Kingdom Space

It has been four months of renovation on the Downtown Teen Center, and you can already see big changes (check it out at yfcnow.org/progress for a 1 min video update!)

The restroom footprint is enlarged for accessibility, new meeting spaces roughed in, there is a flood of new, natural light, and some walls are already textured and painted. If you knew the space before, you’ll feel the difference immediately when you walk in.

There are also tons of necessary improvements that will not be seen: new water supply, rotted framing replaced, new structural beams, asbestos abatement, and I/T wiring. Phase 1, which includes all the structural and restroom-complex work, is coming to a close this month. Then Phases 2 and 3 will commence to integrate the rest of the building.

When I was a teenager, I underestimated the importance of space, especially kingdom-space. For sure, you can overestimate its importance too. But I failed to honor spaces dedicated to holy purposes as meaningful and effective for ministry. I took for granted that we had a youth group room that served how we gathered and worshiped. I took for granted the room that my Youth Pastor met with me in, which facilitated the deep, private, and pivotal conversations that changed my life. Whether it’s the latest, greatest Christian coffee house or my own church’s gathering spot, I’m grateful there are places dedicated to the mission of God.

This Downtown Teen Center renovation is redeeming more space for Christ-sharing relationships. No building, however nice it is, can stand in for the actual work of ministry. Just like gym equipment won’t make you fit if you aren’t showing up to use it. But if you are showing up, the right equipment certainly helps your progress!

These last few years, our Downtown Teen Center majored in Faith and Fitness programming, utilizing 1/6 of the building and seeing about 100 teens. But there are 1,700 more youth in the neighborhood! We couldn’t have handled more than 100, to be honest, even if they wanted to brave the building. The rest of the center just had too many obstacles for effective
ministry programming.

Now this teen center will welcome more teens into a ministry where they know they belong and are wanted. This is an investment in them and their spiritual development. That’s what we’re doing with the brick and mortar. We’re dedicating square footage for holy purposes.

How’s the budget and timeline? First, glory to God. He has been in this project the whole way! Pledges currently stand around $680,000, and with all the curve balls, current projections put our updated goal at $750,000.

The next phases of work will address the program rooms, small group rooms, kitchen, admin, and outdoor spaces. We expect full project completion over the summer, and I am so excited for a ribbon cutting with program launches this Fall!

There is certainly more going on at YFC than this renovation alone. This site is 1/50th of the places YFC ministers at. Already in the first semester, over 200 teens accepted Christ, and we’ve had over 2,000 youth at YFC sites. We helped Giovani get his driver’s license and baptized Paitlyn at her church. Campus Life has restarted at 25 schools, and students are hopping into clubs and small groups. Six new volunteers began serving at group homes to reach teens with the gospel, bringing YFC close to 100 total volunteers.

All of this combined energy, passion, and investment is for local youth to know Jesus. Every teen deserves that opportunity. That’s why I am grateful and so ready for this Downtown Teen Center to take its strategic place in the ministry toolkit.

Together,

Jameson

P.S. Check out the renovation project alongside all of YFC’s ministries.