“‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'”
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the king will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
A message from our Executive Director
“Youth for Christ ministry staff are people who show up” and, to do that, “you’ll need to enter their world and meet them where they’re at.”
Those were the first things I learned at YFC Institute many years ago as I prepared to launch my first Campus Life ministry at Palm Beach Central High School in Palm Beach County, FL. It wouldn’t take long for me to experience firsthand how that would play out with the youth we were reaching. “Showing up” looks like:
- Being a fan, shouting their name and cheering them on at sporting events.
- Being a friendly smile that meets them in the halls of their school.
- Being a chaperone for field trips and out-of-town competitions.
- Being a visitor and spending time with them in the detention center.
- Being a supporter and buying something from their school fundraiser.
- Being a shopper and buying them a hoodie to keep them warm.
- Being a listening ear when they need a trusted adult to talk to.
- Being a prayer warrior when they are struggling through the death of a family member.
- Being a park bench companion when they don’t want to talk but don’t want to be alone.
- Being a loving voice when they don’t feel like they’re enough.
- Being an intercessor when they are ready to give up and are in a place of hopelessness.
Just show up. The idea is simple and yet the impact can lead to profound and even eternal impact. When I think about Edrick and his impact on Shayla’s life it’s quite clear. Edrick lived out what Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:35-40 and, through your partnership, you gave him a chance to show up.
In reading Shayla’s letter I also hear a heart-felt invitation: “I will deeply miss you…in High School”. Imagine with us the possibilities of Edrick and an army of staff and volunteers showing up on every middle and high school campus in Sarasota and Manatee County. Relationships which begin in 6th grade are nurtured through high school graduation. The opportunity for kingdom impact magnified.
This is our vision. If it is your vision, please join us. We are currently building our teams for this quickly-approaching Fall. Click the button below, provide your contact information and we will equip you to show up.
In His Grip,
Mark