a look through the eyes of

apublicationofTacomaAreaYouthforChrist•Winter2012

Inside: Is God Your Rescue Boat? - pg. 2

The mercy of the Cross means that every mistake and

setback is an opportunity to fall more in love with Jesus and

growclosertotheonewhosavedoursouls.Weoftenseekids fall back into making destructive choices after believing

that they already knew better. In these moments, the power of God’s love and forgiveness is always made new.

Continued inside . . .

Com

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rg “Even though it can be hard and everything might not go your way, it feels good to know He’s on your side if you’re on His.”

By Myron Bernard, City Life Director

Our Tillicum Youth and Family Center is making an amazing impact through our Scholars Program. Nate Duriga who runs this Program is developing leaders by helping at-risk kids go to college.

City Life

Theaveragetimeayoungpersonspendsincarceratedis21daysfor a first time offense. Please pray that we can reach and make relationships with young people in this crucial time period.

Juvenile Justice Ministries

Campus Ministry is well underway. Root beer and Vanilla Ice Creammadeaflavorsomemixturethatattracted100sofkidsthroughout the county. Clubs continue to deepen ministry in the lives of kids and in the school communities.

Campus Life

Please welcome two new staff to our foster care team. Nicole Kittelson (YFC Foster Parent) was recently hired as our PRIDE Training Coordinator. Also, Blaire Lessor has been hired as a case manager.WelcomeNicoleandBlaire!

Foster Care

For more information about any of these ministries or activities, visit us at www.tacomayfc.

orgorcall253.572.7888

My name is Scott, I am fifteen and this

last August I went to Camp Bighorn with

ReCrea7e, where I experienced a wholenew realm of life. We built rafts out oflogs, rope, and barrels. After a few hours

of confused labor, we managed, but broke

thepaddle10minutesintoitandweblewapartourraft10feetfromshore.Afterthatwe got things together. That night I lay there

thinking…

“What did I just get myself into?”

It was a five-day crash course in life. I

realized how much I struggled with trust, not only with others, but

myself. One thing came to light quickly, not only did I struggle in trusting

myself, but I struggled in trusting God. Camp Bighorn is a God centered camp,

everyone who worked there seemed to love life; why didn’t I? I came to realize

through my own views and stresses in life, that I rarely ever turned them over

to GOD - unless of course I was in dire need for

something, he was my rescue boat, not my world; an escape route. From that

moment, I learned that when I have complete

trust and intimacy with the Lord, no mountain

is too tall, no crawl space too small. The

relationship with God we each have is not

something to run away from. It’s something we

must embrace and welcome. He loves you and will do anything for your love; you need to do everything to welcome it.

“Backpacks full of...”

Have you seen the size of kids backpacks these days? The other morning I was helping one of my daughters by taking her pack to the car and nearly threw my backout!

Every morning I see students carrying these gargantuan backpacks and my heart breaks at the picture of the burdens kids carry these days.

Fathers who tell them they are worthless. Seemingly loyal friends who betray in an instant. Feelings of hopelessness and isolation when trust is broken again and again. Coping often means stuffing their hurts into an ever expanding and increasingly heavy emotional backpack. More weight on their young shoulders.

Withtheholidaysjustaroundthecornerwe’re routinely reminded that it’s “the mostwonderfultimeoftheyear!”Yetfor many kids across Pierce County this season is anything but wonderful. It’s toughtorejoicewhenthebackpackisfull of pain and your home is a place of turmoil.

But Jesus brings freedom when hope seems most distant.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give yourest.”Matthew11:28

Jesus calls us to lay down our backpacks. The weight isn’t ours to carry.

Join with us in sharing this message of hopetokidsacrossPierceCounty.Weneed your partnership now more than ever. Your investment of time, prayers and finances will change young lives for

eternity.

Bobby Arkills

Tacoma YFC

Executive Director

Musings of an Executive Director

[page2]TacomaAreaYouthforChrist•Winter2012

Read More Stories at www.tacomayfc.org/blog

...Grace Increased all the More (continued from cover)

Josh was a young man we met in Remann Hall. Since leaving

lockup, Josh has been mentored by our Juvenile Justice Ministry

Coordinator Scott Kemp. Although he comes from a troubled

pastandhadneverbeentocamptoenjoythefunofitall,JoshagreedtohelpScottbyservingaspartoftheWorkCrew.Here’ssome of his story…

“My duty as a volunteer was dish crew. At first I did pretty good

keeping up and staying steady. But very soon I found out that

it was harder and a lot more overwhelming than I thought. So I

kept working as hard as I could. After all this hard work me and

a buddy decided we were tired of all this working and wanted

to have fun. We spotted a dune buggy so we decided to see

if it would work, and it did. We proceeded to take it without

permission.”

Josh had stolen a dune buggy while he was supposed to be serving kids in the kitchen.

Scott has been more than a mentor to Josh. In his own words,

Josh says Scott is like a

father to him. So now Scott,

Josh’s supervisor, mentor,

work crew boss and friend

was hurt and betrayed.

Scott and I drove around

the wilderness of Central

Oregon until we found

Josh walking quietly down

a dusty road. He got into

the car with no complaint.

Visibly frustrated, Scott

told Josh how much he

loves him and how hurt

and disappointed he

was with what he did.

Out of Scott’s mouth

came the words of

loving correction that

Josh never heard from

an earthly dad - full of

forgiveness, yet truth

and conviction. Josh

immediately repented.

LIKEusonFacebook!Go to www.facebook.com/tacomayfc

“Needless to say, I was in the wrong and only

thinking about what I wanted and not the hundreds of kids we

came to serve. I felt bad about what I had done so I made sure

to do what I was there for-- to serve. It’s amazing how many

kids were there had great experiences, met God

and grew closer to Him. After my

mistake I thought, ‘This feels good

knowing that I’m helping kids out.’

That’s kinda like knowing God in a

way. Even though it can be hard and

everything might not go your way, it feels good to know He’s on your side if you’re on His.”

I love seeing kids understand the love,

forgiveness and joy of Jesus throughpractical examples like Scott’s. Thank

you so much for coming alongside staff

like Scott, and kids like Josh with your

support and prayers.

YOU can make a

difference today, go to

www.tacomayfc.org/give!

Is God Your RESCUE BOAT?TRUST LEARNED ON THE WATER

Come visit us at www.TacomaYFC.org

1) Why is Tacoma YFC in your stewardship plans? Tacoma YFC changes lives as a result of staff and leaders who are devoted to living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ - they minister so effectively, consistently, and lovingly to the youthofourcommunity.Wearehonored to be a partner with YFC.

2) What brings you joy when investing in kids through Tacoma YFC? Our special relationship with Chrisy Dorsey allowed us to see the most amazing transformations brought on by the Holy Spirit in the lives of so many young people and their families as the direct result of Chrisy’s consistent hard work and reliance on Christ.

3) Which ministry of Tacoma YFC grabs your heart most? Whilewe are thankful that YFC places resources in multiple areas of need throughout Tacoma/Pierce County, we have a particular heart for Juvenile Justice Ministry that works withpreandearlyteens.Withkidsof our own in this age group, and Quincyasa7thgradeteacher,weknow how important this time in a young person’s life is.

4) Why is Tacoma YFC a good “investment” in your eyes? Wefullybelievethateverythingalready belongs to the Lord. Our “investment”inYFCisinthehopeand expectation of transforming lives, not only meeting immediate, real, physical and emotional needs, but even more importantly, for eternity.

Randy and Quincy, thank you for being so generous to young people through Tacoma YFC. We appreciate you!

Ministry Partner Spotlight

Randy & Quincy Cook

P.O.Box834,Tacoma,WA98401•www.TacomaYFC.orgGoGreen!Inoureffortstouseourresourceswiselyweofferthisnewslettervia email (downloadable pdf) Please contact Meleea Russell, Donor

Development Assistant at meleea@tacomayfc.org to request this option.

Thank you!

CHRISTMAS WITHOUTMost of us look forward eagerly

to the holiday season. It’s a time

of hope, joy, celebration, andpeace – filled with great food,

family, and new memories.

But while we enjoy the holiday spirit, many kids across Pierce County are fighting just to make it through each day.

Some may even look casual -

you see them walking down the

sidewalk carrying their backpacks

in the morning. But many are hiding

deep hurt. Some are spending the

holidays away from their family in a

Youth for Christ Foster Home, some

have committed a crime and will be

spending Christmas in a Juvenile

Detention Center.

For those with broken, impoverished,

or in-crisis families, the holidays will

bring heartbreak and disappointment.

Together, we can bring hope and healing.

Wecanstandinpartnershiptoreachyoung people in Pierce County. Your

gift

today will impact

the lives of young people.

Because your gift makes it possible

for us to go on to that school

campus, place that foster kid in a

loving Christian home, enter Juvenile

Detention Centers, and meet youth in

their home communities of Hilltop and

Tillicum.Wego,asmessengersofthegood news, shoulder to shoulder with

our partners in prayer and financial

support.

So please pray today that youth and families in Pierce County would hear the message of Jesus this holiday season. And as you pray, consider making a special gift to bring that message into the lives of the these young people.

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