March 2019 Newsletter

Volunteer Spotlight

Kobi on the left with a friend

One of our current all-star leaders is a current military soldier who works at the JRCF (joint regional correctional facility) on Fort Leavenworth named Kobi. Part of his story includes how he grew up with parents who are officers in the Salvation Army. He connected with the past leadership of the local corps and asked how he could help around the Leavenworth location and instantly was told about our 4:13 basketball ministry partnership. Then, if that wasn't enough, Kobi continually plugged his two other friends from on post in the ministry who have been faithfully joining us each week as we pour into these incredible teens. A big part of Kobi's impact upon the teens in the gym is his ability to lead well and impress upon these young people how to compete well without losing our minds. He plays with a relentless competitive spirit but doesn't look to 'win at all costs' and the students comment about it regularly. Weeks where Kobi isn't able to make it due to shift changes on post, the students usually ask where he's at and if he'll make it or the next week. His presence is known and matters a ton to these teens who need to see a presence like his more often in their lives. 

Student Spotlight

Phil with "Carla" and her photo he provided for her as a farewell gift

"Carla" joined our basketball ministry in its initial start and came from the group that had been faithfully attending the other gym ministry across town. She was truly part of the 'initial squad' who helped break open the Salvation Army ministry site in town and all the blessings to come in among the work with so many teens in town. Carla regularly invited friends from school and wherever she knew to come spend time at the facility with us. Truly she has been an amazing blessing to have week in and week out. She has introduced leaders as her own mentors oftentimes and asks adults on the team for insight into her own life when she needs direction. She's even called Phil, 'Uncle Phil,' as a term of endearment and respect for all the times spent with her in the gym. As of late, she felt it necessary to give him a big 'shout out' on Facebook sharing "mad love and respect for this man right here, sad to say that this is the end but for sure will play again, thanks for the ride and the support you've given me. I couldn't thank you enough." Although Carla's move away from town leaves a gap in our hearts, her continued presence will be in the gym and with the teens that remain. That is it...family no matter where and how we meet the teens God gives us.  

Serving faithfully as God provides and permits us now at Fort Leavenworth and all over the area! 

~Youth For Christ Serving Leavenworth County

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We want to let you all know that we are praying for new partners to join us financially as we prayerfully close the gap on our funding needs! We are praying for 30 folks to join us at $30 per month, just $1 per day. We're already at 82% funded, only needing 6 more folks to join the team!

To give to the YFC Leavenworth County Affiliate, you may go to this link: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/31081

February 2019 Newsletter

Student Spotlight

We just met “George” a few weeks ago. He didn’t walk through the doors of the gym at the Salvation Army however. We first met him through his mom. She is part of our church small group. We sat and listened to her share some of her story and some concerns about her 17 year old son. She shared about him not making the wisest choices, choosing the best friends, and some recent trouble he had gotten himself into. As she listened to the weekly ministry we provide, she was eager to get George connected. Typically, we don’t always have the opportunity to connect with students’ parents. Our students often show up at the gym and hang out, but rarely do we get the opportunity to engage with their parents. It was kind of nice how this scenario kind of worked in the opposite way. Following the conversation with his mom, we were eager for him to come and check things out. A couple weeks went by though, and still no George. We started to think that although his mom was eager for him to plug in, maybe he didn’t share in her excitement. Last week though, George came! Not only did he show up, but he brought a couple of older friends that were interested in becoming volunteers! How awesome is that?! It’s beautiful how God can orchestrate things when we respond in simple obedience. As we continue to grow our Christ sharing relationship with George and learn more of his story, please be praying for him to make better choices, choose friends that will more positively influence his life, and for others to encourage and support him.

Volunteer Spotlight

Karen behind the counter feeding students at the gym

On any given ministry night, there are various roles required for a successful night. When interviewing a potential volunteer, we try to asses their spiritual gifts, learn about their passions, and plug them in to serve accordingly in an area that fits. When we take these extra few steps, we can help that volunteer get into their “sweet spot”. One of our amazing volunteers that is serving in their sweet spot is Karen. She has been serving with us since the beginning of last school year. We learned that she would rather be behind the scenes than in the spotlight (which is a bit ironic since she’s featured in this month’s volunteer spotlight!) She has a heart for hospitality and loves food! She loves the story of how Jesus fed the multitudes with five small loaves of bread and two fish. Just as in Jesus’ day, that miraculous act of feeding all those people was so much more than simply a physically nourishing meal. Karen feels that the food she provides to our students each week turns out to be more than a simple meal for these kids. Many of them don’t get to eat regularly, and if they do, it’s usually never very much. We don’t give them a three course delicacy, but each week, these students know they are loved and cared for when that plate of yummy deliciousness, even if it may be a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich is put in front of them. As each student walks through the line, Karen has shared that she prays over the students and whatever their situations at home or school may be. She feels that when we fill these students’ bellies, we also fill their souls. That is so vital when it comes to planting seeds of Jesus in the hearts of these students.

Ministry Spotlight

Some of our newer adults involved in basketball with the teens

We have been walking in humble obedience for nearly two years in partnership with the Salvation Army and operating the 4:13 basketball ministry. We are amazed at how God continues to bring students and volunteers into the fray. Specifically, we have had a handful of new adults come to the facility and check out what we are doing in this mission at the gym and with the teens and it's been wonderful to see new adult interest. Be praying for the right ones to plug in as they feel led! For the past several months, we have been in the planning stages for launching an additional ministry site. It’s not official just yet, so we won’t reveal all the details, but we hope to celebrate it’s launch by the end of the school year. Please be fervently praying for all of the pieces to come together, which include funding, and a harvest of volunteers to reach these students. 

Deeply grateful for each of you in this mission! 
~Youth For Christ Serving Leavenworth County
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We want to let you all know that we are praying for new partners to join us financially as we prayerfully close the gap on our funding needs! We are praying for 30 folks to join us at $30 per month, just $1 per day. We already have had 3 families come on board, only 27 more to go! 

To give to the YFC Leavenworth County Affiliate, you may go to this link: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/31081

January 2019 Newsletter

Being connected matters. 

Our staff have been through many training sessions that have described this generation of teens as being some of the 'most connected' generation of our time in history. These subject matter experts who lead the training go on by sharing that this generation is the most emotionally disconnected group of our time as well, thus leading our country with incredible amounts of depression, self-harm, suicide and other concerns connected to these statistics. Sadly, so many of these people believe their social media statistics define who they are and authentic relationships barely exist. Some professionals have even quoted that FOMO (fear of missing out) has created a feeling that people will literally believe their phone or device is a part of their body being they don't want to miss anything happening in their social media connections. And if this isn't enough, they literally don't have to go anywhere to get anything they need. It's all available to be delivered to them, whether groceries, fast food or anything else in today's app-based movement.

The month of January has been a real time of rich connections coming together for our staff and their families. Specifically, we were able to help put together a birthday celebration which came from a request of one of our students who has been regularly coming to the Salvation Army gym since it's inception. Jacob's only hope for his 16th birthday was that he could have his friends and family come together at a place he loved the most and could enjoy the most, which included basketball. He was very gracious about the request and thanks to the blessing of the relationship with the Dietrich's at the Salvation Army, the birthday party went off without any issues. Over 20 people gathered and celebrated his 16th in style. Another incredible blessing was how Jacob asked for the other leaders who have been helping on Thursdays to come join in the event. It's all because of God's amazing blessing of being connected to people who care about and love him as Jesus loves him that we were able to provide such an event. 

Jacob (center in black t-shirt hugging mom in red shirt) with the crew for his 16th birthday celebration

A view of the group of teens who came for the spring '19 kickoff

It is no different in what God did in and through our ongoing connected weekly ministry at the Leavenworth Salvation Army. The 2019 spring semester kickoff was a wild success, bringing in 27 teens, which was a record number for the school year. It was evident that they were anxious to get back to a place where they mattered, plus in a facility they can call their own 'home away from home.' It wasn't just the opportunity to come back together that was so incredible, but one of the leaders felt the need to bless the teens in buying them pizza for the kickoff, yet another phenomenal God moment to love these teens! 

The Parsons' with Leavenworth's newest Mayor, Jermaine Wilson

In the midst of doing some amazing things in ministry with our teens, our staff got the chance to join the citizens of Leavenworth in welcoming in the newest mayor and friend of YFC, Jermaine Wilson. Mr. Wilson's story is incredible and has been a blessing throughout the area as he is openly willing to share his background where God brought him through being incarcerated in a local prison and redeemed through his record being expunged and now he is the community's newest Mayor. Not only is he a friend, but he openly loves and believes in what God is doing in and through the efforts of Youth For Christ in this area. His ministry, Unity in the Community has blessed the teens multiple times with pizza and opportunities for the teens to get together in a healthy place as God permits. It is through the blessing of God's connection to Jermaine and his ministry's movement that the relationship continues. 

Wes Kreun's memorial pamphlet

It was brought to the sudden attention to Phil and Amy that Phil's dear friend from high school, Bryan Kreun, his father had suffered a heart attack and passed away mid-month and services were soon to follow. Memories of Phil's own father passing 5 years ago were flooding his mind and allowed Phil to be there for Bryan in the celebration of his dad, Wes Kreun and the lives he impacted over the years. Bryan's dad was one of the leaders of the Boy Scout Troop Phil and Bryan were involved through the years growing up. Being great friends in school growing up allowed Phil to come into contact with Wes often, even in the crazy choices the boys would make, even if it were the middle of the night being stuck in a snow drift in a housing development in Bryan's car or pulling into Bryan's driveway with a broken windshield on his car. No matter what the circumstance, Wes impacted many lives, to include Phil's. Even though they had grown up from those days in the past, Phil and Bryan still were connected over the distance. 

A picture of the Boy Scout Troop where Phil and Bryan grew up as friends and Wes Kreun was a leader

The memorial bulletin of the service for
Rev. Ken Wittrock 

All the while in being back in Omaha, Phil and Amy got the chance to join his mom at another memorial service. This one was for Phil's parents' pastor of many years, Ken Wittrock. Pastor Wittrock was the guy who welcomed his family when they were going through a lot of issues and hurts in a church departure and became an incredible pastor that Phil's parents loved and respected. Once again, throughout the memorial it was evident of all of the lives Pastor Wittrock impacted throughout his over 40 years of ministry. He even took the time to give insight to Phil on his first assignment in Georgia and how to go about it, being newly in the trenches of military youth ministry. The guy even knew Phil every time he came home to visit his folks. The ministerial family of Phil's folks' church was incredible and a blessing to encounter in their visit to Omaha. 





In between all the visits, ministry kickoffs and memorials, Phil and Amy still found themselves in the middle of building new bridges from past and current relationships from Fort Leavenworth. God placed it upon their hearts to reach out to people so that they could hear their hearts in the mess that they encountered over 2 years ago and it has provided incredible healing, understanding and growth opportunities. It is uncertain as to what any of all of this will provide, but the biggest part is how it's reconnecting people who are on mission to love military teens no matter the vehicle that is provided. It opens the floodgates of love, mercy and grace beyond anything imaginable. It has already encouraged Phil and Amy to keep praying big as to what God will do next with them locally so they can impact military teens beyond what they are doing now. 

To that we thank each of you for being on mission with YFC Leavenworth County and what they are hoping to accomplish. We hope and pray that this New Year finds each of you well and on your way to what God has planned for your families. Be praying for all the folks and those even not mentioned in the letter as so many lives are impacted in the works of incredible adult team members who are loving teens 'right where they are.' 
~YFC Leavenworth County 
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We want to let you all know that we are praying for new partners to join us financially as we prayerfully close the gap on our funding needs! We are praying for 30 folks to join us at $30 per month, just $1 per day. To give to the YFC Leavenworth County Affiliate, you may go to this link: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/31081

December 2018 Newsletter

The Parsons' family Christmas photo

The Christmas season is upon us and in full swing. Homes, shops, and spaces all over the globe have been beautifully adorned with trimmed trees and decorations galore. People are busy feverishly shopping and wrapping gifts they prepare to give. During all of the hustle and bustle of the season, how many really stop to remember all the amazing gifts that have been lavished upon them? We’re not talking about the tacky Christmas sweater you received in that work party white elephant gift exchange last year, or the outdated fruitcake your neighbor may have re-gifted to you perhaps out of obligation. This season of Christmas has got us thinking more deeply of the lavish gifts we’ve received over the years.

We often think of Thanksgiving as a time to remember and be grateful for all that we’ve been given, and don’t get us wrong, we certainly spent a good bit of time reflecting over Thanksgiving. We’re reminded of the warm home we’re fortunate enough to have, and the comfortable bed we’re able to lay our heads down each night, among so many other things. As we reflect, we’re so humbled as we know that not everyone is afforded those same luxuries. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. A kind gesture or word of encouragement can make such a difference especially for someone in the middle of a difficult season of life.

The Parsons family helping during the annual Wreaths 

Across America event at Fort Leavenworth

As full-time missionaries, it is the financial gifts of others, of you, that allow us to do the work that we do. We are grateful for each and every one of you. 1 John 3:1 states, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Wow! Just let that all soak in for a minute….

Phil with Jacob (left) and Brandon (right) as

they rang bells together for the Salvation

Army kettle season

What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? A family heirloom maybe? Perhaps a nice trip taken with loved ones? We’ve all received special things that we’ll always remember. Far above any tangible mass-produced item that can be picked up and purchased in any corner store, is the gift of the great love that our Heavenly Father has lavished on us! We’ve been given such a rich inheritance as children of God because He loved us so much to give us the gift of His only Son, born in that lowly stable, next to farm animals, to teen parents that didn’t have a clue.

When we read the Christmas Story, the setting isn’t a fancy palace that is elaborately decorated. The characters aren’t on society’s most notable or best dressed list. It’s a story that includes teen pregnancy, homelessness, and refugees seeking asylum. How ironic that a momentous moment in history that changed the trajectory of our world, doesn’t sound all that much different from the world we live in today.

Many of the students we work with here in Leavenworth County struggle with homelessness, or they struggle to scrape a meal together, often only eating when we feed them. They may struggle with depression, which at this time of year is common for many. The struggles they and others around us face are endless.

From left, Dakota, Brandon and I ringing bells for

the Salvation Army

Amy, Parker and Phil ringing bells for 

the Salvation Army kettle season

This Christmas, we want to ask only one thing of you.
You may be thinking we want you to pull out

A view at the Riverfront Community Center

 where staff has gathered with students

your checkbook and make a year-end gift that will help us remain in the field. No, put your checkbook away! This Christmas as we make our lists and check them twice, we want to challenge you to remember all that has been lavished on you through the course of your life. As you remember all that you’ve been blessed with, all we ask is that in this season of giving, that you pay it forward. A small simple gesture can go so far! The possibilities are endless. Perhaps you hold the door for someone, when you might be in a bit of a hurry. Maybe you sign up to ring bells for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. You could find a place to serve at a soup kitchen or help your neighbor. Regardless of what you choose, we ask that you would carve out a little time this season to share the love that Christ has lavished on us with others.

We’re so grateful for each and every one of you. All of the prayers, financial gifts, chats over coffee, dinners, friendships. We love and cherish all of you and your kindness and generosity doesn’t go unnoticed. We pray each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and healthy 2019.

From our family, to all of you, we thank you for believing in how we are called to 'go and seek' these amazing teens in our area, wherever and however God moves us.
~Phil, Amy and Parker