What We’re All About

Someone asked me why I still do direct ministry even in this latest role as Executive Director. The analysis behind the question is probably correct, that I should perhaps be using that time for other things. But my answer came quickly and with the same passion as when I started 18 years ago: “It’s the teens.”

Month to month, there is always a lot that’s up and down with YFC. But at the heart of God’s impact through this ministry is the simple and profound miracle of life-change in a teenager. That’s what we’re all about, what we love to see happen, and what we get to be a part of. 

We were at a staff meeting this week, and Patient Matadi asked to share. I wanted to bring you along for what he said: “For the past few weeks, I haven’t really been feeling well. I’ve been tired, not at my best. But even with that, I still felt like I needed to go visit the boys at one of the group homes. 

Every Monday, I go to a group home on Van Ness to minister to the boys. I’ve grown to really love those boys. I thank God too because they have even been showing up to my church every Sunday, which is a big win!

There’s one boy in that house who I will call “Jerry”*. I see him as a leader because he has a lot of influence over the other kids. When he’s doing well, the whole house feels calm. But when he’s off, everything kind of goes off, too. And for a while, he was really struggling.

Then, these past few weeks, I started noticing a change during our Bible study. Jerry has been trying, like really trying, to control himself and do better. And then one Sunday at church, I noticed that Jerry decided to stay in the service instead of going with the other teens for their own group meeting. As he sat there, he began to break down in tears. You could tell something significant and real was happening in him. I sat near him, and he said he wanted to change and asked for help. That next week, during our YFC staff meeting, we all prayed for him too.

So this last Monday, even though I wasn’t feeling great, I went back for my regular visit. After we hung out as a group, I started doing one-on-one talks. First, I met with one boy and then another. And when it was his turn, he had a lot of questions for me about faith and next steps. After talking through those questions, he told me he wants to get baptized.

I kind of chuckled to myself and told him, “That’s amazing, no problem! But before baptism, you need to receive Jesus first.” 

Jerry didn’t hesitate. Right there, he gave his life to Christ. And now we’re getting ready to baptize him!

Another kid I met in the house was new to me, and I’ll call him “Tom”*. He asked if he could talk to me privately. He told me he had already given his life to Jesus before through Youth For Christ, but I didn’t know him because he used to be in a different house. (YFC ministers in 27 homes currently, and I visit 8 of them alongside a team of volunteers) 

He told me that after going through juvenile hall, he wants to get his life back on track. So we prayed together, and he rededicated his life to Christ.

I walked in that day not feeling great, but I left being totally encouraged. I knew in my spirit that I still needed to show up, and this was why. God is on the move, and if I stayed home, I would have missed out on these holy and special moments. I’m so glad I said yes and showed up.

Now I’m still going back, not just to visit, but to start walking with them on the discipleship journey.”

It’s all about the youth. It’s worth praying about, giving towards, and getting up and going for. Don’t miss out on the amazing thing God wants to do in you and through you. Let’s say YES and see what God wants to do.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Together for Kids,

Jameson White

* Because of the sensitive nature of some ministry sites, and/or the kids’ circumstances, we sometimes use aliases introduced with apostrophes around the name. We do this to celebrate the God-story while balancing transparency and safety.