Fellow Young Lifers,
What an exciting time. Now that you've all recovered from your sugar enduced sleepiness from that great banquet, I wanted to get you back with you on everything that has been happening. What a great couple of months! It's really happening! Thanks for your prayers, financial support, and serving in the start of Young Life in our area. Since we've talked we were in the newspaper, we ate piles of dessert while hearing about Young Life, and continue to spread word about this ministry that is on the horizon in our community.
Dessert Fundraiser 2009:
Our first banquet was a HUGE success. The dessert was awesome, the volunteers were amazing, the place was buzzing. Over 200 people attended and we raised $15,720 in gifts and pledges! Testimonies brought tears as one of Belton's high school students, as well as our commitee Chair's parents, shared how Young Life has made an impact on their lives. We have now raised $38,980 for our first Young Life year. We're well on our way.
Iowa Trip:
The DeBok family recently took a week off to go to Iowa to visit family. While there we got to share about what God is doing in Paola to bring Young Life on the scene. It was a beautiful Holy-Spirit filled morning as we shared the story. Courtney thanked the church (Nazarene Church of Britt, Iowa) for their years of prayers and encouragement as she grew up in the church. I shared a few minutes on the great opportunity that's ahead of us to share God's incredible love with our area's kids. Anyway, it was a pretty amazing morning.
What happens now:
Young Life area budget with a full-time staff person is just under $100,000 per year. With this full amount raised our committee will bring me on as full-time area director of Paola Young Life. If we raise only part of the budget our committee will consider alternatives to a full-time staff person. Options may include part-time staff, volunteer or teacher-staffed Young Life.
Courtney and I truly believe that we're right where God wants us to be at this time in our lives - laying down our entire lives for Jesus. Also, it has always been our desire to stay and do relational ministry with teenagers here. In two months we've seen an overwhelming amount of financial support for this ministry. Additionally, we've seen excitement in those who have heard about the ministry, and we've received encouragement and confirmation from many of you that, "We need this here." But we also have to prayerfully consider what God is doing through his people in the community to make this ministry financially possible. Is God confirming this ministry though the gifts of his people? We are praying for and pursuing the answer to this question.
They believe in Paola Young Life too
Right now we're receiving support from individuals in several areas in country. Iowa, Virginia, Missouri. After the banquet we received new support from a family in Florida! People are supporting this mission here in Paola because they are excited about God how moving here. So far about 10% of our total funds raised have come from donors who don't have a direct connection to our community. This is appreciated and needed, and it encourages us that the body of Christ is coming together from the corners of the world to love kids here in Paola, KS.
Next Steps
Right now we'll be working on connecting with those who have expressed interest in becoming donors, committee members & leaders in Paola Young Life.
Also, we're taking about 16 teens and adults to Young Life camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. Our latest 2 signups -- Sheila Majors & Edie Hewitt -- attending as adult guests! They'll spend a week at the camp with a birds-eye view of the entire week, experiencing everything that the kids experience and more! How Fun!
What an exciting time. Now that you've all recovered from your sugar enduced sleepiness from that great banquet, I wanted to get you back with you on everything that has been happening. What a great couple of months! It's really happening! Thanks for your prayers, financial support, and serving in the start of Young Life in our area. Since we've talked we were in the newspaper, we ate piles of dessert while hearing about Young Life, and continue to spread word about this ministry that is on the horizon in our community.
Dessert Fundraiser 2009:
Our first banquet was a HUGE success. The dessert was awesome, the volunteers were amazing, the place was buzzing. Over 200 people attended and we raised $15,720 in gifts and pledges! Testimonies brought tears as one of Belton's high school students, as well as our commitee Chair's parents, shared how Young Life has made an impact on their lives. We have now raised $38,980 for our first Young Life year. We're well on our way.
Iowa Trip:
The DeBok family recently took a week off to go to Iowa to visit family. While there we got to share about what God is doing in Paola to bring Young Life on the scene. It was a beautiful Holy-Spirit filled morning as we shared the story. Courtney thanked the church (Nazarene Church of Britt, Iowa) for their years of prayers and encouragement as she grew up in the church. I shared a few minutes on the great opportunity that's ahead of us to share God's incredible love with our area's kids. Anyway, it was a pretty amazing morning.
What happens now:
Young Life area budget with a full-time staff person is just under $100,000 per year. With this full amount raised our committee will bring me on as full-time area director of Paola Young Life. If we raise only part of the budget our committee will consider alternatives to a full-time staff person. Options may include part-time staff, volunteer or teacher-staffed Young Life.
Courtney and I truly believe that we're right where God wants us to be at this time in our lives - laying down our entire lives for Jesus. Also, it has always been our desire to stay and do relational ministry with teenagers here. In two months we've seen an overwhelming amount of financial support for this ministry. Additionally, we've seen excitement in those who have heard about the ministry, and we've received encouragement and confirmation from many of you that, "We need this here." But we also have to prayerfully consider what God is doing through his people in the community to make this ministry financially possible. Is God confirming this ministry though the gifts of his people? We are praying for and pursuing the answer to this question.
They believe in Paola Young Life too
Right now we're receiving support from individuals in several areas in country. Iowa, Virginia, Missouri. After the banquet we received new support from a family in Florida! People are supporting this mission here in Paola because they are excited about God how moving here. So far about 10% of our total funds raised have come from donors who don't have a direct connection to our community. This is appreciated and needed, and it encourages us that the body of Christ is coming together from the corners of the world to love kids here in Paola, KS.
Next Steps
Right now we'll be working on connecting with those who have expressed interest in becoming donors, committee members & leaders in Paola Young Life.
Also, we're taking about 16 teens and adults to Young Life camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. Our latest 2 signups -- Sheila Majors & Edie Hewitt -- attending as adult guests! They'll spend a week at the camp with a birds-eye view of the entire week, experiencing everything that the kids experience and more! How Fun!
Talk to you again soon. Let's keep riding this move of God to reach his kids.
Ryan DeBok
Volunteer Area Director
1 comment:
freakin awesome. Rock and Roll.
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