STORIES

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Fall 2015

METRO MARYLANDMETRO MARYLAND 8900 Belair Road Baltimore, MD 21236

JAMES, ChApTER 1 by Gregory Shade

I must admit that at times, the Lord bringskids to our Campus Life club that can be veryhard to work with. One of those kids I’ll call“James”.

James’ story is heartbreaking. Both of hisparents are drug addicts and completely unin-volved in his life. He lives with a friend’s familybut sadly, because space is so limited, James sleeps on the floor on a stairlanding. This past Christmas, James was excited because both his parentswere supposed to take him out for the day. He waited for hours… they nevershowed up.

Until now, I have only been able to spend a brief amount of time withJames. I was STUNNED the other day when he said to me “Mr. Greg, youare more of a father to me then my real father is.” What a tragic testamentto this young man’s relationship with his own dad.

James is one of the angriest teens I have worked with in a long time.When you look at his life, you can understand why. Unfortunately, he has evenstopped attending school at the young age of 16. I’m very concerned for thisyoung man’s future.

I never really thought James was getting much out of our weekly Cam-pus Life meetings but then last week I got a surprising message from him.He said he attended a Christian summer camp that his friend’s grandmotherinsisted he go to with her church. Although he didn't want to go, somethingamazing happened while he was there. James accepted Christ in his life,Chapter 1 of a new story!

PLEASE be in prayer for James! Pray that he finds true love and pur-pose in his Heavenly FATHER. I’d ask that you also pray for myself and ourstaff as we reach out to him with the love of Jesus and help him grow in thisnew relationship. Thank you all so much, for helping change one very specialstory – James’ story.

AVALANCHE 2016High School RetreatJanuary 15-17, 2016Gettysburg, PA

IMPACT 2016 High School ConferenceOcean City, Maryland March 18-20, 2016www.impact.mmyfc.org

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNERTuesday, May 10, 2016Martin’s West

CONTACT MMYFC8900 Belair Road

Baltimore, MD 21236410-529-4434

www.mmyfc.org

YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with thelocal church and other likeminded partners to raise up lifelong fol-

lowers of Jesus who lead by their Godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of Godand prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement.FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MMYFC GO TO WWW.MMYFC.ORG

OUR MISSION

2015 DATES TO REMEMBER

1ST ANNUAL RUN FOR A REASON 5KSeptember 26, 2015Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MDwww.cl5K.mmyfc.org

ANNUAL YFC GOLF CHALLENGEOctober 6, 2015Compass Pointe

ALIVE 2015 “MIXED UP” Middle School ConferenceOcean City, MDNovember 20-22, 2015www.alive.mmyfc.org

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METRO MARYL AND YOUTH FOR CHR IS T

MIDDLE SCHOOL

CONFERENCE

OCEAN CITYMARYLAND

NOVEMBER20-22, 2015

alive.mmyfc.org

YOUTH FOR CHRIST R

METRO MARYLAND

PRESTON CENTUOLO SPEAKER

“Pastor Preston” believes teenagers need to find out who they are and what they believe in before they can make sound choices for their future. Founder of South Jersey Youth Alliance, Preston reaches troubled kids with acceptance, love and respect, and is bringing the gospel of hope to teens and adults across the U.S.

www.sjya.com

MATT PERMAN ADULT TRAINING

Former Director of Strategy for Desiring God in Minneapolis and Director of Internet Ministries, Matt also has a M.Div. from Southern Seminary. He’s currently launching a new organization devoted to equipping Christians theologically and practically, especially in the developing world. He recently published his first book, What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Changes the Way You Get Things Done.

www.whatsbestnext.com

DANNY RAY ILLUSIONIST

A favorite of ALIVE Conferences, Danny’s passion is to empower people to “run a better race” in life, through making them laugh, while blowing their minds with unique illusions. Holding an M.Div. from Fuller Seminary, Danny has been in youth ministry for the past 21 years and captivating millions of people around the world.

www.dannyray.tv/video

BROOKLYN LINDSEY YOUTH WORKER TRAINING

Brooklyn is the Global Advocate for Nazarene Youth International, working in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Her dream is to propel and champion emerging leaders to break cycles of poverty by mobilizing young people in prayer and action. Brooklyn served in full time youth ministry for 14 years, has authored numerous books, and speaks at camps and conferences.

www.brooklynlindsey.com

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RYA YLR L AY ANL NDA DN YOUTH FOR CHHRC R IH IS TR S TI TI SS

MIDDLE SCHOMIDDLE SCHOMIDDLE SCHO

MIDDLE SCHO

JAY DAVIES

ThE gREAT ES”CApE”Cape Henlopen is a haven for sand, butyou have towalk ½ mile(under theunforgivingsun) to reachthe beach.There is air-conditioningin the MessHall, but not in the cabins (where we ac-tually try to sleep). The showers are ar-chaic. It may not be ideal – yet CapeHenlopen is a place…• where students’ lives change• where God moves in the silence andreflection

• that students come back to – overand over

Twenty-seven high school stu-dents came to our June camp TheVoice. We spent the week studying popculture and technology through aChrist-centered paradigm

Several students decided to fol-low Jesus, and many others madechoices to submit their social medialives to God.

Likewise, in August, thirty-threemiddle school students attended ourCrossroads camp. In addition to biking,going to the beach and boardwalk anddoing community service, students

were challenged totake steps of TRUSTwith God. At leasttwo students I knowof began relation-ships with God.Please join us in

praying for these students as they movefurther into the school year. Pray thatthe Holy Spirit would move in them andchallenge them to move beyond theircomfort zones to serve Him.

THERESA TIBBELS

MUSIC TO OUR EARSCreation Festival is one of the largest four-day

Christian music festivals held in the United States.MMYFC had the privilege this past June, of partneringwith them to promote our annual middle and high school youth conferences heldin Ocean City Maryland.

With a team of five YFC staff and volunteers, we were able to connect withchurches and youth pastors from all over the country. One of our volunteers, Tee, had become a Christianwhile attending one of our high school conferences. He was authentically able to share the transformingpower of Christ, through our conferences, to everyone who visited our booth.

It was a true testimony to our ministry that our booth was constantly surrounded by young people,wanting to talk, ask questions and even sing along, as several of our volunteers played guitars. All in all,it was music to our ears!

CHIP PIERCE

YFC CAMp - WhERE EVERYThINg ChANgES!• “I am not ready to say yes to Jesus, but I want to know more.” • “I have never been to church but want to start going.”• “When can I sign up for next year?”• “My son has not stopped talking about camp.”

These are a few quotes from middle schoolers who attended YFCCamp this summer. We had an amazing week! There is no better way todeepen a relationship with a young person and give them the opportunity toencounter Jesus, than a camp experience.

Megan was a high school leader at YFC Camp with us this summer.She is a leader with us because of the impact YFC Camp had on HER life whenSHE was in middle school.

Djasi was part of work crew at YFC Camp this summer. His mom saidthat his week of serving at camp was a life-changing experience for him. DjasiALSO attended YFC Camp in middle school and had a first time encounterwith Jesus.

As a new school year begins, the impact made at YFC Camp providesgreat momentum and excitement for middle AND high school students.Those impacted at camp often become future student leaders. They are alsoeager to grow in their relationships – with others and with God.

YFC Camp - Where Everything Changes!

MARK MILLER

SURELY TO LOVE IS TO SERVEMMYFC hada great timehosting a mis-sions team of17 peoplefrom NewYork this pastJuly. A group

of our staff and volunteers worked with this New Yorkteam to:• Serve over 300 meals at the Helping Up Mission

(for homeless men)• lead a Bible study at HUM• Share coffee and conversation at Panera with some

of the clients from HUM• Paint hallways at Patterson High School (where we

have outreach)• Hold a barbecue in Sandtown, seeing some of the

recent destruction• Work alongside a Recovery Center/Home Free forAddicts – painting, cleaning, picking up trash, andholding a community cookout

Two of the comments from those we served, tell thestory.

“You know what means a lot. You guys didn’tjust come in, serve a meal, then leave. You spenttime with us and talked to us like we were real peo-ple. Once people find out where we are or where wehave been, they speak differently to us. You alltalked to us like you were talking to each other.”(client from Helping Up Mission)

“On behalf of the Home Free family, wewould like to express our profound appreciation forthe service of your staff. Thank you for working tire-lessly in the heat. Thank you for the delicious food.Thank you foryour humble actsof service andlove. Thank youespecially toTheresa, Markand Elijah, whodid not leaveuntil the last piece of trash was taken. Our work canbe discouraging at times, and we left yesterday feel-ing energized and encouraged by your support. Youput the wind back in our sails. We look forward toworking with you again.”

“WhAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION”