16
Nov '21
a heartwarming surprise
16
Nov '21
At the Night of Mystery, I heard my name being shouted. I looked up and saw Christy running to give me a huge hug. She said “I was literally just saying how I really hoped I’d see you tonight.” It was a heartwarming surprise as I wasn’t sure of the last impression I’d made. The last time I saw Christy was when I drove her and 8 other students to the Redding Water Park a few months back. We had a blast talking, listening to music, eating junk food, and laughing the entire time! But there were times when I had to pause the fun and discipline them while driving, particularly Christy… and not just once, or even twice, but multiple times. That’s what made Christy’s hug all the more special! Even though I gave her some tough love that trip, I see she knows deep down I really care about her. Sometimes tough love is really just love.
God’s Word reminds us we must let go of our fears and do what is right, trusting He has control of the situation [1 Peter 3:14]. A little bit of tough love for a van full of students made a difference in the life of at least one young person. It created a bond that has now grown into a beautiful friendship. Thanks to you, trusting relationships can be formed between caring adults and young people. Relationships that lead our youth from trust to hope.
DARLENE HARPER, 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
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10
Nov '21
I heard
10
Nov '21
Lately we’ve noticed something interesting at 71Five VoTech. People show up and start conversations with, “I heard…” Questions like: “I heard I can get air for my bike tire here.” Or, “I heard you can fix my taillights!” More importantly, I had a dad come by and say, “I heard you guys work with youth, do you think you might be able to reach my son?” The dad was at a loss to know what to do and was desperate to not lose his son. Together we are seeing his son thrive, make better life choices, engage in activities, learn new skills and most importantly, hear about the love of Jesus. This same family has now taken in a homeless young man and then said, “I heard you can include a boy like this into your classes. I would love to bring him here.” This second young man is also doing well.
People also say, “I heard you can use a new saw or a meal to feed the youth.” Have you ever had a tug on your heart to reach the youth of our valley… to be a person who builds trust that leads to hope? If so, you are just the one we’d love to have join 71Five, as a volunteer, prayer warrior or financial partner.
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
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03
Nov '21
best foot forward
03
Nov '21
Lily has been coming to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point since she was in Middle School. Over the past few weeks, she has gone above and beyond in helping out with things at club and has put her best foot forward while doing so. Lily has shown so much growth since I first met her several years ago. As a High Schooler, she recently became a 71Five Campus Student Leader. What a pleasure it is for me to help lead her in the next steps of growth and watch Lily develop where her desire to help out and set an example for other kids is given room to thrive.
It is so important to make sure the youth we minister to have opportunities for growth, and I am blessed to be able to offer every kid the privilege to grow in whatever way they can. Thank you for reaching teens like Lily, helping them grow in their gifts as they grow closer to Jesus!
PETER KUHL, 71Five Campus – Eagle Point Coordinator
(541) 630-0648 | peter@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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26
Oct '21
Teach them well
26
Oct '21
At 71Five City, amid the fun, games and meals, we strive to faithfully teach and discuss the gospel with our kids. As it says in the Bible, “…on the way and as we do life together. Teach them well to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up.” [Deuteronomy 11:19]
During a recent middle school club we talked about the human condition. I asked, “Are people basically good, or do they need to be saved like the Bible says?” Faith mentioned our self-centered human nature without God saying, “People will do whatever they want to… Whenever they want to!” Mae shared, “The human heart always wants more and more.” These two girls showed such depth of insight about humans and our desperate need to be saved by God. I was so encouraged to hear these answers because it feels like we are in a constant battle to break through distractions and get to these types of conversations.
You are the reason we’re able to create these times to teach our youth! Thank you for battling together, standing shoulder to shoulder in this most important struggle for our kids!
SHANE SKIRVIN, 71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator
(541) 646-1475 | shane@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
Oct '21
his name is Jeffrey
19
Oct '21
During the lesson, there’s always one kid who raises his hand. He doesn’t raise his hand because he has a question, he raises it because he wants to share his contradictions. His name is Jeffrey and he’s an agnostic. Jeffrey has been attending club and field trips for over a year now. Even though he doesn’t believe in God, he loves everything about 71Five and always participates in our activities. One day at club I pulled Jeffrey aside. I told him, “Instead of spending all of your time trying to disprove there’s a God, you should shift your focus to trying to prove that there is one.” He just shrugged his head to confirm he heard me. Several weeks later while sharing the lesson, sure enough his hand went up but I didn’t call on him. After I finished he came forward to talk to me. I said “I know, I know… You’re going to try to disprove there’s a God.” He responded, “No, I’m passed that.” I asked him, “Passed what?” He said, “I’m passed trying to disprove there’s a God. I believe there is one now. I actually took your advice and now I want to learn more.” I looked at him in disbelief, told him I was going to cry, gave him a big hug! I invited him to bible study, and he said yes.
As 71Five leaders encourage young people, hope is offered through a relationship with God that will make an eternal difference in that young person’s life. Thank you for making this possible!!
FARRAH GUTHRIE, 71Five Campus – Grants Pass Coordinator
(541) 840-6544 | farrah@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
Oct '21
tatts, fun hair, and Jesus
08
Oct '21
I recently had a conversation with Anie; a young lady who began attending 71Five Parents Night in her first trimester. Anie expressed herself through her appearance in ways that were not openly accepted by the conservative church she grew up knowing. We were talking one day, and she told me that she had never met someone like me; “You have fun hair, tattoos, and really love Jesus.” Anie wanted to be all in with Jesus, but she also wanted the freedom to express her style. We continued to talk about who Jesus is, what He has done, and who we are in Him. It has been a blessing watching God take her through the journey of seeking Him more.
“71Five exists to share God’s story with young people through trusting relationships in any relevant way.” Sometimes its “fun hair, and tattoos” that allow us opportunities to share who Jesus is!
TERESA TONINI, 71Five Parents Coordinator
(541) 941-1143 | teresa@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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04
Oct '21
not a fan?
04
Oct '21
Cody doesn’t hide his hesitation towards God. We’ve been getting to know Cody throughout the summer. He comes to almost all of our club nights and events. We have seen that Cody isn’t the most interested in the activities at club and he has shown us that he is not a fan of Christianity. He doesn’t always want to be involved in games, has walked away during prayer, and has rolled his eyes and become audibly irritated when we say it’s time for the message. Although Cody does these things, he still shows up week after week. You can tell that he feels loved and cared for by the leaders because he is sad and asks about them when they aren’t around and is affectionate when they are around. At the end of every club we ask for prayer requests. One week, Cody had remembered that one of our leaders knew someone battling Covid and he brought up that we should pray for that person. Cody went from walking away irritated during prayer, to suggesting we pray for someone who was struggling.
It is amazing to see the way God moves in the hearts of young people. The kids don’t often tell us how their lives are being transformed by God, but we get to witness it in moments like this.
MELANIE CIENFUEGOS, 71Five Campus – Phoenix Talent Coordinator
(916) 671-4128 | melanie@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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28
Sep '21
What 3 F’s?
28
Sep '21
At 71Five City – West Medford I asked the youth why they liked Thursday Night Kids Club. Without hesitation Kylah shouted, “The three F’s.” I challenged her by asking, “What three F’s?” She quickly responded, “Food, Faith and Fun,” as she referred to the format of our weekly time together. Every week we sit down to enjoy a family style dinner with Kylah and almost 20 other young kids in the West Medford community. We spend time catching up with each other as we prepare for a night of fun and games, but, before we transition, we always take time to discuss our faith. While some kids seem to be impatiently tolerating the conversations, Kylah is totally engaged, raising her hand before we can even finish the questions. When I asked which is her favorite part she explained, “Faith, it’s fun to talk about God.”
Thank you for sharing the hope found in Jesus with Kylah. Her faith is growing because of your faithful partnership.
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
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13
Sep '21
“Beau! Your food is on me tonight!”
13
Sep '21
What a great way to be greeted at Mod Pizza when you walk in the door! Clayton is a kid I met in detention a couple years ago. He was transferred to Barriers to Bridges, a 6-month residential program at the detention center and participated in 71Five Justice’s Break the Cycle bike program every week. When we politely tried to refuse his generosity, he said, “I really want to do this for you, you have done so much for me, I want to pay it forward! And you know, you can give me a hug now if you want to!” After a big hug, and lots of smiles all the way around, we got our food and he asked if he could join us for his break. He told us how grateful he was for Youth 71Five Ministries during his time in the program and we made plans to connect.
What a blessing to build these friendships and have such a powerful platform from which to share the hope that lies in the gospel! Thank you for all that you do to ensure this work continues in these trying times. May God bless you all richly.
What a blessing to build these friendships and have such a powerful platform from which to share the hope that lies in the gospel! Thank you for all that you do to ensure this work continues in these trying times. May God bless you all richly.
BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Coordinator
(541) 601-9631 | beau@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
Sep '21
“I’m an Atheist”
08
Sep '21
“Hi, I’m Joe and I’m an atheist.” That’s how one of my students started his “testimony” of how God had worked in his heart at 71Five Camp. There were a lot of impactful testimonies shared that night. We heard time after time of tragedies that God turned into a redemptive story. But Joe’s story was different. He started with being clear he’s still an atheist. Joe went on to share how, despite his being an atheist, he sees how much love he gets at 71Five from “you Christians and your God”. Despite the fact that Joe doesn’t believe in God, he sees a difference in us. He knows we love him unconditionally, even though we don’t agree with him. Wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of society worked like that? Joe found safety and love at Youth 71Five Ministries, like a lot of kids do. Joe hasn’t found Jesus yet, but he’s honest with us about where he is spiritually.
Thank you so much for helping kids like Joe see there is a difference in the love that God gives vs. the rest of the world. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to be Jesus to kids in need. We can’t do what we do without faithful volunteers, financial donors, and prayer warriors. If you would like to do more to change the lives of young people, I’d love to talk with you.
TIM HARDY, 71Five Campus Ministry Director
(541) 840-0960 | tim@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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