I counted 16 of them in the room that evening… kids really, yet not kids. They ranged in age from 16 to 19 and all of them were in the Transitional Living Program run by Hearts with a Mission. The transition they’re working on is from childhood to adulthood and Larry & I were there to help. Larry is the 71Five VoTech Director and together we spoke about the career & life opportunities 71Five offers through vocational training. After the pulled pork, we talked about the future… their future. 71Five VoTech exists to build better futures both here with career & life skills as well as a future of eternal life through Jesus.

 

When we were done most of these budding adults asked for applications but what they were really asking for, was hope and vision for a better tomorrow. Right now, 71Five VoTech needs men & women skilled in the trades, willing to share and help build that vision. Call us and let’s talk about how you can change lives. MATT SWEENEY 71Five Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 matt@71Five.org LARRY LICATO 71Five VoTech Director
(541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

 

Take a moment and think of someone in your life who was a difference-maker for you. Isn’t it amazing how those memories stick with us? Would that person even remember it? Does it matter?

 

I recently bumped into a young lady I had met in Detention 2 1/2 years ago. She was so happy to see me and eager to tell me what an impact our discussions about Jesus had had on her life. What a blessing! When we are obedient to the calling God has placed on our lives, He does a mighty work… work that matters… work that endures. Her life is a testament to His power. Thank You, Lord that You did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. Not our power, not our love, but Yours flowing through us. What we do matters, and He gives us the courage to walk out our calling, to help effect change that lasts an eternity.

 

Thank you for joining 71Five Justice in this work—your prayers, your resources, your time… all of these things make a difference. This young lady remembered it and she told me it mattered to her. BEAU JESKA  71Five Justice Director  (541) 779.3275  beau@71Five.org

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

As a parent, it is hard to imagine that in only a few months my 14-year-old son will be allowed by the state to start driving me around the city with real people on the roads. As much as I love my son, the question keeps coming to mind, “Is he ready… or not?” As the 71Five Campus North Medford Area Director, I feel this way with a lot of the kids I work with. These kids are about to be released into the world and will be our next leaders or our next burdens on society. I would prefer they are followers of Jesus who will help correct many of the wrongs in our community. I often fear we may get instead: drug addicts, porn addicts, and alcoholics desperately searching for jobs they don’t qualify for. These kids are about to become “something”.

 

I’m thankful we have the transforming love of Jesus to share with these kids. I’m thankful for the few volunteers who step up and invest in the lives of these young people helping them make the right decisions. But, it often feels like it’s not enough. We desperately need more volunteers. We need more people who will help make a difference in the lives of teens. Young people are being formed into “something”… will you help transform them into Jesus followers?

 

Give us a call at (541) 779-3275 or visit our website at 71five.org to find out how you can make a difference in the life of a young person. TIM HARDY 71Five Campus Area Director – North Medford  (541) 779-3275 tim@71Five.org

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

Do you remember the movie ‘Avatar’? A small part of that movie has stuck with me… It’s the greeting of the natives— when they meet, they say, “I see you,” meaning: I’m with you, my attention is on you and I distinguish you as an individual. At Youth 71Five, “seeing” each young person drives us to be focused on individual, trusting relationships. Also, as the youth culture changes over time and from community to community, we’re willing to flex our methods to stay effective. Our recent push into VoTech training and the Mountain Biking program are two examples of this organizational value.

 

By “seeing” young people in this way, you provide the broadest opportunity for them to connect with a program they need and enjoy. You also provide a trusting relationship with a godly, caring adult who will also “see” them and meet their individual needs.

 

Thank you for “seeing” each young person! You provide trust that leads to an eternal and indestructible hope in Jesus Christ. BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director (541) 779-3275 bud@71Five.org

 

 

In the short time, I’ve been the Director of 71Five Mentors I’ve had a chance to visit some of our other ministry sites. One night at Juvenile Detention, our 71Five Justice team and I connected with a young girl who was struggling with her best friends’ suicide. She was upset and couldn’t find answers to her many questions, (including why He stopped her from ending her own life weeks before). With a listening ear, love, and friendship, we brought her hope for a better tomorrow through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are more at-risk youth like her across this valley that can be reached. 71Five Mentors currently has a list of kids K-12 waiting for caring adults to come alongside them and say, “I’ll be your friend.”

 

The time is now, because if not now, then when? If not us, then who? Can you do it? Will you be that friend? Call us at (541) 779-3275 and let’s talk about what it takes to connect with a kid. DARLENE HARPER 71Five Mentors Director (541) 779.3275 darlene@71Five.org

 

As the 71Five VoTech building is getting ready to be used for God’s glory… I find trash and needles on our doorstep. As I walked thru the building I saw that the second floor is completely missing with the doors and windows piled up in a heap. Then it dawned on me that this building has not seen new light for over 40 years. As I stood there in awe, our contractor came over to me and said, “This is not a remodel, this is a new construction!” At that moment, God impressed upon me that this is what he wants to do in me. I understood that He wants to do a deeper work in me. I also see how this building will bring new light and life to this neighborhood. But most importantly, be a transforming influence in the hearts of the students that will be attending here as Jesus the carpenter does his transforming work in them.

 

There it is… My story, their story and Gods story, all for His Glory. Come and be a part of God’s work of letting in the light to the young adults of our Rogue Valley. LARRY LICATO 71Five VoTech Director (541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

 

 

Sometimes life is hard… When you’re at your lowest, you need someone you can lean on. It was a Tuesday morning when I got a text from Trevor, “My mom is dead!” (His mom died suddenly from a blood clot.) Trevor is a senior in high school who’s been coming to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point religiously for the last six years. He’s struggling with his faith in Jesus right now but thanks to 71Five Campus, Trevor has not had to go through this time alone. Adults who care for Trevor listen and pray when the pain comes to the surface.

 

When you partner with 71Five, you bring the hope of Jesus to young people who desperately need him. Thank you for helping Trevor go through the hardest time of his life. ROBERT MILTON 71Five Campus Area Director & Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 robert@71Five.org

 

After eating a fantastic meal donated by Hawaiian Hut, we sat down to talk about this week’s movie. I wanted to share about All Saints Day… not my usual connection between the movie and God’s word. I asked the kids, What was your favorite scene? At that point a parent raised her hand and said her favorite scene was when the main character did everything in His power to save and protect the little girl. Then a girl in the group said, “That’s what God does for us.” The group made the connection even when I had a different plan. God’s love and grace were proclaimed… the group was preaching to me! Now that was a treat I will cherish for a while. Together we are building trust with families that leads to the hope of life and freedom in Jesus.

 

 

When I arrive at a local youth hang out to pick up anyone for club, the youth ask me questions such as “Where are you going?” “What are you guys going to do?” And the one question that separates the crowd from who’s going and who isn’t… “Is it religious?” Week after week I would ask a certain girl to join us, however, she would always reply with “No”. The reason she’d say no is because this girl identifies as a boy. I kept pursuing her and to my surprise, she finally said “Yes”. Later that evening as we met for our small group discussion, the question was “How does God speak to you?” Literally, behind a mask she had put on, tears ran down her face. We gathered around her and prayed. I believe it’s not our place to judge or change people, God does that. At Youth 71Five Ministries, it’s our desire to share the Gospel with young people and provide a safe place as they find their identity in Christ.

 

There are others attending club who are struggling with their gender. 71Five can reach these youth and share the Gospel in an incredible way by building trust that leads to hope. Jesus says in Luke 19:10, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” As the Grants Pass 71Five Campus Director, I will continue to seek out those who may never hear about who God is because they think they aren’t within reach. FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Area Director – Grants Pass (541) 779-3275 farrah@71Five.org

 

In ministry, I’ve learned to think in terms of generations. When ministering to kids, we consider the effect it will have on the children that will come from this child in front of us today. When 71Five develops new ministry team members, we work to help them keep one eye on the future and how the ministry will look as they one day hand it off to the next generation. Today, 71Five reaches out to kids and families that struggle and yet we do this work while building for the future to serve broken kids that are not yet born. They too will need the power and love of God displayed in their lives. I, personally, won’t be here to serve them but team members we teach today and those who follow them will be for years after I’m gone. The key: God will always be here!

 

Youth 71Five Ministries is built on the work of generations of ministers who began building on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Constantly building on a firm foundation to bring hope into the lives of kids through a trusting relationship with our Savior remains the calling we follow. MATT SWEENEY 71Five Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 matt@71Five.org

 

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