National Mentoring Month

Empowering Youth through mentoring

Youth for Christ seeks to empower young people spiritually, socially, and emotionally and connect them to Jesus. The principal way we do this is through building authentic, Christ-centered mentoring relationships with youth. “Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges and makes them feel like they matter” (1). At YFC, we walk alongside youth so they know they have people in their corner, and so they can find and know their heavenly father.

Mentors’ impacts on a young person at Stateline YFC 

For one young person who has been involved at Stateline YFC, he’s had the opportunity to interact with several adult mentors and the safe spaces they’ve created for him and his peers. He remembers meeting one staff member several years ago in the community. They kept showing up and interacting with him and he noticed. As he started coming to more programming, he had even more opportunities to build new relationships and experienced other benefits: “It was nice to be able to start talking to a leader. I also felt like I had stuff to do after school if I needed to.” His experience at camp was even more impactful. “I had opportunities before to open up and share with people, but I never took them until camp. Then hearing other people open up made it easier for me to open up.” 

“Having [my mentor] has helped me a lot in growing as a person. Having a figure in my life to show me the right direction has really been important to me.”
— A former YFC youth

The power of having mentors continued to shape him. “When I first met [another leader] I thought she was cool and nice, but I really didn’t like that she put others before herself… I was very selfish at the time, but when I got older I realized why she was doing what she was doing and that she was just helping others. I was selfish and didn’t help others. I believed in God, but he wasn’t my first priority. Eventually, I started to realize all of this and that I needed to open up and share it with somebody else.” This student continued to be mentored by another staff member who poured into his life. The student recalled receiving life lessons and growth and his foundation being built. He said he started to see the shifts in himself really when his mentor called out the positive changes and thought, he was right. “It was a compliment and made me feel like I can still change.” 

This young person has since matured out of YFC programming and is serving in the military, but said that he has, “taken the relationships and growth that I’ve had, and even the training and resources for the military. Having [my mentor] has helped me a lot in growing as a person. Having a figure in my life to show me the right direction has really been important to me.”

Why Mentoring

Research shows that mentoring on its own brings a myriad of benefits: “increased high school graduation rates, healthier relationships and lifestyle choices, enhanced self-esteem and self- confidence” (2) among several other benefits. We believe that the positive change experienced in mentoring will only be multiplied when Christ gets introduced. Yet we also know that, “At least 1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor” (3).

Young people need people like you to step into the gap with them and show them that they matter. Learn more about volunteering as a ministry leader at YFC here. 

(1) “Mentoring Impact. Connect with a Young Person.” MENTOR, Mentoring.org, 29 Nov. 2023, www.mentoring.org/mentoring-impact/.

(2) “Benefits of Mentoring for Young People.” Youth.gov, https://youth.gov/youth-topics/mentoring/benefits-mentoring-young-people.

(3) “Mentoring Impact. Connect with a Young Person.” MENTOR, Mentoring.org, 29 Nov. 2023, www.mentoring.org/mentoring-impact/.

A Different Approach to Giving Tuesday

We’re thinking differently about Giving Tuesday this year. We’re compelled by the many needs among youth and asking you to give your time and talent. 

Allow me to share what’s compelling us. 

In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus writes, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

We’re living in a Matthew 9 moment. There’s a youth mental health crisis going on right now. Youth are wandering like sheep without a shepherd. They’re searching. They’re vulnerable. They’re hungry for relationships. They’re wrestling with who God is. The harvest is truly plentiful.

As a result, our ministries are growing in capacity, and very simply: We need your help. 

This week, we’re taking action in a couple of ways: 1) Praying to the Lord of the harvest for laborers; 2) Casting vision on a movement of people compelled to invest in youth.

We invite you to join us. 

Pray for laborers for the harvest…

Become a laborer for the harvest…

Giving Tuesday presents an opportunity to consider generosity. We always welcome financial investments in our mission. But giving happens in various forms, not just treasure. Your time and talent are needed as ministry needs are pressing. 

We need ministry leaders who have a heart to pursue relationships with youth. We need meal teams who desire to nourish our youth. We need bus drivers. 

We need “laborers” in various capacities. 

Are you interested in “giving” in this capacity? First, pray earnestly as Jesus says. It’s only through His power that we’ll see a movement among our youth. 

Second, please contact us if your heart is stirring. We’d love to have a conversation with you and get you connected, “giving” of yourself in a way that invests in eternity. 

Moving Towards Jesus

“Where would you like to sit?” 

“Right here is fine.”

We started the evening of a local women’s conference sitting in the back row: two YFC staff members and one youth. I can tell you that’s not where we sat by the end of the night. As staff members, we ended up in tears while this young person was up front, calling out to Jesus. 

Let’s go back to the days leading up to this conference. 

Recently, at YFC we’ve been putting action steps into place to build partnerships with local churches to start what we’re calling a “warm handoff.” Meaning, as youth are either phasing out of our programs due to age or are ready to be plugged into a church, we’re working towards connecting those specific youth to churches who are ready and willing to come alongside them and disciple them further. 

One such church is The Park Church here in Rockford. We’re grateful to Pastor Sheila for how she’s already responding to this need. She’s identified women in her church who are ready to mentor some of the young women we work with and graciously extended an invitation to their upcoming women’s conference. 

Now, back to that Friday night of the conference. 

As we were sitting in the back row, discussing various topics before the conference kicked off, the aforementioned young person interrupted and said let’s move closer. I’m not entirely sure what prompted this, but we moved toward the front and sat in the second row as it began. 

Have you ever had the expectation that something you were about to experience was going to be incredible and you just had to find the best seat in the place? Maybe it was at a concert for your favorite band, when you paused to find the best spot to watch the sunset, your child’s dance recital, or a major sporting event. You didn’t want anything to block your view. 

So she moved closer. And as she moved closer I think God got a hold of her and wrapped her up in his arms. He tells us that if we draw near to him, he’ll draw near to us (James 4:8). She made that initial step and God met her right there. 

The whole conference in its entirety was beautiful. Another YFC staff member happened to be the main speaker for that evening and did an incredible job. At one point, she asked those in the room who wanted to seek out God but needed encouragement from their sisters to come forward and receive prayer. The young woman who started the night in the back row moved to the front of the room.

She didn’t hesitate. She wasn’t embarrassed. She moved another step closer. When it was time to leave that space she didn’t seem to want to leave! She wanted to remain there and receive more of that love that was just poured out on her. 

I believe God invites us to not just view what he’s doing, but to get up close and personal and to be a part of the experience as well. It’s not enough to just watch from afar sitting in what we think is the best seat. We get to participate too. The best seat in the house is right at his feet. We get the opportunity to remain in his presence and see all that he’s doing in us, through us, and around us.  

For this young woman, who’s been feeling a deep sense of loneliness and struggling with other various life circumstances, she needed Jesus to meet her right there at that moment. She needed his presence and in some way, she knew it too. In that room full of people, the God of the universe, the God of all past, present, and future met her and called her by name and she didn’t want to leave his presence. 

Join us in praying for this young woman, as well as the church partnerships we’re forming. Are you interested in discussing further what a partnership with your church could look like? Reach out we’d love to discuss with you and see how we can collaborate. 

By Zabrina Ramirez

Who do you Follow?

By Cory Whitford

WHO DO YOU FOLLOW…

As a toddler, I followed my parents.

As a child, I followed my friends and siblings.

As a teen, I followed my friends–many of whom happened to be girls.

As an adult, I follow the rules… for the most part…

And now, I am followed. By my own kids. By my students. By my Facebook friends.

What I have found to be true is our world is all about following. Everybody follows something. Whether it is your favorite sports team, blog, or friend; we follow things we care about and that matter to us.

This following dates back to even the early Church times, when people wanted someone to follow. One of the great leaders was the Apostle Paul, who experienced an amazing transformation as he went from an angry murderer to a passionate follower of Jesus. People saw his passion and wanted what he had. They wanted someone to follow and Paul knew they would, so he said to them, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

Paul wanted them to know that he was also a follower and that if they truly wanted to follow him then they would have to know that he got his strength from being a Jesus follower first. Paul understood that Jesus was the reason for his changed life because he had tasted forgiveness, grace, and a fresh start through Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross.

Fast forward to June 19, 2022 a group of Harlem Campus Life Students followed me to summer camp in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Like Paul, I along with many other leaders and volunteers are followers as well. This week changed the lives of many, including the Harlem Campus Life students. From this point on many in this group of students have made a decision to follow Christ Jesus. On August 21, 2022, 7 students were baptized proclaiming they are ready and willing to follow Jesus.  

What about you? Are you a good follower? Our world is obsessed with leadership. 

Go to any bookstore and you will find hundreds of books on being a better leader. 

How many books do you think you’d find that would help you be a better follower? I’m willing to bet very few if any. As Christians, Jesus has called us to be His disciples (followers) and to trust in Him. As you grow in discipleship by being a follower of Jesus, know that you will also be a leader to those around you. 

I am so proud of all the students. Keep your eye on Jesus and follow Him. 

In Christ’s Love - Cory, Harlem Campus Life Director

YFC Camp: Kara

Kara is a young person searching for answers. She has tons of questions FOR God and ABOUT God. She never fails to ask the really tough questions of her leaders in her search of truth. 

When she first got connected to YFC, she was coming out of a tough situation at her school. She could no longer attend her school after a decision she made and was now bearing the weight of the consequences. So, she would sit with YFC staff members and work on school work, share a meal together, and talk about life. During those meals are where her questions really started to pour out. 

When Kara went to YFC Camp those questions didn’t end. One night after worship, when the girls gathered in their small groups, Kara had a breakthrough moment. She started opening up and talking about her relationship with God. She shared that she tries to go to God with her questions, but she feels like He’s not answering her. One of the camp leaders got to sit with her in that and in turn ask Kara some tough questions. She asked her to really reflect on where else God might be revealing Himself to her. She shared that sometimes God might not answer you in how you think or want to be answered. By the end of the night, they prayed and Kara gave her life to Christ. 

YFC Camp wasn’t what started Kara’s search for God, but it was a pivotal moment for her in her relationship with the Lord. For Kara, YFC Camp really was where everything changed. 

YFC Camp: Ben

Ben grew up knowing about God, but his faith was challenged and stretched when he faced an unforeseen circumstance in his life. He was dealing with anger, pain, and questioning why God would allow something so tragic to happen to his family. He started to make decisions that were leading him more and more down a path away from God. 

BUT GOD…

During the week of YFC Camp, Ben’s faith was renewed. YFC Camp served as a “halting point” for him to refocus on Jesus and to see he has been with him all along. He bonded with some of the other guys on the trip and got to see first-hand that he was not alone. It also helped him realize that others look to him as a leader, and that he needs to focus on how Jesus lead others. One YFC staff member said this about Ben, “He’s a born leader who has lots of zeal and love for others.” 

Ben’s leadership really shined at the end of YFC Camp. Students had the opportunity to get up on stage in front of their peers and share anything that God was pressing on their hearts; Ben was one of the first ones up there. He opened up about where he was at and encouraged others in the room. His vulnerability made space for others to feel open enough to share too.

YFC Camp helped Ben take a hard stop and put his eyes back on Jesus. At the end of the week Ben said, “...this camp was exactly what I needed.”

A Day of Men's Ministry

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By Adam Palmer

The first Man Up event was hopefully the beginning of a wonderful collaborative men’s ministry at Stateline YFC. We had young men present from our Campus Life, JJM, and City Life ministries as we joined forces to enjoy a day of fun-filled activities all about Godly manhood.

Assistant Deputy Chief Joel Givens provided fishing equipment and expert fishing lessons for all of the youth, several of whom had never been fishing before. Herb Page attended on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Rockford and coached one young man who would catch the biggest fish of the day among the youth. My father-in-law, Mark Lee, gave lessons in fish cleaning, fish cooking (Yum!) and archery. I was so touched and honored to see my father-in-law, who I admire greatly, the same man who taught me to shoot a bow, sharing his knowledge with these youth. We also had stations of paintball target shooting and building a cross from 4x4s. All of these activities had scriptural lessons attached to them about living as successful Christian men.

The best part, by far, was the wonderful evening cookout by the bonfire. We had amazing fellowship as we ate our catch, as well as burgers and hotdogs off the grill. The night concluded with a panel discussion where I asked questions to Ministry Directors from the YFC staff: JR, Cory, Tyrone, Olle, and expert, Mark Lee. The younger guys were hanging on to every word. You could tell that they benefited greatly from the wisdom being shared. One youth was touched to the point of weeping. We heard statements like “I can’t wait to do this again, we need this so much.” After spending time with ADC Givens, one youth said “I look at police completely different now. He was a good guy.”

It was beautiful. The weather was predicted to be awful, and God blessed us with a perfect day. It was probably one of the best days of ministry I have ever been a part of. I am beyond grateful for our God, our team, our volunteers, the donors, the youth, and everyone who made this happen.

In faith,

Adam

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

More than a Campaign

Young people are craving authenticity and to feel known. But the world they are living in is pulling them apart - digitally, socially, politically, spiritually. Instead of feeling known, they are feeling detached, isolated and anxious. This season is no exception. We’re more divided, isolated, and overwhelmed with issues than ever.

Every young person needs to know they are not alone and that someone is for them, especially now. 

This is why we exist — for over 75 years, Youth for Christ has been connecting people who love Jesus with young people who don’t know Jesus — and we are seeing transformation happen.

We do that by meeting young people where they are - in schools, in their neighborhoods, and in detention centers. We mobilize people who love Jesus to engage youth in transformational relationships. And, we raise up young people as lifelong followers of Jesus who lead in their community.

You can be a part of this by joining our WE BELIEVE IN YOU(TH) campaign today and letting young people know you are for them and you’re ready to go all out for their future. Young people need Jesus, and they need us.  Show the young people of our community that you are for them. 

Get involved by: 

  1. Praying for our youth 

  2. Watching and sharing the We Believe in You(th) Banquet video

  3. Donating to the campaign 

  4. Serving at Stateline YFC 

  5. Encouraging the youth in your life

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