Last week I had the privilege of being among 90 YFC leaders from across the nation to gather in Denver for our three day YFC/USA Leadership Summit.  There were representatives from each Core Ministry of YFC: City Life, Friend to Friend, Campus Life, Juvenile Justice and Teen Parents along with teams from YFCamp, Project Serve, and Executive Directors (the group I joined).  For 3 days we discussed the current state of YFC as it related to our specific ministry and role and how we can best serve the “field”–those volunteers and staff across the U.S. who are pouring Jesus into kids’ lives.

I’ve attended plenty of “leadership” gatherings during my time with YFC but I can honestly say this was the most encouraging and challenging.  Our president, Dan Wolgemuth, has really done a great job of creating an atmosphere of “listening”, both to the Father by being in God’s Word and prayer but also listening to our staff, donors and kids.  What I experienced in Denver was the freedom to speak my mind freely and share frustrations while also rejoicing in the amazing ministry God is doing through YFC across the country.  I’m really, really proud to serve alongside my fellow Executive Directors and am excited for the momentum that was expressed to invest in Executive Development (Executive Directors and Board of Directors).  The sense of unity among all the leaders at the Leadership Summit was pretty amazing…we have great staff with huge hearts to reach EVERY kid, no matter their situation, with the love of Jesus.

During our last session together, Dan Wolgemuth encouraged us by reading from Acts 16. He retold the account of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison and an earthquake followed, so strong that the  prison doors flew open and each prisoner’s chains came loose.  The jailer was about to kill himself when Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  Dan challenged us to remember that YFC has had a rich 65 year history of ministry around the country and across the globe and we can tell kids daily, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  From Peoria to Tuscaloosa to Tacoma, YFC staff are here for the long haul.  As Dan put it so well, “God isn’t watching YFC fade into the sunset…He’s fanning it into flame!”

Our best days are ahead…reaching lost kids…wherever they may be found…no matter their circumstance. To God be the glory!