(June 20, 2004) The transition from a school schedule to a summertime schedule has begun. When school is out many people wonder what staff does in the summer time. This is how I would answer that question this year.

This time will be used to continue to implement our campus strategy so that our campus ministry will be much stronger come September. So staff will be focusing in on these efforts.

1. Since we have had much more student contact this year we want to continue as much contact as possible during these summer months. This means when the school bells ring in late August we will be ready to resume Campus Life and training with the students. As we meet with them, we can be making plans for starting the clubs when school begins and not wait until October.
2. We will continue to work at organizing the Campus Life Booster Clubs for parents and friends. The prayer and financial support and service help that these will provide will be much needed as the campus ministry continues to grow. This is one of the best ways to broaden our financial base because it is directly tied to our school ministry.
3. We will be making more contacts with Christian teachers so that many of them can be involved when school starts again. This will be a real opportunity for them to join in this united kingdom strategy of taking the Kingdom to the Kids.
4. In addition to this work we will be taking kids to the Kids Across America Camp and on the Colorado Caravan plus planning the big Colorado Peach sale in August.

So you see the summer will be filled with opportunities to do ministry, meet with adults and continue to share our vision of sharing Christ with students. Thank you because your contributions and prayers are the life-blood to this ministry. Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness.

(March 14, 2004) Taking the Kingdom to the Kids means that we are working closely with a special group of people called principals and teachers. These people are very important because they are involved with the day-to-day responsibility of providing a positive learning environment and the content of the subjects taught. Students spend 35-50 hours per week at school. Because of this, much of their lives revolve around the school culture and activities.

Most school administrators and teachers are interested in working with people who want to help them accomplish the mission of education. There are many negative influences that are at work that hinder their mission of education. Much of this distraction comes because of the inner struggles students are experiencing. Strong spiritual and moral foundations have not been formed. This leaves students trying to live life without a sense of purpose, values, direction or a strong stabilizing anchor. This is why Youth for Christ believes our ministry must engage them there if their faith is going to be strong and relevant and a light in the darkness.

Youth for Christ is committed to encouraging students to remember that they can bring God’s Kingdom into this culture and begin to make it a more positive and caring environment. We find principals are open and supportive of this strategy. As the schools and faith community work together we will see this positive change. Most importantly, many students will learn about God’s love and become followers of Jesus. So your gifts are all about making a difference in a kid’s life and bringing change in a culture that desperately needs a positive change. Pray for us as Youth for Christ staff meets with kids from Central City, Linn-Mar, Excelsior, Taft, Kennedy, Roosevelt and Wilson and begin to meet kids at Washington and Harding. Thank you for being a partner with us.