YU Magazine | Spring 2015

CAN IN HAND Feeding the need with a ca n i n h a nd

THE OTHER 51 THE TESTIMONY OF IMMACULﾃ右 ILIBAGIZA

LIVE IT

ANDY NEEDHAM BAND | THE SKIT GUYS

+ + + + MORE

YOUTHUNLIMITED STUDENTS | CHURCHES | FAITH-FORMING EXPERIENCES SPRING 2015 / YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG

LET’S CONNECT PHONE: 616.241.5616 | WEB: YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG | EMAIL: YU@YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG

2 |SPRING 2015

Contents

YOUTH UNLIMITED | Spring 2015

FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED ............................................. pg. 4

Youth Unlimited has a rich 90 year history of assisting churches ministering to youth. Birthed out of the Christian Reformed Church, Youth Unlimited remains committed to the reformed perspective while serving alongside congregations of any denomination. We strongly believe that the local church is the tool God is using to reveal himself to this world, and we are blessed to partner with congregations to offer faith-forming experiences that reach this generation of youth for Jesus Christ!

SERVE 2015 ........................................................................... pg. 6

This informational magazine is printed in the United States as a free resource to churches across North America. It is published triannually by Youth Unlimited, Grand Rapids, MI.

THE OTHER 51 ....................................................................... pg. 8

Design & Publication Director | Jim Bowerman

OPENING NOTE: letter from the executive director........... pg. 3

STAFF PICKS.. ......................................................................... pg. 9 CAN IN HAND . . ...................................................................... pg. 10 LIVE IT 2015 ........................................................................ pg. 12 SERVE 2016 ......................................................................... pg. 18

Contributing Writers | Gil Clelland, Kurtis Ritsema & YU Staff Cover Photo Credit | Andy Neddham Band Editor | Mandi Grasmeyer USA | Postmaster, please send undeliverable copies and address changes to:

Youth Unlimited 1333 Alger Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Canada | Canada Post International Sales Agreement

#41124116. Please send undeliverable copies and address changes to:

THE STORY OF IMMACULﾃ右 ILIBAGIZA, SURVIVOR OF THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE IN 1994.

PAGE 8.

Youth Unlimited PO Box 1100 Norwich, ON N0J 1P0

THE YOUTH UNLIMITED TEAM: Executive Director:

Jeff Kruithof 616.241.5616 ext. 3043 jeff@youthunlimited.org

Missions Director:

Jerry Meadows 616.241.5616 ext. 3040 jerry@youthunlimited.org

COME TO CHURCH WITH YOUR BIBLE IN ONE HAND (LOVE GOD) AND A CAN OF FOOD IN THE OTHER (LOVE OTHERS). PAGE 10.

Program Coordinator:

Alesha Schut 616.241.5616 ext. 3038 alesha@youthunlimited.org

Design & Brand Manager: Jim Bowerman 616.241.5616 ext. 3039 jim@youthunlimited.org

Communications & Finance Administrator: Mandi Grasmeyer 616.241.5616 ext. 3046 mandi@youthunlimited.org

youthunlimited.org | 1

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IN A STUDENT’S LIFE IS THAT THEY FORM A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO JESUS CHRIST. AFTER DECADES OF DOING YOUTH MINISTRY ALONGSIDE CHURCHES, WE KNOW THAT MISSION TRIPS AND CONVENTIONS ARE OFTEN WHERE STUDENTS DISCOVER GOD’S LOVE FOR THEM. ONE STUDENT SAID JUST LAST YEAR: “AFTER SERVE, I FEEL CLOSER TO CHRIST BECAUSE I HAVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HIS PURPOSE WAS ON EARTH AND HOW HE WANTS US TO LIVE OUR LIVES.” THANK YOU, ON BEHALF OF EVERY STUDENT YOU HAVE INVESTED IN OVER THE YEARS. GOD IS USING YOU TO MOLD STUDENTS INTO WHOM HE CREATED THEM TO BE. DONATIONS OF ANY SIZE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOUTH UNLIMITED TO CONTINUE HELPING STUDENTS GET THE TIME AND SPACE NEEDED TO ENCOUNTER THE MOST INCREDIBLE GIFT OF ALL— CHRIST’S LIFE-SAVING WORK ON THE CROSS. PLEASE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL HELP TO FURTHER THE EFFORTS OF OUR MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP. DONATE ONLINE AT YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/DONATIONS 2 |SPRING 2015

TO FOLLOW US AND SEE WHAT YOUR DONATION IS DOING AT YOUTH UNLIMITED, BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER at youthunlimited.org

give a gift today, change a student's life forever

opening note:

STUDENTS CHURCHES FAITH-FORMING EXPERIENCES

I

am convinced God longs to reveal himself to our students through the local church and, therefore, I believe a student’s involvement in the church is an integral part of their discipleship. I trust you would agree?

If you are reading this, I’m assuming you are one of those in a local church who passionately loves and shares Jesus with his people, especially youth. Thank you! As a parent of three daughters, two of whom are teenagers, I need the help and support of my church to see them develop a faith for life in Jesus, so I say it again, seriously, thank you.

As Youth Unlimited gets ready to dive into another year’s experiences, I am reminded of why we do what we do by a letter I keep on my desk from last summer. As I traveled to various Serve sites, a college student who was leading worship at Serve handed me the following note: I just wanted to write you a note saying thank you so much for the work that you do with Youth Unlimited. My experiences with the organization are all positive and all life changing.

I became a Christian in July of 2007 in the Harderwyk Church on Serve, I don’t remember much. It was a Thursday. It was raining. Jolene was speaking. I had talked the talk my whole life, but that day was when I started my walk.

Each Serve I went on from then on, Holland, Alamosa, Newark and LaGrave have all been huge life shaping events that still impact my life today. When I reach a low point in my life, I pull out my letters and remember why I do the things I do. (At the end of each week of Serve, we have students write themselves a letter and we mail it to them six months later.)

Honestly, one of the best moments of my life was praying outside a Goodwill store at the LaGrave Serve. I was terrified of leaving home that week because of my mom’s surgery, but being in that environment of prayer is why my mom can say she’s a cancer survivor.

I know it is. Prayers from complete strangers kept my family together.

Praying with you and so many others is exactly what God calls Christians to do and I’m so thankful.

Right now I’m going to Dordt College for theology and worship arts. The Lord has created me with a passion for story, music and service. I discovered so much of it is because of Serve. Thank you so much for all of the work you do. You are changing lives just like mine and you are a blessing to so many.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

—Martha Students, churches and faith-forming experiences: that is why we do what

we do. This letter keeps me going when things get tough, but here is what I hope you take away from it: The Serve experience would’ve never had an impact on Martha had it not been for a few adults who loved Jesus, loved youth and loved serving through the church and therefore carved out time to invest in her! So I will say it again – thank you for loving and sacrificially giving to the Marthas in your church and community.

I’m praying you see your students embrace a life of faith in Jesus that gives you great joy and encouragement.

Humbled and grateful to partner with you in youth ministry,

Jeff Kruithof Executive Director

JEFF KRUITHOF

has 18 years of experience in non-profit leadership and a love for God’s work through the local church. youthunlimited.org | 3

FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED CHRISTY KNETSCH

SANDRA BORK

JOHN VAN ECK

What do you do to stay relevant to youth?

Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?

Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?

I hang out with teens and ask them to tell me what is popular now-music, shows, websites, YouTube videos, etc.

They will play music and show me apps that they think grown folks need to know but never ask about.

Anywhere that has coffee. Mmmm coffee.

Most Saturdays I would be home working in the yard or attending a grandkid’s sporting event. I am not a full time youth worker. My regular job consumes time, so my family time is important. Also, I really enjoy the Saturdays with the youth serve projects or retreats.

I never leave for youth group without my ____________________.

Sense of humor.

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

Urban Youth Workers Institute and The Christian Community Development Association podcasts have had me thinking outside the box.

Ministrytoyouth.com has given me some great game and lesson ideas.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for a youth group fundraiser?

A talent showcase for our college and justice tour where I convinced my fellow staff members to dance to a medley of John Legend, Fresh Prince of Bellaire and C&C Music Factory. If you know my staff, that’s a stretch!

Where would you like to travel someday?

Italy-I could eat carbs, tomato sauce and cheese everyday of my life. Why not do it in the place where they invented it!

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What’s your favorite place to meet with students and why?

It’s going to sound weird, and it’s not to discount coffee shops or Pizza Hut lunch buffets (‘cause those are good too), but my favourite place is in the car on the way to youth events. I’ve learned more about kids through those conversations than the rest of the year combined.

I never leave for youth group without my ____________________.

Pool noodle.

If your students described you in five words or less, what would they say?

Fully caffeinated.

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

We’ve spent a lot of time at our church talking about the Sticky Faith material lately. Good stuff!

What do you do to stay relevant to youth?

Ask questions, go out for ice cream or burgers and listen.

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

Teen Sunday School has some great lesson material that has helped with bringing some controversial and practical lessons to the students.

What do you do in your free time?

With a full time job, a part time youth position, church and grandkids—there is no free time.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for a youth group fundraiser?

Probably our Clue Mystery Murder Dinner. The students had a great time dressing up as the characters and decorating the rooms. The best part was watching the adults trying to figure out the clues and even running around.

SHELLI KOLLIS What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?

YOUTHUNLIMITED BLOG

I never leave for youth group without my ____________________.

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH US HERE AT YOUTH UNLIMITED? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE YOUTH UNLIMITED BLOG TO READ UP ON POWERFUL TESTIMONIES, GET THE LATEST YOUTH UNLIMITED UPDATES AND SHARE YOUTH MINISTRY IDEAS.

Cell Phone – Right before youth group I get all these texts about what we are doing, what time, where, when, I’m running late, etc..

Want to contribute to the blog? Contact us at blog@youthunlimited.org with your testimony, idea or story to be featured on the blog. We are always looking for featured writers.

What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/BLOG

I like to see them playing their sport or at their concert or play or wherever they are being “themselves”.

The book, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A personal and practical guide to starting right, has really inspired me for ministry.

Where would you like to travel someday?

I would like to go to Liberia to the orphanage our church sponsors there.

Pictured above, from left to right, are: Christy Knetsch, Sandra Bork, John Van Eck and Shelli Kollis.

Let us know if you’d like to be interviewed for a future issue of the Youth Unlimited Magazine at interview@youthunlimited.org

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#Serve2015

THE RE IS STILL TIME! Serve sites that still have available space this Summer:

Houston, Texas Crown Point, Indiana Rosel awn, Indiana Ripon, California Ottawa, Ontario

(Special Needs)

Brighton, Ontario Byron Center, Michigan

(Middle School)

Sioux Falls, South Dakota Winnipeg, Manitoba

(Special Needs)

Fruitl and, Ontario

(Special Needs)

Regina, Saskatchewan Prairie

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(Sergeant Bluff, Iowa)

VISIT YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE FOR MORE INFORMATION youthunlimited.org | 7

THE TESTIMONY OF IMMACULÉE ILIBAGIZA

BY GIL CLELLAND

W

orking through conflicts with other people is a major part of life. Figuring out what really bothers us, and if that truly bothers Christ, is vital to our next step in living for him the other 51.

What happens when you can’t get along with someone?

Our tendency is to “fight or flight” we either run away from the situation, ignoring a person, trying to forget about them or moving on to another group of friends, or we fight, trying to get that person back.

While God wants us to be forgiven, his love goes much deeper. He also wants for us to be a forgiver. Like he is.

Immaculée Ilibagiza survived the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Read her story below: Immaculée Ilibagiza’s life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide where she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house.

Immaculée entered the bathroom a vibrant, 115-pound university student with a loving family - she emerged weighing just 65 pounds to find most of her family had been brutally murdered.

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Immaculée credits her salvage mostly to prayer. Anger and resentment about her situation were literally eating her alive and destroying her faith, but rather than succumbing to the rage that she felt, Immaculée instead turned to prayer. She began to pray the Lord’s Prayer as a way of drowning out the negativity that was building up inside her. Immaculée found solace and peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. Through prayer, she found it possible, and in fact imperative, to forgive her tormentors and her family’s murderers.

Immaculée’s faith empowered her to stare down a man armed with a machete threatening to kill her during her escape.

She also later came face to face with the killer of her mother and her brother and said the unthinkable, “I forgive you.”

Immaculée knew, while in hiding, that she would have to overcome immeasurable odds without her family and with her country destroyed. Fortunately, Immaculée utilized her time in that tiny bathroom to teach herself English with only The Bible and a dictionary; once freed she was able to secure a job with the United Nations.

In 1998, Immaculée immigrated to the United States where she shared her story with co-workers and friends, who were so impacted they insisted she write it down

in book form. It is said about Immaculee, “There is something much more than charisma at work here - Immaculée not only writes and speaks about unconditional love and forgiveness, but she radiates it wherever she goes.”

Her first book, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (Hay House) was released in March of 2006. Left to Tell quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.

How is personal freedom connected to forgiveness? Read Matthew 25:31-46 and hear how seriously Jesus takes the love for the other.

At this point, we could pray for God’s love to include all other people on this planet—that he’d love each one as his child. They may not know this yet, but he indeed loves them. We can admit that we don’t always love as he loves, but we can ask him to reveal to us afresh how much he loves us in order that we may love with that same love! Some people bother us. Pray for patience. Some people wound us. Pray for forgiveness to give.

Some people upset us. Pray for mercy.

We are not always the people we need to be either. Pray to receive forgiveness.

Live the other 51 weeks of your year both forgiven and a forgiver.

YO U T H U N L I M I T E D STA F F P I C KS : Mandi: (Book) Created to be His Help Meet: As a newlywed, I was both eager and hesitant at the same time to tap into Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. The book focuses on biblical truths about marriage, a woman’s role in marriage and how to best serve your husband as his wife. Pearl urges her readers to truly believe that it is possible today to have a marriage so good and so fulfilling that “it can only be explained as a miracle”. I want to continue believing and experiencing that type of marriage for the many years to come. While I don’t agree with everything the book says, it has facilitated some great discussions between other young, married women and myself and it has encouraged me to really think about the impact my daily routines, conversations, reactions and emotions can have on my marriage.

Jerry: (Website) growingleaders. com: I love to read anything that has to do with raising up leaders, and the website growingleaders.com offers many insightful thoughts on doing just that. For example, they share that young leaders are not raised up in crowds or developed in meetings, but through life-on-life mentoring relationships, and more than that, this generation is EPIC. They want more than a lecture and require: 1. Experiential learning that provokes and incentivizes, 2. Participation in the outcomes as they learn, 3. Imagery so they can remember the concepts and explore expressing it themselves and

4. Connectivity both socially and through technology. I signed up for emails and downloaded a couple free ebooks from growingleaders.com that I could adapt as a parent resource or develop as student leader training material and they were worth the read.

Alesha: (Online course) Creating Your Life Plan with Donald Miller: How often do we make decisions and walk through life without a clear vision or focus on where we are going or who we are becoming?

I’ve had a desire to refocus lately and this plan by Donald Miller has been incredibly helpful. This plan has helped me clarify what roles I play, what my goals and ambitions are, it’s helped me determine the relationships that I should be pouring into more and it’s helped me to see a redemptive perspective towards challenges I may face. I want to live each day with purpose so that my story is a meaningful one.

Jim: (Book) Compassion Without Compromise: There are increasingly fewer places to hide one’s thoughts and opinions on homosexuality and Compassion Without Compromise by Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau is an easy read on the hearty topic. The book aims to enlighten Christians on how to hold fast to a gospel that definitely states homosexuality is a sin, yet to have unwavering love and compassion toward those immersed in it regardless.

The authors clearly state that inviting someone into your life and building a

friendship with them does not hang on the condition of them having the same convictions but instead leads to avenues of sincerely sharing your convictions on the matter. The Church doesn’t need more protestors, but it does need to know where we stand on sin and to see that we can love and stand firm. Loving our neighbor does not mean accepting everything they do or struggle with, but it does mean loving them as an image bearer of the God who created them anyway. Sounds a bit like what Jesus did.

Jeff: (Book) Better Together: In the spring of 2014 I was in California with leaders of national youth ministry organizations. It was there that I met Paul Fleischmann, the founder of the National Network of Youth Ministry (NNYM). I’ve appreciated reading his new book, Better Together. It does a great job of showing what can happen when we lay aside our logos and egos and unite for a cause that really matters. Reflecting on 30 years of ministry, Paul shares the story of the NNYM and 12 timeless principles of networking. Whether it’s youth ministry organizations, denominations or local churches, there is much that can be accomplished when we work together. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” There are too many young people that still don’t understand the joy found in knowing and living for Jesus. Lets do something about that, together!

Pictured above from left to right is: Jim, Alesha, Jerry, Mandi and Jeff. If you have a book, blog, website, music or anything that you would like us to check out, let us know at reviews@youthunlimited.org.

youthunlimited.org | 9

CAN IN HAND

BY KURTIS RITSEMA

I

want to believe there is something rooted deep within our being that can drive upward and outward the passions and actions to willingly help those around us. For some of us, it comes seemingly easy, and for others, it takes a personal experience to loosen those chains holding us back. This stirring inside me began about a year ago as a series of events were already taking place.

First, our high school youth group was in the midst of a study of the book of Acts, with a focus on how the first church responded to each other and those around them, which challenged our youth group to begin to think of ways to help assist those around us.

Second, we were preparing for our 2014 summer mission trips with Youth Unlimited and we were challenged to look at Isaiah 58 on “True Fasting” and read a book entitled Fast Living

by Dr. Scott C. Todd. The chapter from Scripture and this book would be of great assistance in preparing us for our Serve mission trip to Washington, D.C. in July, and for how we can view and assist those around us with real needs.

Third, our church connected with Bravo Christian Reformed Church so that we could assist the Sonshine Thrift Store and Food Pantry, where it became very apparent that clothes, household items and food were all needed and could be of greater assistance.

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So what could our youth groups, my church and I do to assist with this need?

While this question and others were being discussed, two things were also happening. First, following our summer Serve trip with Youth Unlimited, we were challenged to start something 45-90 days later that could help serve others around us. Second, my church had begun a series that was teaching us that throughout God’s story, he is continually showing his love and grace for his people by providing for their needs and he’s challenging the people to do the same for others.

One such story (from Genesis 41) was how Joseph took the vision from God to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams to store up food during the seven good years of harvest to provide for the people of his nation and other nations during the seven lean years. This story of Joseph was part of the process to reveal to us a way to both love God and love others and the “Can In Hand” ministry then developed out of this revelation.

Leading up to this new ministry, our church, like many others, would do a few food drives throughout the year to help support our local food distribution agencies as well as ministries that served those with needs. We realized that Graafschap was a church with a congregation that could be described as living in the “seven good years” and our food drives were serving those living in the “seven lean years”.

The challenge was then created to try to build up a storehouse of food, so that when local food distribution agencies could benefit from food assistance, we could just open the doors. How exactly do we get to the point of building up the storehouses? “Can in Hand” became this answer and is a challenge for every member of our congregation to come to church with your Bible in one hand (Love God) and a can of food in the other (Love Others).

Our goal was set high but our expectations were set low. While we have ebbed and flowed with the giving and participation from week to week, our congregation is hopefully grasping the concept that Loving God and Loving Others is about abiding in Christ and inviting others to join us too. Sometimes this starts by changing the way it means to live generously, which could include ”feeding the need with a can in hand”.

“Come to church

with your Bible in one hand (Love God) and a can of food in the other (Love Others).”

Kurtis Ritsema is a part-time youth pastor at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church and works full-time at Holland Furniture, both located in Holland, MI.

a Christian University in Hamilton, ontario Redeemer’s academic program has allowed me to explore both Music and Biology – the passions that God has gifted me.

Paul Naphtali Mississauga, ON

This fall, Paul will begin graduate studies in Pharmacology at the University of Toronto

Read moRe at

MyRedeemer.ca/Business youthunlimited.org | 11

#liveit2015

12 |SPRING 2015

youthunlimited.org | 13

2015 worship & more

The Andy Needham Band is a new modern rock worship group from the Boston area. The group’s national debut, Lifted High, produced by GRAMMY Award winner Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman, Brandon Heath), is a combination of original proven favorites and fresh offerings. Needham and bandmates Joel Rousseau, Jonathan Mason and Andrew Picha deliver a smart and accessible modern worship collection.

John Eigege served as an intern at New Life Church in Houston, TX in 2011 while attending Calvin Seminary. He and his wife Chichi are now planting a church called Square Inch in the Midtown neighborhood of Houston. They are excited about how God will use them to live justice, love mercy, and walk rightly with Him.

Aaron Bart helps provide spiritual direction and leadership at Dordt College through overseeing Campus Ministries, teaching in the Theology Department and serving in the Andreas Center. He is passionate about creating stimulating environments for spiritual growth. He is a husband and father to four vibrant kids. He and his wife founded a non-profit in 2007 named, One Body One Hope.

The Skit Guys, Tommy Woodard and Eddie James, have been best friends since high school. Think of them as the wise guys in class who had everyone laughing and managed to make a career out of it. They’ve been teaching God’s word using comedy, drama and whatever category talking action figures fit into for over twenty years.

14 |SPRING 2015

Track options

Choose your experience for the week.

The Arts track emphasizes God’s love for creation and the arts which can be seen in those who have a passion for design, drawing, music, photography, acting, video and more.

Participants will learn the value of becoming co-creators alongside the Creator of the universe while exploring, expressing and living out their passion. They will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of artists in order to learn how to use their God-given talents for the glory of Christ.

The Leadership track challenges participants to grow as leaders through group discussions, activities, prayer and practicing spiritual disciplines. Most importantly, participants will learn the joy in sharing their story of faith with others and how the relationships they have with others and God can be connected and grown. They will be equipped to have a greater impact on their peers and spread God’s love to their friends, community and world.

The Service track makes Live It a “mission trip meets youth convention” type of experience where participants are introduced to the concepts of justice and missional living.

Participants will give of themselves to support and serve alongside their peers and leaders on various projects and restorative work for those in need. Projects may include tutoring, cleanup, building and helping out in urban and suburban communities.

The Athletics track allows participants to focus on how to use their athletic skill to reflect Christ’s love to all those they encounter through athletics. Through a variety of sports and activities, participants will explore ways to contribute to their teams while playing the roles of coaches, captains and players.

Most importantly, participants will discover the joy of serving God and others as athletes and as members of a team. youthunlimited.org | 15

Live It FAq Live It is a five-day event that engages with high school age students at their point of interests and passions. By pairing students with like-minded peers and adults, they will see how God created them with a purpose so much greater than self-gratification.

Students will learn how to use their interests to reflect Christ’s love and be challenged to return home and do the same.

By offering four different tracks: athletics, arts, leadership and service, students will recognize how each person comes to the table with their own personality, interests and God-given talents. They’ll discover it’s their uniqueness that helps create the body of Christ and makes us ready to spread his love in our world.

HOW DO I REGISTER? Register online at: youthunlimited.org/live-it/registration

DO I HAVE TO PAY IN FULL WHEN I REGISTER? You can register online and pay later.

Final payment will be due by June 1.

WHEN DO I CHOOSE WHAT TRACK I WILL BE A PART OF? You will choose your track when you register. Tracks are filled on a first come, first served basis. You may switch to a different track if space is available until June 15.

WILL MY GROUP BE HOUSED TOGETHER OR NOT? Yes, your group will be housed together by gender. You can also make a request for a roommate when you register.

16 |SPRING 2015

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MORE INFO ABOUT THE EVENT?

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Along with information on the website, you will receive more specific information about a month prior regarding transportation and event details. You will also receive information from the Coordinator of the track that you will be a part of.

7:00 AM – Breakfast

WHEN DOES THE LIVE IT EVENT BEGIN AND END?

10:00 PM – Night Options

Check-in will begin at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21. Live It will end with lunch on Saturday, July 25. All participants must depart the Trinity Christian College campus by 2:00 PM.

HOW MUCH DOES LIVE IT COST? Live It costs $425 USD if your registration is completed by March 31. Everything is included except transportation. After March 31, the price increases by $50 USD.

8:15 AM – Morning Session 9:00 AM – Track Time 5:00 PM – Dinner 7:30 PM – Evening Session 9:15 PM – Youth Group Time

11:30 PM – Lights Out

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE/RESOURCE-BOX/ AND YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/LIVEIT/RESOURCE-BOX/

Youth Unlimited offers Digital Resource Boxes for your Serve and Live It experiences. Our hope is that it will be like having a friend come alongside you to offer assistance as you prepare for your faith-forming experience. There are four, easy-to-use categories with downloads that will make planning your summer experience even better: Promotions, Registration, Leader Helps and Pre- and Post-Trip Resources. youthunlimited.org | 17

18 |SPRING 2015

2016 YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE

SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS 30+ SITES ACROSS CANADA AND USA si t e s announc e d o n l i n e Septem b er 1st

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Serve is ...

Serve is a five to seven-day mission trip that sends middle or high school age students out to care for and restore their world in an environment where they’ll encounter the concepts of justice and missional living. More than just a short trip, Serve is a faith-forming experience where the communities, congregations and students involved all experience lasting transformation.

Students on Serve participate in revitalizing communities, showing compassion for the marginalized, caring for creation, providing recreation for children, performing acts of kindness and sharing the gospel. Serve is all about joining with God and a local congregation in the renewal of all things.

CUSTOM OPTIONS For larger groups, those looking to build their own group dynamic, those planning a multigenerational trip or any others in a unique situation, customizing Serve gives youth leaders the chance to set their own dates, modify the schedule, lead their own worship sessions, etc. while Youth Unlimited supplies the key values found in all of our faith-forming experiences.

Talk about God sightings in ministry and life! Customizing a Serve experience was an answer to prayer. Our situation this year was very frustrating until we connected with the Youth Unlimited office.

We were having trouble finding a summer mission opportunity because so many students are committed to sports. There was only one week at the end of July that would work.

Youth Unlimited not only had a Host Church that could work with our limited schedule but also knew another youth group in our area already interested.

The bottom line is this custom Serve experience will fit our group. No, actually, it was made to fit for our group.

– Dane Buren, Sheldon, Iowa

A TYPICAL DAY 7:00AM – Breakfast/Prepare lunches | 8:00AM – Devotions | 8:45AM – Leave for worksites | 4:00PM – Showers/Free time | 6:00PM – Dinner | 7:30PM – Evening session | 9:00 PM – Small group discussion | 10:00PM – Snack/Free time | 11:00PM – Lights out

20 |SPRING 2015

Serve testimonies ...

Thank you so very much for your service to our home! There is absolutely nothing that is incomplete. We are all so grateful for the beautification that you all have completed. It truly looks like a new home. All of the volunteers have a special place in our hearts -- from their service rendered to the stories shared. I personally have never been a part of something like this but my gratitude is indescribable. God bless!

– Worksite Recipient – Serve... What an amazing time away from routine where God was present in every minute of everyday, all week long. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who made meals and kept us energized to be the hands of God for the people in the community. I’m so deeply grateful to have met all the youth, leaders, and host team... It would be an amazing blessing to see you all again next summer.

– Nathan, Student – We feel so blessed to have had such a great group this year! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen. Thank you to each leader and student who gave up a week of his or her summer to serve in London. Our prayer is that you will take what you learned this week and live it out back home. Let’s change the world together! Our God is a great God! – Host church – All throughout the week, I saw God work in every aspect of the day. I saw him in the kids that I taught, in conversations I had and especially in the way that I interacted with the people around me.

– Ana, Student – This year’s youth group trip to towns in Northwest Iowa was a humbling experience for me. To see the grateful faces of the many people we helped was eye-opening. It just goes to show that every small helpful action can have an impact on someone’s life. This trip helped me realize that there are not only problems in places thousands of miles away, but that there are empty, longing hearts wanting to be filled right here in the community.

– Abbey, Student –

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