Appeal
It’s that time of year again isn’t it? The shops have been full of mince pies and crackers for weeks now. Slade and Cliff Richard will soon be ringing out in every store. My kids are getting so excited – and to be honest, so am I, as I look forward to all the family fun, but also to a time of year when we can celebrate God’s goodness to us. Despite the gloom and doom in the newspapers, there is so much for us all to be thankful for isn’t there?
During this past year we have seen the launch of six new YFC Centres across the country. We have never seen growth like this in 65+ years of ministry! As well as these new launches we have celebrated Centre anniversaries too, such as 60 years of Swindon YFC and 30 years of Trafford YFC. This is massively encouraging as it shows how sustainable our local work is - imagine how many young lives have been impacted by just these two Local Centres! And how many more will be impacted by the six new ones over the coming years.
Our vision to reach 1,000,000 young people each month in Britain by 2020 is in the early stages, but we are excited about what we are already achieving, and that our work is for the long haul. Many of our supporters tell us they have been involved in our work for years. Often, their first contact with Jesus was through YFC 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Day-to-day our ministry still remains all about individual young people being transformed and coming to know Jesus. One such young person I met recently was far from his family, and felt even further away from God. We’ll call him Sam.
Sam was 15. He’d grown up around the church but had grown weary of it all. He disengaged with church and took a look at all the world had to offer. We would call him a prodigal, but if the truth be known I’m not sure that description fits – I think he just got bored.
Sam and I ‘inadvertently’ crossed paths when he was coerced into coming to a meeting where I shared a simple Gospel message, and gave an opportunity to respond. Just as I was preparing to leave, Sam walked towards me, tears rolling down his cheeks. He told me of the dad who’d run out on them before Sam could even walk, of the struggles he’d had with church and of the reality that he could never understand why God would actually love him. Through his tears he spoke out excitedly, ‘Gav that’s all changed tonight. When you spoke of Jesus dying for everyone the penny dropped. I have just surrendered my life to Jesus.’ It was one of those moments when I am reminded why I joined YFC.
We want to support young people like Sam in their daily walk, through mentoring and by building deep, lasting relationships. Our 70 Local Centres across the country work with young people to make this happen. In fact, over 70% of all YFC's youth work is done by Local Centre staff and volunteers.
In 2012 we want to launch more Local Centres, so that young people like Sam can be supported in their local school and church. But we need your help to do that, which is why I am asking if you can consider making an gift to YFC this Christmas. I realise that this year has been tough for many of us – like you, I have felt the impact of spiralling costs too. But I am absolutely convinced that God is still in the business of blessing each of us through generosity. That has been my personal testimony, and I am sure you have experienced that too.
I recently had a message from Sam’s youth worker: ‘You’ll be delighted to hear that Sam is going from strength to strength in his relationship with Jesus. That night you met him was a turning point in his life but it was just the start. In the time since he has made massive strides forward. Please keep praying for him.’
Thanks so much for your part of our fantastic work. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
To support the ongoing mission of Youth for Christ, please click here.
Every blessing,
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Gavin Calver
National Director
