There’s a hymn that’s almost 100 years old that is probably very familiar to most of us. Its title is, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and it speaks of God’s unchanging love and grace toward his people. Take a look at the chorus which is profoundly comforting as we face the needs of each day in these very uncertain times…

 

Thank you for bringing ‘new mercies’ to lost and hurting young people! BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director (541) 779-3275 bud@71Five.org

 

Lee and Ricky were matched in 2014 when Ricky was 9 years old. They’ve enjoyed hanging out, hiking, or going to Lee’s home for a homemade dinner and DIY projects in Lee’s yard. Last year, Ricky got his first job and decided to make a special promise to Lee, that one day he would do something nice for him in return. Last December, Ricky followed through on his word and took Lee out to dinner, paying the bill for the first time ever. 71Five Mentors help at-risk youth learn how to create healthy, authentic, and loving relationships. These connections go deeper than typical friendships. Kids find hope in Jesus through these trusting relationships while gaining valuable life skills… like responsibility, goal setting, reliability, self-worth or even the significance behind a kept promise. Mentoring relationships are genuinely built through love and often last for many years.

 

Thanks to your support, mentoring relationships like Lee’s and Ricky’s become possible and promises once deemed unreachable become realities. If you feel God’s desire for you to become a mentor or be more involved, please call us and let us help you help the lost. DARLENE HARPER 71Five Mentors Coordinator (541) 779.3275 darlene@71Five.org

 

Arthur is a young man in the Barriers to Bridges (B2B) program who is also on the autism spectrum. He never talks, never smiles, always looks down and doesn’t participate in much. How he ended up in the Juvenile Justice System is a mystery to our team. One day Arthur was introduced to Mike, our welding instructor. Arthur spent a lot of time in the welding shop where he seemed to learn and thrive as he melted metal plates together. At the start of the last B2B class the director asked for volunteers to go into the welding lab and work on a project. Arthur lifted his head and for the first time, smiled and raised his hand. It appears he has found his niche at 71Five VoTech and is becoming one very good welder.

 

This niche that Arthur found was created by you through your support, prayers and encouragement. Please consider joining us with your Time and Talents to widen this ‘niche’ into a ‘valley’ of hope. LARRY LICATO 71Five VoTech Director (541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

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

 

A couple of weeks ago, I contacted CJ, one of the high schoolers who comes to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point. It was CJ’s birthday and he was really happy to hear from me. During our conversation he stated, “I really miss Campus. When’s it gonna be open again?” While I had to tell him it was going to be several weeks, I told him I would continue to reach out. Since he started coming to 71Five Campus, I’ve personally witnessed CJ’s growth in maturity and respect. He looks forward to the Youth Center reopening like so many other youth have said in the last month.

 

Thank you for all who have reached out with concerns about how this ministry is going through the hard time we’re facing right now. We’ve transitioned most of our ministry to calling, texting and video conferencing our students who once filled the Youth Centers. We’ve even connected with some new faces who enjoy this ‘virtual’ type of ministry. Because of your prayers and your support, we continue to connect with the youth in our communities and share the hope found in Jesus. PETER KUHL 71Five Campus Coordinator – Eagle Point (541) 779-3275 peter@71Five.org

 

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

Grace has one of those stories… She’s bounced around from place to place, living with different family members. Until this past year, her mom has struggled with drug addiction. Dad lives 5 states away. 71Five is one of the few safe, stable places where she can go, and she doesn’t miss a night. She says “Coming here is the best part of my week!” I was concerned about her adjusting to this new season of isolation and confinement. It turns out, I don’t need to worry. You see, Grace is quite a sociable girl and has a big, big heart. She’s always finding other hurting kids out there in the virtual world, like Junie from Pennsylvania who wants to run away and Daniel from Texas who talks of suicide. Grace wants them just to be happy and she turns to me to help her. We often talk of the grace of God and the hope I have in Jesus. She gets to practice discernment, making sure these people she meets are legitimate as I look over her virtual shoulder.

 

Grace says, “I don’t believe in God or go to church,” but I know God hasn’t given up on her. I see Him working on her heart, calling her to Himself and I’m confident someday she’ll come to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. The times have changed, but the mission has not. Your love, prayer, and giving provide this opportunity to disciple Grace and other youth just like her. Would you like to get more involved or hear more about what God is doing at 71Five City? Contact me at michael@71five.org. MICHAEL COOKE 71Five City Coordinator – Liberty Park (541) 779-3275 michael@71Five.org

 

As I would gaze across the room, Johnny would always capture my attention. His interpretation of participating during the lesson meant hoodie over his head, strings drawn tight, and to stare at the floor. On the surface, this behavior can be seen as disrespectful, rebellious and disobedient. Johnny’s been attending 71Five Campus clubs, field trips, and camps for over a year now. Gradually, I noticed the walls coming down, the hoodie coming off, and he began asking questions. After I shared about baptism, he raised his hand and asked, “Can I do what Sam did?” Sam had been baptized during our winter camp and even though Johnny didn’t know how to describe it, he knew he wanted it for himself. “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” [1Timothy 4:12] Slowly Johnny’s faith was strengthened by hearing the Word and by watching Sam.

 

You see, all along, Johnny didn’t understand what was being taught. His response was to hide in hopes that he didn’t have to participate. Just as Timothy did, we at 71Five have set out as co-workers in God’s service to spread the gospel of Christ to strengthen and encourage them in their faith [1Thessalonians 3:2]. It takes time to build trust that leads to hope. By providing places where youth feel secure, and people kids can truly count on, you are transforming lives. FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Coordinator – Grants Pass (541) 779-3275 farrah@71Five.org

 

A short message from Bud Amundsen, 71Five Executive Director as he shares about the fear of Covid-19 at Youth 71Five Ministries:

 

Got a Prayer Request… Questions? Feedback? No Problem! We want to PRAY, HELP and LISTEN . . .

 

  C O N T A C T    

We weren’t sure what to expect with a brand-new class for our 71Five Parents community this year — a Discipleship Class. Most of our get-togethers have been “youth group” style, with games, food, and laughter. But it was time to bridge the gap for these young parents between youth group and the ‘Body of Christ’. The first 8 weeks focused on the fundamentals, discussing basic questions: Who is Jesus? What is the Bible? How do we pray? The second 8 weeks began a conversation about Christian parenting. We explored how our parenting should reflect our relationship with Christ. In one session we asked, “If your children grow up to have the same relationship with God you currently have… will you be satisfied with that?” Ramona, mother of three, simply stated, “No, I’m not where I want to be yet. I know I have more learning to do.” Her vulnerability opened a conversation about how each of us are in process. Being a Christian means we’re always growing, always changing, always becoming more like Jesus. With God, there’s always more— more love, more grace, more peace, more forgiveness!

 

Your love, prayer, and giving provide this opportunity to disciple Ramona and other young parents just like her. Would you like to get more involved or hear more about what God is doing in the 71Five Parents Ministry, contact me at missy@71five.org. MISSY GETSINGER 71Five Parents Director (541) 779-3275 missy@71Five.org

 

The launch of our Phoenix/Talent Youth Center Club at 71Five Campus happened to fall on the exact same day that Oregon announced school closures due to COVID-19. During our time together at club, a student named Xander said, “I’m sad that school is canceled, I love school.” This time can be hard on kids. Hearing the concern around us, led to us sharing a message of hope for our first night of club. We shared that our God is sovereign, works out all things for good, knows and loves each of us, and promises to be with us through all things. I looked at Xander and told him that we are going to make the most of this time, that we will use this time off of school to gather together outdoors and have some fun. His face filled with a smile and before he left, he mentioned that he loved coming to 71Five Campus!

 

We always have the goal of bringing hope to young people. During this uncertain season, that mission is set even heavier on our hearts. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” [Romans 15:13] If you would like to hear more about ways that you can get involved in bringing hope to these kids, contact me or check out our ministries at www.71Five.org. MELANIE CIENFUEGOS 71Five Campus Area Director – Phoenix /Talent  (541) 779-3275 melanie@71Five.org