Dec11-Banquet Report

A huge thank you to all who helped to make our 20th annual banquet go so well! We so appreciate the underwriters and supporters, the staff and student speakers, the churches who donated awesome baskets, Jeff Ringenberg for coming to spend the whole day and speak at both banquets, special music by One Accord and Bushnell choir students, and of course all those who attended so that they could hear about the ministry to teens in our area and show their support for the cause of reaching teens for Christ. Above all, we thank God for His blessing upon the day!

As wonderful as the banquet was–and it was a wonderful time!–we did not reach the financial goal we had set, so please keep the important ministry of Youth for Christ in mind as you consider year-end giving and new year budget plans. God provides through the generosity of our donors. We always need and appreciate your prayer support, as well.

As Lauren mentions below in this newsletter–and you may well have heard through local media–Youth for Christ was selected as a beneficiary of the annual VIBE (Volunteers Interested in Benefitting Everyone) auction this year–and we will receive $25,000.00 in January. What a blessing! We are so thankful for this gift! It is our understanding that VIBE intends this money to be used in ways other than regular budgetary expenses, since it is a one-time gift–so we still need to raise the funds to support our ministry.

Thank you, and may you have a wonderful Christmas season–what a time to reflect upon the ultimate gift of love we have received from our heavenly Father: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Banquet Financial Results:

Gross receipts $17275

Expenses 4311

Net income $12964

Special “Thank you” video–one of our former YFC students, Derek Hammond (now a senior graphic communication major at WIU), prepared a very special video presentation for our banquet. We invite you to take a moment to watch it (it’s brief!) on our website, www.yfcwi.org; you will be glad you did!! It will move and inspire you!

More special thank yous to our sponsors:

Event Underwriters: Barsi Tax & Business Center/Copy Pack Post, Richard & Beth Ann Ferguson, Heritage Farms Grain & Dairy, Ed & Karen Kuras, Ludlum Food Mart, Bernard & Kay McCance, Gary & Lisa Ludlum, Midwest Control Products, Reusch, Butler & Associates PC, Morris & Mary Elizabeth Vos, Western Illinois Shotokan Karate & Jujitsu Clubs and Tonny Jill Williamson, D.D.S.

Meal Sponsors: First Bankers Trust Company, Charles & Wilma Hess, Gary & Nancy Kendall, Pierce Law Offices, William & Karen Poncin, Rusty’s Overhead Garage Door and Charles & Deborah Schade

Supporters: The Bike Shop, Bushnell Locker Service II, Car Care Center, Inc, Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Homes & Monuments, Cox Construction, Dodsworth Piper Wallen Inc., Floor to Ceiling, Hy-Vee - Macomb’s Full Service Store, MidAmerica National Bank, Nelsons Clothing, Dennis & Virginia Samuelson, Schuyler State Bank, Security Lock Shop

Dec11-Financial Status

Nov. Donations $22,160

Nov Expenses $12,087

YTD Donations $45,034

YTD Expenses $50,058

YTD Shortage ($ 5,026)

(note YTD is July to Nov ‘11)

Dec11-Merry Christmas from Macomb

As we head into December, we have a strong focus on the Reason for the Season! Looking back, we had such a jam packed November, it just goes to remind us that we have so much to be thankful for. We had a great time at our Banquet – and those who were able to attend, got to see, in action, just how much we all just enjoy each other.

Blessed by VIBE

Todd and I enjoyed back-to-back banquets (sort of a double-date for the second one), attending the VIBE (Volunteers Interested in Benefitting Everyone) banquet with Michelle & Tom on Nov 19^th. As a grant recipient, I got to share our vision and passion for teens with the community. Fun tidbit: During this talk, I was able to give a “shout out” to Aaron Durant, an MHS student was working at the Forum that evening. He was so excited, I think he told ½ of Macomb High! Loving on kids – it’s what we do best!

“We have all heard the adage, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”… teens have a slightly different spin on this – “they don’t care WHAT you know, they JUST want to know you care!”

[Lauren @ VIBE Banquet]

Kassie Courson, President of VIBE, called the next day to let us know that YFC Western IL will receive a check for $25,000 (yes, 25 thousand dollars) in January to be used in 2012!!! There is one use for this money – “to directly benefit the students”. While the exact usage is still being finalized, Todd and I are excited to be able to offer scholarships for kids for CIY Believe (Jr High Program), CIY Move (Sr High program), Go MAD (Sr High) and camp scholarships. We are excited to see how God can grab hold of these kids in life-changing ways.

Fun Stuff Coming Up

YFC has signed to ring bells for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. Dates are locations are listed below.

Please come by, visit and of course, drop something in the bucket.

 12/12 iConnect rings bells at Walmart 6-8pm

 12/13 After School Hangout ring bells at Walmart (in shifts) 3-6pm

 12/13 CLM ring bells at Walmart 6-8pm

 12/17 YFC rings bells at Hyvee 10am-12pm

Our Christmas celebrations take place on Monday, Dec 19^th for iConnect (Senior High) and Tuesday, Dec 20^th for Campus Life. Festivities include Christmas caroling, fun and food. [On Tuesday, iConnect performs Reason for the Season – a humorous look at Christmas through the eyes of Christmas symbols - for Campus Life].

The favorite Christmas celebration: FREE PIZZA LUNCH takes place the Friday before break, Dec. 16^th. Anyone interested in helping donate soda, water or desserts would be greatly appreciated.

From all of us in Macomb – we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! - Lauren

Dec11-Macomb Pics

After losing the Penny Wars, Justin fulfills his obligation to be made into a Human Sundae

got to fling spoonfuls of ice cream, whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles – aiming for his mouth. …Justin said the sprinkles were the worst thing to get hit with.Sundae. Kids

The activity also provided a parallel teachable moment about how one man took the punishment for the losers (us – due to sin, not status)

Playing in the leaves just makes ya feel like a kid again!

Colton sports an extra large smile while working the Altrusa fair

Dec 2011-Bushnell Pics

One of our faithful volunteer leaders at CL leading an activity with teens

Dec11-Bushnell Beat

Today as I write this, the snow is falling. What a beautiful picture of God's grace falling on us. Christ's blood blotting out our sin. I am thankful for the blood of Christ and His willingness to come to earth and be born in very humble circumstances, live a holy life, and ultimately go to the cross. We all need God's forgiveness and to walk with Him daily. Thank you, Lord, for 1^st John 1:9. “That if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In the Bushnell ministry the past month, we have had a couple of answer's to prayer! We have a new female volunteer for CL M and 2 female VIT's! Melinda Treadway is a local parent of a Jr. High teen and is a real blessing when it comes to working with teens. She had prior experience as a camp counselor and a real heart for Jesus. In addition, a couple of our Sr. high girls have filled out applications to help with the jr. high teens. Courtney and Chelsea began observing at the end of the month and will be serving as Volunteers in Training in the coming months.

Speaking of Courtney, a senior at BPC high school, she shared her testimony at the 20^th Annual YFC Banquet on Nov. 11. Courtney has been involved since she was in jr. high, She attends 1^st Baptist on Wed. nights and is regularly fed spiritual food by Donna Williams (Donna has volunteered several years with the YFC Jr. High ministry and much longer with her church). It's great to have other youth workers in the community that care and love on teens!

The jr. high girls have been waiting a long time for this. They just couldn't take it back in the fall when the boys got to do a “boys only campout.” So, Dec. 2 they had their very own, girls only, overnighter at the local Community Christian Center. A good time was had by all, thanks to the many brave female leaders God has called to invest in these young ladies. After speaking with a few of the leaders, here is what they said about the night. “It was great fellowship.” “Leaders were giving attention to kids.” “I got to share about how much God cares about each one of us according to Psalm 37 and how each of our hairs are numbered on our heads.” “Kids were connecting with me.” “Trust was developing.” “We had God talk time in the middle of the night.” Praise the Lord for the walls being broken down! It is going to be neat to see how God moves these teens.

Thank you for all of your faithful prayer support! We couldn't be doing this without it. We LOVE all of you that help this ministry to happen in Bushnell!!!

Prayer items:

• truth to be revealed to the teens we are working with

• teens that have the wrong view of themselves to get God's perspective

• for leaders to be effective ministers while in contact with the teens

• for spiritual strongholds to be broken down

The Rodeffer's

Nov11-Banquet Reminder

20th Annual YFC Fundraising Banquet - November 11, 2011

Spoon River College’s Community Outreach Center

2500 E. Jackson, Macomb

Speaker is Jeff Ringenberg (former YFC-WI staff from 1994-1998)

Don’t forget - RSVPs are required!

(We’d sure hate to run out of food!)

Luncheon option

Doors open 11:30am, Buffet at 12:00pm, program ending by 1:15pm

Menu: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad & cookies

Dinner option

Doors open/basket auction begins 6pm, Buffet at 6:30pm

Menu: Roast beef & pork loin roast, twiced baked potatoes,

green bean almondine, apple salad and dessert

RSVP options- PO Box 126-Macomb, 833-3026, yfc@macomb.com or online www.yfcwi.org

Come help us celebrate 20 years of God’s blessings!

Want to donate a basket for the auction? Contact yfc office!

Baskets need to be dropped off by 11/10 at Barsi’s on the Square or at

Bushnell 1st Presbyterian.

Nov11-Current status

Oct. Donations $ 5,018

Oct. Expenses $ 8,225

YTD Donations $18,330

YTD Expenses $35,710

YTD Shortage ($17,380)

(note YTD is July to Oct ‘11)

Nov11-Macomb Ministry

by Lauren Surprenant - part-time Macomb staff

There is a saying by Doug Fields that numbers in ministry do not carry much meaning, because it’s like asking “How’s your family” and getting the answer “four”. But I must say, I stopped and took pause when I did the tally for the week. Although we have had a similar number once, it was due to 125 kids at pizza lunch. When the majority in attendance was not from Pizza Lunch, that is something that carries some meaning! We had over 600 contacts with kids in October!!! Let there be no doubt - Macomb is thriving! We need your support now, more than ever.

This month we met a critical need for students – helping with the graduation of the Constitution Test. As a former teacher, I have been able to create a prep method that presents the story of the Constitution to help understand how it all fits together. Of the 30 students that participated, each student passed! YFC deliberately makes connections in kids’ lives!

Campus Life has Surrendered! We have ‘raised the bar’ and going deeper in our faith, including utilizing the “Surrender” series by Francis Chan. We have been breaking into gender-specific discussion groups, ones for the 8^th grade and then others the younger ones, facilitating age-appropriate discussions without trying to impress the opposite gender. The kids are certainly enjoying it – as we had to host the Ice Cream Trough (when 24+ are in attendance).

iConnect (senior high discipleship group) recently watched “Love Costs Everything”, a portion of the full length film produced by CIY on Christian Persecution. This snippet documents the struggles of Christians in Iraq. It was truly eye-opening. Students have come to realize that being a Christian, in this country, really is not that difficult. We will continue to focus on that throughout the coming weeks.

We have had a very blessed month! We would like to say thank you to:

• AGR Fraternity for the donation of a 60 (?) inch projection TV!!! (Much loved already)
• Mary McMillian – for the donation of LOTS of outdoor Christmas lights and a full size tree!!! November 3^rd, YFC will get decorated
• Contributions by Gary & Nancy Kendall; Dan & Patty Morgan; John & Holly White; David & Mona Johnston – and Gary Kendalls efforts to get us a freezer!

People have often said they did not know where YFC is located…. This now faces the driveway of MHS, north of the MHS wall of The Cottage.

November Dates To Remember

2, 16 Delayed Start Pancake Breakfasts

3 YFC Student Work Day

11 BANQUETS! Lunch & Dinner – end of Penny Wars

12 Come see us at Altrusa Bazaar

12 Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due

22 NO Campus Life (Thanksgiving Break)

November Pizza Lunch Partners

4 NO SCHOOL

11 Wesley UMC

18 University Baptist

25 NO SCHOOL

Nov11-Bushnell Beat

by Todd Rodeffer, full-time staff in Bushnell

“We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages; but we do not earn anything by faith, faith brings us into right relationship with God and gives God His opportunity. God has frequently to knock the bottom board out of your experience if you are a saint in order to get you into contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of sentimental enjoyment of blessings.” Oswald Chambers

We are all for the enjoyment of the blessings God gives us. But what about when He knocks the board out from under us in life? How will we respond? Will we resort to our past sins? Will we look for something else to satisfy our deepest longings? Or will we turn to the Heavenly Father in surrender and seek His face, His ways, His will. I thank the Lord for the times to enjoy life, but I also thank Him for getting my attention. For if He didn't, I am so prone to wander and stay the same, instead of letting God change me to be more like Christ.

This past month of ministry has been exciting. There haven't been any huge breakthru's, but I can look back and see many seeds planted and lives gently touched by adult leaders in Bushnell. For instance, what good could come from a paintball trip? How about connection. What about new relationships with teens that don't regularly attend CL or church. How about the opportunity to invite them to club or encourage them to check out a good church? It's cool, but it takes effort and resources. Thanks for what you do for Youth for Christ in the Bushnell area!

I also had the chance to spend an entire weekend with 12 teens from the Bushnell area out at Faith Bible Camp in the middle of October. It's a great place to fellowship, learn about God, worship God, and grow closer to God and others. I feel like part of me was designed to counsel kids and take time with them. What gift has God given you?

Last but not least, were our gospel nights at CL and CL M. At our Sr. High club we had 3 recommitments of faith in Christ, with a couple not ready yet and several others already committed. Following the meeting, I discovered that one of our first time attendees had trusted Christ this past summer. Teens are more willing to discuss spiritual things than the average Christian might think. Please pray for our leaders as we intentionally strive to go deep in our conversations with teens. Pray that God would break through in their minds and hearts.

At our Middle school gospel night, we broke into small groups and each leader shared their lives with the teens and gave them a chance to respond to God's grace. Surprisingly these teens have good understanding about God and what He did for them. A few were concerned about their friends. Most have already trusted in Christ, but need to understand how to grow in their relationship with God. Pray that we could encourage them and gently lead them in the right direction. Pray that they would get a burden for their friends that don't know Christ!

On a family note, our son Andrew, shot his first deer, a doe, on the youth gun season in early October, and dad finally shot a large buck after 20 years of deer hunting. Andrew is now playing basketball. Abby is a cheerleader and loves riding TJ, her horse. Katy loves doing things with anyone. She is a world changer. Michelle teaches 4^th grade and influences kids in a Christ-like manner at BPC elementary. She also adds a lot of unconditional love and discernment within our family.

May God give you eyes to see what He is doing in your midst, Todd Rodeffer

Oct11-From the Board

Sept. Donations $ 5,019

Sept. Expenses $ 9,143

YTD Donations $13,312

YTD Expenses $27,485

YTD Shortage ($14,173)

(note YTD is July to Sept ‘11)

Thank you so much for your interest in and support of Youth for Christ. As you have probably read in this and previous newsletters, by God’s grace we will be celebrating 20 years of youth ministry at our annual banquet this year! (November 11, 2011) We so hope you can join us for that!

We are appealing to you now because we need your help! We are 100% supported by and dependent upon donations from local individuals, churches and the community. Giving has

been down significantly since July, and we are not meeting our budget–which is especially difficult as the Macomb ministry has been growing! Would you please prayerfully consider your financial support of Youth for Christ- Western Illinois? No gift is too small, especially if you can commit to it on a monthly basis. We thank you so much for all you are already doing.

We appreciate your prayers and consideration as we seek to be good stewards of this important ministry!

With gratitude for you partnership,

Dominick Ascone, Joe Barsi, Kelly Barsi, Karen Kuras and Bernie McCance

Oct11-New Website

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW WEBSITE...........www.yfcwi.org

Thanks to a gift given to YFC-USA, over 100 YFC chapters nationwide are receiving websites. Along with a new website, we also have added online donation options. Be sure to check it out!

Oct11-Banquet

20th Annual YFC Fundraising Banquet - November 11, 2011

Spoon River College’s Community Outreach Center

Luncheon - doors open 11:30am, buffet/program 12-1:15pm

Dinner - doors open/basket auction begins 6:00pm, buffet/program begins @ 6:30pm

RSVP options- PO Box 126-Macomb, 833-3026, yfc@macomb.com or online www.yfcwi.org

Come help us celebrate 20 years of God’s blessings!

Oct11-Macomb News

A Great Start to the

School Year!

We have had an AMAZING September – and are looking forward to fantastic months to follow. See You At The Pole had more than 50 people in attendance. The event was organized and led by YFC Student President, Justin Derry.

Both the Senior High and Junior High experienced a prayer journey, traveling throughout YFC. The journey included a variety of prayer methods, includes artistic,

musical, knowledge, and especially experiential, as well as communion. This made a great impact on the students – who are now committed to taking their walk with Jesus to the next level.

Other Fun Tidbits:

Delayed Start (D-Start) Wednesdays = PANCAKE DAYS! YFC is open 7:30am – 9pm and serving pancakes on each Delayed Start day.

Constitution [Graduation Requirement] Test Prep will be held Monday Oct 10^th, with additional dates added if needed. Learn the Constitution, with effective memory tidbits. Dates & times to follow

VIBE +YFC Together Again: we’ll marched with the WIU Homecoming Parade with the VIBE float. Reminder: we are one of the three recipients of this year’s VIBE [Volunteers Interested in Benefitting Everyone] Grant. Please be sure to support their efforts. Keep a lookout for their Traveling Treasure Chest – around Macomb all of October.

“The Cottage” (formerly known as The Garage).

Thank you Wesley Methodist!

ICE CREAM FOR PENNIES –YFC is hosting Penny Wars Senior High VS Junior High! For each COIN deposited, the face value is counted in points. Ex: penny=1 pt, quarter =25 pts. However, each dollar bill is DEDUCTED the penny face value (ex: $1.00 = less 100 points; $20.00 = less 2000 points). While you may not want to put those into your own jug, you can put them into the opposing teams. J Give your coins to your favorite 6-12^th grader – or help out your favorite team at the banquet! Winner receives the ICE CREAM TROUGH (a massive ice cream sundae) the first week in December.

Oct11-Macomb Calendar

Dates to Know:

Oct 10 Constitution Test Prep 7-9pm

Oct 19, Nov 2 Delayed Start Pancake Breakfasts

Oct 7, 14, 21 Fifth Quarter

Oct 31 iConnect – 7-9pm Come in costume!

Nov 11 Last day of Penny Wars

YFC Macomb

Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesdays	Fridays
6-9pm Junior High Count It An accountability group just for Jr High Boys. Dinner is provided.	3-5pm Hang Open to Jr/Sr High Students grades 7+ are invited to come hang out at YFC. Soda & cookies provided	7-9am Senior High D-Start B-Fast During Late Start Wednesdays, YFC hosts pancake breakfast … great way to start the day	11:43-12:20 (MHS lunch) $2.00 Pizza Lunch Includes 2 slices of pizza, a drink & a dessert, in partnership with local churches
7-9pm Senior High iConnect for senior high Christian students who really want to go deeper in their faith. Includes exercises in apologetics (defending your faith) and active prayer	6-8pm Junior High Campus Life Open to all students grades 6-8. Includes games, discussion and dinner		9:30 -11pm Grades 6+ 5th Quarter Immediately following the end of the Bomber football game – includes bon fire, s’mores, music, friends and fun.. and is FREE

Pizza Lunch Hosts

Oct

7 Macomb Assembly of God

14 Industry Methodist

21 Industry Assembly of God

27 First Christian

Nov

4 NO SCHOOL

11 Wesley UMC

18 University Baptist

25 NO SCHOOL

Oct11-Bushnell Beat

September is always a busy month for youth ministry. It is where the ministry foundation for the school year is put into action. Organizational meetings occur in August, along with promotion and contacting lots of teens in their venues (ie. School events, facebook, text messages). These contacts set the stage for personal invitations as the school year goes on. Staying up to date of happenings in their world is crucial for conversations when in person. Those conversations allow for invitations to Campus Life or other events. That's where relationships begin. Then they are followed up throughtout the school year at CL, school, events, around town, etc. When the relationships have been established, then it is time to engage a teen about their beliefs. Chances to share parts of the gospel come in personal relationships with teens, often in their world. At Campus Life, we share the gospel 3-4 times a school year, giving teens a chance to choose Christ. Please say a prayer for our gospel nights coming up this month at Campus Life and Campus Life Middleschool. Thanks!!

In the last month our Campus Life programs have kicked off. We have had a JH boys campout and See You at the Pole. Our JH program is exploding with 31 teens the last two weeks. If you have a leading to work with a team of people reaching out to these young teens, please send me an email or give me a call to set up a time to talk about helping. We could use your gifts from the Lord! Our Sr. High Campus Life program is quite a bit lower in attendance with only about 10 each week. Pray for student leaders, as they are growing in their faith.

Wow! Have you ever took 15 junior high boys camping? Please call me if you have. We could use your help in Youth for Christ's Campus Life Middleschool program. I would summarize the outing as a great opportunity to instill lifelong values to teens and to spend some time in God's creation hanging out. The kids collected wood, set up tents, fished, played football in the hay field, ate like kings, and took a night hike with Mark and I. On that night hike is where the God stuff happened. In an open hay field, under the cloudy skies, the boys got to clearly hear the gospel message with oppurtunities to ask questions. That was the sweet moment of the trip! Pray for these boys becoming men and our future spiritual leaders.

At 7:00 AM, of a cloudy overcast day, more than twenty people stood outside the Bushnell-Prairie City High School, at its flagpole – solely for the purpose to pray. Seventeen students and a few adults joined together for the annual See You At The Pole (SYATP) event. Those that attended sang a few songs and then joined hands to thank God and ask Him for help in our lives, schools and community. We prayed for people in our local government, federal government and people around the world. Margie Statler and Dorothy Williams, part of the Bushnell Area Christian Women, served donuts, juice, and milk to those that showed up early to pray. It's neat to be a part of a bigger plan by the Master.

Things to pray for:

More JH leaders – in spiritual essence: HARVESTER'S

Upcoming gospel nights this month at CL and CL M.

A teen I met with in the Mary Davis home

A junior high young man that needs to step up, obey, and make wise choices

Sept 2011 - Banquet

20th Annual YFC Fundraising Banquet

Spoon River College’s Community Outreach Center

November 11, 2011

Believe it or not, our 20th Annual Banquet is only 8 weeks away. We are once again hosting it at the new Spoon River College Community Outreach Center on East Jackson in Macomb.

New this year is the option of either coming to the Luncheon (12:00-1:15pm) or the Dinner (6:30-8:15pm)

Jeff Ringenberg (former YFC-Western IL staff member) will be our speaker. We also have some

fabulous music lined up as well.

Sept 2011- Here We Go!!!

I just LOVE September – sure, my calendar goes crazy, but with such great things! To help you share in our excitement, we decided to tell you with pictures.

We ended summer with a bash! Thirteen kids at Fun City as a goodbye-fun for our graduated seniors Becky Scott, Luke Buren and Chelsea Townsend. Girls Team poses before their round of Laser Tag: NaClintriss Parker, Tammy Carson, Kassi Groff, Becky Scott, Alexis Aurelio and Laurie Daniel. Team Two “patiently” (not really) waits their turn: Michael Herron, Brandon Rossio, Luke Buren, Justin Derry, Chelsea Townsend and Taryn Surprenant.

The largest blessing of the year came from Scott Collins and STC Investments. I asked Scott if he could do “something” to improve our porch… instead he made it something! The porch is now a deck 3 times the original size with seating and stability. Scott and his crew worked their wonders in time for the first pizza lunch!

YFC Pizza Lunch returns! Free Pizza Lunch, the first pizza lunch of the year, hosted 125 kids (translates into 35 pizzas!). The first $2.00 Pizza Lunch enjoyed 75 kids!

At YFC Free pizza lunch, left to right: backrow: newcomer Corey Maisch, team manager Alexis Aurelio, new volunteer Tammy Carson, front row: Student Vice President, Brandon Rossio and Student President, Justin Derry sport an unplanned outfit match.

Campus Life Kids (grades 6-8) continued to meet throughout the summer. We had a splash with water games and other goofy activities. Three students “Upgraded” (promoted) – Kassi Groff, Michael Herron and NaClintris Parker moved from this group to the senior high.

The Senior High Kids have kicked off a going-deeper program, we’ve named iConnect, with our first lesson series focusing on active prayers. Both Senior High and Junior High (gr 6-8) participated in a prayer walk/drive.

We encourage you to prayer drive Macomb:

• Macomb High School Students, staff, knowledge & wisdom James 1:4-6
• Macomb Armory For all who willingly serve John 15:12-14
• Bridgeway Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Psalm 139:14
• Loaves & Fishes For the poor Matt 5:3
• McDonough County Courthouse Justice for all (worldwide) Psalm 140 11-12
• Police or Sheriff’s dept Submit to authority; protection for them Romans 13: 1, 5-7
• MDH For the sick James 5:14-15
• YFC For Christians everywhere 1 Peter 4: 12-14

(you can email Lauren for more details at Laurensurp@yahoo.com)

Save the date: See You At The Pole Weds Sept 28^th 7:30am (it is not a late-start Weds)

Sept 2011 -Thank you STC Investments & Scott Collins!

Deck Before, then After!!

Now the deck in use!

Sept 2011 - Macomb Schedule

Sept 2011 - How You Can Help

Sept 2011 - Bushnell Beat

This past month has meant getting geared up for another school year of ministering to teens. One thing that helps keep Youth for Christ staff sharp is an annual staff conference in Angola, IN. This years theme was surrender. It's good to be reminded of the need to daily surrender to the Lord. I know that when I have done this, the day seems to be more focused on others and more

productive spiritually. One of my often quoted verses from scripture come from Prov. 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He shall direct your paths.” My Sunday school teachers and church choir directors had great influence in my memorization of this scripture.

One day last month, a mother came up to me and said,“Thank you for the talks you had with my son. He really appreciated the time you took to spend with him.” The neat thing is that he has been out of high school for a couple of years, and he still remembers. Please pray for this young man, because I do not know for sure if he has trusted Christ as his personal savior. I do know the seeds have been planted. This kind of encouragement is part of what keeps me going.

In addition to our Open House, August 25 meant a chance to be in Bushnell's Fall Festival Parade with a YFC float. This year our theme is “All In.” Several teens and I made posters, got a hay rack, borrowed a nice tractor, scavenged a couple of old love seats, threw on some hay bales, and bought lots of candy. We then put the posters around the hay rack and advertised our upcoming Campus Life Kick-off's. My daughter, Abby, also rode her horse, advertising our JH Campus Life program. What an afternoon! Then it was on to the Presbyterian Church “Ice Cream Social” and a night at the festival. All for the sake of reaching out to teens so that they may have the opportunity to know the Savior.

I couldn't do it without the many faithful volunteer leaders that love teens. Pray for us as we kick-off the school year and for the teens that come. Pray that they might get a glimpse of our wonderful savior and be drawn to Him.

On a family note, our son Andrew turned 14 September 6th. We celebrated his birthday with my youngest brother, Tyler, at my Aunt Ann and Uncle John's home on Labor Day, with over 50 people attending. We have great fun as a family and those connected to us.

Praise the Lord for family!

Aug 2011-Open House

Aug 25, 2011 5-8pm

1218 Maple Ave.

Come see the changes to the house.

Hear from staff & students.

We’ll even have some food on the grill!

Also, come & vote for your favorite

student-made cookie!

Aug 2011-Awesome August

August, the time when the Staples commercial states: “It’s the most wonderful time

of the year!” At YFC, it truly is!

CIY Move was AMAZING! Five students had God move in a significant way for their lives. We learned a lot – and are

now passionate - about Christian persecution. Our catch phrase from the conference “Everybody wants to shine; very

few want to burn”. In addition, these students have a global perspective on ministering to others. One call-to-action the

students have committed to is raising money to provide water for Zambia, a nation wrecked primarily due to a lack of

clean water. Students are working on Macomb’s Got Talent as a fun fundraiser to help. Watch for details.

Be sure to come to the Open House. We have had some amazing renovations –

we have started calling the garage “The Cottage” because it looks so nice… and

come check out our new human game boards! PLUS, we will be hosting the

People’s Choice Cookie Tasteoff! Be sure to come taste the yummies and vote for

the best!

Our big news is the launching of Campus Life Senior High – launching September

12th , running Monday nights 7-9pm! All the fun the Junior High kids have been

having – now expands to high schoolers. If you are interested in joining this

team, please contact me.

Pizza lunch returns too! Our annual Back to School FREE Pizza lunch is August

26th. Come join the fun!

Fifth Quarter returns September 2nd. All students grades 6 and up are invited to

YFC immediately following each Bomber varsity football home game. Bonfire,

s’mores, games and fun – run from the end of the game until 11pm.

Save the date – See You at the Pole is Wednesday, Sept 28th. YFC Student President, Justin Derry, is organizing the

event – more details to follow next month.

Missions trip opportunity: Post Hurricane Katrina (yes, they still need help). Nov 3-6th (Macomb does not have

school those days). Cost is $200, $75 due Aug 15th. We need 20 people (grades 6+) – families and adults encouraged

to attend. If you are interested, please contact me.

Sadly, we say “goodbye and goodluck” to three graduated seniors heading off to school. Former YFC Student President,

Becky Scott, will be attending Trinity International, in Deerfield IL; Luke Buren will be attending Ecclesia College in

Arkansas; Chelsea Townsend will be attending WIU. We wish them well and will miss them.

Aug 2011-Bushnell Beat

We have had a busy summer as a family, but a good one. I would like to update you on our family a bit and give you a preview of things to come for this school year. Thank you for your faithful and generous support over the years. If you ever have a heart to work directly with teens in the Bushnell area, please just give me a call at 309-333-6186. God bless you!

It’s amazing how many things you can get done over the summer. As a family we have attended VBS, gone on a mission trip to Arkansas, gone to Cornerstone Festival, gone to Fun City, and gone to many, many ball games. If you didn’t already know, we are a very competitive family. This summer happened to be one of the best as far as records go. My dad shot a hole-in-one at the YFC Golf Outing in June. He then pitched a perfect game in slow pitch softball in July, and in August we took 3rd place in the Illinois State Softball Tournament. It has been a summer to remember.

Michelle likes to read, can food, take care of the pool, and go to all of the ball games. Andrew loves playing baseball, being batboy for the softball games, and playing on his ipod touch. He also recently got his Christmas present put up next to the driveway (a basketball hoop). Abby has gone to most of the games, where she mostly hangs out with her cousins. She went to Lamoine Christian Camp with a very good friend in July. She loves animals and takes care of her horse, three dogs, and umpteen cats, as well as feeding the calves. Katy is a little firecracker. She loves the pool, playing games, playing with her cousins, and doing anything her brother and sister will let her do with them. She really needs to be in charge, but is the youngest child. I think God has big plans for her. Pray that she will let Him direct her paths. Pray that for all of our kids if you will. They are all growing physically and spiritually. Praise the Lord.

Lately I have had opportunities to work with teens around the farm and home, taken them to Ball Fore in Macomb, IL, and had a “Day at the Lake” with the Schraeder’s. Thank you, Ken and Marianna, for a wonderful day. I will never forget flipping the sail boat that got turned upside down in the middle of the lake, nor the fast corners on the tube. The spiritual moments come when you least expect it. One day we were baling some hay and the baler kept braking. It is in those moments when everything seems like it’s not going well that other things pop up. I realize now, that my reactions to the things going wrong make a big difference. Later, one of the teens said to me, “I like to learn how to do things and work hard, but when they didn’t go right or I broke something, my dad would beat me.” I couldn’t believe it. I simply told him that is not the way God treats you and that I was sorry for his father’s behavior.

Some things to pray about for the upcoming school year are:

• Staff Conference in Aug. 16-18 - that we would surrender ourselves for the Lord’s use

• Volunteer meetings to prepare for Campus Life – to add a couple of volunteers

• Open House at YFC house – August 25 – time to see some changes in our facility and Macomb staff

• Campus Life Kickoff’s in early September – for lots of teens to attend

Aug 2011-Facebook Options

Check out our blog @ www.yfcwi.blogspot.com.

Not only can you check out the newsletter, but you can donate online!

Also, find us on Facebook. We have several groups/pages.

Western IL YFC - come see some pictures from the past 20 years at YFC.

YFC Macomb Campus Life (Gr 9-12) & YFC Macomb Campus Life M (Gr 6-8)

are great ways to keep us with what’s going on at the Macomb YFC house.

20th Annual Western IL YFC Annual Fundraising Banquet - Luncheon option and Dinner option

events are great ways to RSVP for our fall banquet!

Aug 2011 - Thank you Streaming Waters!!

Last, but not least, we’d like to give an extra-BIG shout-out to

Wesley United Methodist’s Streaming Waters group.

THANK YOU so much for all the work you did at the YFC house!!

Open House - Aug 25th from 5-8pm

June/July 2011 - Save the Dates

Macomb YFC

Open House

Aug 25, 2011 5-8pm

1218 Maple Ave.

Come check us out!

More details to come!!

20th Annual

Fundraising Banquet

Nov. 11, 2011

Spoon River College

Outreach Center

Lunch and Dinner option

June/July 2011 - Sizzling Summer in Macomb

Sizzling Summer in Macomb

We kicked off summer with a bang! We hosted lunches during finals – serving about 75 kids over two days! Then, we had a blast at the YFC Golf Outing. Attendees got to meet the Senior High Discipleship group, Roar, – and had they been needed, Campus Life Junior High teens offered to serve as well.

The first few days out of school hosted two photo scavenger hunts – one for Senior High and one for Junior High – fun times for kids and leaders! Lauren attended High Teen Camp, offering YFC teens an added place to build relationships/ Then, at Heritage Days, we hosted the Minute to Win It table and marched with nearly a dozen students with the VIBE Float (other students marched, just with other organizations).

Our Human Checker Board has been providing us with great fun. In the works are: Tic Tac Toe, 4 Square and a standard board-game board (“move 2 spaces”, etc). Gives a whole new meaning to “playing outside”.

We have more fun stuff coming up – including a trip to CIY-Move, a Christian conference being held in Roache Mo. We ask for your prayers for traveling mercies, but particularly for God ‘s presence to make a lifelong impression in these students.

This year’s YFC Student Leadership Team has had some changes and are as follows:

• Student President: Justin Derry
• YFC Student Vice President: Brandon Rossio
• Secretary: Laurie Daniels
• Team Manager: Alexis Aurelio
• Underclassman Representative: Kassi Groff
• Junior High Student President: Colton Markey

• 6^th grade Class Representative: Kelcie Cawthorn
• 7^th grade Class Representative: Hannah Moon
• Team Manager: Hayley Coker

Our big news is the launching of Campus Life Senior High – launching September 12^th! All the fun the Junior High kids have been having – expands to MHS.

Ways to Help

As the summer programs continue, we are beginning to run low on soda , water and snacks. It would be a huge blessing for donations of such items – they can be left on the porch at anytime. (If you are interested in joining the Cookie Ministry team, please let me know.

Consider joining the Senior High Campus Life team. We run Campus Life with multiple leaders, enabling small group attention and developing relationships. If you would like to know more, please call me.

Churches, we are getting ready to develop the pizza lunch partner schedules. If you have not already joined the team, please consider doing so – rotation is about once every 8-10 weeks, providing sodas and snacks, and people to serve & love on kids.

To reach Lauren: 309 252 0404 email: Laurensurp@yahoo.com Facebook – I’m on it