Sept/Oct12-Meet Our Executive Director

Greetings!

I’m Connie Sadler, the new Executive Director at Youth for Christ Western Illinois. I’m excited to be on board and am    looking forward to being able to serve you. I’m also looking   forward to serving our gifted staff and volunteers at the Macomb and Bushnell sites. Most of all, I’m looking forward to serving the youth of western Illinois.

Those who know me know I tend to approach life with God with a sense of wonder. I think it’s a wonder that so much around us goes unseen by any eyes buy God’s. I mean, think about it. Think about the thousands of leaves that have been falling over the last few weeks. What percentage of those leaves is ever viewed by human eyes? Yet each one is a work of art and God sees it.

So much of what goes on at a YFC site also goes unseen; volunteers and staff freely giving their time; hearts being changed for the better. Even though we may not know all the good that’s done while we’re on earth, God pours Himself out through this ministry—some seen, much unseen.

One of our biggest unseen blessings is the prayer team that lays the groundwork for the rest of us: the people who freely spend time with God interceding on our behalf. We’re grateful for these bold prayer warriors.

As you peruse this month’s newsletter, be mindful of prayer points. Please pray for our ministry sites, staff, volunteers, board, and upcoming banquet. Pray for the youth who are impacted by YFC.

Sept/Oct12-Banquet Date

Sept/Oct12-Financials

Sept/Oct12-Prayer Team

Sept/Oct12-Bushnell Beat

It seems to me that August and September are months for new beginnings.  These months signify the start of a new school year, new programs, and new challenges for families.  Think about it.  This is when your kids first start school, or you are presented with new logistical challenges for work and extracurricular activities.  They can be very hectic months and they were for us in Bushnell.

This year our family has 3 kids in three different schools in Bushnell.  Katy (9) is in 3^rd grade, Abby (13) is in 8^th grade, and Andrew (15) is a freshman in high school.  This is going to present some very interesting logistical challenges for Michelle and I this school year.  Right now, Michelle is teaching 5^th grade and takes the kids to school with her.  I usually tote and fetch when necessary after school or in the evenings.

Anyway,  ministry events this year are off to the races as well.  I attended our Youth for Christ Regional Conference in Indiana in the middle of August.  This year, as many years, this conference provided refreshment and refocus.  It also helps set the tone for the school year.  I am very thankful for these days away. Praise the Lord!

We again put a float in the Fall Festival Parade in Bushnell at the end of August.  This helps get things “rolling.”  We had our Kick-off events for middle school and high school in the middle of September.  We saw 37 kids come out for the middle school event and 16 for the high school.  We also started a time of praise and encouragement before school at the local Community Christian Center which is averaging around 12 teens per week.  We call it Breakfast Club.

One collaborative effort includes a 5^th Quarter following home football games.  We have partnered with the Presbyterian Church and the Bushnell Christian Church on these events during the month of September.  Another is SYATP (See you at the Pole). This is an annual prayer event that occurs at the school flag pole.  Over 30 people showed up for this in Bushnell, including 20 teens and 13 adults.  We prayed for our friends, schools, community, and country.

An opportunity to talk about what the gospel means and what following Jesus is all about took place on the back porch of of one of our adult leaders.  We had campfire dinners cooked on the grill, played touch football in the yard, and talked about real life solutions on the dock next to the lake.  What an inspired and important time in the life of 8 teens. Neat!

God bless you all and thank you for your support prayerfully, financially, and emotionally.  It's AWESOME to be part of the body of Christ!!!

The Rodeffer's

 

Sept/Oct12-Macomb Moments

We have kicked off September and already having an amazing school year!  We had some changes early on, but has not stopped us from connecting with kids.

Café:  Our newest program is Lifetree Café, interesting discussion topics in a safe, non-judgmental environment.  [We have been blessed to partner with Industry     Methodist and allowing us to share their license. The all ages program occurs Sundays 7-8pm at IUMC ]  Beginning Oct. 11^th, we will be offering an hour of coffee café prior to Lifetree  - a fun     hangout time for kids with an opportunity for poignant discussions afterwards.  A huge    thank you to Scotland Trinity for donating their large coffee pot to us.

One Lifetree Café addressed several topics regarding the upcoming election.  During the “Does the President’s Faith Matter” session,  State Senate Candidate Randy Freese and State Representative Norine Hammond joined us and spoke with students.  We also set up the             opportunity to register to vote.  Senior Cody Poffenberger registered to vote while at YFC – just one day after his 18^th birthday.

Pizza Lunch:  We are consistently averaging about 85 kids each week – with about twice that many at the Free Pizza Lunch Kickoff.  Due to some process changes, we are required to serve desserts that have been prepared in a commercial kitchen - that can be either the supermarket bakeries or prepackaged cookies.

Note on Yummies:  We are permitted to have homemade yummies at the smaller programs, as those are not considered open to the general public.  Those of you who wish to minister to kids through your kitchen, you may still do so – we just can’t serve them at Pizza Lunch.

Campus Life Jr High has changed its format, becoming small group driven.  Caring leaders get to have quality discussions with their group, building relationships and developing their faith.  It is not too late for your student in grades 6-8 to join us.  Note:  the time is now 6-7:30pm and on MONDAYS.   CANCELED After School Hangout:  Due to a low number in attendance (literally a handful), we are going to save our resources and not run this program.  Leaders for Campus Life are on site by 5:30pm; students can come any time after that.

Fifth Quarter:  This continues to be a highly successful, just plain fun, event.  Whether playing Downpour Dunk [basketball on our small nets in the pouring rain] or hanging out by a campfire with s’mores, we average about 50+ kids just being together in a safe environment.

iConnect:  Senior High has been serving as the “test group” for developing curriculum based on “Sifted ~ God's Scandalous Response to Satan's Outrageous Demand” by Rick Lawrence.  It’s included fun object lessons ranging from a Spiderman piñata to digging through junk to get to the good stuff.  Senior High meets Tuesdays 7-9pm.

Sept/Oct12-Having Some Fun at Banquet

This year we’re trying something new—and bringing some comedy to our Banquet.  Tickets cost $20 for the evening banquet and includes both dinner and a comedy show… as well as hearing about YFC Western IL.   Be sure to get your tickets early—space is limited.

Sept/Oct12-Custom Tee-Shirts

YFC Macomb has added a fun fundraiser for its Student Activity Account— Custom Tee Shirts.  You may send an electronic copy of something you      designed (ex: photos, scanned items such as winning brackets,  or something drawn freehand). 

Cost is $20 and includes

· Your original design

· Sales Tax

· Near immediate turn-around

· Your support of teens in Macomb

· Add letters for $0.25 each

Email Lauren at Laurensurp@yahoo.com for an order form and any questions you  may have.

Come see us at Altrusa—bring your design or    create one there.