Have you ever questioned your ability to make a difference? Lately, I have doubted my own effectiveness in ministry. This took me to a sad place in my heart and I hung my head in doubt for weeks. On a very rainy Friday, before Club, a young mom with daughters asked if she could speak with me. She was obviously very ill and it took all she had to walk her girls to the meeting. She didn’t want the girls to miss out. She asked if I could find the girls a ride home because she didn’t have enough energy to walk all the way back to pick them up. As she headed out into the rain, I offered to pray with her. She agreed, dropped her bags and we prayed together. Then she walked home. Oh yes, we did get her girls home safe and dry.

I didn’t understand what had just happened until I was on the phone during our year-end calling campaign. The gentleman I was talking with shared how he wished people at his church who would greet a single mom like that at the door, and love on her and her 4 kids. That they would reach out with the love of Jesus and make them feel welcome. At that moment the lights came on and I began to smile. That’s what we do here at 71Five City (formerly City Life). We provide a safe place where the message of hope is shared week after week thru loving relationships.

In a short period of time, the Lord answered my doubts. Paraphrased from Psalms 3:3 … the Lord put a shield around my heart and lifted my head. LARRY LICATO, 71Five City Director larry@71Five.org

 

I hadn’t seen Jordin in about a year, but there he was at the Youth Center and he needed to talk. We went into my office and asked, “Would it be okay if I did my community service here?” Jordin just finished 20 hours of community service by helping out every week at the Eagle Point Youth Center. In that time, he has re-connected to the ministry and been reintroduced to the message of hope through Jesus Christ! He’s excited to return next week, even though his community service has been completed.

 

God often uses our mistakes to bring us back to himself. He used Jordin‘s mistakes to bring him back to Youth 71Five Ministries (formally Rogue Valley YFC) and an opportunity for hope. Because you partner with 71Five through your finances, your time, and your prayers; prodigals like Jordin have a safe place to return! Thank you for making a difference. ROBERT MILTON, 71Five Campus Area Director robert@71Five.org