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“New Kid”

Posted on Jul 18, 2023 by Peter Kuhl | Life Change Story | 0

New things can be difficult, especially for Savanah. Middle School is a tough time in general even if you aren’t the “new kid”, and it’s easy to find yourself feeling like an outcast, which is what Savanah has felt at other youth groups she’s been to. Savanah has autism, which makes it especially difficult for her to feel like she belongs, and she was hesitant the first time she came to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point. It was hard at first for her to find the courage to attend, but when she did, she instantly loved being there and made several new friends. Savanah finally found somewhere she could be herself, make friends, and be included in activities with all the other kids. She says, going to 71Five Campus is the highlight of my entire week!”

I’m thankful for your part in Savanah’s journey and I can’t wait to see what God continues to do in her life through 71Five.

PETER KUHL, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Eagle Point

(541) 630-0648 | peter@71Five.org

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

Lessons Learned

Posted on Jul 11, 2023 by Shane Skirvin | Life Change Story | 0

For the last 6 months, our Elementary Club teacher Miss Colette has been consistently opening the world of the Bible to the kids through song, stories, and a bit of drama. She’s taken them through Christ’s birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and the early church. Recently, she’s been asking the students questions to review what’s been covered so far. The responses are filled with so much information showing they’ve retained a lot from these lessons! Many of these kids have no church background with little to no knowledge of Christ. It’s such a blessing to be a part of the work of teaching kids the most important thing in the world – how to have a relationship with the God of the Bible, who is a father that loves them!

You make this little school about God and His love possible! We could never do this without you [Romans 10:14-15]! You are reaching the kids of our neighborhood with the vital first step of teaching the Word of Christ. Let’s also pray for these kids to have faith in what they are hearing and that their lives may be transformed forever [Romans 10:17]!

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

Tatum’s GED Graduation

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 by Farrah Guthrie | Life Change Story | 0

Tatum has been coming to 71Five City in Grants Pass for almost 2 years now. At the beginning of Spring, she told me she was going to be missing club for a few months. I was saddened by this, but, when she said that it was to study for her GED with a goal of graduating this summer, I was ecstatic! Tatum had been struggling for some time, as many kids have since Covid-19. She fell behind in her studies and had to attend school for an additional year after her senior year. Not only was she feeling hopeless, but she also felt defeated. The GED program gave her a new avenue to a positive outlook for her future.

By the beginning of Summer, Tatum had missed several clubs, but we stayed connected and she was able to attend many of our other activities. She helped with some volunteer work cleaning up trash at a local event and was a high school leader at our 71Five Middle School Camp. I was so delighted to receive an invitation to Tatum’s GED graduation and felt honored. As I looked upon those who attended, I was surrounded by her family members. That’s who we become when we build relationships that lead to hope in the lives of our youth. We become family… brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for doing your part in the 71Five Family by helping Tatum reach one of her dreams this summer.

FARRAH GUTHRIE, 71Five City – 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

A Testament of God’s Love

Posted on Jun 27, 2023 by Breanna Stoutenburgh | Life Change Story | 0

“The biggest hurdle for me was when I was pregnant with my second baby Cameron. I remember having Braxton Hicks’ contractions and having to wake up at 7:30 a.m. to get me and my daughter ready for high school.” Candice went on to share that the support the Magdalene Home, the Child Development Center at North Medford High School, and 71Five Parents provided her family were instrumental in her success. Candice was able to graduate from high school this year while mothering three children all under the age of 5. This resilient and strong young mother is a testament of how powerful God’s love is.

Thank you providing the space and resources to young girls like Candice. God is using you to give hope to those in need.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH, 71Five Parents Coordinator

(541) 941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

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

Those Small Moments

Posted on Jun 20, 2023 by Jesse Blair | Life Change Story | 0

We had club in Ashland last Monday night. Like most Monday nights, you never know what to expect. I pray for many kids to show up – ready to hear the Gospel. Last week, only a couple of kids showed up. You start to wonder if, and what you’re doing is worth it. But, it’s in those small moments when God often shows up. I had a lengthy conversation with one of the kids who often is hard to connect with, especially when a lot of kids are around. However, because of the small turnout that night, I was able to speak truth into a few young lives and also shared the gospel with them! Needless to say, God is at work even in the small moments.

Praise God for all that he is doing in Ashland. Please continue to pray for these young people who are so confused and led astray by this world.

JESSE BLAIR, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Ashland

(406) 540-2258 | jesse@71Five.org

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

A Burning Desire to Impact Young Lives

Posted on Jun 12, 2023 by Chris Willis | Life Change Story | 0

Gathered around a table of coworkers and a potential volunteer, we shared stories of the lives impacted through our ministry at 71Five Justice. Each tale carried its own blend of heartache, inspiration, pain, and moments of pure joy. As we poured out our hearts to one another, there was one young man, only 13 years old, who remained silent, listening to every word. A few days later, his mother approached me with an incredible revelation. During their ride home that day, he shared, “As I listened, my heart was burning inside of me to do this.” He shared with his mother his deep desire to someday work for this very ministry, to reach out to young people just as we had reached out to him. It’s remarkable how God seizes the opportunity to ignite a young person’s passion through seemingly ordinary moments like these. It serves as a poignant reminder that our words and actions can have a profound impact, inspiring others to pursue something truly extraordinary.

Thank you for inspiring young people and making a huge difference in their lives by opening doors of hope and trust at 71FIve.

CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five Justice Coordinator – Grants Pass

(541) 941-3488 | chris@71Five.org

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

“Nobody wants me…”

Posted on Jun 6, 2023 by Sara Nielsen | Life Change Story | 0

With 71Five Camp for middle schoolers fast approaching, now is the time of year when we invite our youth. It was at our normal club day, and I felt God telling me to make sure I invited Joshua. “I want you to join us at middle school camp this year.” He reluctantly replied, “I probably can’t go.” I told him that I wanted him to ask anyway and reminded him I really wanted him to join us for the unique 71Five Camp experience. The next week he came back to club, and I asked him if he’d asked and he replied, “Are you sure you still want me to go?” “Of course I do.” I said, “I want you to be there, it’s going to be worth it.” Joshua replied, “Why? Nobody ever wants me!” At this point I got to share with Joshua, not only how I care for him, but more importantly, how loved and valued he is by God.

Because of you… young people, like Joshua, get to know they are accepted and loved. Thank you for passing on this message of love to those who don’t hear it often enough.

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

“Influencing in all the right ways.”

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Jeff Moritz | Life Change Story | 0

Since it’s a school like environment sometimes I wonder if the youth are getting anything out of the 71Five VoTech training program or if they are at least enjoying their experiences. Recently I received this message from one of my students: “Hey Jeff, I broke my foot and I’m on crutches for a while. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to proceed with VoTech. I really like it and enjoy going to it but I don’t know if I’d be able to participate in much of the hands-on part because of my foot. I hope we can work something out because I don’t want to drop this program that I really like.” Another student’s mother wrote, “Hi Jeff! I’m so thrilled with how much Joe is enjoying VoTech. He’s mentioned how nice all the instructors are and that they’re all Christians. You men are truly influencing Joe in all the right ways. Thank you doesn’t begin.”

Thank you for providing a place where young people choose to come and where we as staff can provide influence in all the right ways.

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

She saw no hope.

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Tim Hardy | Life Change Story | 0

I am not a big pessimist… but some days I feel like there’s an inevitable doom approaching us! Fortunately, Romans 15:4 reminds us that through the encouragement of God’s Word we have hope. One girl, when she first came to 71Five Campus in North Medford, was feeling hopeless. She’d been expelled, was committing self-harm, and was contemplating suicide. She saw no hope. Things changed when she came to 71Five Camp. She made good friends, found adults who cared for her, and started hearing the truth of God’s Word… that there is a God in heaven who loves her relentlessly. Our teens today face challenges I couldn’t have dreamed of as a young person. But there really is hope. We have the promise that no matter what we go through, God loves us and offers us eternal life with him. Don’t you wish all young people knew that? What a difference it would make in our world.

That’s why 71Five exists… “We exist to share God’s story of hope with young people, through trusting relationships, in any relevant way.” Would you like to be a part of that mission? Give us a call. We’d love to share ways you can bring young people hope.

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

“Ease the breaks, Bubba!”

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Isaiah Abney | Life Change Story | 0