2025 Q4 Update

This past season, I have seen the Lord answer many prayers, but what stands out is the way the Lord has answered our prayers in ways that are greater than we asked or imagined. I’ve been at YFC two years now, and this is the second fall semester I’ve been around for. Today, the reality of YFC has far exceeded how I even imagined it could be when I began. Last fall, we were thrilled about a summer filled with camp and other fun activities, a student or 2 who was actively trying to follow Jesus, and growing numbers of students at the center. There was a palpable feeling that God was moving.

This year, the celebration continues as we’ve witnessed some incredible changes to the culture at YFC. We’ve again hit all-time highs in terms of numbers, but we all know that’s not the end of the story. What excites me most is the change I see in these students. YFC truly feels like a light in the darkness of the Hillyard community. Students from all backgrounds continue to visit YFC, and when they show up, they seem willing and interested in learning about God. This, in itself, is a huge change from the constant hard-heartedness that used to linger in our building. Last spring, our Club time on Tuesdays dwindled to only three students some weeks! This semester, I don’t know if we’ve had fewer than 20! Today, I can confidently say that nearly every student who comes through our doors has heard the gospel. For students who continue to show up, they don’t just hear; they have the opportunity to respond.

One staff member in particular, Floyd, has been doing an excellent job at bringing students with little to no faith background into discipleship relationships. At least twice a week, a group of 5ish middle school students will burst through the doors, eagerly looking for Floyd. They go into the office and, together, begin their Debrief-Bible time. They talk about their days and then get into the Word. These students were not necessarily walking with the Lord when they entered this group, but Floyd challenges them to think deeply and consider the Word of God in their situation.

At the Hillyard center, which now averages 45 students each day, we see a growing need for more “Debrief-Bible times”. In the slow days of prior years, we had much more time to connect one-on-one with students. This new busyness has created a wonderful need to open more Bible study groups! This spring, we’re launching weekly Bible studies to fill this need.

We also have an increasing number of high school students looking for real-life support with schoolwork, finances, and jobs. We’ve been able to help a few students make resumes, apply for jobs, and turn in missing school assignments. This is evidence that our students are growing in resilience and hope for their future.

Numbers are not everything, but they are an essential part of the story.

Over the last three months, we saw 254 individual students over 45 days that we were open. Of these students, 88 were first-time visitors. Our club time averaged 30-40 students per week, and we have about 10 students involved in consistent small-group discipleship.

This semester, we hope and pray to move many more of these 250 students into consistent club attendance (hearing the gospel) and small groups (growing in understanding). Through this process, we hope to see students live into the fullness of the life they have in Christ. We don’t just want students to know and understand the Gospel, but to actually believe in and follow Jesus. We have a glimpse of what this looks like, but through intentional discipleship, we hope to see the fuller picture.

The reality of this work is that most of these students are living in challenging contexts. We consistently wrestle with the question of what it looks like for a 7th grader to follow Jesus in a school where fist-fights are happening every lunch, their peers are skipping school and smoking weed, and their parents are struggling with substance abuse. This is not an easy task; it becomes increasingly clear that the only way through is with Jesus’ help. By the grace of God, these students will cling to his word and make it through.

I have seen the Lord answer prayers again and again in ways that were beyond what I could ask or imagine. I’m excited as we enter this season focused on greater discipleship to see what the Lord will do, as I’m led to believe it will be more creative than I can anticipate.

Your support makes all the difference. Thank you for being part of the light in Hillyard.

Lexi
Director of Ministry Operations