July 2017 Newsletter

"It's not about me." These famous penned words were taken from the book, Purpose Driven Life, which was written by Rick Warren. Although it's been a long while since I've read this book, the quote has resonated with me as of late in what God is providing for us.

In working in my previous job position at the bank in Leavenworth and Lansing, it specifically was my job to 'know others and be known' for the purpose of selling our products. Sadly it was all about building a relationship as a means to an end to sell something to someone, rather than just care about them. A lot of this mentality overflowed into the ministry we were providing and I had to learn and readjust my reasoning for getting to know people and so forth. Thankfully, God provided me Amy to help me in and through those adjustments because habits are tough to change. 

That brings us to the past weeks' of ministry here in Leavenworth County. It's been phenomenal to say the least. God has opened opportunities we have had with other Kingdom-building folks and our hands have been put to work regularly. One thing all of us who serve with our Leavenworth YFC Affiliate have noticed is that we do not need to bring our own 'brand, name, recognition or notification' whenever we show up to serve. All we need to do is be present, love others and put our hands to the plow to build Kingdom opportunities wherever the chance arises. 

We've joined our good friends in the southern part of the county at their church to help out whenever the chance arises and the relationship is amazing. Our friends Howie and Ruth

Howie and Ruth Lucas from FBC Basehor

are responsible for the youth ministry of First Baptist Church of Basehor and they do an incredible job of reaching the lost and their friends by creating spaces and places where all teens feel welcome. Regularly on Sunday evenings, Phil will attend their youth ministry night where they'll gather and just have fun together and enjoy some food and he'll jump in and help out with whatever is needed each evening. Recently, they opened their home for a monthly cookout and hangout time at their home for students to come and go as they please and play yard games of many sorts, ranging from volleyball to ladder toss and even some corn hole. Just as stated before, we don't look to do self-promotion of any type, but just to show up and be part of what God is providing anywhere He allows us to build relationships with our friends all over the county. 

The best part about being able to help out Howie and Ruth comes in the form of a true relationship and friendship with this great couple. We get to know them personally and also how we can be praying for them and their own lives in what they need as they shepherd the teens in their backyards. It goes much deeper than serving together, but truly building a foundation together in grace, love and faith. Beyond that, we get to share some of our deeper struggles with one another and know that we have a couple who are in the trenches with us as we are doing like-minded Kingdom work and need that from others who are doing what we are called. 

Another wonderful Kingdom partner includes someone we've mentioned in the past about our collaborative efforts, and again we got the chance to serve alongside our brother

Jermaine and his ministry named Unity in the Community Movement. Late in the month of June, I reached to him to find out if he had any upcoming events where we can put our hands to work and he shared his vision to have the annual "Bridging the gap basketball game with the Leavenworth Police Department." The event is held to bring unity between the Leavenworth people and the local police and they hold a basketball game where the officers play against teens for about an hour. They also provide a softball game where adults play against teens to build camaraderie and goodwill in the area. If that isn't enough, they provide enough food for up to 200+ people to enjoy throughout the event with hot dogs, burgers and chicken to anyone who shows up.

The adults and a few students mixed into the final huddle of the softball game.

The group of teens with the Leavenworth Police Department.

A panoramic view of the event's early unfolding and set-up for the day's events. 

Being that Jermaine was looking for people to help come early and set up and arrange things ahead of the event unfolding, Allison and I decided to come and get the whole strategic layout together mentally and on paper so we knew what we were working with and what they envisioned. This allowed us to come the day of the event and set all things in motion early enough to have it unfold successfully. God brought tons of people alongside the event to see it go so well and all we chose to do was show up and love on the people and serve the movement. It was an honor to be asked to help referee the basketball game along with play in the softball game against the teens. But then again, it wasn't about us, YFC or anything else but serving people who matter for the Kingdom's cause. 

If that weren't enough, Amy and I got the chance to yet again come alongside our friends who do youth ministry to military teens and their friends right in town. Caleb was having a parking lot party and needed a grill person and we kindly accepted the invite and also chose to bring out our corn hole set for the students to use during the evening. It was all about making ourselves available to our great folks who are already doing Kingdom work, placing our own initiatives aside for God's greater initiative. Allison also got to join into the fun of things as we shared the need of adult help and she put her hands to work in being part of the evening's activities. We also got to help transport a group of teens when the youth ministry was having an opportunity to go play at the local video arcade and event center. All we did was provide information that we had vehicles to transport teens and Caleb's point person reached us and soon enough, our van was filled with teens ready to go. 

And wrapping up the ways we've been helping out didn't just end with us doing the leg work, but a group of teens helped me set up the church's final family fun fest after the final day of VBS. Four teenaged boys piled into my van and said they'd be willing to help set up some air blown jump houses along with setting up tables and chairs for folks enjoying the event and eating outdoors.

The whole spread of the fun fest where the boys helped set up the left side of the parking lot which included two inflatable jump houses and all the tables and chairs. 

Keshawn having fun after setting up.

Caleb heading up the obstacle course.

AJ heading down the slide after helping set up the items for the finale.

Goodness, God has been on the move lately, and we feel it's because we're checking our priority of sharing what 'we do' and just coming alongside those who are already doing it locally. Building relationships with adults and teens has become pivotal as we are seeing so much opportunity to love our military teens and their friends all over the county.

We ask you all to pray for us as we continue to foundationally build the initial stages of serving our local area in such a great way. 

Humbled to be on mission, 

~Phil, Amy, & Soon to be Parker 

**To join our team in any way you feel led in prayer, financial partnership, spreading the word and anything in between you can reach us at pparsons@yfcmail.org or contribute online at https://yfc.givingfuel.com/30631**