It’s expected to come back from spring break in Florida a little more tan with a little extra skip in your step from all of the Vitamin C; but with our annual Youth for Christ spring break trip, the transformation runs deeper than skin.

This year “Damion,” a City Life student, arrived in Florida with pain and mess running deep.

Towards the end of the trip, students are given the opportunity to have solo time with God on the beach. City Life leader, Ra’Shad, sat near the tough-hearted Damion during this time, and recounts it was clear he was wrestling with God and the idea of  confession. Damion ended up pouring everything out to God, leading him to join the other students wanting to commit their lives to Christ in yelling “YES” into the star-filled sky.

When Ra’Shad went to give Damion a hug, every bit of the tough exterior softened to tears. Tears of his past hurt, sin, and pain mixed with tears of his new found joy, hope, and forgiveness.  

The Holy Spirit was moving and everything was changing for Damion. For the first time in his life, this young man realized he doesn’t have to walk through life alone - not only does he have a City Life family, but a God that nothing can separate him from. No part of Damion’s story or pain was too much for Ra’Shad or for God and this truth has changed everything.

Roger Vezeau, Chief Ministry Officer

“You are an amazing kid!”

I didn’t have any friends and didn’t know which direction I was going. I was constantly bullied, ignored, and misunderstood. I was without hope. I didn’t feel like anyone noticed me or cared about me. That was my life five months ago when I heard an announcement at school saying, “Sign up for the Campus Life spring break trip, it’s one you won’t forget!”

As I turned in my money for the trip, I hoped this would be something that could turn my life around...and it was! The trip was amazing and I loved every minute of it, specifically our guest speaker, Myron! He talked with us that week and shared his life and the struggles that he went through.

After club one night I just couldn't take it anymore, so I talked to him about the bullying, loneliness, and hurt with which I was dealing. After listening to me he said, “Danny, you are an amazing kid and here are all the things God says about you!” I was so encouraged!

Later, Myron gave all of the students an opportunity to go out to the beach and say “yes Jesus” if we wanted Him in our life. Out on the beach, under the stars, it was quiet and I was looking for a sign. It was chilly that night and all I had was my towel. I suddenly felt something beside me and it was like a warm blanket curling up next to me. I knew that was the sign I was waiting for, and I knew I wasn't alone. I stood up and yelled “yes Jesus” and welcomed him into my heart! I heard others yelling it too, and that's when I not only started to cry, but realized He was on the beach with all of us. I can not thank Myron enough for showing me the light in my life and helping me become a leader in the making. I am so glad I had the opportunity to go and will go back next year!

Danny, high school student

The last night of the YFC Spring Break trip will remain one of my favorite moments each year for the rest of my life. Our speaker presents the Gospel, and we dismiss all 200+ students to silently make their way to the beach and sit intentionally, most likely for the first time, with Jesus. We give them a half a hour to sit, to think, to process, to cry, to surrender.

At the end, as music starts to play, we encourage the students to stand and claim their “Yes”, “Yes Again” or “Not Yet” by shouting. It’s in this moment I feel like even nature rejoices - the waves calm, the stars fall and brighten and the breeze stills.

With students shouting their proclamations all around her, “Molly’s” anxiety heightens. She wanted so badly to shout “YES,” but being a quiet and insecure freshmen, she became nervous. She didn’t let this stop her though; as she turned to walk away, she saw our speaker and said, “Myron, I want to say YES to Jesus, but I don’t like being loud.” To this, Myron simply replied, “It’s okay, Molly. Jesus knows your heart, but if you want to whisper it right now so only Jesus and I can hear you, that would be okay too.” So in the meekest voice, as the waves stilled even more, “Molly” whispered "YES," and we and the angels joined creation to rejoice.

Danni Blackburn, Whitko Campus Life Director

When asked about his highlights over the past 30 years in YFC, Kent is quick to reference Andy Vaught.

“Andy went with me on our Campus Life Florida trip as a freshman. He got a pretty serious sunburn the very first day, and as a result, he and I had numerous conversations the rest of the week. On Wednesday night, Andy heard about a personal relationship with Christ and asked Jesus into his heart!  He went home, told his mom, and they went and purchased a Bible. They then started attending a local church in Huntington County.

Part of YFC’s mission statement is that students become “lifelong followers of Jesus,” and Andy embodies that. Andy and his wife, Hillary, now live and serve in Huntington County. They love Jesus and are ministry leaders in the community. It has been great to have a front row seat and see God work in Andy’s life!”

For those of you who know Kent, you know he has a heart and passion to impact teenagers, like Andy, with the Gospel. You also know his love for his wife, Jan, and their girls, Erin and Emily. His love for others is one of the many reasons we will miss Kent being on staff.

After faithfully serving Youth for Christ for 30 years, Kent has chosen to follow God’s leading and become the Regional Development Director at Taylor University. Kent and Jan met at Taylor and have a deep history with the university. He is excited to help TU students have the same kind of life-changing experience he had.

YFCNIN’s CEO, Larry Lance, stated, “Kent has been a faithful servant over these many years, and has helped reach thousands of young people with the Gospel through his ministry and fundraising efforts. I am so appreciative of Kent and want to thank him for all he has done to move the mission of YFC forward!”

Thank you, Kent, for the difference you have made!

After 10 years of ministry, Chip Clark is able to look at the City Life ministry and say he’s leaving it better than when he started! From 2 volunteers to 60; from 2 staff to 13 full and part-time employees; from 20 students a day coming to the center to now over 100, things are definitely better than when they started!

As a teen, growing up in the Wayne community, Chip wasn’t making the greatest choices. It wasn’t until his mid-twenties that he changed his life around, began following Jesus, and wanted to make a difference in his community.  

One of those ways for Chip to make a difference was through Youth for Christ’s City Life ministry where he met Jay. Chip says, “Jay Alexander was one of the first students I had the privilege of meeting. He was a tough kid, but a strong leader. I was able to befriend Jay and began what I had hoped would be a long relationship. As a director, I was just getting my feet wet in urban youth work and did not get the opportunity to pursue and impact Jay's life because he was murdered. His death upset me and put an unwavering desire to see young people like Jay empowered, utilizing the gifts, talents, and influence they already possess to change their community for Christ. I refuse to allow Jay's death to be in vain, as his death brought life to our pursuit of young people at City Life.”

Chip’s incredible passion for and belief that the teenagers in the urban community of Fort Wayne, when empowered, can and will make a difference in their community for Christ, is one of the main reasons for the success of the City Life ministry!

Following God’s calling, Chip will be leaving YFC to become the full time Worship Pastor at Blackhawk Ministries. He will be able to exercise his gifts and passions for music, communication, and people with this incredible opportunity.

Chip, as an indigenous leader yourself, you have set the example on how others can make a difference. Thank you for your vision, passion, and leadership in raising up indigenous leaders who follow Jesus and are changing their community.

The school year is winding down and what an incredible year it was! At each of our 37 sites, lives were changed for Jesus. Some of our seniors were asked to share what Campus Life has meant to them the past 4-7 years; this is what they shared:

“Campus Life has given me a sense of family”

“Campus Life taught me what love is- not the kind of love high schoolers talk about all the time but real love”

“Campus Life taught me how to love”

“Campus Life taught me how to love myself”

“Because of Campus Life, I know God wants a relationship with me, not just for me to go to church”

“Campus Life gave me confidence”

“Campus Life has given me a family and a backbone - even if my own family isn’t strong and struggling, I can count on my family here”

“Campus Life has given me joy. After being gone for a few weeks, I realized just how much I need this”

“Campus Life has given me positive influences”

“Campus Life has challenged me to share my life and be open”

“Campus Life has given me accountability”

“Campus Life is always there through the struggle”

“Campus Life has given me a place to just let go”

“Without Campus Life, I have no confidence”

“Campus Life has taught me how to be vulnerable with God and others and has taught me how to accept love through my leaders loving me”
 

Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana (YFCNIN) announced Friday, Nov. 9 that Larry Lance is transitioning out of his role as the organization’s  CEO effective January 1, 2019. He will be succeeded by Chris Todia, who is currently the Chief Operating Officer for YFCNIN.

Lance is not retiring but moving into the role of Senior Advisor/President Emeritus for YFCNIN beginning January 2019. Lance’s focus will be on coaching Todia, furthering their development strategy, and launching their new planned-giving program.

Todia joined YFCNIN in 2016 as chief operating officer. He previously served on the marketing staff at Colorado Christian University for three years, and then launched a sales and marketing career with Furniture Row in the greater Denver area. At Furniture Row, he was responsible for developing big-picture vision and strategy for product development as well as handling the daily details of marketing, merchandising, sales management, training, and product design. He later founded his own consulting company to help companies with   branding, growth, and organizational strategy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bethel College and a Master of   Business Administration from Colorado Christian University. Chris lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Amy, and two children.

Lance has been with YFCNIN for the past 42 years, serving as an instrumental part in their growth from four to twelve counties in northern Indiana, with their territory including 99 schools and potentially reaching 64,000 teenagers. Lance started out with YFC in 1976 as a part-time Campus Life director at Huntington North and Homestead High Schools.

Lance has championed Todia’s candidacy to move into the CEO role and has mentored him over the past two years.

“Chris Todia has earned the respect and trust of our board, our donors, our leadership team, and our staff,” Lance said. “He has demonstrated in every respect that he is ready to assume the role of CEO, and lead this ministry into its next phase of growth and development,” Lance said.

Todia looks forward to taking on new responsibilities and focusing the YFC organization on its renewed vision and strategy.

“It is such a blessing to be stepping into this role with an organization with such rich history and still so much opportunity,” Todia said. “God is moving in this region in unique and powerful ways, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Our team’s desire and efforts are focused on serving thousands more young people throughout Northeast Indiana in the years to come.”

Every fall, over 1,000 students gather in downtown Ft, Wayne for an unforgettable weekend called GoMAD (Go Make A Difference). During GoMAD, students experience a high energy atmosphere that features an amazing house band, a DJ, a huge block party, a great speaker, and time with their best friends. Often this is the very first time many students hear the gospel. For Tyler, this wasn’t the first time he had heard the gospel, but it was the first time he felt compelled to respond.

Tyler had been coming to Campus Life for a year, but was just going through the motions. He liked being a part of something, but wasn’t willing to make any kind of changes to his life. That was until GoMAD. On the last night, Tyler resonated with what the speaker was saying. He had a choice; he could remain bitter with where he was in life, or he could get better by accepting Jesus into his life. That night after talking with his Campus Life leader, he sat down and prayed with him. Tyler asked God for forgiveness and told Him that he wanted to follow His son Jesus!

Fast forward a few weeks and now Tyler is becoming actively involved in a church. He’s getting into the Word and asking all kinds of great questions. Prayer is now something he does regularly. He’s no longer willing to just go through the motions; he wants more! His story is like so many others from the weekend. Praise God for using a fun weekend to step into the lives of students. The fruit and transformation will be seen for a long time to come!

“Two years ago one of the the greatest men in my life passed away. Before he passed, he shared some things with me about his illness that no one else knew. After he died, I was so mad at myself for not sharing them with others. I felt like his passing was my fault and it was then that depression slowly took over my life.

For an entire year it felt like my life was on pause while everyone around me continued to live with life as normal. I felt numb to everyone and everything. The worst part was that I felt like I was totally alone. Even the people I did reach out to dismissed my pain and told me I was ok and I needed to just 'get over' everything.

The depression led me to places I never thought I would be. There were points where I really didn't even want to go on living. I was so alone and felt so hopeless.

Over the past year and a half God has brought people into my life who have shown me there is hope and a reason to live. Aaron French with Campus Life and my church have been a huge part of God changing my life and bringing me out of depression. Depression used to rule my life, but now God does.

There were many times Aaron French and I simply hung out in town, went hunting, and rode four wheelers together. He always pointed me to Christ and showed me what it meant to follow Jesus. Last spring I had the opportunity to go on the Campus Life Florida trip where God showed me how much he loves me. Campus Life has given me people to share my struggles with and they really do care!

Depression made me feel hopeless, but Christ has given me hope! My life is no longer on pause. I now feel like I am alive again.”

- Layne, Wabash Campus Life student

Some Warsaw students and I had an exciting opportunity to join 1,000 other high school students in Ft. Wayne for a weekend retreat called GO MAD. We had lots of fun, formed new relationships with some surrounding area students and leaders, and were challenged to GO MAD (Make A Difference) once we left the retreat and got back into our community.

One student, “Josie,” who is typically shy and reserved was truly challenged during her time at GO MAD. She was not only challenged socially to open up, be more vocal, and get to know others, but also in her spiritual journey as well. The GO MAD speaker challenged Josie in her faith so much that during one of our team times she got away, spent some time alone with God, and recommitted her life to following him in a new way! She knew she had become pretty stagnant in her faith and decided she didn’t want to stay there. That night Josie recommitted her life to Christ, stating a couple different things: “I want to be that difference maker to people who do not know God…I want to be the Light in this world…I want to let them (others) know they are loved and their life matters.”

Josie is still quiet and shy, but she is taking the necessary steps to challenge herself and stick to the recommitment she made to the Lord. Since GO MAD, Josie has plugged in and been involved with our Core team at Warsaw. She is faithfully attending each week and actively getting to know others in the group, as well as searching to make a difference at her high school. I am so thankful God has lit a fire in her, and it is exciting to watch how contagious that can be!

JR Gray

Warsaw Community Director

Megan was a freshman when she started attending Club with her friends. As our ministry leaders got to know Megan, we quickly found she had a lot of questions regarding Jesus. Megan comes from a split family where her mom and brother are atheist, and her dad and stepmom go to church. She has been “confused” about faith for a long time. At the end of her freshman year, Megan’s family was going through a lot with a family member that was close to her. She sought me out to talk about the difficulties in her life. This led to some interesting conversations about Jesus, where she asked if I had a book about evidence of Jesus. I gave her the book, The Case For Christ, where she claimed to read about half of the book.

Once summer of her sophomore year hit, Megan got a job at the Aquatics Center in Columbia City where she met our Columbia City Campus Life Director, Jake Johnson. All summer long through conversations with Jake and attending Bible Study at the pool with her fellow pool staff, she began to understand a little more about Jesus. Then at the beginning of her junior year, Megan was all in for Campus Life because of what happened during the summer. Megan won a half off trip to the GoMad Conference at our kickoff event and went. While there, she heard the gospel, attended small groups, and made friends who would encourage her towards Jesus. The Monday after GoMad she posted on Instagram that she had decided to follow Jesus with everything she has.

I am so thankful for how God is working in Megan’s life and look forward to how He is going to use her!
 

Brad Millikan

Churubusco Campus Life director

- “I’m so overwhelmed with life. I don’t have many people on my side that understand. A lot of times I feel like God isn’t there. My mom left me, my dad is never home. The only person is God, but even he feels gone. I feel like I’m drowning in emotion, but at the same time I feel numb and empty.”

- “A lot of bad things have happened to me and it confuses me how God would let that happen.  I think I’m starting to understand but I feel like I’m so lost and not in control of my own life and hopeless.”

- “I am so ready and on the edge of giving my life to Jesus and accepting Him into my heart, but I am being held back by something. I want to accept Jesus tonight.”

- “I have never been close to Jesus, but I do know he is there. But now, I am ready to begin a journey with Jesus.”

These are just a few responses from the 109 students Huntington North took on our annual GoMad conference in November. We had so many students share some really hard things they’ve gone through in their lives. Many who shared about struggling with anxiety, depression, suicide, loneliness, and more deep issues in which they are living. Our amazing ministry leaders were able to jump in to one-on-one conversations with students about their struggles and even prayed with a few students to accept Jesus after GoMad. God is moving in huge ways through this conference! We have 30 students involved in 2 small groups where we are following up about what a relationship with Jesus looks like and how to live out their new faith. It’s exciting to see how God is moving in all of this!

Liz Irick

Huntington North Campus Life director

We serve hundreds of youth through our City Life Centers. Monday through Thursday, caring adults consistently show up in the lives of teens to come alongside of them holistically and in a relational context. We give homework help, have family meal together, and go on trips and events. Out of this group of students, leaders emerge. We call them Indigenous Leaders.

These students have given their lives to Jesus and have shown they are willing to count the cost and change their neighborhood for Christ. I have been walking with our group of Indigenous Leaders for three years, and have witnessed the transformation of them growing into who God is calling them to be. Recently, I had the opportunity to take these leaders to a conference called GoMAD. It was monumental! There was a profound moment after our guest speaker delivered the gospel where we gathered together. . We huddled up and I was prompted to call out the greatness God put into each of them. Looking around the group, I called out their name, one by one, and told them how special they are to our loving Father and the treasure God placed in them. Their eyes lit up at the awareness that Jesus notices and has unconditional love for them.

It is so important that we identify the greatness in our youth and give them an opportunity to recognize it. When we invite our youth to embrace God’s treasure in them, that will initiate them to live in God’s purpose for their lives, and change their surroundings!
 

Nygel Simms

Director of Urban Ministries

"Jessie" is one of those rare good kids who’s been in and out of ACJC many times because of an unstable home and mental issues. He's never done anything terrible, but little things over the years have swallowed up his teens years.

Over the summer Jessie turned 18 and was living under a bridge near downtown. We met regularly as I was trying to help him find a place to stay and some stability. I often told him he needed to get plugged into a church because he needs a community of support around him. About a month ago he finally agreed and we stopped at Avalon Missionary Church to see Pastor K Paul. He was there, and he gave Jessie and I a warm welcome. Jessie is now attending Avalon and is finding the support he's been lacking. Many other kids in the area need the church to come around them as Avalon is coming around Jessie.

If you are interested in helping with our Juvenile Justice Ministry please contact me at jwright@yfcnin.org.

Joe Wright

Juvenile Justice director

A movement is rising. Community members, parents, and students agree they want to see God move in and around them. They want to see their friends and neighbors know the Lord. In their heart's desire, they turn towards the church, their pastors, some even turned towards me looking for an answer.

At Kroger, I was literally cornered in the bakery by a mom and a dad bombarding me with questions of how I was going to win souls for Christ. They spoke a mile a minute, and I politely listened and nodded my head. When they stopped to catch a breath, I told them, "You're my plan."

A movement is rising where the church is putting discipleship and mission back into the hands of everyday people. Every other Saturday, I sit down with four ministry leaders, two working

professionals and a couple juniors in college. I ask them two simple questions, "What is God saying to you and what are you going to do about it?" It takes hours for us to come up with a response, but by the end of it, we have a plan as to how we will seek God that week.    

Every Thursday at 6 am, I meet with two high school juniors at McDonald's. I ask the same questions. As we reflect and discuss how God's grabbing their attention, their eyes get wider and wider, and it is not because of the coffee. The Lord is giving them a missional lens to see how they can reach their friends for the Kingdom of God.

Now, remember the family that cornered me? After taking a semester to seek the Lord's will, they want to be a family on mission. Starting in January they will be inviting their children's friends for dinner. There, students will be asked these questions I want to ask you. What is God saying to you? And what are you going to do about it?

Edwin Chow

Homestead Community Campus Life director

Youth For Christ of Northern Indiana (YFCNIN) announces that the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation recently awarded us a generous grant of $10,000 to fund our City Life urban ministry. This funding allows YFC to continue to impact urban teens through our programs that provide opportunities for educational success, economic literacy, civic literacy, moral & spiritual literacy, and basic health & safety.  City Life’s holistic approach to reaching young people aligns with the Foundation’s mission of caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. The goal of our programs is to raise young leaders who will transform their schools, their families and their neighborhoods.

“We are grateful for the St Joseph Community Health Foundation’s support and their commitment to helping impact the young people of our community. Their generosity enables us to continue serving the youth of Ft. Wayne and raise up the next generation of leaders,” says Chris Todia, newly appointed YFCNIN CEO.

Without this generous funding from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, many local teens would not have the opportunities offered by City Life. YFCNIN would like to thank the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation for their support that allows City Life to continue serving local teens.

ABOUT YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN INDIANA (YFCNIN): Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. YFCNIN impacts 11-19 year olds throughout a 12 County area in Northern Indiana, through it’s Campus Life, City Life, and Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM).

ABOUT THE SAINT JOSEPH COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION:

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, stewards resources to: Respond to community needs with grants; Leverage collaboration with community partners; Engage in transformational initiatives. We serve the poor in body, mind and spirit to achieve quality health and wellness, focusing on the community of Allen County, Indiana and may respond to needs among other underserved populations.

It was ten minutes before the tip-off at a high school basketball game when I got the text message. “I just need somebody to talk to,” from an 18-year old male student. I asked where he was, and “Tristan” sent me his address. I started down the country road and pulled up to where he was staying. As I drove up the muddy driveway I was surrounded by what could only be described as a junkyard. Tristan came out to meet me as I pulled up, the 30 degree wind blowing against us in the absolute darkness. He proceeded to show me where he’d been staying for the last month. A shed. A shed with a swinging broken padlocked door, a grease covered cement floor, a small dirty mattress, and a well worn duffle bag with some clothes flung in and around it.  

To say we left quickly would be an understatement. Tristan jumped into my car and while we had a bite to eat at Subway, and he told me the lengthy and really discouraging story of events which had led to his current situation. It was mostly tragic, but there were also a number of instances where he entirely blamed other people for things he was somewhat at fault for as well. Not only was there a need for God to intervene in this student’s life for safety and security, but there also needed to be some heart-changing decisions made by Tristan as well.  

We drove over to a local church, sat in the front row of the sanctuary and prayed to God together, while the organ player practiced her Christmas hymns for the upcoming Sunday. That night he made some life-changing decisions and prayers have been answered through some of his miraculous friends who opened their homes to support him.  

There were a lot of tears that night, and there was a lot of anger and confusion. I can now say God has intervened in the situation and weeks later I can quote Psalm 30:11 as true in the story of this student, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing, you have removed my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”  

I’m praising God for what He did in Tristan’s life, and I am full of anticipation for how this young man’s story will unfold as God continues to work in his life.

Brandon Johnson, Campus Life Director

Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana (YFCNIN) announces a generous contribution of $190,000 made by the Foellinger Foundation for two-year program support of YFCNIN’s City Life program.

“Foellinger has supported us for many years and has been critical to the success of our City Life program in southeast Fort Wayne. We (YFCNIN) are working hard to equip and empower young people to rise up as leaders within their own communities – this creates hope for lasting change. Foellinger Foundation’s continued support is helping us serve these young people and positively impact this community,” says Chris Todia, CEO.

This grant allows YFCNIN’s City Life program to further impact teenagers in Fort Wayne by providing basic health & safety, educational success, economic literacy, civic literacy, and spiritual & moral literacy. By providing these resources, young people’s lives are changed, as well as the communities they live in.

ABOUT YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN INDIANA (YFCNIN): Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. YFCNIN impacts 11-19-year olds throughout a 12 County area in Northern Indiana, through its Campus Life, City Life, and Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM).

ABOUT THE FOELLINGER FOUNDATION: The Foellinger Foundation is a private, charitable foundation that invests in excellence by providing grants, leadership training, conferences, workshops and thought-leading speakers to strengthen nonprofit organizations that serve Allen County. The Foundation was created in 1958 by Helene Foellinger, The News‐Sentinel publisher from 1936 to 1980, and Esther Foellinger, her mother. Visit www.foellinger.org for more information.

Youth For Christ of Northern Indiana (YFCNIN) announces that the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation recently awarded us a generous grant of $10,000 to fund our City Life urban ministry. This funding allows YFC to continue to impact urban teens through our programs that provide opportunities for educational success, economic literacy, civic literacy, moral & spiritual literacy, and basic health & safety.  City Life’s holistic approach to reaching young people aligns with the Foundation’s mission of caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. The goal of our programs is to raise young leaders who will transform their schools, their families and their neighborhoods.

“We are grateful for the St Joseph Community Health Foundation’s support and their commitment to helping impact the young people of our community. Their generosity enables us to continue serving the youth of Ft. Wayne and raise up the next generation of leaders,” says Chris Todia, newly appointed YFCNIN CEO.

Without this generous funding from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, many local teens would not have the opportunities offered by City Life. YFCNIN would like to thank the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation for their support that allows City Life to continue serving local teens.

ABOUT YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN INDIANA (YFCNIN): Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement. YFCNIN impacts 11-19 year olds throughout a 12 County area in Northern Indiana, through it’s Campus Life, City Life, and Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM).

ABOUT THE SAINT JOSEPH COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION:

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, stewards resources to: Respond to community needs with grants; Leverage collaboration with community partners; Engage in transformational initiatives. We serve the poor in body, mind and spirit to achieve quality health and wellness, focusing on the community of Allen County, Indiana and may respond to needs among other underserved populations.

At the end of March, Huntington North took 15 students to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for spring break. We had an awesome week of fun, laughter, and sun; most importantly, we had incredible conversations with student.

My favorite part was when our  students participated in three stations with some self-reflection time. The day’s theme was, “Jesus Sees My Mess,” and we wanted to get students thinking about the mess in their lives. During one of our stations, students could anonymously write about something they keep secret from everyone else. Students wrote about body image, unhealthy relationships, abuse, and a lot of depression and anxiety.

We also had students think about things that were weighing them down in life; things keeping them from their full potential and maybe even holding them back. When finished, they dropped a rock in a bucket full of water, watched the water fall out, and saw how much those rocks take space in our lives. After the activity, we looked at what students wrote, and I was surprised to see students wrote down sex more than pornography on their rocks. It was heartbreaking.

During the last station, students could write down negative words they tell themselves or others have told them on a mirror. They were told to look at the reflection and see how writing the words on the mirror keeps them from seeing themselves for who they truly are.

After the stations, one student, “Rachel,” was extremely moved. In our small groups, she opened up about some of the things she wrote down. She struggles with feeling depressed and has had thoughts of suicide. Her heart is broken and this is one of the first times she truly felt God in an experience. Rachel told me this is the first time in her life where she was truly curious about what a relationship with Jesus actually looked like. At the end of spring break, Rachel said “yes” to Jesus and is determined to jump in and learn more about what a relationship with Jesus looks like in her life!

 - Liz Irick, Huntington Ministry Coordinator