While the world is going through a period of uncertainty, God’s word remains the same. Psalm 119:89 says that “your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Youth 71Five Ministries continues to do what we set out to do which is sharing the gospel. As we have started gathering for club the atmosphere has been heavy. These kids have endured a time of disarray; and no one was prepared. The conversations they have been over-hearing and engaging in are about politics, racism, and contracting a deadly virus. Sarah shared with me her mom refuses to wear a mask, could care less about politics, has not been working since March, and her stimulus check went towards paying back child support. Sarah’s friend Jen said that her parents have been working, wearing their masks, and following politics very closely. These girls are coming from completely different scenarios except neither has the hope of Jesus in their home.

 

Now more than ever, Sarah and Jen need trusting relationships, truth and faith. We do not want the next generation to hear one side of the story, we want them to know God’s story. Matthew 13:22 says “The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word.” With so many different perspectives influencing our young people, we open the Bible to teach them what our Creator of the universe has to say.

 

We at 71Five want to thank you for sowing seeds among the thorns— cultivating relationships that grow trust, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Coordinator- Grants Pass  (541) 779-3275  farrah@71Five.org

 

 

Even though our club numbers have been small, God makes it evident “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” [Matthew 18:20] I can see the way He’s hand selected the kids and provided us ways to build trusting relationships despite the barriers we face during the pandemic. After many weeks of virtual club meetings, we all came together to meet in person at 71Five Campus – Phoenix Youth Center last week! We all wore masks, social distanced ourselves, and got creative with the games we played. Masks covered our smiles, but joy doesn’t need to be seen, it was felt abundantly as we spent time together. One middle schooler came for the first time to club, and after playing the last game of the evening, looked at me, his eyes smiling and said, “I’m really happy I came, I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

 

It is such a joy to get together but even when we couldn’t, God opened opportunities for us to reach young people in these communities in ways we couldn’t have foreseen! We are shown on a daily basis that God’s desire is to seek and save the lost.

 

Thank you for the important roles you play in bringing the hope of Jesus to the kids in these communities! To get more involved, please give us a call or check out our website, 71Five.org. MELANIE CIENFUEGOS 71Five Campus Coordinator – Phoenix /Talent  (541) 779-3275  melanie@71Five.org

 

Please take a moment and pray for the youth involved in 71Five Justice. . . For the young man who was released from Rogue Valley Correctional Facility recently, who we met in detention years ago and remained connected with as he bounced in and out of many different programs across Oregon. He is connected with a church, 71Five Justice’s Break the Cycle and is being discipled as he is currently making all the right choices. For another youth who, unfortunately, relapsed and was kicked out of his mom’s house. The many other youth struggling with addiction, having relapsed during the COVID-19 health crisis. For the two young men working for a friend of mine doing landscape construction and thriving. Another youth who is getting over a neck injury, studying to get his GED, and looking for work. AND… for the 5 youth currently in Detention who have committed to getting to know Jesus!

 

Please pray for the many other youth and their families who are struggling in various ways. There are so many. It can be overwhelming at times. Thank you for joining in this important work of sharing the hope of Jesus, it’s more important now than ever before. BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Coordinator (541) 779.3275 beau@71Five.org

 

The pandemic has changed a lot of the things we do, and with Youth 71Five Ministries, we have had to change as well. At 71Five Campus – North Medford Youth Center, we immediately started doing online clubs as soon as we could no longer meet together. Kids found comfort in the fact that despite all the doom and gloom in the news, they were still able to come together with caring adults and friends, even if it was online and not face to face. Through the online ministry, we were able to share Jesus several times a week with some kids who don’t know him. Through video we were able to meet kids right in their homes, and create new ways of sharing the gospel with kids who need him. In fact, this week one of the college and career girls was baptized at her church on live stream.

 

God is still at work in young people’s lives here at 71Five… even through a pandemic! We thank you for your continued giving, prayers, and time in reaching out to young people. Kids lives are being changed thanks to you. If you want to get involved, please give us a call at Youth 71Five Ministries. There are kids who need you! TIM HARDY 71Five Campus Area Coordinator – North Medford  (541) 779-3275 tim@71Five.org

 

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

There’s a hymn that’s almost 100 years old that is probably very familiar to most of us. Its title is, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and it speaks of God’s unchanging love and grace toward his people. Take a look at the chorus which is profoundly comforting as we face the needs of each day in these very uncertain times…

 

Thank you for bringing ‘new mercies’ to lost and hurting young people! BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director (541) 779-3275 bud@71Five.org

 

Lee and Ricky were matched in 2014 when Ricky was 9 years old. They’ve enjoyed hanging out, hiking, or going to Lee’s home for a homemade dinner and DIY projects in Lee’s yard. Last year, Ricky got his first job and decided to make a special promise to Lee, that one day he would do something nice for him in return. Last December, Ricky followed through on his word and took Lee out to dinner, paying the bill for the first time ever. 71Five Mentors help at-risk youth learn how to create healthy, authentic, and loving relationships. These connections go deeper than typical friendships. Kids find hope in Jesus through these trusting relationships while gaining valuable life skills… like responsibility, goal setting, reliability, self-worth or even the significance behind a kept promise. Mentoring relationships are genuinely built through love and often last for many years.

 

Thanks to your support, mentoring relationships like Lee’s and Ricky’s become possible and promises once deemed unreachable become realities. If you feel God’s desire for you to become a mentor or be more involved, please call us and let us help you help the lost. DARLENE HARPER 71Five Mentors Coordinator (541) 779.3275 darlene@71Five.org

 

Arthur is a young man in the Barriers to Bridges (B2B) program who is also on the autism spectrum. He never talks, never smiles, always looks down and doesn’t participate in much. How he ended up in the Juvenile Justice System is a mystery to our team. One day Arthur was introduced to Mike, our welding instructor. Arthur spent a lot of time in the welding shop where he seemed to learn and thrive as he melted metal plates together. At the start of the last B2B class the director asked for volunteers to go into the welding lab and work on a project. Arthur lifted his head and for the first time, smiled and raised his hand. It appears he has found his niche at 71Five VoTech and is becoming one very good welder.

 

This niche that Arthur found was created by you through your support, prayers and encouragement. Please consider joining us with your Time and Talents to widen this ‘niche’ into a ‘valley’ of hope. LARRY LICATO 71Five VoTech Director (541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

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

 

A couple of weeks ago, I contacted CJ, one of the high schoolers who comes to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point. It was CJ’s birthday and he was really happy to hear from me. During our conversation he stated, “I really miss Campus. When’s it gonna be open again?” While I had to tell him it was going to be several weeks, I told him I would continue to reach out. Since he started coming to 71Five Campus, I’ve personally witnessed CJ’s growth in maturity and respect. He looks forward to the Youth Center reopening like so many other youth have said in the last month.

 

Thank you for all who have reached out with concerns about how this ministry is going through the hard time we’re facing right now. We’ve transitioned most of our ministry to calling, texting and video conferencing our students who once filled the Youth Centers. We’ve even connected with some new faces who enjoy this ‘virtual’ type of ministry. Because of your prayers and your support, we continue to connect with the youth in our communities and share the hope found in Jesus. PETER KUHL 71Five Campus Coordinator – Eagle Point (541) 779-3275 peter@71Five.org

 

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

As I would gaze across the room, Johnny would always capture my attention. His interpretation of participating during the lesson meant hoodie over his head, strings drawn tight, and to stare at the floor. On the surface, this behavior can be seen as disrespectful, rebellious and disobedient. Johnny’s been attending 71Five Campus clubs, field trips, and camps for over a year now. Gradually, I noticed the walls coming down, the hoodie coming off, and he began asking questions. After I shared about baptism, he raised his hand and asked, “Can I do what Sam did?” Sam had been baptized during our winter camp and even though Johnny didn’t know how to describe it, he knew he wanted it for himself. “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” [1Timothy 4:12] Slowly Johnny’s faith was strengthened by hearing the Word and by watching Sam.

 

You see, all along, Johnny didn’t understand what was being taught. His response was to hide in hopes that he didn’t have to participate. Just as Timothy did, we at 71Five have set out as co-workers in God’s service to spread the gospel of Christ to strengthen and encourage them in their faith [1Thessalonians 3:2]. It takes time to build trust that leads to hope. By providing places where youth feel secure, and people kids can truly count on, you are transforming lives. FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Coordinator – Grants Pass (541) 779-3275 farrah@71Five.org

 

The launch of our Phoenix/Talent Youth Center Club at 71Five Campus happened to fall on the exact same day that Oregon announced school closures due to COVID-19. During our time together at club, a student named Xander said, “I’m sad that school is canceled, I love school.” This time can be hard on kids. Hearing the concern around us, led to us sharing a message of hope for our first night of club. We shared that our God is sovereign, works out all things for good, knows and loves each of us, and promises to be with us through all things. I looked at Xander and told him that we are going to make the most of this time, that we will use this time off of school to gather together outdoors and have some fun. His face filled with a smile and before he left, he mentioned that he loved coming to 71Five Campus!

 

We always have the goal of bringing hope to young people. During this uncertain season, that mission is set even heavier on our hearts. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” [Romans 15:13] If you would like to hear more about ways that you can get involved in bringing hope to these kids, contact me or check out our ministries at www.71Five.org. MELANIE CIENFUEGOS 71Five Campus Area Director – Phoenix /Talent  (541) 779-3275 melanie@71Five.org