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Touch My Heart

Posted on Apr 18, 2023 by Peter Kuhl | Life Change Story | 0

Julien is always excited to come to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point every week. He loves playing outdoor sports, group games, and other fun activities we usually have each Friday night, but he also loves learning about Jesus through the weekly messages we share about the Bible. One evening I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to stray from my notes and share something else. I don’t even remember what I said, but Julien did. Before he left that night, he told one of the other helpers, “Peter’s message really touched my heart.” A few days later when I saw him, he was very intentional in asking how I was doing and making sure I was doing well. He said, “I remembered what you said last week about checking in on people and listening to them.” Well let me tell you, THAT touched MY heart!

We don’t always know the impact we are having in the lives of kids, but God will always work through the faithfulness that you and I walk in. Whether it’s volunteering with youth or partnering financially, thank you for what you are faithfully doing to promote positive change in our community.

PETER KUHL, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Eagle Point

(541) 630-0648 | peter@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

A Stirring Question

Posted on Apr 11, 2023 by Shane Skirvin | Life Change Story | 0

Recently during a discussion at 71Five City’s Middle School Club, we asked a question: “What’s the one thing you would ask God if you had the chance?” It ranged from the usual wishes for cool toys, superpowers and material possessions. Then Jack raised his hand and said, “I would ask for my mother to come back!” (Jack’s mom passed away recently.) A lot of young people are wrestling with the deep questions of life, not just superficial ones, but questions with such aching pain.

You are providing the only answer that truly matters, that death and pain do not have the final say in this young man’s life. Every promise of God find a BIG Yes in Jesus! [2 Cor. 1:20] We have this extraordinary privilege together with you to build bridges of trust so hope can travel into every dark place of pain! Thank you for going with us into these places, which are incredible opportunities, to speak into these young people’s lives right where they are, in the pain and brokenness, with the only true hope of God!

SHANE SKIRVIN, 71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator

(541) 646-1475 | shane@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

I’ll Teach Him A Lesson!

Posted on Apr 3, 2023 by Farrah Guthrie | Life Change Story | 0

One night at club, Joe told me that he was no longer going to school. I asked him why and he told me he ended up too far behind in his studies during the Covid pandemic. I asked him what he was doing now, and he said, “Nothing.” He agreed to meet with me Monday morning to strategize and set up a plan to get back on track. Come Monday morning, no Joe. I texted, I called, I waited, but no Joe. A couple days later, I received a text from him. It read “Can you call me asap?” I didn’t reply. About an hour later, he called. I didn’t answer. My plan was to teach him a lesson by not answering his texts or calls and later at club, ask him how it felt. As I began to pray about it, the Lord gently whispered “That’s not the lesson I want you to teach him. I want you to teach him that when he lets you down, doesn’t answer your calls, and doesn’t show up, you will still always be there for him.” I returned his call and later that night, we had a great talk. He apologized for not showing up and rescheduled for the following Monday. I watched the clock anticipating Joe’s arrival, he came right on time. We talked about what he wanted to do in life, what motivates him, and what steps we could take to accomplish his goals. By the time the meeting ended, Joe had the opportunity to enroll in GED classes, one-to-one tutoring with a school counselor, and plans to start meeting with a musician that will teach him how to read music.

Building trust that leads to hope through relationship is what you are providing, being trustworthy people is who we are.

FARRAH GUTHRIE, 71Five City – Grants Pass Coordinator

(541) 840-6544 | farrah@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

I really appreciate you!

Posted on Mar 28, 2023 by Teresa Tonini | Life Change Story | 0

Julie started attending 71Five Parents when she was invited by another parent. She was a very young mom who was looking forward to enjoying a dinner she didn’t have to prepare. Her attendance was spotty for the first few months, and she often shared opinions on how we should change things before she returned. We continued to invite her to weekly activities and welcomed her in when she came. She’s been coming more frequently now, and recently told me, “I really appreciate you.” It has been a blessing to watch her mature, but I know what she “appreciates” is that she always feels welcomed.

We are called to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationships in any relevant way. That trust can easily be built by consistently showing up. Would you like to share hope with our youth by showing up and welcoming them in?

TERESA TONINI, 71Five Parents Coordinator

(541) 941-1143 | teresatonini@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

The Power of Prayer

Posted on Mar 15, 2023 by Leif Amundsen | Life Change Story | 0

I’ve been helping with a club called Kingdom Building at Ashland High School. One of the kids, Dakoda, wanted prayer about the possibility of returning kidney stones after a recent exam. We immediately prayed as a group over him for healing and direction. A couple of weeks later, he came and said, thankfully, it was not the return of the kidney stones. The residue from his past kidney stones tipped the doctor off and it was not an issue. Dakoda then said, “I guess someone up there is listening.” I replied, “You would be surprised how much God does listen to us!” Thankfully God loves us so much that he listens to every problem we have no matter how bad.

Thank you for your prayers for the young people at 71Five. Your constant communication with God provides a trusting relationship with these young people like Dakoda.

LEIF AMUNDSEN, 71Five Campus Interim Coordinator – Ashland

(541) 840-0059 | leif@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

“She’s here, but so am I!”

Posted on Mar 13, 2023 by Ken Ruiz | Life Change Story | 0

Recently, I had the opportunity to serve the young people in the Juvenile Justice system. When chapel started I was surprised to see Tanya walk into the room. Tanya is a young lady who has been part of our ministry in West Medford off and on since we started. At first I felt a sense of defeat that one of the kids we’ve invested in has ended up in the Juvenile Justice system but then I had another thought… “She’s here, but so am I!” She can’t get away from this message of hope. Whether she is at the Station 71Five Community Center for club, at 71Five Middle School Camp or in “Juvy,” she is being ministered to. I would rather Tanya didn’t go to “Juvy” but I am blessed that we can meet her there and let her know there is hope.

Thank you. You make this possible through your prayers and generous financial support.

KEN RUIZ 71Five City Coordinator – West Medford

(916) 519-4679 | ken@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

An Answer To Prayer

Posted on Mar 3, 2023 by Sara Vassallo | Life Change Story | 0

“You all are an answer to prayer, I don’t know what you are doing, but it is working.” This was just part of a thank you that I received from a grandma before our high school club. Justin has been attending 71Five Campus since middle school but he’s always been certain that he did not believe in God. Recently, he has been so curious about Jesus … That’s a huge change. What used to be a quiet and reserved teen is now involved, helping wherever he can, and occasionally playing group games. It was before club as I was taking groceries inside that the grandma called me over to her car to talk. She started with an honest and sincere thank you, and she continued to go on and tell me “the boy that she lives with now is not the boy that she lived with a year ago!” As she continued to thank me, I told her about how much we adore having him at club. We both started to tear up as we marveled in the work that Jesus has done in Justin’s life. After years of planting seeds, probably over a dozen leaders and countless prayers, we’ve been honored to see the beginning of a harvest in this young man’s life.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” [1 Corinthians 15:58] We know that our work is never in vain because of the work of Jesus Christ, and a breath used to proclaim the Gospel is never wasted. Thank you for planting seeds in the lives of these young people.

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

Messed Up

Posted on Feb 21, 2023 by Tim Hardy | Life Change Story | 0

The high school teen came up to me with a look of shame as he approached. He was obviously nervous as he admitted to me that he had a problem with pornography. I listened to what he had to say rather than condemning him for his actions and told him thank you for trusting me. He hugged me fiercely. I asked him how I can help and he told me a way I could help him to stay accountable. A few months later, he approached me again, telling me he had messed up. We again hugged and I again told him how brave it was for him to tell me. We came up with a better plan for how to help him resist his addiction. That teenage boy found someone who he could trust, even with his weaknesses. He found someone he learned wouldn’t condemn him when he unloaded his faults and sin, but rather gave him hugs and helped him through it. Hopefully, this reminds him of what Jesus does for us.

At 71Five, we want to be like Jesus to these young people. We want to give them hope and help them through their struggles. Youth 71Five Ministries exists to share God’s story of hope with young people, though trusting relationships in any relevant way. We have a huge team of staff, volunteers, prayer warriors, and financial supports who all give hope to young people. Would you like to get more involved offering hope to young people?

TIM HARDY, 71Five Campus Ministry Director – North Medford

(541) 840-0960 | tim@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

Catch a Glimpse

Posted on Feb 13, 2023 by Beau Jeska | Life Change Story | 0

While driving one Saturday with my wife and kids my cell phone started ringing. It was a young man named Jaime who I met years ago when he was 14 or 15. He said, “I’m just calling to say thank you and to tell you how much I appreciated all that you have done for me.” We had spent a lot of time talking together in the little glassed-in room at juvenile detention. Many tears, much regret, and shame over the things he had done. He would re-dedicate his life to the Lord and plan to do better when he got out. I was grateful that my family was able to catch a glimpse of the depth of relationship I had with this young man and the love we shared for each other. Unfortunately, two weeks later, he was dead of a fentanyl overdose.

As I write this, I have tears in my eyes for the loss I feel. The only thing that could be worse would be if he hadn’t given his life to Jesus. I am comforted to know that we will have lots of time in heaven to catch up and hug each other once again, with only tears of joy to wet our faces. Thank you for being in this Kingdom work!

BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Ministry Director

(541) 601-9631 | beau@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

Eternal Work

Posted on Feb 6, 2023 by Darlene Knudson | Life Change Story | 0