14
Nov '25
Thankfulness Leads to Joy!
14
Nov '25
This time of year turns our attention to Thanksgiving and hopefully, giving thanks. I’ve been reflecting on the link between gratefulness and joy. It’s amazing how many times the bible mentions that thankfulness to God for what he’s done leads to joy. Here’s one of my favorites:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” [Ps. 28:7]
It seems to me that I can’t manufacture authentic joy, but I can practice gratefulness that leads me to feel authentic joy. So, in line with the season and a soul-moving practice, I want to share how deeply grateful I am for you.
God has used you to continue our mission of bringing His hope to young people.
I am thankful for how He used you:
· to send caring adults into stressed neighborhoods
· to increase the young people receiving trade skills by adding a new shop building
· to allow 71Five to weather financial storms
· to keep the lights on in safe spaces where young people can find friendship
· to change the lives of hundreds of young people forever through trust in Jesus.
Just the writing of this has moved me to joy. Hopefully, in the reading of it, you will find joy in what God has accomplished through you.
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
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13
Aug '25
71Five Adventure!
13
Aug '25
One of 71Five’s organizational values is to: “Navigate Relevance- relentlessly vigilant”. This means we prioritize the needs and interests of young people over methods or types of programs. Our job is to stay very rigid in our mission of bringing God’s story of hope to young people through trusting relationships, but stay very flexible in our methods to accomplish it. Our current ministry models are:
- 71Five Campus- High-energy activities, discussion, and Gospel message. (Old Campus Life club)
- 71Five City- Similar to Campus but with the focus on a neighborhood and more on the whole family
- 71Five Camp- Summer camps for high school and middle school age young people
- 71Five Mentors- trusting one-to-one mentoring relationships
- 71Five Parents- Mentoring for expectant and parenting teens
- 71Five VoTech- Provides vocational training to 16-24-year-old young people
- 71Five Justice- We reach out to young people in the correctional system
Most of these methods have been a part of effective ministry for decades, and it’s been a while since we added something new.
Introducing … 71Five Adventure! Starting September 1, we will be reaching kids through outdoor adventures. Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking, and other fun outdoor pursuits. This opens the door to hope for a whole new group of young people who prefer to be outside.
Thank you again for faithfully providing fun activities, trusted adults, and eternal and indestructible hope! Lives are changing for good!!
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
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19
May '25
Help Wanted!
19
May '25
Thank you for making a sacrifice in these uncertain times for the sake of lost and hurting young people! Your gifts provide safe spaces for young people to feel welcomed, trusted adults who care and are a healthy influence, and a message of hope and forgiveness through Jesus. When these things come together in the life of a kid, their lives always change!
Unfortunately, we aren’t accomplishing this like we could. We have several staff positions open in both Jackson and Josephine counties. This means some of our youth centers and training facilities are missing the caring adults who bring influence and hope to young people.
We need your help! Do you know someone who loves Jesus, loves kids, and has a desire to make an eternal difference in the lives of kids? It’s not an easy job, no one gets wealthy, and we must rely on faith more than what’s comfortable… but we get a front row seat to see God at work. If you know someone who might be called to this work, direct them to our website 71Five.org or give us a call at 541.779.3275.
With Gratitude!
Unfortunately, we aren’t accomplishing this like we could. We have several staff positions open in both Jackson and Josephine counties. This means some of our youth centers and training facilities are missing the caring adults who bring influence and hope to young people.
We need your help! Do you know someone who loves Jesus, loves kids, and has a desire to make an eternal difference in the lives of kids? It’s not an easy job, no one gets wealthy, and we must rely on faith more than what’s comfortable… but we get a front row seat to see God at work. If you know someone who might be called to this work, direct them to our website 71Five.org or give us a call at 541.779.3275.
With Gratitude!
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
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13
Feb '25
Wanting Love
13
Feb '25
A young girl recently shared her story with one of our staff. She talked through stories of horrific abuse and trauma when she lived with her drug-addicted mom. She also went on to share about the severe abuse she experienced in her foster home, the place that was supposed to be safe. When asked if she wanted prayer, she said: “Pray that some day I will have a family that will not hurt me or call me names. I just want love.”
In case you forgot what you are accomplishing in the lives of young people. I hope this story reminds you of the hurt and hopelessness so many of our young people feel… And the hope that comes through a trusted adult friend to listen, to walk along side, and show this young girl the love of Jesus. You’ve brought hope and healing to another lost and hurting young person.
Thank you!!
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
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27
Nov '24
God With Us!
27
Nov '24
As we celebrate the upcoming Christmas season, we are celebrating the fact that God Himself came ‘near’ through the birth of Jesus (Emmanuel, God with us). He came to help in the struggles of this world and bring us hope. This is in essence what 71Five strives to do. Through seeking out young people, building trusting relationships, and sharing God’s story of hope, we brought God ‘near’ to more than 1100 youth around our Valley this past year. This year has had its challenges, more than any other I can remember. But… We’ve seen God do amazing things in the lives of many young people. Our confidential survey shows what has been accomplished.
• 85% have a decreased interest in using drugs and alcohol!
• 78% reported having fewer thoughts of self-harm!
• 83% say they have more hope for their future!
Would you help 71Five finish strong? Your gifts are investments into the lives of young people, and as you can see, you are accomplishing great things! Will you go above and beyond with a special year-end gift? Our year-end matching gift will double every dollar, allowing us to bring the hope of Jesus ‘near’ to even more lost and hurting young people.
• 85% have a decreased interest in using drugs and alcohol!
• 78% reported having fewer thoughts of self-harm!
• 83% say they have more hope for their future!
Would you help 71Five finish strong? Your gifts are investments into the lives of young people, and as you can see, you are accomplishing great things! Will you go above and beyond with a special year-end gift? Our year-end matching gift will double every dollar, allowing us to bring the hope of Jesus ‘near’ to even more lost and hurting young people.
BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director
541.779.3275 | bud@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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15
Nov '24
As He Pleases
15
Nov '24
Here’s a saying I often repeat to my staff—
“Faith in Christ is more about revelation than about information.”
This plays out in our efforts to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ all the time. Young people come to our programs and hear about the hope found in Jesus almost every time they come through the door. We share bible stories, proofs that the Bible is true, our own encounters with God, and proofs that Jesus is who He says he is. We give them all the information they need and can understand but it doesn’t change a thing until God reveals Himself. We’ve had several stories of young people coming to this reality lately. Kids at camp or at club come up to staff and say things like, “God is really here!” or “I know now, God is real!!”
God does as He pleases, but He usually works through the sharing of His Word. It’s you who provide safe spaces and trusted adults so young people can hear the Word and be ready to see God when He shows up… that’s when their lives change forever.
Thank you!!!
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
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19
Aug '24
Past & Present
19
Aug '24
We recently celebrated the ministry’s 60th anniversary. In preparation for that, I did a little research regarding our history. Our 71Five/YFC records only go back to 1985 but since that time we’ve worked with about 78,000 young people, and about 6000 of those young people professed faith in Jesus. We know that thousands of young people were involved prior to 1985 and many of them began relationships with Jesus. We also know that many others came to know Jesus later in life. I was blown away by how many lives this ministry has impacted over the years.
At the Diamonds and Decades celebration, we saw a video testimony from Nick Ristow. He was a young man coming from a destructive family background in the late 90’s and is now a pastor, husband, and father. The most impactful part of his message was when he shared that his three kids have been spared the harm of generational abuse because 71Five/YFC brought the story of Jesus into his life.
As we look toward the next 60 years, I’m excited to think about how many thousands more will experience trust that leads to eternal hope, and thank you for making these life transformations possible!
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
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13
May '24
Imagine you couldn’t read or write at 21 . . .
13
May '24
Can you imagine being 21 years old trying to figure out the adult world and not able to read or write? We are working with a young man in this situation right now. He has a learning disability but he’s smart. Another young man has genius-level intelligence but is trapped in severe Attention Deficit Disorder. These guys have no opportunity to take care of themselves and be successful outside of crime. They’ve been able to slip through the system but there’s no longer a positive path forward. This is where 71Five is built to step in. These young men and others are being taught by trusted staff and volunteers at a pace or in a method they can handle. When they first come, they call themselves stupid or worthless but in time we see them learn, we see their confidence grow, and we see smiles and pride in their eyes.
Make no mistake, we know the greatest good we can do is to introduce struggling kids to the hope found in Jesus, but there’s so much more ‘good’ that happens in the lives of kids who connect with 71Five. Thank you! You provide the good… and the greatest good!!
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
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05
Feb '24
What chance does this young man have?
05
Feb '24
“Pray for me and my Dad he got sent to prison for 3 to 4 years and for my Mom it will be about 2 years.” This was a prayer request from a 15-year-old boy sitting in juvenile detention. What chance does this young man have to stay out of prison? What he’s been taught has already led him to crime and jail. There’s not much hope for him to learn a different way.
Thankfully you’ve provided the answers. You sent caring adults into the jail to find this young man. You provided people who care about his future. You provided a true story that lets him know there’s more to life. That he is loved. There is a door to forgiveness. He can love other people and get help to change the way he lives. But most of all you have brought healing and hope that lasts forever!
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
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08
Jan '24
Recognizing Immeasurable Worth
08
Jan '24
One of our staff shared about one young woman in detention who faced unimaginable pain and suffering growing up and reached a point where she felt lost and disconnected from God. In that time of darkness, she attempted suicide several times and even died but was revived.
During a recent conversation, our staff shared about forgiveness, peace, and hope. After the conversation she jotted a note for prayer— “I know that I am a very lost person, sure I know the Bible, but I do not know if I truly have a relationship with God. The other day I felt him speak to me and I truly want to grow that relationship.” She still carries a heavy burden from past trauma and abuse, but you’ve provided a caring adult, a listening ear, and a message of hope. Please pray this young woman would come to recognize her immeasurable worth and discover her unique purpose in a growing relationship with Christ.
You’re making a huge impact, and this girl now carries a glimmer of hope. You made that possible by bringing light into the darkest situation. Thank you!!
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
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