THE WHIRLWIND

SEPTEMBER 2012

Youth for Christ Comox Valley

4729 Headquarters Rd Courtenay, BC

V9N 9H4 250-338-8416

comoxvalley@yfccanada.org

GROWTH by Barry Beeler

Abraham’s faith journey was the focal point of

teaching during our final summer camp at Ca-

pernwray Harbour on Thetis Island. Steve

Thiessen (Bible School Principal at Capernwray) shared sto-

ries from Abraham’s life as he grew to trust God for the im-

possible. Thiessen explained how we all, like Abraham

(Gen. 11:26-12:3), have been called to an impossible task, to

live a godly life. Trusting God is essential for living a god-

ly life, but trust demands that we allow ourselves to be vul-

nerable. Being vulnerable requires us to admit our inadequa-

cies and trust Jesus to “take care of the rest”. For me there

was one teen who modeled a growing trust in Jesus

throughout the summer Leadership Training program. This

teen wholeheartedly stepped out of their comfort zone exer-

cising leadership, public speaking, and conquering physical

challenges. They stretched way beyond their zone of com-

fort, becoming vulnerable and trusting God. Pray that God

would strengthen this young woman and use her to help oth-

ers to trust God more.

Work In Progress

by Vic Funk - Ministry Director

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6

During the Summer Camp program LT’s were given opportuni-

ty to share their faith journey with campers as part of our evening worship

time. One evening, Kim ended her testimony with the phrase, “That’s my

story so far.” This phrase quickly caught on as a common thread in other

testimonies indicating God wasn’t finished transforming them. They are liv-

ing works in progress.

I anticipate the start of another school year. Our ministry continues as a work

in progress, shaped by opportunities God allows as we participate using His

resources. I look forward to working with our new staff members, Jordan

Mohler and Tessa MacMurchy. I’m excited to journey with the teens who

participated as LT’s this summer to see where they allow God to take them.

I’m also curious to discover where God will direct me in my walk with Him.

Our growth in Christ comes at the expense of sacrificing something we used

to hold dear. As Oswald Chambers points out, ”The greatest crisis we ever

face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person’s will into

surrender, and He never begs. He patiently waits until that person willingly

yields to Him.” This expresses my prayer for our upcoming year at YFC, that

we will be an encouragement to teens and an example of a life submitted to

God our Creator. But for now, “That’s my story so far.”

From Strength to Strength

by Philip Richardson

No one knows precisely what changes and unexpected oppor-

tunities await us throughout life. Had I been told in the first

half of May that I would find myself sitting in the front seat

of a colossal green van singing the accompaniment to camp

songs strummed by YFC’s resident virtuoso ukulele per-

former, I would have adopted an extremely skeptical atti-

tude. Having no previous employment experience in minis-

try, I was unsure of what to expect for the months ahead. Yet

what I saw was the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partici-

pate in an extraordinary ministry led by a dedicated team of

individuals, each possessing their own unique set of talents.

An elaboration of the camp’s strengths would be lengthy.

What left a strong impression on me was the fashion in

which the messages and subsequent discussions were ar-

ranged.

Another impressive element was the long-term organization

and the planning put into activities. Detailed planning en-

sured that no two weeks were the same. LT week, was dedi-

cated to the formation of small group relationships, while

Living Forest allowed for a departure from the familiar envi-

ronment of Riverbend. Elementary Week enabled the LTs to

take on additional responsibilities in order to exercise their

developing leadership skills.

Perhaps the most important aspect of all, was the sharing of

testimonies at the evening fireside. It was hearing the incred-

ible personal stories of LTs that I realized the extent of the

impact Youth Unlimited has on the lives and families of

those involved. Serving as summer staff has made me regret

feelings of reluctance and ambivalence I had towards such

establishments when I was younger. These camps and this

ministry in general are fantastically effective and enjoyable.

At the end of all things, one can only say:

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you...

They go from strength to strength, till each

appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5-7)

YOUTH FOR CHRIST

APPRECIATION NIGHT

Hats Off To You!!

Come join us for an

informal evening of fun!

Strength to Endure

by Theo Devries

Each day is filled with decisions, “will I wake up early or not,

will I brush my teeth or not, will I eat breakfast or not, and so

on.” Who we are and what we do is determined by the choices

we make. James writes, "“Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter

various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And

let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and com-

plete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NASV) This was a verse that was

quoted many times during our summer camps. Many trials arose during the

month of July, trials that gave us the opportunity to choose to surrender to

Christ and allow Him to shape us like a potter shapes clay. It was encourag-

ing to see many lives being shaped this summer due to their choice to surren-

der. Endurance was built on their decisions, or not! May we all pray that God

would give us trials to strengthen our endurance and the strength to endure.

To God be the Glory!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15th

7:00 PM

At the Florence Filberg Centre

Endurance

by Brian Hamp – Executive Director

In this issue of the Whirlwind Theo’s article focuses on “Strength to En-

dure...or Not” and Phil’s reverie brings it all home. “Blessed are those whose

strength is in you…”

As we begin our 21st season presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to students

in the Comox Valley we ask your ENDURANCE in partnering with us. We

are all endowed with resources and as my brother puts it, “I’m going to the

bank to release the prisoners” (dollars). We have an annual consolidated

budget, including salaries for nine staff, of $355,000. To continue this well

established ministry in the Comox Valley we need your help to pay our staff,

maintain RIVERBEND, provide transportation and address a multitude of

associated expenses. To put it in perspective, “God help us to fix our eyes on

the eternal and not the temporary; help us to remain faithful.” Based on mini-

mum incomes ‘it appears’ we are struggling to meet our payroll.

In reality: God has never forsaken us.

On The Horizon

Tuesdays: High School DISCUSSION GROUPS

Wednesdays: LIFE GROUPS and UNDERGROUND

Thursdays: Cumberland Floor Hockey-October 4th

Friday: FRIDAY NIGHT SPORTS NIGHT-Grade 8 -12 boys

FOCUS: September 28th-29th November 2nd - 3rd

Appreciation Night: November 15th

Tacoma Trip: Sept. 14th-16th

For more info call the office: 250-338-8416

Website: comoxvalley.yfccanada.org

Something New

Cumberland Camp Days was a new part of our

summer program this year and it was a great

success!! We had 15 kids!

Thank you for praying!

Tea and High Places

by Katie Preston

“My son, eat honey because it is good, and the

honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; so shall

the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you

have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope

will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:13-14 NKJV)

During my time off this summer, a friend and I set

out to hike Mount Albert Edward. Armed with all

the necessary gear and recommended gadgets for

overnight hikes, we began our adventure. SAR TECH friend & sum-

mer program volunteer, Anthony Vail, gave the two of us some in-

formative tips to be prepared should the fog roll in and make visibility

limited. On "summit day" we began our climb from base camp and

enjoyed the mind blowing views. However, near the top of the moun-

tain with only a couple kilometers left to go, thick fog strode over the

ridges coupled with an almost icy rain. As we huddled under a four

foot tree eating the soup we'd brought, we made the tough decision to

head back down, remembering Anthony's advice in light of the time.

We were a little disappointed not to have made it up the peak, but

returned to base camp safe, grateful for shelter and exhilarated from

the hike. Reflecting on this over a steaming cup of tea with honey,

Proverbs 24 came to mind. If there's something I can help instill with-

in the young people I interact with over the school year it's a love of

wisdom, a love of God's Word and a love of the Creator Himself.

Whole Hearted Willingness

by Jillian Thompson

After four years of Leadership Training with YFC, I ac-

cepted a more significant role this summer. I was stretched

more than I ever thought and broken to a point of complete

exhaustion, mentally, emotionally, and physically. This

helped me recognize the importance of coming in complete brokenness

before God and I experienced what happens when you do! It is not

until Jesus is all you have, that you know He is all you need. It be-

came clear to me that what makes a good leader is a whole hearted will-

ingness and a complete surrender to God knowing you cannot lead

alone, no matter how charismatic, respected, or clever you are. God

doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called! I am humbled by how

little I understand, but learning to be content not understanding. Living

by faith and not by sight, following God, not trying to do anything of

my own strength or understanding, because I simply cannot. I know

God worked immensely in my weaknesses this summer, picking me up

when I was utterly broken to continue His work through me. Although it

was an extremely difficult and uncomfortable summer for me, I am so

thankful for what I’ve learned. God’s hand was so evident this summer,

the diligent prayer was so heart warming and inspiring. It is clear how

He is working in the lives of each one of the staff, LTs, and campers.

Waiting on Him

by Tessa MacMurchy

I have been blessed beyond measure by God’s great

grace and mercy in my life. My two years at Ca-

pernwray has come to an end. I have been stretched

immeasurably by the Lord and have been supported by the prayers

of many and that has meant the world to me. In the last couple of

months I have been asking God what I should be doing this coming

year. God gave me the peaceful assurance of waiting on Him.

After the music tour with Capernwray in March I knew that I want-

ed to work with youth in a way that would help to “focus” their

relationship with Christ and also bring together the younger genera-

tion in the body of believers. I had considered working in churches

and schools and remembered my time in high school, especially

school in Nanaimo. Recalling how difficult it had been to remain

focused on the purpose of life; that being to know LIFE Himself ! I

wanted to work with youth in the public schools, but without any

direction the only available option for me was to wait. Psalm 25:4-

5 says, “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my

salvation; for You I wait all the day.” And with this truth in hand I

waited and prayed as the months went by.

I had the opportunity in my second year at Capernwray to speak at

different events put on by Youth For Christ Comox Valley. In

April, Vic Funk, the Ministry Director, and I spoke about me possi-

bly coming to work with them in the fall. While speaking with Vic,

God answered the prayers that I had concerning the coming year

and for the youth that he had put on my heart.

We are excited to have Tessa join us on staff in October!

Living It Out

What A Summer!

by Jordan Mohler

This summer has gone by so fast! It is hard to be-

lieve fall is just around the corner. Going into Sum-

mer Camps I thought it would be a walk in the park, after all, I had

done two weeks straight of camps when I was younger. Little did I

know that I’d be relying on God’s strength during the very first

week of camp which was LT training week. It’s funny how the

themes that we rally round during camp or retreats have a way of

ringing true as we walk through the teachings and spend time being

together.

2 Corinthians was the book that we studied and learned about at

Summer Camps. The recurring theme was “Trials.” I was given

the privilege of sharing 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, “But we have this

treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is

from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but

not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not

abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” As I was preparing I

felt as if I was living it out at the same time. The most interesting

thing as we went about our time there, was seeing others experi-

encing “trials” as well, and we were able to walk alongside each

other. It was very encouraging to see as camp unfolded it por-

trayed such a great picture of the body of Christ working together.

We had a lot of fun and I look forward to many adventures with

YFC this fall.

We are taking

bookings at

RIVERBEND

Contact us.

Thank you

to all

those who

helped

make this

summer

camp a

success!

2012 YFC Leadership Trainees

Consider This For Your Kids

FOCUS: Sept. 28/29 -a lot of fun and activity coupled with good

teaching. Our theme “not a fan...but a follower.” Our speakers

are Vic, Brian and Randy...bring your sleeping bag.

Guys Sports Night-Beginning Friday, Sept. 21st, 6:15-8:00pm

Tsolum School . Guys grades 8-12 this is for you.

Awana in Black Creek, Oyster River School. Tuesday evenings.

Call Chad 338-9055 or Jordan 331-0247