Karna Steel shared a story with us recently about how God provided for her family on the mission field. We hope it will be an encouragement to you that if God is leading you to go to the mission field, He will also meet all your needs as you follow Him where He is leading.

"We just had a miraculous provision from God!  We suddenly had to move out of our last house in June of this past year.  When we closed out our utilities, we were told that we owed $3000 for gas that was above what we'd bugeted to pay.  And let's face it, on a missionaries salary it sounded like  $30,000! 

We were expecting to get our deposit back of nearlly $2500 so we thought we'd be okay having to come up with just $500.  However, our landlord refused to pay the money back.  We were getting assessed fines for not paying the gas bill back as we were waiting for the deposit.  So, we finally worked out a deal with the gas company and they allowed us to pay the bill back in 3 installments.....Jan., Feb, and March. 

We kept praying about it because we didn't have the money but we kept hoping the landlord would give us our money back.  We found a Christian lawyer who heard our story and looked over the contract.  He said we had a good case and we'd get our money back.  But, still we waited.  

We paid the first installment and wondered how we had the money to pay it.  The next payment came due and still no money from the landlord.  But, we paid that one too.  And then the third installment came due and again, no money from the landlord.  But, we paid that installment too! 

Looking back, we have no idea how we were able to pay those payments - especially the final payment - because no extra money came in at all.  It was as if the Lord stretched what we had to cover what we needed to pay.  Plus, we had several other bills crop up that we had to pay, too, and the Lord provided the money for those as well. 

"Give us THIS DAY our daily bread."

Might God be leading you to go to the mission field? Don't let fear about finances keep you from obeying him. Contact us today, and let us know what part of the world you'd like to serve.

Perhaps, instead, God is leading you to be the vessel through which He provides to a missionary in need. Consider making a donation to help one of our Youth for Christ missionaries today.

Young people in Botswana are also learning to ROAR. Youth for Christ held a summer camp called ROAR in Gabarone, the capital of Botswana, in December last year.

ROAR stands for:

• Realize your need, repent
• Open yourself and offer yourself
• Accept God’s will for your life and abide by righteous living
• Reach others.

World Outreach missionary Em Liddiard serves as Youth for Christ’s Gaborone director. Although the camp was not a big camp, it was a huge learning experience for Emily and her team as they plan for the future.

The young people who attended are already asking when the next one will be, and if they can have more than one camp per year.

Zimbabwian, Blessing Mpofu, spoke to the campers about teen issues and presented the gospel using the ROAR theme. Although most of the teenagers were already Christians, many rededicated their lives to Jesus at the camp.

The next camp is slated for December 2013.

Here's what we found out...

1. Time: Leaving familiar routines and commitments behind to go to the mission field gives a missionary an opportunity to leave the 9-to-5 schedule , to be freed from the time and task oriented culture in which we find ourselves, and to rework valuable priorities.
2. Witness: Being a missionary gives you the focus, freedom and flexibility to share about Jesus full-time. There could be no greater calling! No wonder Phillips Brooks wrote, “If any man is called to preach, don't stoop to be a king."
3. Satisfaction/Sense of Fulfillment: Knowing that you’re devoting your life to Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that’s hard to beat.
4. Adventure:  If traveling, exploring, experiencing new cultures and seeing new places appeals to you, you’re sure to love the sense of adventure that comes with the territory of being a missionary.
5. Freedom: Missionaries are typically self-starters who are given a great deal of autonomy. While there is certainly accountability to supervisors and supporters, there is also a great deal of freedom to be creative in ministry and to express your God-given talents instead of being pigeon-holed by a job description.
6. Eternal Rewards: In addition to the other benefits listed here, there is the hope of eternal rewards from the Lord who searches the heart and examines the mind to reward a man according to his conduct (Jeremiah 17:10), giving eternal life, as well as blessings a hundred times whatever you may lose for the sake of the Kingdom (Mark 10:30).
7. Improved Relationships: Balance takes discipline in any environment, but many missionaries report good family time and better relationships in general as ministry (especially in Youth for Christ) places a high priority on both.
8. Growing Faith: Seeing God provide, as well as witnessing His transforming work in and through  missionary service will grow your faith in unimaginable ways.
9. Peace: Yes, there is a good deal of turmoil that takes place on the mission field. However, God’s peace, which exceeds anything you can understand, never ceases to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
10. Stories: When people ask what you do, do you get excited and have lots of interesting stories to tell?  When you walk through doors God has opened for you as a missionary, you get to see Him do amazing things. Become a part of the story God is telling and get involved in His mission work for you, wherever that may be.

If you have a passion for evangelism and a desire to see young people all over the world come to know Jesus Christ, we would love to hear from you. There are many benefits (some of them not included on this list) that you'll discover as a World Outreach missionary with Youth for Christ.

Twenty young men whose ages are teens to 20s, consistently attend this weekly men's Bible study.  Brian and Melissa are encouraged as they hear time and time again about the changes that are evident in these young men - a common reason new young men join the group.  Many of the young men are orphans and they have no parents to teach them how to be a responsible, godly man. 

The group is currently doing a Bible study based on the film "Courageous," learning about such things as responsibility, being good fathers, having sex only in marriage, evangelism, and discipling others.  A few weeks ago 14 of the young men committed their lives to Jesus for the first time and 6 recommitted their lives!

This past week I spent time with our Youth for Christ team in Seattle, Washington. Sixty minutes of sharing, sometimes through tears, reminded me of the importance of our work in communities across this country, and indeed, around the world. Twenty-four hours later I received the following thoughts from Ajith Fernando, our esteemed national director in Sri Lanka. His insights project a light that illuminate and inspire…People in some of the nations that I minister in sometimes tell me something like this:

“Youth for Christ had a great ministry a generation ago, but now it has really gone down.” But when I observe the Youth for Christ (YFC) ministries in many of the countries, I am amazed at what they are doing. They are in slums rescuing youth from drugs, gangs and a life without hope. They are giving unwed mothers a place to recover from the bad choices they made. They are on the streets trying to make contact with aimless youth so that they could hear the gospel. They are in public schools teaching values that are now considered outmoded by many. The list could go on and on.

The special thing about these ministries is that these youth are getting a chance to hear the life-changing gospel of the Lord Jesus. Many youth once considered a nuisance in society or hopeless are being rescued from hell and becoming citizens of the everlasting kingdom which culminates in glory in heaven!

Then why do people say that the ministry has really gone down? Many years ago YFC was a rallying point for young Christians with some church background. Parents were so grateful that they were given vital activities that sent them in the direction of vibrant Christianity. Now local churches have taken on that role. Praise God! That is the way it should be. So YFC has moved away from the spectacular programmes which attracted large numbers of Christian-background youth. Many of its programmes are now trying to reach totally unreached youth.

One reason for the perception that the ministry has gone down is that when one works with the unreached, the reached do not see them at work.

I want to ask another question. Could the negative evaluation be because reaching the unreached is not a passion among Christians? Do Christians assess significance on ministries based on how much Christians are blessed by them?

In the history of missions some of the most brilliant people in the church gave themselves to the task of reaching the unreached. Faithfulness and obedience breed a brand of heroism that is measured by doing great things when no one thinks that what is being done is great.

In the meantime, billions of people for whom the gospel of Jesus Christ is addressed are headed for a Christless eternity. That is an urgent situation—much more urgent than the many needs that the world is (legitimately) getting alarmed about and responding with great generosity.

I am writing with the aim of reminding you that we must view with a sense of urgency the things that the Bible considers as urgent. The fact that the Great Commission is presented six (maybe seven {Acts 10:42}) times in the records of the last few weeks of Jesus’ stay on earth must lead us to the conclusion that proclaiming the gospel to the unreached is indeed very important.

May our hearts burn with the things that burned in the hearts of the writers of the Bible!

From the pen of my brother Ajith – to the heart of those who ache for the least and the lost. Be of great courage – you are doing the work of our King.

They recently organized a Jesus Film Outreach attended by 85 young people in South Africa. The Jesus Film is a dramatization of the Gospel of Luke. The entire event was done in Afrikaans language. They served cake and soda ahead of time to welcome the youth. Then, after the film, a local leader named Monia presented the Gospel and gave an invitation in Afrikaans. 

Thirteen youth accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior for the first time and 22 recommitted their lives! Brian and Melissa trained decision counselors to be able to counsel the youth as they came forward. They gave Afrikaans Bible studies and Bibles to the new believers who will be discipled.

Do you have a passion for sharing the gospel with Africa? Might you have ideas about how to use tools such as the Jesus Film in a different area? We'd love to hear from you. Contact World Outreach to start your path toward missionary service today.

Recently, she toured with a group from Portland, Oregon, called "The New Divide." One of their stories serves as a reminder to why Youth for Christ does the ministry they do in Denmark:

Part of the band ministry is to visit boarding schools and participate in classroom discussions. In one classroom they had 25 students. During the conversation two important questions were asked.

1. "How many of you would call yourself a Christian?" All 25 students raised their hands. As the conversation progressed, the second question came up.
    
2. "How many of you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?" Only three hands were raised.

There is an imbalance in those numbers. How can 25 students call themselves Christians, yet only three know what it means to have a relationship with Christ? Amy says you can see this all across Denmark. Students consider themselves to be Christian because that is what the culture tells them. Many are simply baptized as infants and return for confirmation class as a teenager.

That’s where YFC Denmark's Superhero Course for Beginners comes in. Amy says of the unique course, "Our course is an opportunity for confirmation students to see Christ in a new way. Over the two-hour course we cover topics of how Jesus is our superhero, the things that keep us from being heroes and how we can be heroes in other people’s lives. Our goal is to show students that Christianity is not just an outdated religion, but that it is about a lifestyle in relationship with Christ."

After seven years of working with youth in Minnesota, Amy accepted a call to ministry with World Outreach to serve in Denmark, and now she's training superheroes!

Where might God be calling you? Take the first step by contacting World Outreach today.

Most recently, this involved an event called Desert Challenge, where over 250 students, many from other faith backgrounds, gathered together for training, encouragement and collaboration. Peter was just one of the people invited to minister to the students and their youth leaders (all volunteers). Peter led four breakout sessions for youth leaders on topics such as “Avoiding Burnout”, “Following up with New Believers”, and “Maintaining a Rhythm for Youth Ministry.”

Despite all the recent unrest in the country, everyone was able to gather together in one place, sharing their struggles, gaining knowledge to grow personally, and looking for ways to work together. The cost of Desert Challenge was covered by donations from all the churches in the country where Peter ministers. Each student attended for free.

The event even recruited the US Navy to come help! What a testimony of working together in unity. Students especially appreciated the opportunity to be out with friends and not be fearful of protests or curfew.

Do you have a passion for the Middle East? Wondering how God might use you to minister to young people in the region?

Take the next step by clicking here.

Jason and Emily Atkins

Working in a third world country gives missionaries a chance to do a little of everything and they have done exactly that at the YFC Youth Center where they live and work. They started out developing curriculum, teaching classes, and training national teachers for the YFC computer and English schools that now bring over 800 students to the Youth Center each day.

They still work with teacher training and curriculum development and Jason manages an agricultural machine production / construction ministry, for which they built a shop at the Youth Center.

They write:

We had two purposes in mind when we built the shop here at the Youth Center – to build and maintain things for YFC and to support the local church.

With the construction in Mansoa and the installation of the solar power system here in Bissau, we’ve had many opportunities to be involved in YFC’s work in Guinea-Bissau. This past month we had a cool opportunity to help missionary friends of ours who are building a church. Their brand new cement mixer broke and they needed it fixed right away.

They were able to bring it to the shop and Jason spent the day straightening it back out, reinforcing it with heavier steel plate, and sent it back out stronger than it was when they bought it. We hope that the shop will have tons of other opportunities just like that one to be a blessing to God’s work here in Guinea-Bissau!

Are you good at working with your hands? Youth for Christ has numerous mission opportunities available, whatever your skills. Go to our mission opportunities page and check the boxes that correspond to your skills in the search form to see where you might be able to serve.

YFCNI’s vision for Nomad is to venture out into other councils in the country, working in partnership with the Community Police to build relationships with the unreached for Christ. YFCNI also wants to help achieve its vision by being involved in schools, drop-in centers and other creative ministry outlets. 

But young men such as Niall, and countless other Irish volunteers with YFC, need encouragement, training and support. That’s one of the key roles World Outreach missionaries Gary and Valerie Maloney will fulfill when they arrive in Northern Ireland this fall.

Perhaps you might might want to hear more about the exciting YFC ministry in Northern Ireland and join them in their efforts? Take your first step by clicking here.

Suzi McLean, the national director for YFC Nothern Ireland writes, “I am blown away every time I talk with the YFC staff and hear the amazing stories of what is happening on the ground. Over the past few weeks, we have seen the re-launch of Dungannon YFC, with churches hearing the amazing work happening in their community … also, a special mission week with Greater Ballyclare YFC and the “Nomad’’ team … and, most importantly, two young people coming to faith through the work of YFC.’’

Caitlin's time in South Africa recently came to an end. Read her reflections from her finals days on the mission field...

My last few weeks in George, South Africa were filled with lots of tears, going away parties, letters of love from my students and church youth, immeasurable amounts of hugs, and many words of encouragement. This season has been hard but also rewarding. I came to South Africa, expecting to serve with Youth for Christ…and I did, but I never imagined how many blessings from the George community I’d receive in return. I’ve been adopted. The community, especially my church home, has directed me spiritually, provided for me, invited me into their homes as part of their family, and supported me. The Lord provided exactly what He knew I would need in order to minister effectively here with Youth for Christ. Great is Thy faithfulness!

You know, when you think about it…two years doesn’t seem like a long time when you consider a whole life-span! And like I already mentioned, I certainly didn’t anticipate the depth of the relationships that would develop during my time here. I have been blessed with being part of the YFC South Africa family and my church family and that the Lord has used me as a vessel of shining His light in this community. What a privilege!

During my time here, I’ve seen clients at Options Care Centre change their minds from having an abortion to choosing life. I’ve seen teenage girls who’ve learned to value themselves and understand what real love is, and say no to premarital sex and peer pressure. I’ve seen teen moms turn their lives around when they thought there was no hope. And I’ve seen teenage boys resist peer pressure and say no when offered drugs or alcohol at a party. I trust the Lord is changing lives in the George community!

Just before I left South Africa, one of my friends and ministry partners, Anne-Wein, and I went on a final outreach to a little town about two hours away called Calitzdorp. Chantelle and Shelden started YFC in this little farming community around the same time I moved to South Africa. Anne-Wien and I stayed out there a few days to help out, as both Chantelle and Shelden were getting ready to go on leave for the birth of their first child. So exciting! This experience helped me reflect on all I learned during my time in South Africa. My favorite part was working with Anne-Wien and Chantelle to create a pattern for sewing a purse which will kick-start the Hope Centre’s first income-generating project. Wow, what an amazing picture of God’s love pouring out into the lives of others.

So, through both the good and challenging times here in George, I am sure of one thing, “…The moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along…He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” -Romans 8:26,27.

One of my biggest blessings over the past two and a half years, has been my community of support back home…for your thoughts, prayers, financial support, encouragement and all the other countless ways that you’ve helped to sustain me in the work God has called me to. I am forever grateful!

To read more on Caitlin's time in South Africa, visit her blog at http://caitlinvida.blogspot.com/

Years back, the Botswana government designated March as the Month of Youth Against AIDS.  One of the most popular national radio stations, Yarona FM, targets youth as its listening audience and supports the AIDS prevention work during March. One of our former YFC board members hosts a 3-hour Christian program each Sunday morning on the otherwise secular radio station. 

Last year he asked if we at YFC would like to help lead a 40 minute live segment each Sunday in March.  We agreed and it ended up being my responsibility (and privilege!) to plan and organize the programs.  We even interviewed people on the streets to get their input.  This year we were blessed to have the opening again each Sunday in March.  Our main message was to encourage abstinence as the best prevention method in the fight against AIDS. 

We shared factual information about the AIDS rate (24.1% of the Botswana adult population are infected with HIV) and how condoms have an average of 15% failure rate to prevent the spread of HIV.  We shared about Uganda's success story, where the emphasis on abstinence and faithfulness led to a dramatic decline in their HIV rate during the 1990s (from 21% to 6% in one decade!). 

For each Sunday, I organized two other guests to be in the studio with me, most of whom were other YFC staff or volunteers. One YFC volunteer couple is courting and shared their reasons for abstaining till marriage, as well as practical advice on how to keep pure. Over the final two weeks, two male university students from my church and two female YFC members were willing to take the bold step to acknowledge on national radio that they had been sexually active but have now chosen to wait until marriage.  One courageously shared how she is living with HIV as a result.  They all shared that it was not worth it to engage in premarital sex and were thus able to encourage the youth of the nation to abstain. 

We shared the message of Christ's grace and forgiveness for sexual sin; that God can give you a fresh start. Several listeners responded via text message how much they needed to hear that message.  Some had never listened to that program, and just happened to come across it that morning! Before we went on the air, we had prayed specifically for that exact thing--that God would guide the people who need to hear this message to the station, even if they never listen to Yarona FM! 

We thank God for this amazing opportunity to speak truth over the airways reaching all across the nation.  May the words continue to echo in the minds of the listeners to help turn the tide of HIV/AIDS and help them find hope and redemption in Christ!

Brian and Melissa recently taught on Zaccheus and how although he was stealing from and betraying his people, Jesus wanted a relationship with him.  The young people in their discipleship group learned how Zaccheus began that relationship through faith and immediately gave Jesus control of his life, and 13 of the youth did as Zaccheus did. 

Quinton was one of those boys that accepted the Lord. Quinton’s mother died a week later and he has already lost his father and step-father. Thanks to Brian and Melissa's obedience, Quinton now knows his Father in Heaven. 

How might God use you to introduce other young Quintons to their heavenly Father? Perhaps He wants you to serve in another country, as Brian and Melissa have done. Take your next step here.

These kids often don’t feel connected, having to move frequently as their parents are assigned around the world. Megan helps provide relationship and foundation, and shows them the love of Christ is real.

Kids are choosing to trust Jesus as their Savior and let Him be Lord in their life. It’s exciting to see transformation day by day, one kid at a time. 

We need more “Megan” people to reach the world. Maybe that’s you? Take your first step by clicking here.

This has been a great doorway to the Gospel, and Taras is just one example. A professing atheist, Taras recently trusted Christ with his life, and has seen a huge change in his outlook and attitude.

In Tyorna’s words, “It is a wonderwork of God! I prayed constantly for Taras and here is the result! I thank God for His answers to prayer!” read more…

We need more “Tyorna” people to reach the world … maybe that’s you? Take your first step by clicking here.

On Monday, we had our first ever Surf Club meeting. When I say “Surf Club”, that might put you under the impression that the locals already know how to surf... that’s not the case. It was actually more like our first Surf Lesson meeting. I gave them a few pointers and then we paddled out to the break. The guys were going for it... absolutely charging! They got some fun rides, and every time they did the whole place knew it ‘cause they were screaming so loud. Quote of the day, “I can’t wait till we go again.” 

Tuesday was the first day of Anna’s Advanced Level English course. We thought a maximum of 20 were coming... 32 showed up. It was PACKED out and everyone was loving it. We underestimated the need for English language courses. People are already asking when we are going to share having more classes in more levels (beginning and intermediate). Any teachers want to come on out?!

Then on Thursday night we had our usual Bible Study followed by a birthday party for one of the local girls. Anna baked 2 cakes and a friend down the road fried up some donuts. You can see in the photos that she was quite touched. It was her 18th birthday, and it was the very first time someone had thrown her a birthday party."

Might you be able to use your English langauge skills to assist Anna in teaching her classes? Perhaps God has laid it on your heart to minister in Tonga. Take the next step.

They recently did an outreach in an area gripped by witchcraft and saw 25 souls surrender to Jesus, as well as seeing God open a deaf ear. By hosting a team of short-term workers from a church here in the U.S., they were able to see miracles happen and accomplish great inroads for the Gospel. 

We need more “Wade and Kate” people to reach the world… maybe that’s you? Take your first step here.