June 2013 Newsletter

Zach and I during the semi-formal Thanksgiving
event at Fort Stewart.

“Hey Phil, its Zach!” My heart was filled with joy  as I talked with Zach,  one of my students who had moved  to Montana with his grandparents. He had decided to call me on Father’s Day to check in with me and share what he had been doing this summer away from Fort Stewart. “I’ve been having a really good summer so far; I have gone camping, hiking, all kinds of stuff outdoors. The weather up here is much cooler and we’ve even seen snow here!”

This Father’s Day, I wasn’t at home celebrating with my own father and I’m not a father yet either. Sadness set in a little bit this day because of those factors and yet again, God’s timing was perfect. He brought a ray of sunshine to my life via Zach’s call and how things had been going for him. God showed me although I didn’t have a physical child, all of the youth God has entrusted to me and our leadership have become our own kids in one way or another. Celebrating life matters with these kids. I had the opportunity to make an impact on Zach’s life while he was here and it came full-circle where he made one on my life this year. God’s way of doing things is monumental.

Anthony on the left side trying the impossible - shooting a
balloon into the basket for his team at Club.

Shift gears to another student, a young man named Anthony who reached me a few months ago via an urgent phone call. “Phil, I’m in a constant life of sinful choices, I want to stop but don’t know how.” It was through God showing me the urgency of the need of this young man that, I went to his neighborhood and spent a couple of hours walking, talking and listening to his heart in areas he needed to wade through in his life. Rather than try to ‘fix’ him or his situation, I challenged him. I shared with him that once he has shown light to the situation, I could hold him accountable, just like someone did in my life to help me make changes for God’s plan and desire. I told him it would be tough, but nothing for God in this moment would be wasted. He said that being his dad was deployed overseas in war, he loved to read Psalm 91, so I challenged him to start reading it every day and would follow up with him each day. Days came where he would ‘man up’ and say he hadn’t read it for that day. Again, I would encourage and build him up rather than get frustrated with his choices.

Fast forward to mid-June and I receive urgent text messages in the morning from Anthony after having my cell phone shut off. All of them from this young man, sharing his heart how he feels that he has messed up horribly and feeling remorse for his choices. Also admitting to being slightly drunk after taking 4 shots and then choosing to seek validation from a girl. He felt like he’s hit bottom that evening. My heart immediately is brought to a point to share with the young man the following statement: “First off, I forgive you and please know that Jesus can only give you what you need.” I followed up the comment to him stating I do not judge him, and thanked him for his truth in the matter and challenged him that he must make the choice to turn away from making choices like this in the future.

Summer Club plans do shift into a slower period of time for all of us; however God’s plans never slow down. Truly I am thankful that He brings moments like these where I can be His hands and feet to our students when I can reach back to them and share His love and grace, just like Zach and Anthony. It’s no doubt that our goal is to ‘reach every military teen.’ Please join us in prayer that we get more moments like these that truly are intentional and God-driven and go to reach them, whenever and wherever they are. We are so thankful for each of you who pray continually for these students we get to reach on a normal basis that need to physically experience the love that God has for them.

Prayer requests:

1.       That our leadership team continues to grow spiritually and physically as we go through training together in the upcoming month.

2.       For the middle school summer camp coming up in mid-July that each student attending is impacted for God’s glory.

3.       As new people come onto both Fort Stewart/Hunter, they hear about Club Beyond and get their students plugged into the youth ministry program.