began for them. Do you remember those days?
I just want to remind you of a few things you may have forgotten in the glow of your pleasant reminiscing.
· High School is the last time these kids will be considered children: by the time they graduate the world will call them adults.
· Many of them will walk through those doors carrying burdens a lot bigger than their backpacks: for instance, more than 15 girls will be pregnant before the year is out.
· Some of them will be smiling on the outside, but they hide fears they feel as they enter unknown territory.
While they are in High School, we at Youth for Christ want to offer them alternatives:
· A relationship for life with Jesus Christ
· Answers for tough decisions and a comfort and guide through tough times
· A friend and a friendly place to feel safe
We are cranking up for a new school year. You might think it takes some of us longer than others to graduate, but the truth is we just love high school kids.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Aug08-New in Macomb!
We are so excited! We have hired two new part-time staff for Macomb YFC. Thank you to all for your prayers andcontinued financial support during the transition. Although they just started, they are busy planning events andrecruiting volunteers and support. Here is our calendar of events followed by introductions by our new staff.
Campus Life-M (Jr. High) - Monday nights 6-8 p.m. starting with Kick-Off on Sept. 15th at the YFC house.
Campus Life (HS) - Tuesday nights 7-9 p.m. starting with Kick-Off on Sept. 16th at the YFC house.
We’re even planning a CL-M & CL Paintball Trip with the Bushnell chapter on Saturday, Sept. 20th.
My name is Mandy Johnson. I’m 23 years old and from Jacksonville, IL. I have been in church since I was two, was baptized at eight, and have been truly following after Christ since I was 15. My past ministry experience includes volunteering with the youth group at my home church, going on many mission trips, being a member of a missions committee, organizing “Purity Rallies,” and heading up an Operation Christmas Child relay center. I have a degree from MacMurray College in Sign Language Interpreting and currently spend my days working as a Program Assistant at Edison School. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with YFC to share God’s love with students in Macomb.
My name is Kayleigh Jump, I am 23 years old and I live in Bushnell. My past ministry experience includes being involved with YFC. During high school I was a student leader for Bushnell YFC, and co-lead a weekly bible study at my school. As an adult I volunteered with YFC for a year with Todd Rodeffer. I am a student at Lincoln Christian College taking Thursday night classes toward my Bachelors in General Ministry. I currently spend non-school days at home with my children (Charity 3, Christian 2, Faith 1); we are also expecting our last child in late December. My husband, Jeremie, is currently employed by Wal-Mart and the National Guard, and is also a student. I believe that God has called me to youth ministry so I am very honored to have been given the opportunity to work with YFC in Macomb. I want to be able to give the youth in Macomb the same experiences that YFC brought to my life, and impact their lives for Christ. I know that God has great things planned for the youth in Macomb and I am glad that I can be a part of that.
Campus Life-M (Jr. High) - Monday nights 6-8 p.m. starting with Kick-Off on Sept. 15th at the YFC house.
Campus Life (HS) - Tuesday nights 7-9 p.m. starting with Kick-Off on Sept. 16th at the YFC house.
We’re even planning a CL-M & CL Paintball Trip with the Bushnell chapter on Saturday, Sept. 20th.
My name is Mandy Johnson. I’m 23 years old and from Jacksonville, IL. I have been in church since I was two, was baptized at eight, and have been truly following after Christ since I was 15. My past ministry experience includes volunteering with the youth group at my home church, going on many mission trips, being a member of a missions committee, organizing “Purity Rallies,” and heading up an Operation Christmas Child relay center. I have a degree from MacMurray College in Sign Language Interpreting and currently spend my days working as a Program Assistant at Edison School. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with YFC to share God’s love with students in Macomb.
My name is Kayleigh Jump, I am 23 years old and I live in Bushnell. My past ministry experience includes being involved with YFC. During high school I was a student leader for Bushnell YFC, and co-lead a weekly bible study at my school. As an adult I volunteered with YFC for a year with Todd Rodeffer. I am a student at Lincoln Christian College taking Thursday night classes toward my Bachelors in General Ministry. I currently spend non-school days at home with my children (Charity 3, Christian 2, Faith 1); we are also expecting our last child in late December. My husband, Jeremie, is currently employed by Wal-Mart and the National Guard, and is also a student. I believe that God has called me to youth ministry so I am very honored to have been given the opportunity to work with YFC in Macomb. I want to be able to give the youth in Macomb the same experiences that YFC brought to my life, and impact their lives for Christ. I know that God has great things planned for the youth in Macomb and I am glad that I can be a part of that.
Aug08-Bushnell Beat
From June 29 – July 8 my time is heavily given to activities in and around the Cornerstone Festival just 5 miles east of Bushnell. I coordinate teens that are willing to volunteer 3 days following the fest to pick up tables, chairs, and trash. In exchange, they receive a full week’s pass to the festival. We also have a campsite where adults and teens camp together, forming stronger bonds, and many opportunities to speak about the Lord. Please pray for these relationships and opportunities to speak into the lives of teens.
The other major event this past month was our trip to the Wisconsin Dells area. Seven teens, two local pastors, a female adult chaperon, and I set up tents in a campground across the road from Devil’s Lake State Park. Our general schedule was as follows: breakfast, devotions, clean up, trip & lunch, supper, session time, talk about it, camp fire, and bed time. Being alone in the campground helped us really connect with each other and gave us time to connect with our Creator. I know in my heart that teens were confronted with the truth and reality of the gospel. Most of seven have already trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior, but there is always room for further understanding and commitment. Also, since we have a couple of leaders departing for college this year, these teens were challenged with the opportunity to step up to become the new leaders for Christ in their school this year. Please pray for a couple of teens that are still “on the fence and those that will become leaders this year. Thanks!
There is a great need of father figures in the lives of teens today. I see this over and over, for males and females, rich and poor. I am very thankful to have had my dad around when growing up and facing all the obstacles of life as a teen. I can’t imagine what it is like, or the deep hurt way deep down inside of a teen without a father around to help guide them and agape love them. We always have teens that can’t afford events or outings because of their financial situation. If you can help financially, or would like to get involved as a volunteer please give me a call (309-333-6186).
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment throughout the last 10 years of our lives in Bushnell.
The other major event this past month was our trip to the Wisconsin Dells area. Seven teens, two local pastors, a female adult chaperon, and I set up tents in a campground across the road from Devil’s Lake State Park. Our general schedule was as follows: breakfast, devotions, clean up, trip & lunch, supper, session time, talk about it, camp fire, and bed time. Being alone in the campground helped us really connect with each other and gave us time to connect with our Creator. I know in my heart that teens were confronted with the truth and reality of the gospel. Most of seven have already trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior, but there is always room for further understanding and commitment. Also, since we have a couple of leaders departing for college this year, these teens were challenged with the opportunity to step up to become the new leaders for Christ in their school this year. Please pray for a couple of teens that are still “on the fence and those that will become leaders this year. Thanks!
There is a great need of father figures in the lives of teens today. I see this over and over, for males and females, rich and poor. I am very thankful to have had my dad around when growing up and facing all the obstacles of life as a teen. I can’t imagine what it is like, or the deep hurt way deep down inside of a teen without a father around to help guide them and agape love them. We always have teens that can’t afford events or outings because of their financial situation. If you can help financially, or would like to get involved as a volunteer please give me a call (309-333-6186).
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment throughout the last 10 years of our lives in Bushnell.
Schedule of Events
CL-M (Jr High)-Mondays @ 6-8 pm
Depth Charge-Wednesdays @ 8 pm
Teen Lunch-Thursdays @ 11 am
CL (HS)-Thursday @ 7 pm
Paintball on Sept. 20
See You At The Pole Sept. 24
Aug08-Introducing...Bernard McCance, YFC board member
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior through the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. This was at the age of 8 at Checkrow Church Daily Vacation Bible School.
I met my wonderful wife, Kay, at the wedding of our friends and we just celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. We were blessed with 3 daughters. Karen McCance who resides in Macomb, Stacey Creger in Peoria with her husband and our 3 grandchildren, and Cynthia in heaven at the age of 20.
I retired from Caterpillar Tractor after 44 years. Kay retired from nursing administration after 24 years. We reside on a farm 10 miles east of Bushnell.
Youth for Christ is and should be a challenge for each of us as board members. The challenge is to let the community know of the great work and the potential for greater encouragement of the gospel among our youth. Each of us is aware of the peer pressure that our future generation of leaders is facing as they become adults.
The churches of the area need to be challenged to the work and success of Youth for Christ in the community. Without much prayer we cannot meet the spiritual and financial needs of the ministry of Youth for Christ.
Aug08-Prayer Requests and Thanks:
+ Thank you for all your prayers and support during our transition in Macomb.
+ Please pray that support will increase to cover new budget needs.
+ Thank you for those individuals who help to clean the YFC house and mow the grass!!
+ Please pray for the staff as they gear up for the new school year and for the students that become involved.
+ Please pray for the banquet planning that is beginning. Anyone willing to help, please contact the office.
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