Youth 71Five Ministries
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” [Psalm 71:5 icb]
Relational Ministry
We exist to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationships in any relevant way.
Find out more about each of our unique youth activities by clicking the button >>>
“[Some Shepherds Hear About Jesus] That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and suddenly they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord.” — Luke 2:8-11 . Powered by BibleGateway.com.
Download our ShareFaith app to your mobile device and choose 71Five:
TRUST TO HOPE
Youth 71Five Ministries provides many opportunities for loving, caring, Christ-following adults to engage in the lives of lost and hurting kids. We aim to bring hope through relationship; providing a safe place to belong and sharing the message of the Gospel. There are a number of ways for you to be involved in the work God is doing in the Rogue Valley – there is a place for you on our team! Young people desperately need your friendship and the love of Jesus in their lives. Through your involvement and God’s power, we will see young lives transformed.
kids need a safe place
Too many kids lack nurturing homes and a sense of belonging. At our 71Five Campus Youth Centers, 71Five City Community Center and 71Five VoTech Training Centers, kids find a safe, fun place to relax and caring adults who take the time to know them. 71Five Campus programs provide opportunities to discuss life lessons from a Christ-centered perspective. 71Five City is an effective ministry model to transform the lives of inner-city youth, their families and the neighborhood communities that they live in.
kids need hope and encouragement
Many young people make poor decisions related to drugs and violence. These kids often end up in Juvenile Detention Centers feeling broken and hopeless. And our 71Five Connect Workshop reaches kids with a powerful resiliency program in local schools. The 71Five Adventure, 71Five Justice and 71Five Connect staff and volunteers offer listening ears and the hope and encouragement found in a relationship with God.
kids need someone to imitate
Kids are always looking for role models to imitate, but many are growing up in relational poverty where they have no good role models to follow. Our 71Five Adventure, 71Five Justice, 71Five Mentors, 71Five Parents and 71Five VoTech mentoring programs provide young people with long term trusting relationships with adults that form the foundation for healthy influence.
we are unique in our work
Although we offer fun and helpful programs for kids, our real work is building the relationships necessary for kids to thrive. By providing places where youth feel secure, by delivering a message of real hope, and by being people kids can truly count on, we are seeing lives transformed.
We mobilize responsible caring adults to be engaged in trusting relationships with young people. We desire this for every young person in our valley. These relationships are the foundation for guiding young people according to the teachings of Jesus Christ—helping them to develop the mental, physical, social, and spiritual components of their lives. Young people will be given hope and purpose so they can thrive individually and strengthen our community.
Youth 71Five Ministry Activities…
Youth 71Five Ministries Includes:
Youth 71Five Ministries exists to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationship in any relevant way. We believe that influence happens best through healthy, authentic, and trusting relationships.
We mobilize responsible caring adults to be engaged in trusting relationships with young people. We desire this for every young person in our valley. These relationships are the foundation for guiding young people according to the teachings of Jesus Christ—helping them to develop the mental, physical, social, and spiritual components of their lives. Young people will be given hope and purpose so they can thrive individually and strengthen our community.
Youth Event Registration:
Every month we usually do at least one extra activity.
Some examples of our activities are: Cave Quest, Snow-day, Paintball, Bowling, Fundraisers, Summer and Winter Camps, Rafting, Redding Water Slides, and lots more.
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted in you since i was young.” [Psalm 71:5 icb]
Youth 71Five Ministries Involvement
Oregon Business magazine announced Youth 71Five Ministries is a 100 Best Nonprofit to work for! Youth 71Five Ministries is not only a workplace to grow and develop professionally, it’s a place that will change you personally. Our organization is also proud to be a GuideStar Platinum Nonprofit Profile participant. Platinum lets us show quantitative metrics on the progress we’re making toward our mission. We thank God for your generosity and we promise to use your financial gift wisely. Youth 71Five Ministries depends on the involvement of caring adults to accomplish our mission—to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationship in any relevant way. We believe that influence happens best through healthy, authentic, and trusting relationships. We are asking God to raise up an army of caring adults who will establish relationships with the youth in our communities. We need volunteers who will serve directly with students, mentoring advocates, intercessors, financial partners, and administrative help in the office. Wherever your gifts and talents lie, you can make an eternal difference in a young person’s life.
you can get involved
Operating in Jackson and Josephine Counties: (3) Youth Centers, (3) Community Centers, and (2) Training Centers. Building trusting relationships through these (9) initiatives: 71Five Adventure, 71Five Camp, 71Five Campus, 71Five City, 71Five Connect, 71Five Justice, 71Five Mentors, 71Five Parents, and 71Five VoTech.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.” [Matthew 11:28-30 icb]
Ready to Volunteer?
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Life Change Stories
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02
Apr '24
Don’t have a Bible?
02
Apr '24
One of the most exciting things working in the ministry here at 71Five is when I see a kid get excited about the bible. A week ago miss Sophia and I had a conversation about sin and how do we know what is sin and what’s not. I said to her, “Well, you can find all those answers in your Bible.” She looked at me funny and said, “But Will, I don’t have a Bible.” I had thought some time back that her mom had bought a Bible for her. It looks like I was wrong. The next day through the ministry we were able to gift her one with her name embossed on it. The leaders at 71Five Campus in Shady Cove wrote a special message and signed it for her. Ryann, 71Five Intern, presented her with the new Bible. She was so excited she ran through the Youth Center giving out hugs to all the leaders to thank them for this special gift. And then we received this text message from her mom: “Walked in to say good night to Sophia the other night and she was reading her Bible. My heart melted. 🤍 Thank you.”
Thank you for providing this young person with the gift of hope. Your financial support and prayers are reaching the lives of so many people like Sophia and her mom.
WILL ARIAS, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Shady Cove
541.841.6400 | will@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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25
Mar '24
“I apologize…”
25
Mar '24
Connor encountered a pivotal moment at 71Five City in West Medford. Despite facing challenges as a student, he was gently encouraged to take some time to reflect on his actions. This was a major growth moment for Connor through this difficult time with patience and understanding. “I apologize…” Surprisingly, he expressed a sincere desire to apologize. This moment held profound significance, where positive reinforcement is one of the many things students lack coming in the door. It represented more than just an apology—it symbolized personal growth and the profound influence of caring adults.
Join us as we celebrate Connor. This action signified a turning point in his spiritual growth, demonstrating his readiness to take responsibility and strive for improvement. It is because of your generosity as 71Five’s financial partners, staff and volunteers, that we see a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of guidance and support in young lives.
TROY ELLIS, 71Five City Coordinator – West Medford
541.538.0207 | troy@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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18
Mar '24
“Letting Holy Bros Cook”
18
Mar '24
During one of our sessions at the juvenile detention center, I had the privilege of engaging with the young individuals there in a unique way. Wanting to capture their interest and encourage their minds, I brought in a book that translates common Bible stories into Gen Z slang. As I read aloud from the book, I could see the interest among the group. But what truly made the experience memorable was when I invited a few of the guys to come up and take turns reading stories themselves. One young man stood out as he eagerly volunteered to read and ended up captivating everyone with his animated delivery. During his reading of a story about Jesus and his Disciples, he exclaimed, “These Holy bros know how to cook.” This translates to expressing admiration for their skills or expertise. What struck me the most was how naturally he connected with the slang and made the stories come alive with his own commentary. It was as if he had found his element, stepping into a role of sharing the gospel with his peers in a way that resonated with them. Seeing him embrace this opportunity and witnessing the impact he had on his fellow detainees was truly inspiring. It reminded me of the power of meeting people where they are and using creative means to share timeless truths.
It’s amazing to be able to take something that is relevant to the kids and share God’s story with them. Please prayerfully consider joining our team or partnering up with us today. You can help be the change and hope young people need in our community.
CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five Justice Coordinator – Grants Pass
(541) 941-3488 | chris@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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11
Mar '24
A Year of Prayer
11
Mar '24
In April of 2023, I had the privilege of meeting two young girls, who had been introduced to our program by their big brother who had been attending for years. They lived a few hours away and it was clear to me that they had never heard the gospel before. To them, 71Five swiftly became synonymous with pizza, and games. Though our time together was brief due to the distance, I was moved to continue the relationship. However, this became a challenge as they returned home and I had no way to stay in touch. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling of responsibility to share Jesus with these girls, so I didn’t stop praying for them. I pleaded with God to orchestrate a way for them to encounter His truth. Ten months full of prayer passed. Then, they unexpectedly returned to our group almost a year later, with news that they had moved in with their brother nearby. It was a moment of pure rejoicing and gratitude as I witnessed God’s faithfulness unfolding before my eyes. Now, they could frequent our “pizza and game place” regularly, It wasn’t long before they became curious about Jesus and even asked for bibles. Sparking a new prayer, that they would put their hope in Jesus.
Because of your faithful support, 71Five continues to maintain a consistent haven for young people seeking solace or simply a slice of pizza. Thank you for your partnership in sharing the hope of Jesus.
SARA NIELSEN, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Central Point
(541) 816-6761 | sara@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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01
Mar '24
Grappling with doubt . . .
01
Mar '24
Young people experienced the redeeming power of God’s love ay 71Five VoTech. Like David, who once grappled with deep-seated doubts about his self-worth, battled a lack of confidence and an overwhelming concern for others’ perceptions. However, through the unwavering support of 71Five staff and volunteers, and supporters like you, with the guidance of the Lord, David’s journey took a transformative turn. Through countless projects and tireless dedication, David found a reservoir of skills within himself, proving that hard work and commitment, fueled by faith, can yield tangible achievements. With each completed project, his confidence soared, and he has discovered a healthy pride in his abilities, realizing that his worth is defined by how God has made him, not the judgments of others.
Through 71Five VoTech, David not only gained technical skills but also reclaimed his sense of self-worth and found the courage to do the hard work, guided by the grace of God. Join us at 71Five VoTech and experience the life-changing power of faith, community, and personal growth.
AARON FAUST, 71Five VoTech Coordinator – Grants Pass
541.761.5143 | aaron@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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22
Feb '24
Real Questions & Real Answers
22
Feb '24
Middle School youth ministry is challenging! It feels like it takes a lot to build a relationship and create a space with the right amount of time where kids can ask genuine questions and hear real answers. The kids of our community have a lot of information on top of a lot of distractions thrown at them all the time. So in kicking off our Middle School talk and discussion time here at 71Five Campus – North Medford, we switched it up a little by having everyone sit on the floor in a circle. I’ve also requested all to put their phones away. We are striving to engage these kids where they are. This is where we have an unplugged conversation about the things that matters most in life… not the trivial distractions of our age! I was surprised and encouraged by how well these discussions have been going! It’s through the book of Mark, which packs in a lot, we read about the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ!
One of the young ladies, Julie, asked very pointed questions about Christianity and how it differs from other worldviews she’s been exposed to. The earnestness and seriousness of her questions opened up a whole discussion about the claims of Christianity! It’s an awesome thing to see our young people discussing and wrestling with the great truths of the Bible! You are making these outreaches possible to young people who are not normally found sitting in church on Sundays! Thank you so much for being involved with this great effort to reach the kids of our community and change eternal destinies!
SHANE SKIRVIN, 71Five Campus Coordinator – North Medford
(541) 646-1475 | shane@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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15
Feb '24
The Hard Struggle
15
Feb '24
“Pray for me as I go into my program to get clean and better my life with Christ!” This was spoken by a 15-year-old girl in Juvenile Detention. The struggle of getting clean is hard. How can she stay sober? How can she further her walk with God?
By partnering in this work, you help show these kids and specifically this young woman the love of Christ. You help these kids find the hope and love that goes beyond everyone’s understanding. Many of them don’t know this love and you have caused them to see the love of Christ. You helped these kids be curious about why the people that come into Juvenile Detention have such joy and love. You’ve helped them realize that there is a better way to live their life, even through all of their struggles.
Thank you!
RYANN FLEECE, 71Five Intern
541.646.2604 | ryann@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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09
Feb '24
He doesn’t like himself much.
09
Feb '24
We’ve all experience difficult times in life. Having a mentor to walk alongside you gives you hope. You can be the one who gives God’s hope to a young person today. Hunter is a young man who recently contacted 71Five Mentors. When explaining why he wants a mentor he said, “I have nothing to be thankful for with the way my life is right now.” He also shared he doesn’t like himself much. Hunter is struggling to find people he trusts to share these thoughts. He’s been trying to push back thoughts of suicide and knows having a mentor will help him. Hunter wants to change the way he thinks, and to find someone he can trust and have fun with.
As you participate in sharing the hope of God by becoming a mentor, praying for the ministry, or committing to a monthly or one-time financial donation, you are making it possible to change the lives of young people like Hunter.
WENDY COLLINS, 71Five Mentors Coordinator
541.441.2495 | wendy@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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05
Feb '24
What chance does this young man have?
05
Feb '24
“Pray for me and my Dad he got sent to prison for 3 to 4 years and for my Mom it will be about 2 years.” This was a prayer request from a 15-year-old boy sitting in juvenile detention. What chance does this young man have to stay out of prison? What he’s been taught has already led him to crime and jail. There’s not much hope for him to learn a different way.
Thankfully you’ve provided the answers. You sent caring adults into the jail to find this young man. You provided people who care about his future. You provided a true story that lets him know there’s more to life. That he is loved. There is a door to forgiveness. He can love other people and get help to change the way he lives. But most of all you have brought healing and hope that lasts forever!
BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director
541.301.0897 | bud@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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29
Jan '24
Time for a Change!
29
Jan '24
Six months ago, some grandparents brought their 20-year-old grandson, Ken, to tour 71Five VoTech in Medford. This young man was struggling with his future, he didn’t have a job, and he really didn’t have a place to live. He was kind, but shy, and you could see that life had thrown him some hard punches. He was interested in our program, but he just wasn’t ready to make the leap. Then at the beginning of this year he contacted me and said, “I’m ready to make a change!” This young man moved into 71Five’s Residence Housing, started classes, and is close to securing a job. He turns 21 this week and is feeling like truly there is hope for his future. He has excelled in the program, and he is understanding that Jesus has a plan for his life and it is good.
It’s exciting to watch the transformation happening in his heart and life. Your love and kindness has impacted Ken’s life and he will never be the same. His story is not so different from the many other students that you are a part of.
TERESA HUTLEY, 71Five VoTech Case Manager – Medford
541.282.4689 | theresahutley@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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