Youth for Christ Banquet Postponed Due to COVID-19

Due to growing concerns surrounding the Coronavirus, the Youth for Christ Banquet on April 2nd has been postponed. We have tentatively rescheduled it for May 21st, but this is completely subject to the recommendations of national, state, and local officials. We will continually value safety and health as we make all organizational decisions. We will keep you in the loop on any further developments. 

Like many, concerns regarding COVID-19 leave us with much uncertainty in the coming weeks. We now face challenges in outreach to vulnerable youth in our community. Our team met via Zoom call this morning to discuss ways we can get creative (i.e. writing letters, leveraging technology to create meaningful connections) in relationships with youth. Pray for local youth as well as our organization as we discern how to respond. 

Lastly, we appreciate your financial support during this season. The outlook here has drastically changed due to COVID-19 and specifically the need to postpone our largest annual event. A donation during this time would be a great blessing, and please keep in mind that all new or increased contributions are currently matched (read more about this HERE). 

May God bring beauty out of this trial--in our world, country, and community.

In Christ,

Haddon Anderson, Executive Director

30 for 30 Matching Campaign

This is an unprecedented opportunity.

In 30 days, Stateline YFC is seeking to raise annual pledges totaling $30,000 (30 for 30!), which will then be matched by a generous grant from YFC USA with another $30,000 during 2020 and 2021.

As a result, Stateline YFC could receive $120,000 over the next two years through this initiative! In fact, if all goals are hit, we could receive even more (potentially $71,840 in matching grants), which would result in over $140,000 over the next two years for YFC.

Yes, this is crazy, and yes, we need your help!

$120,000+ over the next two years will result in a significant advancement of our mission, specifically resulting in the launch of a new ministry site and development of others. Most importantly, the good news of Jesus Christ will extend to many more lost, disadvantaged teens in our city in need of hope.

The matching grant is intended to widen YFC’s donor base by targeting new donors or increased support from current donors. The grant will match up to $300 a month for each full-time staff member and $150 a month for each part-time staff member.

For instance, if you SIGN UP to give $50 a month, we will receive $100 a month. If you increase your annual giving from $1,000 to $2,000, we will receive another $1,000 for the increase. 

Will you join us in helping reach Rockford’s youth? Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to advance YFC’s mission!

Emotionally Healthy Leader: Slowing Down for Loving Union

By Zabrina Ramirez

Anyone else ever been sucker-punched by what was written in a book? Just me? Well, as Haddon said a couple weeks ago, our team is reading the book titled “The Emotionally Healthy Leader” by Peter Scazzero. The first three chapters have been filled with wisdom and some incredible ways of reflecting on my life and my role as a leader. They were chapters that really challenged me… and then I got to Chapter 4: Slow Down for Loving Union. Ooof. Slow down? I’ve never been particularly good at slowing down and it seems to be getting harder each year that I don’t address it. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat. It’s hard to slow down when there’s somewhere you have to be every night of the week. It’s hard to slow down when social media is blowing up your phone. It’s hard to slow down when you’re just trying to keep up.  It’s hard to slow down when ____ fill in the blank. 

The consequences of not slowing down though are dangerous. Scazzero starts the chapter with the story of a founding pastor with a rapidly growing church whose life is, frankly, a mess. He’s involved in an affair, leaves his position as pastor, and loses his family. In the midst of his life falling apart his church still appeared to be thriving. It reminds me of those times people ask you how you’re doing and all you say is “Fine” when there’s so much more behind that one word. 

Now, this man’s story is not one I personally resonate with. What got my attention was when the author went on to write about the danger of leading without Jesus: “...it is possible to build a church, an organization, or a team by relying on our own gifts, talents, and experience. We can serve Christ in our own energy and wisdom. We can expand a ministry or business without thinking much of Jesus or relying on him in the process.” Just because we can do these things doesn’t mean we should. Scazzero then goes on to share Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus cuts to the chase and says not all who DO things in His name will be KNOWN by Him. Knowing our heavenly Father is far different from being with him. 

The theme of this section is that no success matters if we remain unknown by Christ and we will not be known by Christ if we are not slowing down and surrendering. The rest of the chapter was filled with practical steps on slowing down and realigning priorities with prayer, rest, relationships, and work. The most encouraging words were the last few lines, “Inhale, exhale, and relax. We don’t suddenly slam on the brakes of life to slow down and get it all at once.” 

Lessons from Kenny

By Ali Barnett

I have been thinking a lot lately about an important life lesson that I learned from Kenny and I would love to share with you, in case you find yourself in a place of needing a little encouragement this week.

Who's Kenny? It is such a privilege to share Kenny's story with you because Kenny's life has changed mine. 

I met Kenny during YFC Camp. As soon as he got off the bus, he insisted on breaking rules. 

His demeanor was aggressive, he refused to follow instruction, and disregarded the authorities. 

When it was time for Club—the creative, engaging program where kids attend after dinner—Kenny would run down the path, towards the woods, away from the club building. Eventually we would get him into the club room, where he refused to sit within the taped-off section for students. He slumped against the back wall, totally disengaged. 

He refused to participate in any camp activities and at one point he even destroyed one leader’s suitcase of clothing by urinating all over it.

This was Kenny's first time at YFC Camp and you might say he was out of control. 

Leaders were getting exhausted and running out of ways to engage Kenny. Maybe Camp wasn't the best setting for him. 

But God.

Midweek, I decided to try a different approach. I'd heard that Kenny skipped out on his high ropes ride and went to find him. 

I offered him a ride on the golf cart, inviting him to the smoothie shop.

While on our way, I introduced him to my husband, Lennox, who was leading worship for the camp. We gave him a CD and a hat.

Then we continued into the smoothie shop and when I handed him his smoothie, he said "Why are you being so nice to me? I have been so horrible to you all week."

Finally. A doorway to have a real, intentional conversation with Kenny.

A conversation that opened up an opportunity for me to ask him more about his story, share parts of my story, and explain the grace in God's story that allows me to respond with kindness, because I have received so much kindness from God.

Kenny listened. He asked questions. He answered some. 

For the first time in 3 days, I began to see that layers in Kenny's story were beginning to peel back.

Heartache. Broken home. Neglect. ADHD. Moving schools. As Kenny shared, God peeled back the layers of frustration in my own heart and filled me with his compassion. This kid had been through so much and he was only in middle school. 

I asked Kenny why he wasn't participating in activities and if there were any rides that he wanted to do. He answered, "I want to do the high ropes, but I am scared." I told him we could ride the golf cart over to the high ropes and he could just try on the harness. He didn't have to climb if he didn't want to, but we could move one step at a time. "Just try on the harness." 

It took 45 minutes to convince him that he could do it. He had it in him. And this picture, below, is the smile of success. He did the entire ropes course. 

And that isn't even the best part, as that was only day 3. By day 5, Kenny was sitting next to me, in the club room, within the boundaries taped on the floor, engaging in worship. During the song, “Reckless Love,” he leaned over to me and said "I feel like this song was written for me. I feel like I am that one person that God is chasing after."  

Sometimes, we look at our lives and we tend to measure success by the tangibles—the things we can see, feel, and touch. Numbers and statistics and lives that change drastically by one powerful moment. 

But sometimes, success is choosing to put on the harness. Climbing into the golf cart. Driving straight into our fear. 

Sometimes success is going from running the opposite direction of where we want to be and eventually ending up in the space where we need to be. 

Sometimes success comes in the shape of a smoothie and a CD. 

Sometimes success is a smile in place of a smirk. 

Sometimes success is being open and vulnerable.

Sometimes success is moving from the back of the room, up just a few inches because something in you has changed...you feel just a little safer than you did the day before. 

I want to encourage you with the lyrics that captivated Kenny's heart that week: 

"Oh the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God. Oh it chases me down, fights til I'm found, leaves the 99. I couldn't earn it and I don't deserve it. Still you give yourself away. 

When I was your foe, still your love fought for me. You have been so, so good to me. When I felt no worth, you paid it all for me. 

There's no shadow you won’t light up, no mountain you won't climb up, coming after me. 

There's no wall you won't kick down, lie you won't tear down, coming after me."

My prayer for you today is that these lyrics remind you of the powerful love of Christ and that you feel the same way Kenny did, when you hear this song… "That this song was written just for you." 

If you'd like to listen to it, you can find it here.

I am forever grateful for every prayer and every penny you invest in these precious lives. If Kenny's story inspires you, please join us for our Annual Banquet on April 2nd at Giovannis to hear more stories of lives that are changing. You can get your ticket or more information about the event here.

Emotionally Healthy Leadership: A Focus for 2020

By Haddon Anderson

Ministry is both rewarding and draining. It is common for ministry leaders to operate from a state of emotional exhaustion. 

At YFC, we recognize this challenge, and we are placing an emphasis in 2020 on growing as healthy leaders. Our staff recently launched a book study on "The Emotionally Healthy Leader" by Peter Scazzero.  

To better understand the nature of an emotionally unhealthy leader, consider this definition from the book:

““The emotionally unhealthy leader is someone who operates in a continuous state of emotional and spiritual deficit, lacking emotional maturity and a “being with God” sufficient to sustain their “doing for God.” ”

This definition prompts conviction. It is easy to become overly focused on constantly "pouring out" for God and others. Our identity can subtly become wrapped up in our "doing for God," our achievements, and our status before others.

In that process, we neglect resting in our identity in Christ, as His beloved created people. We therefore lead others from a shaky, unsustainable foundation.  Such rhythms can create devastating consequences spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. 

Scazzero captures the immeasurable value of developing one’s inner life: including slowing down for growth in intimacy with Christ, leading out of one's marriage and family, facing shadows of our past, and practicing a delight in the Sabbath. 

We are dwelling on what it looks like to grow in these areas. We by no means are downplaying the tremendous value of pursuing ministry with a vigorous passion and burden, but we grasp that to do this effectively, we must lead out of our identity in Christ and establish healthy practices that develop emotional maturity and a "being with God" sufficient to sustain our "doing for God." 

In the coming weeks, you will find posts from our staff members on their reflections amidst this journey. As God shapes our hearts, we hope that some lessons may encourage you as well. 

Please reach out if anything resonates and you'd like to connect in more detail! 

Why a Year-End Gift to YFC Matters

Why does a year-end gift to Youth for Christ matter? They matter because they advance our capacity to touch individual lives with the unconditional love of Christ, leading to transformation spiritually, socially, and emotionally.

Here are quotes from local youth that capture the meaning of YFC's ministry:

“If I wasn’t a part of Youth for Christ, my life would be a different story right now. I would be very far from God and not have as many amazing friends as I do today.” 

“I can go talk to any of them [YFC leaders] about anything and I know that they will always be there for me.” 

“When I came to Camp I really felt like God forgot about me, that I have disappointed him. And after going to Camp I realized He didn’t forget me. He actually pulled me right next to Him.” 

"Is it weird that I've become generous now that I know God? In the past, I wouldn't have even borrowed that money to anyone. Now I like to buy things for others."

Comments like these point to the deep value of authentic, Christ-centered relationships that are happening through YFC's ministry. These relationships are made possible through your generosity. 

Would you consider a year-end gift to YFC? Click the button below and invest in Rockford's youth.  

Welcome to YFC: Tyrone Garrett

We are excited to welcome Tyrone Garrett to YFC! He has joined the team as our Campus Life Site Director at East High School.

Tyrone has served as a volunteer at YFC in recent years, and he previously worked at The Pregnancy Care Center. He and his wife (Chelsea) have been married for a year.

Here is a quote from Tyrone on joining our team:

“I'm excited that I get to be with an amazing organization and staff. I love the work that is being done in our community and the fact I get to be a part of it amazes me. That I get to go back to a school where I attended as a student, to impact students as they impact their peers to show them the love of Jesus.”

Welcome to the team, Tyrone! You can contact him HERE.

Welcome to YFC: J.R. Flannigan

We are excited to welcome J.R. Flannigan to YFC! He has joined the team as our Juvenile Justice Ministry Aftercare Coordinator.

J.R. also pastors Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. He previously ministered in a variety of settings in Chicago, including church ministry and through an organization reaching juvenile men called Project Hood. J.R. and his wife (D’Lisa) are honored to parent two daughters.

Here is a quote from J.R. on joining our team:

“What excites me about serving with YFC is the fact I get an opportunity to shine some light on young people each and every week that truly come from various backgrounds. Knowing what youth have to deal with everyday from peer pressure, bullying and even neglect, and knowing that Jesus Christ allows little me to help heal some of those issues is why I love serving with YFC.”

Welcome to the team, J.R.! Contact him HERE.