Matt, and his youth band from Athens Free Methodist Church leading in worship day 2 of the weekend.
Thank you so much for your prayer and support
We are so thankful for everyone that was praying, and the volunteers to help make this weekend come together for an amazing time with God. Continue to pray for the seeds that were planted this weekend... we often do not see a harvest for years with teens, we know that God's word does not come back void, and that he is faithful in what he says he is going to do. Thank you for trusting this vision, and walking with us through it.
We began our time at the weekend together with this verse:
"To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance..." (Jude 1-2)
The three pictures above show youth working in different teams to either get a sticky cookie from their forehead to their mouth, or build the tallest tower from marsh mellows and chocolate fingers. These games include all of the youth and help them interact with one another.
Prayer station: youth were encouraged to write a friends name down on a band-aid, pray for them and place it on the cross. 150 names were placed on the cross from schools in Athens, Prescott, and Brockville.
Every year we host the Alpha Weekend...
...we add a new element. This year we added prayer stations in the main meeting room. Youth were encouraged to interact with different elements pointing them to God. Below: encouragement boxes to remind each youth at the Alpha weekend how they fit into the kingdom, and scrabble letters to write reminders of truth from God.
We ended our time at the weekend together with this:
"To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!" (Jude 24-25)
PRAYER NEEDS:
On Wednesday May 9, 2018during the day...
We will be represented at the South Grenville District High School Youth Fair. Last year we were the only Christian organization at the school. We will have a pitcher for prayer requests (ASK), an encouragement basin with verses from proverbs (TAKE). Please pray for us as we serve the world in ways that are different, and point youth to the Hope that is eternal in Christ Jesus.
On Wednesday May 9, 2018in the evening...
...volunteers, and student youth leaders will gather to discuss the different elements of the Alpha weekend to improve on next year. Please pray for this time together.
We are still $2000.00 short of $5000.00 need to attend Youth for Christ's National Staff Conference in BC with the Freer family at the end of June. Please consider this need, and ask God if this is something he would have you give to. Blessings!
Empowering the local church to help youth make an informed decision to become a follower of Jesus and disciple the into the body of Christ.
Countdown to Wisdom, 2018
"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8)
In studying the Word of God, we are given an infinite measure of timeless wisdom. It is the #1 thing we tell youth...
"Read this book, and you will be lightyears ahead of your peers. If you want to hear from, know and experience God; his likes and dislikes, you have to look in its pages."
We extend the same challenge to you, our coworkers in Christ... for an infinite amount of wisdom that you can apply to your life, read your Bible daily. Start this new habit in 2018. You will find answers to questions that open up new understanding and wisdom beyond your own comprehension.
What is the most important thing you learned in
2017 ???
"That God still talks to people today" (male, 14)
"No matter what, there is a God who will always listen to what you have to say and to never be afraid to ask questions about Him." (Female, age 16)
"That there is an answer for every question in the Bible" (Female, age 15)
"That you are second, and God is first in every situation"
(Female, age 14)
Thank you for being part of what our youth have learned in 2017.
PRAYER 2018...
Please continue to pray for the youth who will be leading Alpha in their schools beginning the last week in February 2018. There is still a lot of preparation work to be done. Please stand between the enemy and the youth, asking God to keep them close to His heart, for such a time as this.
Preparations continue for the Youth Culture Seminar in February. Please pray for Paul Robertson, our speaker, and for the hearts of those planning to attend. See tab below for more info, or contact Johanna: 613-802-4222
This past year was a year of learning Gods Sovereignty, and trusting in his immeasurable love. We have become more bold, and are excited to move in ways only God can give us the ability to move. Thank you for your continued prayer, love and support. We are excited to see what God chooses for all of us in 2018.
Upper Canada Youth For Christ, serving churches in Upper Canada by building relationships, sharing resources, and following the pulse of God where it is already beating.
Call for day of Prayer and Fasting - Day of Prayer Response to Fletcher tragedy - August 2017
Dear Prayer partners for the Upper Canada Region,
The team at Upper Canada YFC share this request with heavy hearts. Below, the explanation to the call for a day of prayer and fasting in response to some recent tragedies that have hit the Youth for Christ Canada family.
Dear YFC Family and our friends in the body of Christ,
I am writing to share tragic news involving our Mark Fletcher’s family (YFC Canada Board Chair). Mark and Cindy’s youngest son Aaron (19) took his own life on Tuesday night in Halifax. This tragedy would be more than most families could handle however it comes just 5 months on the heels of the sudden death of their eldest son Johathan (32) of a brain aneurysm. (Mark also serves on the Board of Compassion Canada)
This family needs our prayers!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3,4
In addition to this, we have felt a growing sense of urgency to pray for the Body of Christ across Canada. We are in a difficult time in history, and yet we are seeing things we haven’t seen in years as young people begin to gather in Jesus name from coast to coast.
We would encourage you to join us in a Day of Prayer and Fasting on Wednesday, August 16th, for the Fletcher Family (Mark & Cindy, Jessica, Abby, Becca, Jordan, and Laurissa), the ministries of Youth for Christ and Compassion Canada. Additionally pray for the movement of the Spirit of God on all our ministries across Canada. Every day is mission critical, but I think you may agree that there is a special urgency in these days.
