Kids are back at the Downtown Teen Center! The first couple weeks of programming are in the books, and we only had 7 broken sprinklers (it feels like the first dent on a new car where you’re kinda sad and weirdly glad). I caught up with Jacob, YFC’s City Life Ministry Coordinator, to hear how it went:
“Our first City Life program was Monday Night Live. Think ‘youth group for non-Christian kids.’ We had over 70 teens and about 30 adults, which definitely surpassed my expectations for how many people would show up.
The volunteers did an amazing job engaging with the teens and fulfilling their roles. We fed everyone, then got everyone mixing with games and icebreakers. We put kids and volunteers into smaller groups so they could get to know each other around tables. Everybody was engaged, and it was really nice.
Then I had a chance to share the gospel, and we had 15 kids raise their hands and say yes to Jesus for the first time! I had them stand up, and then we prayed, and I had them practice praying out loud, following after me.
There were also another 10 kids who said they wanted to learn more about Jesus, receive a Bible, and join a small-group Bible study. That was really amazing. It was a really great time; I was blown away.
One of the things that God really highlighted for me was the willingness of the teens. They want to know Christ, you know, but they don’t know how. And they feel like they have to stop doing things before coming to Him. In light of that, I was blessed to share my testimony, and I think they related to it.
On this first Monday night, we had a cross-section of our YFC ministry. Kids were there from the neighborhood, from local group homes, and even from Campus Life programs. Everyone seemed to mix well, and afterwards the team did a great job cleaning up, which I was so thankful for.
The very next day we had a boxing class and 30 teens came, so the whole gym was full. 7 volunteers, pro and amateur athletes, came together to lead the workout. The kids said they loved the community and really needed the workout, and they said they wanted to come back. And then the next day we had an after-school hangout, and I had 15 kids come hang out, do jewelry making, and play basketball. It was a time to get to know them better and build the relationships that are the foundation of our ministry.
There’s been so much leading up to this that right now I’m honestly pumped and tired at the same time! I am very relieved to see that the vision panned out, knowing all the work that my team put in. The Lord came through, and so this good start was a huge blessing! I’m pretty sure we’ve connected more kids this first week than we did all of the year preceding the renovation. That’s pretty cool!”
Pretty cool indeed, and it’s not just Jacob who is experiencing the hunger of teens for Christ. This school year, Youth For Christ has engaged over 1,400 teens on school campuses, in the cellblocks of juvenile hall, and in group homes. Kids are showing up and responding everywhere.
According to the International Bible Society, 83% of Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14. This is Generation Alpha right now. We are praying and laboring for a new generation to know Christ – and we need your help.
Would you consider an extra gift in support of this launch of City Life ministry downtown? We want to add days of programming with more kids and more volunteers. Your gift will help YFC respond to the interest of teens and meet them with the gospel. To make a special gift for City Life ministry, including non-cash gifts, please visit yfcnow.org/give.
Thank you for considering a special gift to fuel the City Life ministry. We are so grateful for your partnership.
Together!
Jameson White