October 2018 Newsletter

A snapshot of the fall colors setting in locally at our favorite orchard

We've noticed recently seasons come and go in regularity each year. Our part of the country saw an early snowfall mid-month and it has many worried how cold things could get for us this winter. Many leaves on trees are turning and the colors of the fall season look incredible during this month all throughout our county. Some seasons that we've noticed are how people can come and go in our lives but God mercifully blesses us to stay connected with them no matter how far away they might be.

Recently our staff, Phil and Amy Parsons, got the chance to get to escape to Dallas, Texas, for an early surprise birthday trip for Phil's 40th birthday in November. This placed them nearby some dear friends and longtime mentor in ministry, Damien Marts and his family. The Marts family had recently moved back stateside from their tenure in Hawaii doing incredible military youth ministry to a plethora of teens and doing it well. They found themselves back in Texas after praying where to land and where their son Leo could get the best care for his childhood Leukemia treatment. Their own family was nearby and it was the place where their son could receive great care from the medical practitioners in the Dallas metroplex. It was with this surprise visit that Phil and Amy got to reconnect with wonderful friends and they got to meet the children they so often saw on social media and the life they were living from afar in the Pacific. Although the catch-up wasn't as long as they all had hoped, it was life-giving and peaceful for everyone to spend the intentional time together sharing stories, life and everything in between.

From left, Amy, Desiree & Damien Marts and Phil at the Marts' home in Texas

The hooligans together again, Damien and Phil

Phil & Amy with Heidi (middle)

Another blessing to the trip included seeing a long-time partner in mission, Heidi Elliott, as she was working at her job during the day at Magnolia Farms in Waco, Texas. It was an added bonus they weren't too far from the location and it blessed Amy to check it out and Phil got to visit with the long-time friend from back when they served alongside at Fort Leavenworth. The Elliott family now lived in this area of Texas after her husband Jay had retired and now was a local judge. The Elliott's had two teenage students involved in the military youth ministry when Phil was serving alongside them as key leaders in the leadership team. Their passion for military teens was incredible and such a blessing as they have been partners with the mission awhile now. Even though the business was slammed that day they visited in Waco, it was still really awesome to get to see Heidi.

Adrian with Phil and Amy in Temple, Texas, over dinner together

Being that Phil and Amy were in Waco, it was only a half hour from one of Phil's longest running friends, Adrian Cannady. Recently Adrian had been hired to a position as the President and CEO of Temple Economic Development Corporation. Phil had the wonderful pleasure of working alongside Adrian in 2002 while at the Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) as management trainees. Even though Phil and Adrian spent only a bit over 4 months together, God utilized the relationship built quickly for the long run in His overall design. It was via Adrian's friendship and insight that he became one of Phil's best friends in the muck and mire of his darkest moments all the while still bonded through the experiences in their work relationship in San Antonio. For Phil and Adrian to get to catch up while they did in Temple at his new location, that was an incredible culmination for his 40th birthday weekend in Texas.

Relationships matter to God, so much. They mean the world to us in the YFC Affiliate, whether with adults, teens or anyone in between. We continuously work to intentionally build them with folks to understand where they are coming from and how God has plans to connect their story to His. That's one of the biggest beauties of working in military youth ministry, specifically that wherever we go God provides those whom we've connected in one way or another and the relationship continues.

We thank each of you, for being part of our relationship, whether in prayer, support, friends, ministry leaders, pastors, leaders and anything beyond. Truly that is what makes this mission possible.
~Phil, Amy, Parker and Allison

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Staff Update: 
Phil and Amy Parsons: Phil and Amy recently celebrated their son's 1st birthday on the 10th of

Parker on his 1st birthday

October and my goodness, how fast time flies for them! It's been an incredible year of firsts for their family. 

A snapshot from Allison's regular serving in the

mentor role at Basehor-Linwood Middle School

Allison Adragna: Allison has been busy with the mentoring program at Basehor-Linwood Middle School. She has enjoyed continuing to meet and build relationships with students at the school and is thankful for the opportunity to serve.


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

September 2018 Newsletter

Fall is in full swing as we have noticed the seasonal shift in starting mornings in the upper-40s and no longer seeing high temperatures in the 90s like our unseasonably warm summer. School is back in full swing as well, which means football games under the Friday night lights, building relationships with students over school lunches, and a plethora of other activities that keep our calendars busy. The need for direct contact ministry with students is such a vital part of what we do as a Youth For Christ affiliate. Equally important, is continually taking the time to sharpen our skills and glean from others on how we can improve our effectiveness.

Amy, David Kinnaman and Phil during the Fort Leavenworth Symposium

We recently had the opportunity to glean from others while attending the Next Generation Religious Support Symposium at Fort Leavenworth. This event spanned the course of 3 days. We were able to hear from various chaplains throughout the military regarding their experience, expertise, and vision to reach the upcoming generation. The opening keynote speaker was David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Research group. He has authored several books and conducted numerous hours of research on millennials, and generation z. The resounding theme of many of the speakers' messages, was that if we want to reach this generation of students with the gospel, we have to approach it in a fresh, new way, that allows us to connect with these students on their level. It sounds simple enough, but what makes it so difficult? After all, that's exactly what Jesus did, he went to where people were and simply met them on their level.

Attending the symposium allowed us to realign our hearts and our vision to keep ministry simple and just meet students on their level. Students crave to be in authentic relationship, and that's exactly what we hope to do in empowering our adult leadership team members in building time with the students that they encounter, with the hope of sharing Jesus with them. The symposium also encouraged our staff as we have felt God's leading to us in meeting our teens specifically in schools and places they already are in the normal day.

Phil got the opportunity to see the local news station give the starting 

running back with the player of the week award.

As we have been going to where students are, the affiliate is gaining new permissions in several areas of Leavenworth County. Phil was recently granted the permission of being the chaplain for the Leavenworth High School football team and has been getting to know many of the players on the team. The players have come to appreciate his presence in the locker room and on the field during home games. He is able to share a devotional during team meals, practices, and before they take the field. In addition to the football chaplain position, some of the students attending the basketball nights at the Salvation Army are also on the football team at Leavenworth High. They are really starting to crave more and more time together, and a small group of them are wanting to dive in deeper into a faith conversation. Most recently, a small group of those guys will gather together to do exactly that! How awesome is that?! They will be meeting on a weekly basis for a couple of hours and begin unpacking what it means to be a Christ follower.

Allison (center) with two students from

Basehor-Linwood Middle School

Diving down south of our area into the city of Basehor, our other staff person, Allison has continued to build upon her mentor relationship in the middle school and many students and faculty are excited to see her back. Specifically, the leadership of the affiliate met with a few highly interested Basehor parents who wanted to see the possibility of Campus Life launch in their middle school. Apparently all it took was sharing the information and the plans for our next meeting and how to prayerfully invite the right folks who would like to see this happen in the school, to include administrators, local church leaders, community leaders, other parents and any folks who would like to know more about YFC and how Campus Life can impact the school. Allison has shared how much opportunity the administration and teachers have permitted her to go in and through the middle school whenever she is present and can impact the teens and build upon relationships with them. We ask you to be praying for our upcoming 7 October meeting in Basehor which will build upon our initial adult interest meeting and what God has in store for these teens in their school.

Then there's Patton Junior High, located directly inside the front gates of Fort Leavenworth in which we have returned to serve their teens in the common areas before school and return the same day during lunch, building relationships with them and serving the need for more adult supervision. The biggest part of our return this year which we have immediately noticed was the impact for the teens to get outdoors during their abbreviated recess in their lunch hour. They usually can't get outdoors unless there are two more adults to help oversee the students in going outside and coming back to get to class. To be able to serve these military teens in this capacity has been an amazing blessing and it was readily welcomed in our return for this school year.

Staffing updates: 

Allison with her friend, Sierra at
her recent wedding in Florida

Allison Adragna - This month Allison had the privilege of traveling to Florida to celebrate the marriage of one of her closest friends. Being in Florida also allowed her to spend time at one of her favorite places to rest and recharge: the beach. Please continue to pray for Allison as she diligently works to become fully funded. 

Phil, Amy and Parker Parsons - Parker's first birthday is on the way, 10 October and we are excited to celebrate it with him. Goodness how fast the time has flown! Please also celebrate with us that a chaplain friend of ours on Fort Leavenworth has chosen to sponsor our limited access cards (LAC) on Fort Leavenworth. This will allow us permission throughout the next year on and off the installation with ease!  

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We can NOT thank you all enough for praying for us wherever God leads us to serve His youth in this amazing area throughout the county, either on post or all over the area. Please continue to do so as we are seeing immense Kingdom opportunity. Should you have questions about how, what, why and anything in between of our mission, please reach us anytime at pparsons@yfcmail.org or 913-683-1793. We are always prayerfully seeking new partners who want to invest in the Kingdom work that we are called, therefore if you would like to do so at any time, the link to do so is listed below. 

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

August 2018 Newsletter

It's never a surprise when August rolls around; the end of summer breaks for our teens, new military students and families moving into the area to attend the staff college in Leavenworth over the summer and settling into their surroundings and the anticipated and dreaded back-to-school on the horizon. Emotions that pour into our teens in this area are anticipation and excitement but some are apprehensive and unhappy with the school, students, new home location and anything else that can hijack a students' mind in the coming of a new school year.

A record crew of adults and teens out during a Super Sonic night playing volleyball together

The students we have had the pleasure of working alongside and meeting this summer have had a blast just doing what teens like to do - enjoy time together and build relationships with the people they hang out with. Instead of spending all our time in the gym like we did in the school year each week, we chose to make it a 'simple summer' and invited our teens and their friends to come out into the community to build opportunities to work with more students who aren't just all about gym time and basketball. God really provided moments for us as we alternated times at the local park in Leavenworth, in the Salvation Army gym and also at the newly built Super Sonic fast food restaurant which installed a sand volleyball court in their property. It was incredibly amazing to see new and current students in which we knew choose to come out and spend time with us, whether playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee, touch football or just hang out and enjoy a slushee we bought for the teens at Sonic. 

From left: Derek, Jacob, Dakota and Richard all
chillin' together during a Super Sonic nite

One key thing our leadership noticed was how our existing teens have grown into a dependable group of youth who live, eat and breathe all what we offer for them, no matter what. Both Phil and Allison have groups of teens who will come out and spend time with them in whatever capacity is provided, whether going to the Legends for a bite to eat or helping clean up the Salvation Army flower beds and gym. Both staff have ongoing chats with these groups of teens who are always asking when the 'next moment' will be that they all get to hang out. Truly, this is what God has instilled in our opportunities with these teens and is a blessing to build incredible relationships with them that go deeper than just the weekly gathering at the gym on Thursday evenings. 

The snapshot after the Basehor teen color war

The Affiliate chose to pour into simple and effective moments to end the summer well with a first-ever color war for Basehor and surrounding areas to reach a new group of teens never done before. In praying and listening to youth which we reached in a small amount in that area, we chose to expand the reach by providing a messy but wonderfully fun summer's ending event at the city park. The weather was perfect and allowed everyone to enjoy the event, plus some parents chose to jump right into things and have fun with us. We began the event getting soaked with water challenges and then began to play capture the flag to see the color fly. The outcome of it all was a wild and messy color-induced memory these teens would go to school and tell their friends all about. If that wasn't enough, we had a friend of the ministry who does professional photography and videography come out and spend some of their own personal time taking photos and videos of the event! 

Basehor teens having a blast in the color war

The blessing to the Affiliate occurred when we had those parents share with us personally how they loved what we provided and they were highly interested in hearing more about what Youth For Christ could provide in a regular basis in their community and were open to coming to an information session in the near future. We ended up having a decent hand full of parents show interest and partnering that with a few parents who already had said they'd come when we shared the idea, we will be having our first meeting to see where God leads us in the southern part of the county to work with military connected teens and their friends. We ask you to be praying for us that we don't shove an agenda but listen and provide information to the adults who show up and might want to get behind something like this in the near future. Truly our hearts are all about empowering adults who want to relationally love our teens right where they are and point them toward Jesus! 

Finally, as the Affiliate is finishing out the month of August, we intentionally stopped doing weekly ministry after mid-month to leave 3 weeks open for rest, prayer and preparation of doing weekly ministry through the school year starting after Labor Day. We had known other locations in which we have worked alongside who have used these weeks off for leader development and leader celebration time, so we felt like it was a blessing God was providing us to utilize the final 3 weeks of August to spend time together as a team so we were more united than ever going into the upcoming school year. Little did we know that we'd have FOUR new leaders to work alongside and see God's hand all over this chance to spend time with one another regularly. Three of our newest leaders are active duty soldiers who work on Fort Leavenworth and came from their walking into the Salvation Army and by simply asking where they can help out; thus their leadership role began with the Thursday night basketball ministry and their own faith background and athletic background. The fourth newest leader came from a friendship of reaching out to the local church community and them coming back to us when their seasons shifted and she's all about helping out in our opportunity where we feed our teens each week. 
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Staffing updates: 

Allison Adragna - Allison was visited by 2 dear friends from college this month. She enjoyed getting to spend time with them again. Continued warm weather means more hikes and time spent at the lake. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to work to be 100% funded.

Allison (left) with two teens she's known from mentoring who attended the color war

Phil, Amy and Parker Parsons - Phil was recently introduced as the newest member of the Leavenworth High School football team, specifically their chaplain. He'll be a key piece of the vision and mission of the head coach who hopes to impact these young men for greater good and point them toward Christ. Amy has found a place where she can plug in spiritually with a group of ladies on Fort Leavenworth at the weekly PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel), specifically in their small group studies, all the while having care for Parker while attending. Parker continues to grow quickly and soon enough, he will be walking and making mom and dad stay even more on their toes than they are now!

One of Phil's photos from the field as he has had permission to be there during practices

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We thank each of you who partner prayerfully and financially as God has called us to provide ongoing relational ministry to Leavenworth County, Kansas. We are always looking for additional leaders and board members for our advisory board as well if you are in the Kansas City area and would like to serve with us. Should you wish to partner with us in any way, we are always looking for additional monthly, one-time or annual giving partners. 

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

June-July 2018 Newsletter

Summer's a rolling along...

Things with Youth For Christ in Leavenworth County have been incredibly blessed this summer season. It was with great intention that the staff and leader team wanted to take a simple method in working with our teens and building relationships with teens whenever and wherever we met each week. From volleyball and ultimate frisbee at the park to middle school and high school nights at the gym, the teens have enjoyed different opportunities together.

The rededication and ribbon cutting of the newly updated Salvation Army Gym

On the 7th of June, our staff and leader team joined the Salvation Army team in a rededication and ribbon cutting of the newly updated gymnasium. Due to the generosity of a gracious community member, the Salvation Army was able to completely update the gym with new flooring, new wall padding and sound absorbers, new backboards and freshly painted walls and finally updated and more secure doors to the facility. Many of the community leaders came out in support of the event and ongoing partnership which included mayors, commissioners and main leadership from the Salvation Army in Kansas City. The flooring improvement was the biggest change and allowed safer play for all using the gym. The old floor was a tile type of surface and many of them were starting to come loose, so this new update allows safer play to happen. God has fully blessed our teens in a way we never imagined a year ago and now here we are in this gorgeous facility!

A beautiful panorama view of the updated Salvation Army gym

Allison with her 'squad' of girls from Basehor

Then, shifting into later-June, our staff and leaders got the chance to see a dozen teens to summer camp just 40 minutes from our area, named Awaken Camp. Five female students were invited from the wonderful group of middle school teens who Allison had been working alongside in the Basehor Middle School mentor program. The remaining students who came were from Thursday nights and the community who found out about our camp opportunity. Each of the teens who attended camp come from a position where church isn't too important but were open to the opportunity to what camp had to offer for them, plus a bunch of fun.

Phil with Zach, Logan and Jacob at camp

Allison, Regina and Phil ready to greet campers

Awaken Camp didn't disappoint and God broke open doors to the hearts of the students and leaders throughout the 4 days and 3 nights together. Tears and laughs were shared during their time together and after attending camp, the students were already asking the leaders when we'll be attending the camp next summer!? It blows our minds how God had all of this in mind in our obedience of providing a camp where our teens can come and be engaged by Christ-following and loving people and pointing them to Him. If that weren't enough, two young men whom we invited to camp made monumental choices to start following Jesus and also were baptized at the end of camp as well! Numerous seeds were planted as incredible conversations were beginning to happen with the adults through the camp week. Finally, when we gathered with our students, the teens came back from camp telling their friends and momentum for next year's plans are already building for Awaken Camp 2019!

Allison helping baptize one of her cabin

girls at the end of the week

Another thing that has come together recently for our teens and the affiliate was the development of a car wash with a local detail shop. A really kind gentleman named Liberty Hazelton came to our pancake feed in March really liked what our mission and ministry was up to locally and he was all about joining us in whatever way as possible. Thus, the car wash idea came up. We had the pleasure of having Elite Auto Details in Lansing, Kansas, host and help co-market the event all over our area for both June and July's car washes and they were a great success of getting our name out into the community and also building a great relationship with a business in town. The best part of the relationship was that Liberty was able to book new customers from the exposure of the event in the area and he kindly chose to make a 20% contribution to the affiliate from the business booked those days.

From left: Allison, Harlee, Phil Jacob and Zach hanging out after washing the big truck behind them

The marketing provided by Liberty, owner of Elite Auto Details for our car wash fundraiser in July.

Finally, both staff are praying and working diligently about what God will put on our hearts on what to do and how to impact our teens throughout Leavenworth County. Specifically, it was agreed upon that our teens in this community really need to hear about God's Truth and the topic for the 18-19 school year will be 'Loved and Significant.' So many teens feel hopeless in numerous ways as we got to hear about their personal lives in the past school year, and we felt this would be a key way to bridge God's Word to them and how it can apply to their lives.

The affiliate is also working on developing partners throughout the area and beyond who would like to financially partner and pray for the mission they are involved. The first-ever brochure is hot off the press and ready to go for anyone who wants to know more and the staff are open to grabbing a cup of coffee and visit about opportunities to partner. Should someone want to join the affiliate financially, they can do it via this link right here, being a tax-deductible gift: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/31081

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Staff Spotlights:

Phil, Amy and Parker while in Branson

Phil and Amy Parsons - Currently, they just celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary and Parker's 9th month and he's growing more and more and loving to stand up and try to walk. He enjoys music, loves books and is eating more and more solids. Phil and Amy have enjoyed some rest over the past month, traveling to Omaha, Branson and another upcoming trip to Colorado Springs to take needed time to enjoy together as a family before school gets back underway.

Allison is 2nd on left with her Basehor girls at camp

Allison Adragna - Since it's been so warm in Kansas, Allison's been spending a lot of time outdoors hiking, with friends or at the lake. A great way to spend her summer developing the next year's plans for our students. Join in praying for her as she is diligently working to raise additional partner support for her budget and is hoping to get 100% funded very soon.

May 2018 Newsletter

The month of May. Usually this time of year brings all kinds of hype, excitement, slacking in school

Amy and I with Laney who was another student

we got to work alongside at Fort Stewart and 

graduated from Leavenworth High School.

and plans being made in the minds of teens for a summer right around the corner when school ends. It's the usual time of year where efforts are being made to get information from friends to connect outside of school in the neighborhood or whatever in the summer time and keep the 'squad' together somehow. Graduations, graduation parties and celebrations academic successes during special banquets regularly occur. Vacation plans are shared and yearbooks are being signed along with year-end 'selfies' are taken with beloved friends. The hopes for that final grade to come through as prepared for also come to mind when our students experience another month of May.

The McKinney family during LTC McKinney's

recent promotion ceremony. 

As we have had the wonderful opportunity to serve our military youth at Patton Junior High and in the Harrold Youth Center at Fort Leavenworth, we are reminded the month of May doesn't bring the same feelings for our military's teens. The month of May for our military youth reminds them that PCS (moving) season is not too far away. The moving trucks take over the town at this time of year. At Fort Leavenworth, many of our military families are moved here for the staff college which is only about 10-12 months at best. This means a whirlwind of activity in the spring when teens get out of school and then are swiftly preparing for their next location with the armed forces. Even when a student might know they aren't getting orders to move this year, they are unpacking in their heads how they are having to say goodbye to so many friends whose parents are receiving their orders.

While we were helping in the lunch room, many of the staff people who we've built relationships with continued to comment early in the month that a lot of students had been coming unglued and unsettled emotionally earlier than usual. I chose to share with the folks about how these teens might have been told their next duty station in the military and/or they have started to come to grips with their pending move. Regardless of what might have been going on in their heads, we were noticing a shift in their moods and actions. Perhaps they were just checking out on pending hurts and challenges. It was truly a place where we share our insight that we earn when we come alongside our military youth and what they endure in all of the seasons of being a military teen.

Us with Mackenzie who was a student of

ours at Fort Stewart and graduated from

Leavenworth High School.

Some students whom I've begun to know at the lunchroom shared they were literally moving right as school got out. One whom I have known for awhile shared how he's headed to Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas. I asked him what he felt about the whole moving process this time and honestly he shared that he just goes with it and doesn't think much about it anymore. His hopes are to get onto the high school soccer team when he arrives. The final day of school is on 24 May, the exact day this young man's family is headed to Texas. He even shared they were in a hotel since their household goods had been packed up a few days ago. Another student, Ezra and his family shared they are headed to Fort Hood, Texas. His hopes include getting on the football team and playing linebacker, but even while throwing the football around with him during the lunch hour he admitted he'll play anywhere the coach puts him. Another student shared earlier this week that his family is headed to Fort Stewart, Georgia, exactly where Amy and I moved from almost two years ago. Finally, it blew my mind working alongside a son of one of our chaplains on post. He shared with me they've moved over 12 times and were headed to Fort Bragg, NC. Yet again, another story shared where we can learn how to understand their world and where they share from with us when we get the moment.

The view as we got to help serve Patton Jr.

High students during lunch outings.

It was really cool to engage each of these teens and give them some heartfelt insight about other families we have farewelled to those installation locations and share hope with them about their pending new home. Being that we really like to engage all the pieces of the military family's life while they are on the ground with us, it helps us understand where they are coming from and where they are eventually headed and possibly connect them with like-minded friends and ministry leaders when they arrive. Truly it's a family that's incredibly connected in such an intimate way. Ultimately it's listening to their story, their hearts and their feelings about the life they are involved. It's been such an honor to get to know our teens in the places we are permitted on Fort Leavenworth this past school year and love them in the eyes of Christ, "just where they are."

Join us in praying for all our military families who are moving right now to their next duty stations, whether in the U.S. or overseas. Pray for their teens who are coming to grips with saying farewell to friends again and preparing emotionally for that 'new student' introduction wherever they call home again. Please pray for the people they leave behind in our area throughout Leavenworth County, that they open their hearts and minds to welcome new people when they arrive for the next military staff college season in late-summer.
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Shifting gears...Affiliate Update: 

We also wanted to share with you all that we have had an incredible year serving in many places throughout Leavenworth County. Specifically, we have had the pleasure serving as mentors with the Basehor-Linwood CareCat program, assisting with Passport to Manhood at the Harrold Youth Center on Fort Leavenworth, providing adult oversight in common spaces and in lunchroom time at Patton Junior High on Fort Leavenworth, partnering with Unity in the Community movement throughout the city of Leavenworth, helping with Lansing Middle School's Challenge Day efforts, assist fellow churches with special events for their teens during the year, prepare and participate on staff with summer camp at Awaken Camp and partnering with the Leavenworth Salvation Army in an ongoing basketball ministry effort each week.

The banner and logo for the Basehor-Linwood mentor program.

It's been quite the year! We are SO thankful for all the people who partner with us in prayer, financial support and anything in between. We can NOT do it without you! It's because of people who believe in our calling to reach the lost and disenfranchised teens in Leavenworth County right where they are and regardless of where they have been.

Please join us in praying as we are moving into the season of prayer and discernment of what God is asking us to do in the next school year. We also ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with us as we are needing new partners financially in the Affiliate mission with additional demands on our budget in the coming year with our presence in so many places. The vision and mission will continue, but will grow even further with any and all additional help folks may provide.

This photo and illustration is the life our military teens only know.
This is why we serve them. 

We are also developing plans for our Affiliate updated brochure and upcoming partner development calendar. We want to celebrate with you that Taco John's of Lansing, Kansas, has become our first corporate partner and are so thankful for them! They are offering 15% of their receipts to YFC Leavenworth County on the last Sunday of each month to us during a specified time.

Finally - be on the lookout for upcoming See the Story/Be the Story events where folks are invited into the opportunity to see, pray for, join into and partner with our mission all over Leavenworth County, Kansas.

We thank you all for keeping us on God's mission!
~YFC Leavenworth County
(Phil, Amy, Parker and Allison)

If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift contribution toward the mission, you can do it directly on this link here: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/30631

April 2018 Newsletter

Never did we imagine April was going to hit so hard, but God had other plans in mind. If it wasn't enough to be in two emergency rooms for Amy's horrid pain in the early part of the month, I also received earth-shattering news about a previous student's sister's death at the age of 27 years old. 

Amy, Parker and I at the park together enjoying the 

warm sun.

In months prior, Amy had been battling with a continued periodic pain in her body in which was somewhat treatable at home but still was highly uncomfortable, until it hit again in early-April. It was early in the morning that we had to head to the emergency room of our local hospital to get treatment, which was subpar at best. We were literally told 'thanks for coming in' by the overseeing doctor in that ER and no pain medications even knowing that my wife was in major pain in her body. We were blessed to have her sister help us once we arrived home to rest up from being in the ER all hours of the night, again not knowing that we would need that help hours later. Amy's pain came back with a vengeance and we had to head to our second ER in the same day, but this time in Kansas City being our first visit had not taken care of her need. It didn't take too long to have the staff's insight on what was really wrong - Amy's gallbladder needed to be removed. We were soon to be admitted to the hospital to get surgery the next day and have her feeling better eventually. 

The guys together at the retreat.

What had hit me (Phil) the most was the thought - will I have to prepare to be a single dad in the middle of all of this?! I wasn't sure exactly what the problem was with Amy and being that she couldn't get help in the first visit at the ER, my mind started to race over and over about this possibly happening. This gripped me emotionally to view Amy's illness and the possibility of her not making it through all of this. It really changed how I saw my wife and not taking anything for granted when we need to get things done even though modern medicine is quite decent today. Nothing is guaranteed. Ever. 

Although I was coming to grips with the idea of maybe losing my wife, the doctors of our second hospital visit took great care of Amy and the gallbladder removal was a success. It really did change our view on everything. We had great friends and family step into helping us with Parker and his needs since we were in the hospital and couldn't tend to him while we were getting Amy squared away. God showed up in so many ways by providing the people to take care of our family, doctors to help Amy in her surgery and recovery and so many more praying over us in everything. 

Then....the text came after her surgery about this student's sudden death. It broke me. I've always been close to the girl's brother and it hit me in so many ways. These were some of the first students God allowed me to connect to when I was working alongside the on-post military youth ministry nearly back in 2008 or so. My wife and I had just met with this young lady and her husband, discussing medical-sharing as it was an option to help Christ-followers in their options of medical coverages. It just seemed so surreal to receive this information. 

The guys after a table competition together.

While attending a weekend retreat with a few of our guys and the Salvation Army, I peeled away to attend the funeral of this young lady. Boy, God again was working in the midst. So many students from the past in which I worked with years ago were able to come and show their respects and love for the family and many others impacted in the wake of this young lady's passing. Sitting in the jam-packed standing-room-only church listening to people share stories about this young lady's impact on everyone she met. Over and over again, it was said that all it took was a brief moment for her to leave an impact upon them. It was all about her love for others and to shine Christ to them in one way or another. 

That being said, the funeral had brought me to think about a lot lately...what really matters to you most when the day comes and your funeral happens? What do you hope folks will say about you? Is it about the followers you had on Snap, Instagram, Twitter? Or is it about the green you earned and stuff you accumulated in the life you lived? Would you be 'okay' with people saying you were a good person, or would you rather hear people say you were humble, gracious, merciful, loving and always serving others like Christ? Our lives are really to point others to Jesus. Period. Love Christ and His people. Boom.

The gang in front of their cabin at

the retreat.

Therefore, it isn't about all the 'fun and games' but to point our teens toward Jesus. Sure, it's nice to enjoy time together, but the big part is that we are to share His love and His truth with our teens. No day is ever guaranteed and we never know when our final day is on earth. So, that's why we do what we do for our teens in Leavenworth County, covering 6 school districts and nearly 19,000 teens in this area. They all deserve to know about Jesus and His love for them and why He came for each of them, regardless of where they have been, what they've done and what they believe currently. 

So we thank each of you - those who pray, partner and believe why God has called us to this area to do what we are doing right now. Please continue to pray, as things continue to be challenging, but an incredible blessing when we get to know each of our teens who show up and the stories they choose to share with our leadership team. If any of you know anyone who wishes to join our team in whatever capacity they feel they'd like to - share our information with them and we'll be in contact for sure! 
Humbled by His grace, mercy and providence for us this past month! 
~Phil, Amy and Parker 

The Lansing Taco John's.

The promotion set up at the
register for our partnership.

Celebrate with us: 

1. We had 4 boys from our basketball ministry join the Salvation Army retreat and go experience something together as a group hearing God's Truth being 'chosen.' 
2. We have had our first-ever corporate sponsorship with Taco John's in Lansing, Kansas! 
3. Relationships with students are getting deeper and more real outside of just hanging out together. 

Pray with us:

1. Summer camp is right around the corner, which will be located only 40 miles northeast of Leavenworth County and we are praying for the right students to attend. 
2. Pray for more corporate partners to come alongside the mission of Youth For Christ. 
3. Pray for more leaders to come together this summer which we can develop, train and equip to connect with more teens. 

The group of students with Regina (far right) who helped set up our corporate partnership with Taco John's.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift contribution toward the mission, you can do it directly on this link here: https://yfc.givingfuel.com/30631