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Pushing Forward

Posted on Dec 19, 2022 by Leif Amundsen | Life Change Story | 0

Last November, I took a group of kids to the national lave tubes to explore their longest cave system called the Catacombs. It’s easy to get lost with all the winding paths that branch off but after 10+ years of exploring it, I was able to help everyone feel confident. The further we went, the more cramped it became, to the point we had to crawl on our stomachs to progress. I tried to get the group to continue but only a teen named Mark and I were willing to explore further. We wriggled our way to amazing parts of the cave that the other kids wouldn’t get to see. Mark trusted me enough to push forward and what he got to see was something incredible!

This story reminds me of how we operate at 71Five where we lead kids to see the goodness of God, but it takes trust and sometimes a little effort to see Him. Thank you for leading kids to the goodness of God!

LEIF AMUNDSEN, 71Five Campus Interim Coordinator – Ashland

(541) 840-0059 | leif@71Five.org

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

71Five Staff Changes:

It seems like yesterday when the Lord called me to 71Five, although, it was almost 6 years ago! I was filled with excitement but a little afraid too. I didn’t want to fail, and I was leaving the known for the unknown. Saying “Yes” to God means leaving where we are and moving toward where He’s guiding us. I’m so glad I faced the fear of answering the call to come to 71Five. I trusted His word, “who He calls He will equip!” Hebrews 13:21 I had a front-row seat to His goodness, promises, and faithfulness.

What is the Lord calling you to do? Maybe you haven’t thought about it recently, but He is always at work around us and through us! Has he called you to partner with 71Five through your giving, prayers, or maybe even volunteering? If He has, I encouraged you to step out in faith and say “Yes.” You will not regret it!

I’m once again filled with excitement, a little fear, and even some sadness as I say “Yes” to the calling that God has for me next. 71Five partners with The Salvation Army to help youth who are homeless, hurting, and lost. The Lord has called me to go to The Salvation Army to continue the ministry for those who are in need. I feel so blessed that I have been able to journey with you in my time at 71Five. Thank you for your faithfulness, love, and kindness over the years.

SHARRE WHITSON, 71Five Development Director

(530) 227-2474 | sharre@71Five.org

Bud here, I wanted to add that we are grateful for all of Sharre’s hard work during her time at 71Five. The Lord has used her efforts to expand the ministry in amazing ways over the last 6 years. We are also excited for her in this next chapter with The Salvation Army. Please be praying for Sharre in her new venture and for 71Five as we seek our new 71Five Development Director. Thank you.

BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director

(541) 301-0897 | bud@71Five.org

“Can we go?”

Posted on Dec 13, 2022 by Ken Ruiz | Life Change Story | 0

Leo and Luis approached me as our After School Hangout was winding down at 71Five City -. They asked where I was going afterwards. When I told them I was going to church, I was surprised that they both responded, “Can we go?” I explained there were no kid’s class and it would be bible study and not as lively as a normal church service. They did not waiver, saying, “That’s OK, we just want to go with you.” When we arrived I reminded the boys it was different than club and they would need to stay focused during the teaching. They both assured me they were up for it. As the church gave “Praise Reports” Luis added, “I want to thank Kenny for bringing us tonight.” Except for an occasional candy wrapper being opened the boys were totally focused on the study.

Thank you for helping kids hear God’s story!

KEN RUIZ 71Five City – West Medford Coordinator

(916) 519-4679 | ken@71Five.org

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

Reaching young people… Wherever we go.

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 by Tim Hardy | Life Change Story | 0

I recently traveled to Israel. It was an incredible experience. As I was at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, amidst all the religiousness and chaos, out of the crowd, a young college age man yells out to me and my sisters, “Hey, are you guys Trump supporters?” The question seemed so out of place from everything that was going on around me and the many languages, mostly Hebrew, that I was hearing. I turned to the young man and talked with him. I learned he was a Jew, from New York, living in Jerusalem, doing religious studies under one of the top Rabbis. As we talked, it became obvious he was searching for meaning in his life and felt being more religious would help. In Israel, there was so much religiousness. Only 50 yards away from where we were having this conversation, men were chanting, wailing, praying, bowing, using boxes on their heads, using plants, using things around their arms, and all to a wall. I asked this young man. “What do you believe about Jesus?” He seemed oblivious about Jesus. It was probably the coolest setting you can imagine telling someone about Jesus. At one point, I was like “…and just down the road, there’s the empty tomb you can go see.” Jesus gives young people hope, that is far more than just praying to a wall. Jesus changes lives.

When you give to 71Five, you are doing more than just supporting a great organization. You’re supporting the ministry of passionate people who share Jesus, with young people, wherever they go. Thanks for sharing the hope of Jesus… even with a young man in Jerusalem.

TIM HARDY, 71Five Campus Ministry Director – North Medford

(541) 840-0960 | tim@71Five.org

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

“More Confidence”

Posted on Nov 28, 2022 by Jeff Moritz | Life Change Story | 0

At the start, I wasn’t sure if Lex was going to make it to the end. He had spotty attendance and wasn’t interested to engage in class. I encouraged him to continue through the program and finish the course. Thankfully Lex kept attending and we talked about life, church, and God. The staff prayed often and asked God to bless him and help him to seek after Jesus. As we moved to the hands-on training portion of the program, he chose to build a picnic table. He wanted to dedicate it to a previous classmate who had passed away from a motorcycle accident. Now with a purpose, Lex became deeply involved in this project and poured his effort into it with gusto. He finished his project with great delight, and was able to dedicate the table to the school he attended. When asked how 71Five VoTech helped him, Lex smiled and said, “I now have more confidence to try new things.”

Thank you for providing a place where students can come and can be loved, challenged to develop confidence in life, and encouraged to pursue Jesus.

JEFF MORITZ, 71Five VoTech Coordinator – Grants Pass

(541) 450-7108 | jeffmoritz@71Five.org

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

I can tell my friend about Jesus!

Posted on Nov 21, 2022 by Sara Nielsen | Life Change Story | 0

Beau is one of our most regular elementary students she’s there every week with her big sister and she is always excited about club. Not too long ago Beau and I were having a conversation and another girl said, “I’m not a Christian.” Beau got very worried and pulled me aside and said, “We can’t let that girl come anymore because she isn’t a Christian.” Beau had the idea you had to know Jesus, to go to anything about Jesus. I then had the opportunity to explain, “Everybody is welcome to come to club… even people who aren’t Christians. Just because we teach about Jesus doesn’t mean that you have to know Jesus to come and have fun!” Then we got to talk about sharing Jesus, and what a great opportunity it is to teach your friends who don’t know Jesus about how awesome he is. Beau lit up and shouted, “That means I can tell all of my friends about Jesus!”

Thank you for helping give children like Beau, the courage to tell all of their friends about Jesus!

SARA NIELSEN, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Central Point

(541) 816-6761 | sara@71Five.org

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

Positive Impact on Her Life

Posted on Nov 15, 2022 by Beau Jeska | Life Change Story | 0

I was recently at the steel yard buying some beams to turn into a new bike trailer for 71Five’s Break the Cycle bike program. As I was at the register, the young lady asked me who the invoice should be made out to, and when I replied, “Youth 71Five Ministries,” her whole face lit up. She jumped into explaining of how she was a part of it. “I used to go every week. Clem (O’Hara) helped me incorporate my senior project into the programming!” She even shared a few details about how sometimes she used to dread going… but was always glad later on. It was clear that 71Five had a positive impact on her life.

Are you building for the Kingdom? Do you want to be a difference maker in a young person’s life that they will rave about, many years down the road, to a perfect stranger? What’s holding you back? Call me at (541) 779-3275 to hear about the many different opportunities we have to engage your strengths—for the Kingdom.

BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Ministry Director

(541) 601-9631 | beau@71Five.org

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

Three kids showed up . . .

Posted on Nov 7, 2022 by Darlene Knudson | Life Change Story | 0

It started off with 6 pizzas, 4 adults, 3 kids and 1 snarky comment. I knew club would be interesting since the 71Five Campus Coordinators were gone, but I was thrilled when three kids showed up! We sassed around and they warmed up as we ate pizza and played a board game. Our discussion focused on God saying Jesus was His only begotten son, what do people say about us, and what does God say about us. After closing in prayer, Mr. Snarky sat up and stated he wished club would always be “like this,” the other boys agreed. This was the opposite to his earlier comment, and I wasn’t sure if he meant it sarcastically, because discussion was short, or because he had more attention than usual. As I picked up their handouts, I glanced at their answers to the question that asked: “What’s the next step you want to take with God?” To my surprise, one of the boys wrote, “…since being baptized at 71Five’s Camp, I want to work on my prayer life and pray more.” It’s sweet to see how underneath those “tough teenage boy” exteriors, there are still hearts being transformed by Jesus.

You provide the powerful message that changes and shapes these kids’ lives, physically and spiritually. On behalf of all the youth at 71Five, “THANK YOU!”

DARLENE KNUDSON, 71Five Mentors Coordinator

(805) 202-9125 | darlene@71Five.org

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

No place to go

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 by Bud Amundsen | Life Change Story | 0

We’re all experiencing the early morning bustle of kids going to school in our neighborhoods but after school many of these kids have no place to go. Because of you, hundreds of kids have a safe place to hear about the hope found in Jesus. Thank you for providing for Ryan who’s had a rough childhood filled with loneliness. By visiting some of the rougher parts of the neighborhood, 71Five staff were able to connect with Ryan and invite him to Club. Since then, he’s made friends, built trust in our leaders, and has even gone to church! You opened the doors of hope for Ryan and have changed his life.

I personally want to invite you to take a tour of 71Five to see firsthand your donation at work and give us a chance to thank you in person! Please email Misty@71Five.org to schedule a tour and see how you are bringing hope to kids.

BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director

(541) 301-0897 | bud@71Five.org

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

Upgrade

Posted on Oct 25, 2022 by Larry Licato | Life Change Story | 0

In our current classes, we have four returning students. Of these, two students are resent graduates of a Juvenile Justice system called B2B meaning Barriers to Bridges. They requested to join us and are now back. They are learning employment skills, practical life skills and hearing God’s word. These young men have had some serious issues in their lives but are committed to doing better. One of them is housed with us and has only been here a few days. He shared that since he graduated out of B2B he has been struggling with being drawn back into drugs, alcohol and just hanging out with the wrong people. “Why?” she asked. He said, “For comfort and to feel connected.” On my way to 71Five VoTech this morning, I passed him a few blocks away from walking by the local park. I was concerned to see him out and about. I waved at him as I went by and he waved back. I later overheard him talking to our case manager. He mentioned seeing me and waving as he was on his way to school. “What?” I thought… “On his way to school?” He said to her, “I started back to school today, I also applied for a job, I got my food card, I am working on getting a bus pass.” Then he said, “I would like to start going to church again.” This is definitely an “Up Grade” from the young man we knew that was out on the street looking for ways to ease his pain.

You have changed the life of this young man. Thank you for your continuous prayers and support for the work of 71Five and especially for 71Five VoTech – Medford branch of the ministry as we see more young people Up Grade their lives.

LARRY LICATO, 71Five VoTech Coordinator – Medford

(541) 890-1819 | larry@71Five.org

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

Skyler

Posted on Oct 18, 2022 by Peter Kuhl | Life Change Story | 0