Bud Amundsen, Author at 71Five

“What’s 71Five?”

Posted on Aug 13, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 60

At 71Five, we’ve developed an answer to the question, “What’s 71Five?” The answer is: Do you know how young people today are struggling with loneliness, anxiety or maybe they’re just bored?… 71Five helps with that. We provide safe spaces, trusting relationships and a message of hope… This answer helps our staff articulate what we are all about, quickly, without searching for the answer. Kids are in need, and we exist to help.

When you look at the list of three things we provide, Safety, Trust, and Hope, they are simple yet profound in the life of a kid!

Safe Spaces- Every one of our programs welcome all young people with the ‘Three Fs’… Friendship, Fun, and Food. We actively work to help young people build connections with peers through fun activities and a meal to share. Many of our young people find these spaces safer than school or even their home.

Trusting Relationships- Every young person involved can build a relationship with a competent, caring adult who actively works to get to know them and shares their knowledge and experience to guide the young person through the challenges of childhood and adolescence.

Message of Hope- Besides our discussion times, each staff member and volunteer staff are prepared to share about the hope found in Jesus. We do it by listening to the young person’s story and learning who they are. Then we share our own story to build trust and find common ground. On this common ground, we share how God has been active in our life. If there’s interest, we continue to share about how trust in Jesus brings us into God’s family.

You are providing these three things, which are now scientifically proven to build resilience in the lives of struggling kids. More than that, you are providing the things that change lives 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

Jun '26

What God Is Doing!

Posted on Jun 24, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 82

Jun '26

We feel a profound urgency to reach more lost young people, and as a uniquely flexible ministry, we sense God calling us to extend 71Five beyond Southern Oregon. Together, we hope to build new chapters that will bring the life-transforming hope found in Jesus to new communities across the country.

Over the past seven years, we’ve grown in amazing and humbling ways: 35 staff members, 11 facilities across Southern Oregon, and 130+ volunteers— a testimony to God’s faithfulness and your generosity. Growth brings new challenges, and changes are needed to prepare for what’s ahead. Your generosity, prayers, and relationships with our staff and ministries are vital to our work. As we grow, our first step is to adjust our bookkeeping. Staff will continue to participate in fundraising, and your connection to a staff member or program will remain unchanged. What’s shifting is that donations will now be allocated to a Ministry Chapter (Jackson, Josephine, etc.) to simplify our records. Your personal connections will still be honored and tracked in our donor database. This change helps us serve more communities while keeping the relational nature of our ministry strong.

Your trust and partnership are at the heart of all we do. We want to be fully transparent through this process. If you have questions or thoughts, please reach out to Walley or Bud at 541.779.3275. We’re grateful to walk this journey with 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

May '26

“Let your light shine before others . . .”

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 23

May '26

One of my favorite people became interested in things of God simply by being on a boat watching his Campus Life mentor. They were sitting in a broken-down ski boat in the middle of Lost Creek Lake. When the boat broke down, this young man waited for his mentor to fly into a rage like his father would… but instead, his mentor was calm and relaxed, accepting what happened as a part of God’s plan for their day. That difference started a journey where this young man came to know Christ, has been in active ministry for many years, and has led many people to trust in Jesus.

It’s amazing when Matthew 5:16 comes to life! It says: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

This is where trusted adults have the greatest impact in the lives of kids. It happens in the ‘between times’ where young people are shown how Jesus makes things different, makes people different. It opens a door to a hope that there is something real, strong, and good to trust in.

Thank you for bringing the light in the context of trust that leads to a powerful hope!

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

Feb '26

What you accomplished in 2025!

Posted on Feb 6, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 52

Feb '26

I want to share a bit of what you accomplished last year.

In 2025, you…

Provided mentoring and direction to a 14-year-old boy whose dad passed away.
Brought comfort to a grieving teen mom who lost her baby.
Gave a middle school girl their first trip to the Redwoods.
Encouraged and listened to a 13-year-old girl who was crying due to being bullied.
Gifted dozens of kids who wanted to read the Bible with brand new Bibles.
Repaired a car for a teen mom who had no transportation to get to work.
Were a shoulder to cry on for a girl who finally admitted to being abused.
Gave a young man a chance to learn trade skills with a stellar report to his parole officer.
Served several thousand healthy meals to kids in all our programs.
Challenged and supported a young man to stay in his addiction recovery program.
Clubs and activities that unplug 100s of kids from their phones and social media.
Over 1100 kids received the message that they can have peace with God through Jesus.
Changed the lives of hundreds of young people by showing them love, trust, and hope.

Each of these situations is real, and there are so many more… So many young people have been touched by the loving hand of God through you.

You will likely never hear the thanks you deserve from the hundreds of kids you’ve cared for this past year, so please hear it from me… 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

Dec '25

Lost In The Dark

Posted on Dec 23, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 29

Dec '25

Have you ever been lost in the dark? As a teen, a friend and I went cross-country skiing one cold afternoon. Single digits aren’t a problem for Minnesota kids, so we had a great time bushwacking through the frozen slough. We realized too late it would be dark before we got back, and the temp was dropping. We thought we could just follow the frozen creek back, but because of all the twists and turns of the creek, we weren’t sure if we were heading to the car or away from it. After turning around, we lost our tracks. Now it was pitch black, very cold, and we had no idea which way to go. We weren’t prepared, and we knew this is how people die. I remember the feeling of dread from being cold, hungry, and lost, with no way to change it.

This describes so many young people we know. They’re lost with no way to change it. There’s an epidemic of anxiety and hopelessness, and many are succumbing to it… After trudging blindly in the dark, the clouds broke, and we could see the moon. That light meant all the difference in the world. We figured out our direction… we were going the wrong way. That single point of light got us out of danger by giving us certainty, direction, and hope. It was a long slog back to the car, but we knew we’d make it.

Isaiah 9:2 comes alive to me after that! It says: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Christmas is here! The ‘great light’ was born and saved the world! Will you join 71Five in bringing the “light of the world” to those who live in the shadow of death? Will you go above and beyond with a special year-end gift? The year-end matching gift will double every dollar given above and beyond. Your gifts answer the anxiety and hopelessness with certainty, direction, and hope!

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

Nov '25

Thankfulness Leads to Joy!

Posted on Nov 14, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 18

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

Aug '25

71Five Adventure!

Posted on Aug 13, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 17

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

May '25

Help Wanted!

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 72

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!

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

Feb '25

Wanting Love

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 10

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

Nov '24

God With Us!

Posted on Nov 27, 2024 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 10

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.

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

Author page: Bud Amundsen