We just had our 71Five MS Camp at Fir Point Bible Conference. It was a fun, exhausting, and an exciting week where around 70 middle schoolers played games, got to know each other, and most importantly, learned about God. Each year we have a special time for sharing about what God has done in our lives around a big campfire. This is a time that’s known for kids being open and honest about what’s going on in their lives, while they share the wonderful ways that God has transformed them during the week. Amazing things happen around that fire, and this year was the best we’ve seen yet! During the sharing, one of the boys from my cabin was weeping the entire time. He didn’t want to talk, but you could tell he was deeply impacted by what was going on. So I sat with him, prayed with him, and hung around to make sure all was well. It took hours for him to get back to his fun, goofy self again. Many of the kids who come to camp come from broken, hurting homes, and this boy is no exception. It always takes real trust to become vulnerable, and while I wasn’t able to build that trust with him during camp, the director of the club he regularly attends will.

 

This is why our 71Five Campus clubs are so important. Throughout the year, we’re able to build trusting relationships with broken, lost youth and give them the hope of the Gospel – the only hope that can tear down all of the walls we build up and transform us into a new creation. If this gets you fired up, then please come join us, whether it’s as a volunteer or a financial partner, and help provide trust that leads to hope for the youth in your area! CAMERON HOEHNE 71Five Campus Area Director – Phoenix /Talent (541) 779-3275 cameron@71Five.org

 

 

He’s been through the 6-month Barriers to Bridges program 2 times. Anthony is back at the Juvenile Detention Center… yet again, because of his substance abuse. When he’s released, he has every intention of staying away from his old places and familiar faces… But each time he slides back into his old pattern. Alcohol, cough syrup, pills, or all of the above and frequently resulting in unconsciousness or seizures. His “friends” just laugh as they leave him where he lays. He feels powerless in the grip of his addiction and the tears were flowing as we sat and talked. This time, after I shared the hope of the Gospel message and how Christ had freed me from the bondage of addiction in my own life, he asked me, “Where do I begin?” Like my own story, Anthony had to be broken enough to listen, to be hopeless enough to trust the message of the Gospel. Please pray… Please pray Anthony surrenders to Christ, he would die to self daily, and embrace the only true hope of Jesus.

 

Thank you for your prayers and for your partnership in offering trusting relationships that lead to this powerful hope! The work we are doing together is truly life and death. BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Director (541) 779.3275 beau@71Five.org

 

Every year I take kids to Middle School Camp… And this year I also brought a high school boy named Jaiden to work in the kitchen. Jaiden’s been to camp and in my cabin the last 4 years and a week with Rosy in the kitchen changed everything. Rosy’s a woman who obeyed God’s calling to cook food for massive amounts of kids at camps. Rosy’s not particularly young, an expert on teens, or anything like that. Rosy oozes Jesus and wants to use her talents. You can’t get near Rosy without hearing about Jesus and her love for him. Rosy has pain in her body as she works harder than anyone else at camp but she doesn’t let that stop her. It’s abundantly clear Rosy loves kids. Kids knew they were well loved because when Rosy went places, kids cheered for her and chanted “Rosy, Rosy, Rosy!” While Jaiden spent the week working like a slave earning a new nickname “Dish Boy” he saw it clearly. Despite only being able to go to one chapel due to being in the kitchen, Jaiden, along with many other kids, accepted Christ. I really don’t think it was the message that led Jaiden to Christ—I think it was Rosy—he saw Jesus in Rosy. You see, last year a young girl had a very similar experience. When kids spend time with Rosy, kids get to know Jesus.

At Youth 71 Five Ministries kids come to know Jesus because of caring adults. It doesn’t take a youth ministry degree, being young, or even to have raised 12 teenagers like Rosy has… Just a willingness to go where God leads and let kids see Jesus in you. Are you willing to show them Jesus? Give us a call at (541) 779-3275 or visit our website for more information: www.71Five.org. TIM HARDY 71Five Campus Area Director – North Medford (541) 779-3275 tim@71Five.org

 

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 icb

Have you ever been lost; I mean completely lost where you have no idea where you are? Years ago, I got lost in the mountains of Wyoming. I was hiking and looking for elk antlers and I got turned around and started following a creek I thought went back to the ranch. After a while, I realized this was not the right creek at all. Because I was so sure of where I was, I hadn’t paid attention and literally had no idea where I’d gone wrong or which direction to go. Everything I “knew” was wrong. I tried to walk out in a couple of different directions, but I just ended up more confused. I began to feel hopeless because all my efforts were just making things worse.

 

I’ve come to realize those feelings of confusion and hopelessness are what many kids in our community face every day. They’re so lost and confused, everything they “know” doesn’t work and just brings more confusion and harmful decisions. No one is there to show them the way.

 

This is where Youth 71Five steps in and provides trusting relationships that change everything. Kids connect with an adult who shows them how life works and points them to the hope in Jesus they desperately need. Come join us as we reach out to the many lost kids of our Valley. Because you can provide trust that leads to hope! Give us a call at (541) 779-3275 or visit our website 71Five.org – BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director  (541) 779-3275 bud@71Five.org

 

Stephen is not the quiet kid… For a fourth grader, his presence fills a room quickly. From his clunky foot steps to his voice that projects into every corner, you know immediately when he is around. Stephen lives with his emotional and developmental challenges. He has no connection with his biological father and earlier this year his step-dad passed away suddenly. Stephen is also a precious child of God. In our Elementary Club, he’s the first one to raise his hand when asked if anyone would like to pray. He’s the kid who talks to all the other kids, leaving no one out and making new kids feel welcome.

 

Stephen’s heart is open to hear about the love God has for him. His heart is eager for connection and encouragement through trusting relationships. He’s also on the list to receive a mentor but the program needs more mentors. Would you pray for Stephen? Pray for a godly man to serve as a mentor for him. Jesus told us to go and make disciples. Here’s a kid who’s ready… who will disciple this one? Contact me if you would like to know more about becoming a mentor at misty@71Five.org or (541) 779-3275. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope. MISTY DUKE 71Five Mentors Director (541) 779.3275 misty@71Five.org

 

Hope… a single syllable that says a lot yet for too many kids it is a concept they can’t grasp. At Youth 71Five we regularly teach the critical truth of God’s love and grace found through Jesus Christ… What about the kid who has no skills or vision for a real living wage career? 71Five VoTech exists to impart the basic skills, vision, and hope young men and women need to transition into healthy adult life. This is the kind of guidance that should come from dad or mom but too many kids don’t have healthy parents, but VoTech has stepped in! In the last few months Mike and David have been learning to weld while Luke is learning to bend sheet metal, others are becoming carpenters and learning mechanics. I should mention Mike and David are in a residential treatment program and Luke is on probation but, not long ago, they were all locked up and couldn’t see a path to a hopeful future. This is 71Five VoTech and it is one more way lives are being changed with the hope of Jesus Christ lived out in daily life. If you have a skill to share we would really like to talk with you. Please call 779-3275 or email office@71Five.org and let’s connect. Youth 71Five… providing trust that leads to hope! MATT SWEENEY 71Five VoTech Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 matt@71Five.org

 

NewsWatch 12 KDRV.com Video: 71Five VoTech giving young adults a second chance1

 

You can make a profound difference in the life of a young person by just being dependable. I’m heartbroken at the number of young people we work with who don’t have a single dependable caring adult who loves God, in their life. I was recently reminded of the profound difference one dependable volunteer can make in the life of a young person. Justin started coming to the Eagle Point 71Five Campus Center when he was in fourth grade. One of our volunteers Trevor VanHee has volunteered with us for about five years and in that time has made a profound difference in Justin’s life. Trevor not only built a relationship with Justin by helping at the Center but he also spent the time to be Justin’s counselor at middle school camp. It was at this camp Justin gave his life to Jesus. I’m convinced it was because Trevor had spent years proving himself to be a dependable caring adult and showed Justin the hope found in Jesus.

 

You too can make a profound difference in the life of a young person. Contact us if you’d like to volunteer at the Youth Center or at Camp… And pray for changed lives during our Middle School Camp in just a few short weeks. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope for kids like Justin. ROBERT MILTON 71Five Campus Area Director & Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 robert@71Five.org

 

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks and know it’s from the Lord? On the Friday before Mother’s Day, we honored moms at our Family Fun Night showing the movie: ‘Mars needs Mom’s.’ There’s a mom who comes from a very dangerous situation who brings her young son. In the middle of the movie, the boy suddenly walked out. I followed him outside and tried my best to convince him to come back inside. He was very angry for what seemed to be no reason. I first asked nicely, then with a bit more explanation and finally, I thought, I’ll just demand he go inside. That’s when it happened… As if Jesus stood between me and the boy, put his hand on my chest and said, “Stop! Larry, he’s hurting.” Wow, my heart changed, and my head cleared. I walked over and sat next to him, leaned in and whispered, “Are you okay?” He went from anger to sorrow and wept so hard he couldn’t breathe. “What’s up buddy?” He said, “I miss my dad and haven’t seen him for 1 year and 5 months.” I told him that I understood because I miss my dad too. I asked him, “Would you like to pray?” He said, “No… I’m not ready yet.” After a few moments in silence, he caught his breath, wiped his tears, and we quietly went inside… met by a hug from his waiting mom.

 

We ended the evening with a message about the sacrificial love of mothers, even when we do stupid things or make bad choices and how Jesus’ love for us is even greater. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope in a place that’s physically, emotionally and spiritually safe. If you’d like to get more involved with 71Five City, please check us out at 71Five.org or call me at (541) 779-3275 and don’t forget to tell your mom you love her, no matter what day it is! LARRY LICATO 71Five City Director (541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

 

 

Being the new leader at club can be awkward trying to fit in. For the first couple of weeks, a girl named Julie kept giving me compliments and telling me how excited she was for me to be the new director. Then something changed. She became negative, she wasn’t participating in activities, and on two separate occasions she stuck her hand in my face and said, “I don’t feel like talking right now.” One night she was very rebellious, so I asked her to leave. Within 20 minutes, she was asking to come back and join us. We had a heart to heart conversation, held hands and prayed. When working with youth, we know their behaviors before we know their stories. What I didn’t know about Julie was that her mother passed away when she was young, her father was never in the picture, and her grandmother raised her. The living situation did not go well with grandma, so Julie ended up in foster care, not just one, but many. She stopped attending school, ran away from her last foster care home, and is currently couch surfing.

 

The night we prayed and walked back in together, it strengthened our relationship. She’s been participating in all the activities, keeps a great attitude, and has attended several field trips. Through a trusting relationship Julie has begun to find hope in a place she’s wanted and feels like she belongs. At Youth 71 Five, your involvement brings trust that leads to hope for young people in Grants Pass. FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Area Director – Grants Pass (541) 779-3275 farrah@71Five.org