To sum up the last 3 months is no easy task. Summer fun came and went and September brought both new and familiar faces. The start of the school year is always a blur, and I’m grateful that this year felt especially joyful.
Here’s a quick summary of the last quarter:
In July we took 7 students on a 5-day backpacking trip on the Olympic Peninsula with Peak 7. It was challenging, exhilarating, and incredibly peaceful. This was the highlight of the summer for many students, and for me as well. Students were tested mentally and physically and also experienced the joy on the other side of a good challenge.
August was full of camps and back-to-school activities. Several of our students attended Collide Camp at Silver Lake Bible Camp where they encountered God through powerful worship, messages, and time in community. Abi, one of our middle school girls, gave her life to Jesus and was baptized! It’s a joy to see God at work in the hearts of these students. We wrapped up summer by hosting our annual Back-to-School Block Party where we provided free school supplies and haircuts to the neighborhood.
Towards the end of August, SPS started school and YFC went back to regular hours. We were so excited to see so many students that had been gone this summer! The start of school also brought a flood of new students, about 40 of them! We’ve been excited to start the year off with a positive atmosphere and an eagerness to learn about Jesus. We kicked off Alpha, a video series geared towards those exploring their faith, and have gotten to dive into faith questions with up to 30 students each week. We see God at work in the hearts of these kids, and it’s a privilege to join him in the work!
Amidst all the fun of the new school year, we posted a prompt on our wall for students to answer: “Write a prayer for your school.” We got some sweet answers, and a few sarcastic responses, but one response has become a new YFC slogan: “May [God] bless the thuggish.”
As funny as it is, this anonymous student’s prayer gets to the heart of YFC. We believe God loves all people, is working in their lives, and wants to know them. Yes, even the “thuggish”. Students far and near to God can find a safe space of belonging at the Ten Ten Center and hear the good news of Jesus. Nobody is too far gone, and YFC is on mission to reach those students who may be far from God. Our students see the love of God extending beyond the walls of the church and, hopefully, they know that God is for them, no matter their background and upbringing.
Will you join us in praying that the love of Christ would reach those far off? Would you consider what it looks like for you to participate in this mission?