Youth Unlimited Magazine | Winter, 2016

WINTER 2016 ISSUE

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG

THE 2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED

IMPACT REPORT Christ’s transforming work in our students, churches and communities

YOUTHUNLIMITED STUDENTS | CHURCHES | FAITH-FORMING EXPERIENCES A L S O I N S I D E : N E E DY T E E N S | N O W I K N O W | F I N D T H E M I S S I N G L I N K AT L I V E I T TV AND KINGDOM WORK | MAKE CHANGE, BE CHANGED: SERVE 2016

LET’S CONNECT 616.241.5616 YU@YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG

facebook.com/YouthUnlimited twitter.com/yuorg pinterest.com/youthunlimited youtube.com/videoYU vimeo.com/youthunlimited instagram.com/yu_youthunlimited

2 | Winter 2015

Contents Resources ........................................................................... pg. 2 OPENING NOTE: letter from the executive director........... pg. 3 It’s time to fill up the Scholarship Fund ............ pg. 4 FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED ............................................. pg. 5

YOUTH UNLIMITED | Winter 2016 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!

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.

needy teens . . ....................................................................... pg. 6

Design & Publication | SDPcreative

STAFF PICKS.. ......................................................................... pg. 8

Contributing Writers | Barry Ruiter, Tim Ryan, Tony Butler and the Youth Unlimited Staff

2015 Impact Report ......................................................... pg. 9 TV and Kingdom Work.. .................................................. pg. 13 Now I Know . . ....................................................................... pg. 14

Editor | Mandi Grasmeyer USA | Postmaster, please send undeliverable copies and address changes to:

Finding the Missing Link at Live It ......................... pg. 15

Youth Unlimited 1333 Alger Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Make change, Be Changed: SERVE 2016 . . ............... pg. 17

Canada | Canada Post International Sales Agreement #41124116.

Please send undeliverable copies and address changes to: Youth Unlimited PO Box 1100 Norwich, ON N0J 1P0

Needy Teens: Equip your teens with faith that lasts beyond high school.

–Page 6

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

Program Coordinator:

That’s Gonna Leave a Mark: An Introduction to the 2016 Serve Theme –Page 18

Alesha Schut 616.241.5616 ext. 3038 alesha@youthunlimited.org

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

Live It Director & Donor/Church Relations Advocate: Amanda Roozeboom 616.241.5616 ext. 3039 amanda@youthunlimited.org

youthunlimited.org | 1

RE SOURCE S DIGITAL RESOURCE BOX Youth Unlimited’s Digital Resource Box helps you prepare for your faith-forming experience. Four, easy-to-use categories with downloads will make planning your Serve trip even better: Promotions, Registration, Leader Helps & Pre/Post-Trip Resources.

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE/ RESOURCE-BOX/

BLOG Are you keeping up with 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.

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/BLOG Want to contribute to the Youth Unlimited 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.

E-NEWSLETTER To follow us and see what your donation is doing at Youth Unlimited, be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter on our website homepage.

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG 2 |SPRING 2015

opening note:

The Battle is His

I

will never forget my first year of full-time youth ministry. It started in 1996, 20 years ago, with Youth For Christ! There were many first time experiences like leading a student through the plan of salvation and a summer youth group trip to Colorado with two students released to me from the local juvenile detention center. I look back on these years and have so many great memories and emotions, and 2015 was no exception.

This past summer, while visiting many of Youth Unlimited’s summer experiences, I found myself at a first time Serve site in Brighton, ON and experienced sites like Grand Rapids, MI and Port Perry, ON. I also found myself at the Special Needs site in Ottawa, ON and in Chicago, IL at the Live It convention. As I traveled, I experienced students worshipping, praying, serving, playing and reading scripture. I had a front row seat to the power of the Holy Spirit transforming student’s lives…what a blessing! But I must be honest; he was also working and transforming me.

If you have been in ministry in a paid or volunteer capacity, you, like me, can testify to the “highs” and “lows” of our calling. There are those mountaintop moments when we see that one special student make a decision that will forever positively change their life or when we get a turnout of students we never could have dreamed! However, there are also the results that are just the opposite, which can drive us into the valleys. I have certainly had many of both over the past 20 years! Through each of them, God continues to teach me life and ministry lessons. This past summer he reminded me that he is the one that changes student’s lives, not me or even Youth Unlimited experiences. The battle is his and, therefore, I need to give it back to him by putting the students and this ministry at the feet of my Lord through prayer!

As we step into 2016, let’s be sure to make Christ the center of our life and ministry. May it start with each of us personally and intentionally spending time at his feet in prayer and reading his Word. May it overflow from there into every aspect of our ministry.

God is good and worthy of praise! As you see his blessings, be sure to thank him. I would love it if you would also share it with the Youth Unlimited staff and I. You can do that by emailing me at jeff@youthunlimited.org.

Partners in ministering to students,

Jeff Kruithof Executive Director Youth Unlimited

JEFF KRUITHOF has 18 years of experience in non-profit leadership and a love for God’s work through the local church.

As we step into 2016, let’s be sure to make Christ the center of our life and ministry.

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it’s time to…

the

fill uP scholarship

fund!

While we celebrate having been able to give away $50,000 in scholarships over the past four years to help students experience the love of Jesus through one of our events, we need your help to continue our work.

We know 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 Youth Unlimited experiences like Serve and Live It are often where students discover God’s love for them for the first time.

Can you help us refill our scholarship fund and ensure that money never becomes the hurdle keeping a student from attending a Youth Unlimited experience?

Please take this opportunity today to give a gift that will help to further the efforts or our ministry partnership.

Jeff Kruithof, Executive Director

4 | Winter 2015

Donate online at youthunlimited.org/donations or by sending a check to the address below: IN THE US: Youth Unlimited 1333 Alger St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 IN CANADA: Youth Unlimited PO Box 1100 Norwich, ON N0J 1 P0

FACES OF YOUTH UNLIMITED AARON AU

Aaron

ANNIKA BANGMA

Natasha

Annika

NATASHA VEDER

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

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

Q. What do you do to stay relevant to youth?

A. One of the incredible Farmer’s Markets that we have in Edmonton. I love the local produce and goods!

A. On my family’s farm, having coffee with my husband, parents, and grandfather – and planning out weekend projects; which could include anything from fixing fences, to mucking out a chicken coop, to refinishing antique furniture.

A. I talk to my own youth! It’s more important to me to know what my own students are into than the general teen population, so I find out what movies they’re watching, what music they listen to and attend some of their sports games and school performances.

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

A. I often meet students (or anyone for that matter) at our local, neighbourhood coffee shop, the Carrot Arts Coffeehouse.

Our neighbourhood plays such an integral role in the lives of my wife and me and our church plant and the Carrot is one of the hubs of our neighbourhood.

In a community that is struggling to overcome poverty and crime, it’s fun to bring people into a warm, safe, inviting place and show them what our neighbourhood is really about!

Q. What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

A. I’ve been loving the many resources that Tim Keller has on the Gospel in Life website and their new YouTube channel.

I’m learning how, as a church planter, the message I preach and the ministry I live has to be grounded in the truth and expressed in love and grace in a way that makes sense for the culture we’re in and connects with people’s hearts.

Q. What do you do in your free time?

A. I love my sports! I play goalie in ice hockey and also enjoy cheering for the Blue Jays.

Q. What do you do to stay relevant to youth?

A. I have come to the conclusion that, for the most part, I don’t have to do much to “stay relevant.” I simply need to form caring relationships with students and they will KEEP me relevant (and they are also quick to let me know when I’m missing the mark)! In practice, this means taking a caring but “unknowing” stance and letting them see that I am actively looking to learn about their world—asking them things that aren’t immediately obvious to me about their choices, likes/dislikes, etc.; and showing up at the events they are involved in (concerts, games, etc.).

Q. What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

A. The list of Youth Unlimited Serve Outcomes. 2016 will be the first summer that our church is hosting Serve in many years, and we are utilizing the Outcomes to set the tone for our entire ministry year.

Q. Where would you like to travel someday?

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

A. The first place you’d want to look would be my couch or kitchen at home. If I’m not there, check my local independent coffee shop, a nearby thrift store or I might be hiking one of BC’s beautiful mountains!

Q. What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?

A. Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden.

Q. What is one website that you visit every day?

A. Facebook—I get world news updates, updates on my students lives, learn about youth ministry resources from my colleagues in other churches and can keep in touch one-on-one or in small groups with my students.

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

A. My husband and I have a goal of visiting every United States National Park in our lifetime. Sixteen down, fortythree to go! youthunlimited.org | 5

here is a lot of discussion regarding the “Needs of Adolescence.” Most scholars agree that teens need: love, security, community, purpose, creative expression, achievement, structure/clear limits, self-definition and confidence/self-worth. Chap Clark summarizes it this way, “Teens need Identity, (Who am I?), Autonomy (Do my choices matter?) and Belonging (Where do I fit?).” I would add teens need a faith that lasts beyond high school! In Kenda Creasy Dean’s book, Almost Christian, her research found that teens with “consequential faith,” faith that lasted beyond high school, had four characteristics: a God-Story, Community, Calling (purpose) and Hope.

T

Teens need a God-Story. Dean describes teens that have a “God Story” as “Christian teenagers who referred to their faith frequently, interpreted their lives in religious terms, or grasped their faith traditions’ primary teachings also had a ready religious vocabulary at their disposal.” There is power in testimony. Kids will speak as we speak! Youth workers need to make sure that we are equipping our teens for life-long faith by passing down a clear and vibrant faith vocabulary.

Teens need a Community. Teens will find community in parties, in school activities, in sports, in online gaming communities, etc. As youth workers, we need to make sure our teens are also finding community in our sanctuaries during Sunday worship, in our main youth group sessions, on service/mission trips and in youth convention experiences.

Needy Teens

BY AMANDA ROOZEBOOM

Equip your teens with faith that lasts beyond high school 6 | Winter 2015

Teens need a Calling (purpose). They need a place where they can contribute, a place where their voice matters.

Youth workers therefore need to be advocates for our teens.

We need to give them opportunities to lead prayers on Sundays, help make a committee decision or choose the color of the youth room walls! I love the part in C S Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when young Lucy asks the Beaver if the godlike figure Aslan is safe, “‘Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver … ‘Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he is good. He is the King, I tell you.’” Let’s strive to give teens a calling worthy of the King!

Finally, teens need Hope. Young people look to adults for meaning and hope. They need us to model a theology marked by patience, determination and humility as we face challenging research that causes us to question who we thought we were. This world needs adults who model hope as Kierkegaard described hope—“leaping in expectation.” Do we joyfully “leap to faith” not because we are faithful, or our ministries are faithful—but because our God is faithful?

Our teens have many needs. It is our job, as adults, to actively engage in fulfilling their need for a life-long faith. Join me in striving to give our teens God-Stories, Community, Calling and Hope.

YO U T H U N L I M I T E D STA F F P I C KS Vacation This fall my husband and I took a vacation to Ireland. We decided to make this trip for our one-year anniversary instead of for our honeymoon. It was a wonderful trip and a much needed break from the day to day pulse of life. I found that I needed a pause button and this trip proved to be that. Since coming back I’ve been able to reset my focus and direction. Ireland was breathtaking. It refreshed my soul to be around nature and in a new culture. I think wherever we are in life we all need that pause button, the ability to rest and slow down. This trip was a reminder for me to make the space in my weeks to slow down, rest and reflect on the goodness of God. It’s when I’m in line with him that I’m better equipped to serve and love. What’s your pause button? You may not be able to take a week-long trip—perhaps it’s only a few days or a few hours. Find what it is that gives you space to rest, you won’t regret it. –Alesha

ReThink Missions Toolkit Resources by Poverty Cure • povertycure.org

When I lead a team on an international mission trip I often tell them, “You absolutely will lose your heart on this trip.

Just don’t lose your head.” As a leader, I must train them to respond, not just compassionately but, strategically to the opportunities and needs they see. We often sing, “Break my heart with what breaks yours,” but that’s not enough. Brian Fikkert, author of When Helping Hurts said, “We need to cultivate not only a heart for the poor but a mind for the poor.” The ReThink Missions Toolkit is full of great principles and sound bites. Over 200 nationals, church and government leaders, in developing countries were interviewed. Even if you don’t take a small group through the material, watch it yourself and then share it with those you lead.

They will grow in Christlikeness and strategic thinking about poverty alleviation. –Jerry

Mandi Alesha

Jerry

Jeff

From Embers to a Flame …

How God Can Revitalize Your Church Book by Harry Reeder with David Swavely

As a pastor, Harry Reeder has led two congregations through a revitalization process and through this book he helps you recognize your weaknesses and opportunities and guides you in applying biblically based strategies for rekindling the flames of Godly growth. Speaking specifically about America, Reeder says 95% of all churches average one hundred people or fewer in worship. Over 80% of established churches are either on a plateau or in decline and every year 3,500 to 4,000 churches die in this country. In this book, you will learn important revitalization principles for your ministry, like: learning from the past, repenting for past mistakes, the primary focus—Christ, the importance of intercessory prayer and preaching the Word, staying on mission and vision and the need for servant leaders who are focused on multiplying themselves. Unless you are serving in a new church plant or ministry, every church and ministry can use renewal and revitalization! –Jeff

Sound of a Living Heart Album by JJ Heller

My mom introduced me to JJ Heller’s music, which seems very appropriate because JJ Heller is a mom herself, and a lot of her music has to do with being a mom, a wife and, most prominently, a Christian. She sings about life—the ups, the downs and even the in-betweens— which I love. I’m always inspired by people who are making it big but keeping it real. I’ll admit, I’m often skeptical of artists who write Christian music, but JJ’s authenticity makes it difficult to not fall in love with her lyrics, and her unique, folksy style makes it difficult to not fall in love with the musical quality of her work as well. From her latest album, Sound of a Living Heart, released in the summer of 2015, “Meant to Be” has become a favorite song of mine. The song puts a smile on my face and so much happiness in my heart. It makes me grateful for my husband and for the little moments we share, from taking our dog for a walk through the woods to doing the laundry, that make us who we are. –Mandi 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.

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THE 2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED

IMPACT REPORT Christ’s transforming work in our students, churches and communities

8 | Winter 2015

STUDENTS

LEADERS

183 58 STUDENTS

LEADERS

48,594

1,352 310

TOTAL SERVICE HOURS GIVEN youthunlimited.org | 9

SENDING CHURCHES for Serve and Live It

180

Bethel Community Church, Edmonton, AB Covenant CRC, Calgary, AB Emmanuel CRC, Calgary, AB Faith Fellowship CRC, Fairview, AB Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary, AB Inglewood CRC, Edmonton, AB Sonrise CRC, Ponoka, AB St Albert CRC, St Albert, AB Wolf Creek Community, Lacombe, AB Woodynook CRC, Blackfalds, AB Palm Lane CRC, Scottsdale, AZ Fleetwood CRC, Surrey, BC Anaheim CRC, Anaheim, CA New Life Presbyterian Church, Escondido, CA Cragmor CRC, Colorado Springs, CO Pinecrest Community Church, Parker, CO Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, IA Calvin CRC, Rock Valley, IA Crossroads Fellowship, West Des Moines, IA First CRC - Rock Valley, Rock Valley, IA First CRC - Sheldon, Sheldon, IA First CRC - Sioux Center, Sioux Center, IA Friendship Community Church, Seargent-Bluff, IA Hope CRC, Hull, IA Immanuel CRC, Sheldon, IA Ireton CRC, Ireton, IA Peace CRC, Cedar Rapids, IA Peace Lutheran Church, Marcus, IA Trinity CRC, Rock Valley, IA Faith CRC, Elmhurst, IL First CRC - Fulton, Fulton, IL Palos Heights CRC, Palos Heights, IL Community CRC, DeMotte, IN First CRC - Crown Point, Crown Point, IN First CRC - DeMotte, DeMotte, IN Dispatch CRC, Cawker City, KS Pleasant Street CRC, Whitinsville, MA Arnaud Mennonite Church, Arnaud, MB Covenant CRC, Winnipeg, MB Douglas Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, MB Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, Winnipeg, MB North Kildonan Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, MB Transcona CRC, Winnipeg, MB Silver Spring CRC, Wheaton, MD Ada CRC, Ada, MI Beckwith Hills CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Borculo CRC, Zeeland, MI Cadillac CRC, Cadillac, MI Calvin CRC, Holland, MI Calvin CRC, Muskegon, MI Calvin CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Covenant Hope Church, Battle Creek, MI

Discovery Church, Grand Rapids, MI Fairway CRC, Jenison, MI Ferry Memorial, Montague, MI First CRC - Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, MI First CRC of Cutlerville, Byron Center, MI Graafschap CRC, Holland, MI Ignite Fellowship Church, Grand Rapids, MI Jamestown CRC, Hudsonville, MI LaGrave CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Lee Street CRC, Wyoming, MI New Era CRC, New Era, MI North Blendon CRC, Hudsonville, MI Oakland CRC, Hamilton, MI Park CRC, Holland, MI Pine Grove CRC, Howard City, MI Prairie Edge CRC, Portage, MI Providence CRC, Holland, MI Resurrection Reformed Church, Flint, MI Riverside CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Rudyard CRC, Rudyard, MI St Joseph CRC, St. Joseph, MI Trinity CRC, Grandville, MI Vogel Center CRC, McBain, MI Woodlawn CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Bunde CRC, Clara City, MN Calvary CRC, Edina, MN Cornerstone Evangelical Free, Pipestone, MN Faith Community Church, Pipestone, MN Faith CRC, New Brighton, MN First CRC - Prinsburg, Prinsburg, MN Hancock CRC, Hancock, MN Luverne CRC, Luverne, MN Pease CRC, Pease, MN Pipestone CRC, Pipestone, MN Raymond CRC, Raymond, MN Worthington CRC, Worthington, MN Trinity CRC, Maryland Heights, MO Prairie Lane CRC, Omaha, NE Sussex CRC, Sussex, NJ Chelwood CRC, Albuquerque, NM Grace Valley CRC, Las Vegas, NV Athens CRC, Athens, ON Aylmer CRC, Aylmer, ON Bethany CRC, Fenwick, ON Bethel CRC, Listowel, ON Bethel CRC, Newmarket, ON Bethel CRC, Dunnville, ON Blyth CRC, Blyth, ON Burlington CRC, Burlington, ON Calvary CRC, Ottawa, ON Calvin CRC, Ottawa, ON Central Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, ON ClearView CRC, Oakville, ON Community CRC, Richmond Hill, ON Community CRC, Brinston, ON Community CRC, Kitchener, ON Covenant CRC, St. Catharines, ON Covenant CRC, Barrie, ON Covenant CRC, Woodstock, ON CrossPoint CRC, Brampton, ON Drayton CRC, Drayton, ON East Gate Alliance Church, Ottawa, ON Ebenezer CRC, Trenton, ON Exeter CRC, Exeter, ON Faith CRC, Burlington, ON Fellowship CRC, St. Thomas, ON

First CRC - Barrie, Barrie, ON First CRC - Orillia, Orillia, ON First CRC - Owen Sound, Owen Sound, ON First CRC - Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay, ON Fruitland CRC, Stoney Creek, ON Good News CRC, London, ON Hillside Church, London, ON Hope CRC, Port Perry, ON Hope Fellowship CRC, Courtice, ON Immanuel CRC, Hamilton, ON Immanuel CRC, Simcoe, ON Ingersoll CRC, Ingersoll, ON Jubilee Fellowship CRC, St Catharines, ON Knox Presbyterian, Teeswater, ON Life Centre, Kanata, ON Life Church, Stratford, ON Living Hope CRC, Peterborough, ON Maranatha CRC, Woodstock, ON Meadowlands Fellowship CRC, Ancaster, ON Mindemoya Missionary Church, Mindemoya, ON Mountainview CRC, Grimsby, ON New Life CRC, Guelph, ON Oxford Baptist, Woodstock, ON Palmerston CRC, Palmerston, ON Redeemer CRC, Sarnia, ON Rehoboth CRC, Bowmanville, ON Riverside CRC, Wellandport, ON Smithville CRC, Smithville, ON Southgate Church, Kemptville, ON Springs Church, Winnipeg, ON St. Mary of the Visitation, Cambridge, ON Stratford CRC, Stratford, ON Talbot St. CRC, London, ON Trinity CRC, Goderich, ON Waterloo CRC, Waterloo, ON Whyte Ridge Baptist, Ottawa, ON Williamsburg CRC, Willliamsburg, ON Woodvale Pentecostal Church, Ottawa, ON West Shore Evangelical Free, Mechanicsburg, PA Eglise Chretienne du Plateau, Gatineau, QB First CRC - Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD First Reformed Church, Harrison, SD Peace CRC, Menno, SD Platte CRC, Platte, SD Shalom CRC, Sioux Falls, SD Volga CRC, Volga, SD New Life CRC, Spring, TX Peace Community CRC, Houston, TX Spring Antioch Baptist Church, Spring, TX Stephenville CRC, Stephenvillle, TX Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, Spring, TX Grace CRC, Burke, VA Second CRC, Lynden, WA Baldwin CRC, Baldwin, WI Bethel CRC, Waupun, WI Brookfield CRC, Brookfield, WI Calvin CRC, Sheboygan, WI Christ Community Church, Sheboygan, WI Delavan CRC, Delavan, WI First CRC - Waupun, Waupun, WI

2 0 1 5 Y O U T H U N L I M I T E D I M PA C T R E P O R T

10 | Winter 2015

HOST CHURCHES for Serve

30

Serve the Avenue, First CRC - Edmonton, Lethbridge, AB Ripon Serve, Almond Valley CRC, Ripon, CA Alamosa Serve, Alamosa CRC, Alamosa, CO Prairie Serve, Friendship Community Church, Sioux Center, IA Roselawn Serve, Community CRC, DeMotte, IN Winnipeg (Special Needs) Serve, Covenant CRC, Winnipeg, MB Byron Center Serve, Friendship CRC, Caledonia, MI Grand Rapids (Brookside) Serve, Brookside CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids (LaGrave) Serve, LaGrave CRC, Grand Rapids, MI Muskegon Serve, Calvin CRC, Muskegon, MI Minnesota West Serve, Bunde CRC, Clara City, MN Gallatin Valley Serve, Manhattan CRC, Manhattan, MT Brighton Serve, Fellowship CRC, Brighton, ON Burlington Serve, New Street CRC, Burlington, ON Fruitland (Special Needs) Serve, Fruitland CRC, Stoney Creek, ON

Scholarship money used

14,030

$

Hamilton Serve, Ancaster CRC, Ancaster, ON Huron Serve, Vanastra Community, Brucefield, ON London Serve, Talbot St. CRC, London, ON Ottawa (Special Needs) Serve, Calvin CRC, Ottawa, ON Peterborough Serve, Living Hope CRC, Peterborough, ON Port Perry Serve, Hope CRC, Port Perry, ON Thunder Bay Serve, First CRC - Thunder Bay, Rosslyn, ON Woodstock Serve, Maranatha CRC, Woodstock, ON Platte Serve, Platte CRC, Platte, SD Sioux Falls Serve, First CRC - Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD Saskatchewan Serve, Sonlight CRC, Regina, SK Austin Serve (Spring Break), Sunrise Community, Austin, TX Austin Serve (Summer), Sunrise Community, Austin, TX Houston Serve, New Life CRC, Spring, TX Washington D.C. (Fairfax) Serve, Fairfax Baptist Church, Fairfax, VA

Students and leaders helped by scholarships

130

2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED FINANCIAL REPORT MARCH 1, 2014 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015

3%

10% 15%

REVENUE

$

72%

Thanks for faithfully supporting Youth Unlimited!

767,347

Miscellaneous: 3% Church Donations: 10% Individuals & Corporate Donations: 15% Participation Income: 72%

$

12%

EXPENSES 88%

786,842 Operations & Administration: 12% Programs & Events: 88%

youthunlimited.org | 11

BY BARRY RUITER

I

Youth Unlimited Account/Business Manager

admit to often watching television shows that feature buyers looking for a fixer upper home to renovate, programs that chop, cut and rebuild cars, or even the show where a specialty builder constructs treehouses for clients.

I generally like shows that renovate and restore. In watching these types of shows, I’m reminded of my role and yours in the Kingdom, and specifically how it relates to Youth Unlimited.

For Youth Unlimited, I have a very much “behind the scenes” role. I pay bills, make deposits and generally put the dot on the “i” and the cross on the “t”. I am quite removed from the ministry work that happens when Youth Unlimited holds or arranges their events and yet, I am an important cog, as are you, in the Kingdom work that flows from this building.

Let me take you back to the TV theme to explore that thought. On a show called The Guild, cars are routinely rescued from slow erosion at the hands of rust and moth. In a twist, a recent episode revolved around an antique toy car, about the size of a shoebox. Besides the intrigue of assigning this “miniature” work to mechanics used to working on full size cars, there was the challenge of finding or creating parts. One such part was a small brass internal gear that was stripped and unusable. The mechanic scratched his head several times and remarked that he wasn’t a “watchmaker,” but in the end, he hand filed a brass rod down into a working gear. The payoff came when the owner of the car received a restored car that looked good and was functioning exactly as it intended.

THE 2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED

IMPACT REPORT 12 | Winter 2015

I help Youth Unlimited function as intended by virtue of being a little, but important, internal gear. If you are reading this, then you should also know that you play some role in helping the functionality as well. Imagine if the miniature car were presented to the owner, but was missing one wheel. What if it was repainted, but the rear window had a big crack or was missing.

As I think of how I support the work of a Serve project, I think too of how it requires teens willing to put hand to shovel. I think of how it requires volunteers and host churches and I think of how it requires finances. There are many cogs, parts and pieces that make up a functional ministry, one that lives up to the owner’s specs. The staff at Youth Unlimited, you and I are a “Guild” of a different sort. We are craftsman charged with completing the King’s ultimate restoration project. I’m praying that we function exactly as intended.

TV and Kingdom Work

I am an important cog, as are you, in the Kingdom work that flows from this building.

THE 2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED

IMPACT REPORT

now i know…

I

As the week progressed, it became apparent that many others in that small church had made tremendous sacrifices to make it all happen. Everyone on our team felt cared for—as if we were visiting family for the entire week! This was evident when Adam, one of my students, was referring to the hosts as brother, sister, mom and dad!

First, we experienced the embrace of the entire church family. I was personally blown away by the commitment to the success of the week by a large portion of the church body. They had thought of every little detail and were so sensitive to the needs of the visiting team members throughout the week. As I talked with one of the host church volunteers, I discovered that he and his wife had taken the entire week off from work so they and their two girls could serve our team through transportation, meal preparation, small group lessons and more!

The host team also did a phenomenal job finding worksites that were very meaningful; yet adaptable to special needs team members. It was a joy to watch special needs students and their student peer mentors working side-byside helping ministries do the work of Jesus’ hands and feet. In some cases, that meant sorting and prepping eyeglasses and hygiene supplies for shipment around the world. In other cases, it meant preparing fresh produce and packaged foods for distribution in the community. In every case, we were blessed to learn more about the agencies we worked with and the impact they make for God’s Kingdom.

BY TIM RYAN Director of Junior High Ministries West Shore Evangelical Free Church

was blessed with the opportunity to take a group of senior high student mentors and special needs students to the Fruitland Special Needs Serve in July. As a youth pastor, I’ve had many opportunities to take students on mission trips, but I’ve never experienced anything quite like a Special Needs Serve!

On our last night, our site leader asked the peer mentors to finish the statement, “I used to think ________, but now I know ________ ” (regarding students with special needs).

The answers that my students gave to that one question alone spoke volumes to just how deeply God used the week of Serve to stretch and grow their faith.

One student related how previously she thought that students with special needs couldn’t really fully understand God or worship him in a deep or meaningful way. Now, as a result of her special needs Serve experience, she knows that students with special needs are blessed by God to connect with him directly without many of the self-conscious barriers that she came to recognize in her own relationship with God. Toward the end of the long van ride home, I asked the students about next year. Every single one expressed a desire to do it again if they have the opportunity! youthunlimited.org | 13

THE 2015 YOUTH UNLIMITED

IMPACT REPORT

FINDING THE MISSING

LINK AT

Live It

14 | Winter 2015

BY TONY BUTLER

O

Spring Antioch Baptist Church

ur mission at Spring Antioch Baptist Church is to help our youth grow into what God wants them to be. We desire for them to first know who God is for themselves. But we also want to show them how to experience God in their everyday lives. Our lessons and our activities are geared to help them see God for who he is.

Through an organization called the Old Town Spring Heights Task Force, which is made up of churches of different faiths, backgrounds and cultures, we met Brandon Bajema of the New Life Christian Reformed Church. He told us of an organization called Youth Unlimited that had ministry geared towards growing youth in Christ. At first, I was really skeptical because we had been to conferences before and left them with nothing and felt robbed, but Brandon was persistent in getting our youth to Live It. Eventually, my pastor and I decided it

would be a good thing for our youth. We registered and waited in anticipation.

All along the way from Houston to Chicago on our trip to Live It, I looked at the kids and wondered if they will get something from this experience. Would they be challenged to grow on their level of understanding? Would they be ready for such a radical introduction to something this new to them? All kinds of questions ran through my mind, but I realized that it was more of an issue for me than it was for them.

After two days of travel, we arrived at Live It and immediately felt God’s presence. As we exited the van our kids began introducing themselves to every youth in sight. My wife, Vanessa, and I sat back and simply marveled in what we saw. This was just the beginning of what was to come. As we registered, it began to sink in as the spirit of excellence in which Youth Unlimited operated in began to shine through. If there was a problem, it was handled with

a smile and heart felt action. My wife and I were blown away yet again.

I’ll be honest; the first night of worship was a little awkward for our youth. They had never had worship that was so free and it took a little getting used to but they caught on. By the end of the service they had their hands raised and were giving praise. This was another milestone accomplished and the bar was set.

The next day was track time. Myself, my wife and two of our youth took the leadership track. We also had one youth in the service track, one in the arts track and two in the athletics track. The leadership track took my mind to another level on the first day. Our teacher and her staff gave us what I didn’t expect. I expected to get a lesson about following certain steps to become a good leader, but we spent the week learning to get ourselves in order, so that we can be effective. Our teacher’s transparency and candor were refreshing. She showed us that you have to be genuine because youth will sniff out a fake in a minute. We were encouraged to learn to spend more time alone with God in order to hear what he has to say for us to do. It was sad to see the end of an experience like this draw near. A class like this has never touched me before. My wife Vanessa was encouraged beyond belief. The two youth, Tony Jr. and Jeremy that were in class with us were changed and I saw the change in them. It was truly awesome.

One of our youth, Michael, who took the arts track, could not believe his experience. He was challenged to stop holding back on his singing for God. He was shy before the class but his newfound confidence changed that.

One of our youth, Leon, who took the service track, had an eye-opening experience. He was shy and really didn’t talk to people he didn’t know. However, from working and reaching out while on work sites, he was changed. He now meets no stranger and is ready for whatever comes his way.

denominations and ethnic backgrounds coming from different places in Canada and the United States loving God together. We were touched in ways that just blew our minds.

The last two of our youth we brought, Da’Vean and Jade, both took the athletics track. They were not expecting to be challenged in something they were good at, but the challenge was not physical, it was spiritual. It made them see, as believers, there is more to everything we do than what we see.

The biggest plus of the whole experience was the beautiful people we met and still have contact with. The kids made friends they still chat and text with.

It was absolutely wonderful to see so many different

Live it proved it was not just another conference, but a life changing experience. It helps to get you and your youth’s focus towards Jesus, where it should be, which I’ve felt is the missing link in many conferences I have been to.

They point to heaven, but not to Christ.

I will guarantee that our youth will be attending more Youth Unlimited events because this experience has made a great difference in their lives.

Live it proved it was not just another conference, but a life changing experience. youthunlimited.org | 15

E N CO U N T E R I N G J E S U S T H RO U G H T H E B O O K O F M A R K

2016 SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS 30+ SITES ACROSS CANADA AND THE U.S. Information, Locations and Dates Available Online

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG/SERVE 16 | Winter 2015

THAT’S GONNA LEAVE A MARK An Introduction to the 2016 Serve Theme Adapted from the 2016 Spiritual Life Guide

I

can remember my friends saying that over and over in my life. Sometimes it was with wide eyes, searching to see how I was going to cope with tremendous pain; like the time I was 9 and tried to jump my bike over some barrels—epic wipeout.

Or the time I was running hurdles in high school, miss stepped and face planted into the track. Other times they could hardly get the words out, because they were laughing hysterically; like the time I embarrassed myself in front of the new girl.

Once I overheard my dad whisper that phrase to my mom after I was recognized for an achievement. He knew that it’s not just the negative things that leave a mark. Affirmation, positive circumstances and good relationships also connect deeply within us and leave a mark of confidence and strength.

Just walking through everyday life we encounter people and circumstances that leave a mark on us.

Some are hurt like a bruise. Some are good and show up in a smile. Some are as obvious as a new tattoo and some are hidden deep and unshared.

Through the book of Mark we see Jesus Christ walking through everyday life with people. He helps them identify hurtful marks this world has left on them through circumstances, misplaced values, wrong philosophies, bad decisions, negative relationships, etc. Through love and grace he gives understanding, forgiveness and wisdom. If they follow him, those marks are healed and even, as mind boggling as this is, can be redeemed for strength and used to build wisdom and confidence in others.

Jesus also identifies strengths and abilities, uniqueness and character traits that reflect God’s image. From a little boy with a lunch to the old neglected woman, he is quick to identify positive traits (marks) and whisper that God the Father approves.

Through a study on the book of Mark, we hope that students will allow Jesus to walk with them through their lives, redeeming the difficult times and leading them into making a positive mark on others, their community and this world.

A key prayer we pray is that they will have friends who walk with Christ and with them, through difficult times, wide eyed, helping them work through the pain. And friends who also see their incredible Godgiven potential and can whisper that their Heavenly Father approves.

The purpose of the 2016 curriculum is to enable students to encounter the person of Jesus Christ in very real ways during their time at Serve. Held in tandem with their ministry of service, relationships with peers and mentoring from small group leaders, this curriculum will allow students of all places in the walk of faith to meet more fully a Savior who humbly came to serve so that his love would be poured out for us.

Photo: The Sea ofyouthunlimited.org Galilee, Israel

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HELPING CHURCHES CHALLENGE YOUTH TO COMMIT THEIR LIVES TO JESUS CHRIST AND TRANSFORM THE WORLD FOR HIM.

YOUTHUNLIMITED.ORG

18 | Winter 2015