Apr 08-Message from Greg Monaco

So, what kind of faith do you have? What kind is it if it doesn’t stretch you?

One of my favorite activities working with at-risk teens was to take them rappelling – descending cliffs with a rope. In preparation, I’d bring my rope to our meetings and pass it around. The kids would tug on it, read the tag that said it was “tested to 10,000 pounds shock strength", and even hang from it. I’d ask if they believed it’d hold them, if they had faith in it. They always said “Yes.”

Later, on our campout, in the shadow of the 200’ cliffs, I’d ask how they felt about the rope now that they could see the challenge first hand. Most of them would brag that they “weren’t afraid of nuthin’” and that they’d trust the rope… but was that a bit of hesitation I heard?

Later, at the top of the cliffs, the first teen would be strapped into the harness and clip into the rope. I’d back them up to the cliff on wobbly legs and then ask: “Do you trust the rope?” Half the time I’d get a shaky “yes”, the other responses would range from tears, to screams, to paralysis.

Eventually, all of them were coaxed over the edge of the cliff on their first rappel. Once they were six feet or so down the face of the precipice I’d stop them, lean over the edge and ask: “Do you trust the rope now?” Almost always, the response was a grin, and a knowing, “Yeah, I do. I get it now!”

That night at the fire, we’d talk about trusting in God, having faith in him. By the time of the trip, most of the kids would have heard about “accepting Christ” and “believing in Christ” several times in their weekly meetings. But now, when I would tell them that God wanted them to trust him, like they trusted the rope today, you could see the light come on in their eyes. They got it.

How about you? Is that the kind of trust you have in God?

When faced with a challenge, do you jump right in with because you aren’t afraid of “nuthin?” Some find it easy to face tests relying on their own power. They’re “wired” to take risks; it’s natural to just jump in. When they rise to a challenge, they don’t do it out of faith, but out of temperament.

Or do you find a way to hang back and watch - to walk away from a challenge? Do you reason that it “isn’t the right time in my life”, or “I don’t feel a peace about it.” But, maybe that’s just because the challenge is just too intimidating.

Or, coming face to face with a challenge from God, do you trust Him, strap in and go for it, wobbly legs and all? The response of the faithful is to trust that God has led them to the cliff, to check and make sure their gear is in order, then step over the edge.

Those that take “faith” risks, step out in a trust that lets God get them through the challenge. Faith is tested, not just resolve. Faith grows, not pride. Fear is overcome and we learn to trust God even more.

A life walking in faith means living in the expectancy of God’s presence; aware of his control of our world, his leading in our lives, and his provision for all our needs. A living faith should stretch us beyond our comfort zone, should move us into action and profoundly change us.

If it isn’t, maybe we are standing too far from the edge.

Apr 08-Golf Outing

Sponsored by: Catch A StarLearning Center Inc.

424 West Piper, Macomb, IL 61455

Ludlum Food Mart

CocaCola Bottling Co. of Macomb

6th Annual YFC Golf Outing

Sat., May 17th, 2008

Location: WIU Harry Mussatto Golf Course

Time: Shotgun start 8:00 a.m., (registration at 7:00 a.m.)
How Much: $50/person or $200/foursome

You’ll get a light breakfast, 18 holes of golf with a cart, beverages and

snacks while you play, and a catered grilled lunch.

Improve your score by purchasing mulligans and closer tees. There

will be gifts for each participant, prizes in various divisions, and raffle prizes too.

Interested in registering? Email us or call us.

Apr 08-Bushnell Beat

The Bushnell YFC ministry over the last month has been stable. Throughout the week teens and myself are inviting other teens to Campus Life and other outreach events where they can hear about God. Teens are also discipling other teens in addition to our Wednesday night meeting. To see this take place has been a joy! We have a couple of young men in Bushnell that are really making a difference in the lives of others, while at the same time setting a very good example for the rest.

At the beginning of March, our 9th Annual Soup Supper drummed up a lot of excitement. The event was one of the best ever. Over 15 teens signed up to do odd jobs for people around town to help raise money for YFC. Several have completed their work already. One weekend I took 3 teens to my brother Mark’s home in Peoria where we worked on getting their house ready to sell this spring. A couple of weekend’s ago, one of our volunteers brought 3 teens to my home for a project.

A couple of weeks ago at Campus Life we lovingly shared the gospel, intertwined with a mini-series called “True Lies.” I have not heard of any direct responses yet, but the teens were very attentive and seemed to be taking it in as we shared.

Let me just say that God has put together a wonderful team of volunteers to reach out to the youth in Bushnell, but there is a constant need for more. In order to reach the broad spectrum of teens coming in and out we could really use an additional female volunteer or two for our Jr. High program. It seems like mom’s are very busy and it is hard to find those females that are able to help with teenagers. Please pray with me in this area of our ministry.

Thanks for all that you do prayerfully and financially for Youth for Christ’s outreach here in Bushnell.

Apr 08-Prayer Requests & Needs

• Pray for wisdom as the Board continues to seek God’s plan for YFC.
• Pray for the students as the school year comes to a close.
• Pray for good weather and many golfers for our Annual Golf Outing. The golf outing committee is in full gear. If you can help out on the day of the outing, please contact Deanna at 309-333-0111.

Mar 08-Message from Greg Monaco

Many people are fascinated by the “end times” – the events that will lead up to Christ’s return - and not all of them are Christians. For your information…

-Over 1 million books in the fictionalized apocalyptic Left Behind series have now been sold.
-Hollywood movies like The Omen, End of Days and The Prophecy have been blockbuster hits.
-Surf” the net and you’ll find websites selling Bible Prophecy related items, including an End-Times Roadmap!

Many who spend a lot of time in this area of study are honestly interested in what God is trying to tell them and this lost world about His plans and our destiny. For some prophecy buffs though, end times are an interesting whimsy – a fiction, or a fantasy, or even entertainment.

In a way, how teens deal with their mortality is similar. Most of the youth I’ve met have a strong belief of their invincibility. That’s why when a teen dies a tragic unexpected death; others in their circle are so shaken. At a distance, they might acknowledge that death exists, but for them, it is only other people who die. It’s a fiction, or a fantasy, or even entertainment.
So, what’s my point?

The end times may be immanent, or they may be centuries away. But death is not. As a matter of fact, teens are only 70 or 80 years away from their end time, but still they do their best to deny it.

I feel a greater urgency today than I ever have as I see my grandchildren growing up in a world where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to hear the Good News… and they are being raised in a home and a church where the Gospel is shared repeatedly.

More and more of the youth that we are reaching through YFC don’t have parents who can tell them, don’t have teachers who share with them and don’t attend any church with regularity - let alone a church where Christ is proclaimed clearly.

So please, pray with me for the youth within the reach of Western Illinois Youth for Christ… and for the 175 other chapters we have across the U.S. and the 98 other countries around the world where YFC is reaching out to over 11 million young people.

After all, there is only so much time left.

Greg Monaco is the Regional Field Specialist for the Great Lakes Region of Youth for Christ. Greg is working closely with the Board as we search for a new Executive Director and Macomb Ministry Director. Greg can be contacted at yfcmonaco@yahoo.com.

Mar 08-Upcoming Events-Golf Outing

Glimpses of 2007's outing









6th Annual YFC Golf Outing
Sat., May 17th, 2008

Location: WIU’s Harry Mussatto Golf Course
Time: Shotgun start 8:00 am

It may be March, but we’ve got GOLF on our minds!
It’s only 7 weeks away!!

We are planning a great day of glorious golf, fantastic fun, great prizes and even more players.

Mark your calendars and join us! Brochures will be available by April 1st.

Mar 08-Bushnell Beat

Since writing to you last month a flurry of spiritual activity has taken place. Two more students have come to know Jesus as their Savior, a high school female led 2 of her extended family members to Christ, and a young man told his whole family about Jesus, for which he was ridiculed. In addition to this, teens are serious about holding onto God and being His missionaries. Numerous teens held to a challenge to share the Gospel with a friend within 48 hours of the Dare2Share Conference. Praise the Lord!

I have seen an increased depth at our Wednesday night meetings the last couple of months. That is due in part to the happenings at Dare2Share and through some Sr. High student leadership. I am very grateful to God for letting me experience such awesome wonders.

We had one of our best-attended Souper Duper Soup Supper’s ever on March 7 in Bushnell. Close to 200 people were served by 25+ teenagers that worked alongside more than a dozen adult volunteers. Two senior’s and an 8th grader talked about how God has made a difference in their lives over the last year. One of them is applying to Moody Bible Institute and the other is planning on attending Blackburn College this fall. I am very proud of these young men and how they have taken their relationship with Jesus to the next level, choosing to let Him direct their lives.

Please pray for wisdom in deflecting and defeating the coming attacks by the enemy. I know they will come and have already seen evidence. I just pray for steadfastness and discernment in dealing with them.

Last, but not least, Michelle and I had a wonderful time in San Diego for the National YFC Staff Conference. The weather was rainy and around 60, but we were still very thankful for the chance to get away together. We would like to thank all of you that gave so we could attend and the few people that watched our children while we were away. It is always good to get refreshed and bring back a clear sense of direction. I felt like this conference got us back to the basics of our mission.

Thank you for all of your financial support over the years. If you do not currently give to Youth for Christ, please consider partnering with us in the next year. Thank you also for your lavish prayers and spiritual battles you have fought for the Kingdom of God in Bushnell, IL.

May God Bless you richly for your perseverance,

Todd Rodeffer