71Five LIFE CHANGE STORIES

We wrapped up the summer with a huge end-of-season party with BBQ, games, and an 18-foot water slide that had everyone having a blast. The energy was high, but what made the night unforgettable wasn’t the food or the fun. It was a small moment in the middle of it all. One young man who has been coming to our programs for a while showed up looking a little down. He’s just started middle school, and like many students, the transition hasn’t been easy. When I asked how things were going, he sighed and said, “I had a really bad day at school.” Then he paused, looked around and smiled. “But this makes up for it.” That simple comment hit me. Sometimes, what makes the biggest impact isn’t a grand gesture, it’s a safe place, a community that welcomes you no matter how your day started. That night, this student went from being discouraged to laughing with friends, competing in games, and eating some good BBQ. He left with a full plate and a lighter heart.

Moments like these are what 71Five is all about. It’s not just about events, it’s about creating spaces where students feel seen, valued, and loved. Where a bad day can turn around, and hope can start to take root again.

CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five Director – 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

Oct '25

Watch Out!

Posted on Oct 20, 2025 by Larry Licato | Life Change Story | 17

Oct '25

This has been a crazy week. I got beeped at while driving, Another person just about ran me over and stopped and yelled something at me. I received crazy text messages and an email. At one point I went outside of the 71Five City Community Center and found a kid working on his car in our parking lot. I got stopped in the mall by a young man and then I got a call from a person wanting to have a survey of sorts. The catch here is that the crazy driver was one of my students wanting to say hi and the guy that stopped wanted to thank me for all the help he received and is now going to work at a great company. The young man working on his car was being mentored by a former student who told me that he and his wife are going to join Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Finally the survey was from a company that wanted my opinion about hiring one of our former students and put me down as a reference. The young man in the mall was with his mom and wanted to say high and let me know that he was still swimming in the special Olympics.

Do you ever have days like me and wonder if you are doing any good when you see so many issues going on in our world? I’m reminded … God’s love is never wasted. It is such a blessing to hear about the impact you are making in the lives of young people in our valley through your support, prayers and encouraging words. Lives are being changed. Watch out and see what the Lord is doing at 71Five!

LARRY LICATO, 71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator

(541) 860-3275 | larry@71Five.org

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

Oct '25

trials and sorrows

Posted on Oct 8, 2025 by Breanna Stoutenburgh | Life Change Story | 26

Oct '25

The room was quiet — except for the soft brushstrokes of watercolor paint. At 71Five Parent Night, our leader was teaching from John sixteen. Around the table, young parents painted and talked. I noticed Emma — her brush moved slowly, carefully. She painted three crosses surrounded by scarlet red flowers. When the evening ended, she stayed to help clean up — like she always does. She’s been coming for three years… a steady, loving young mom. But as we walked outside, a tow truck screeched to a stop in front of her car. Another pulled up behind. Emma tried to reason with the repo man, but his eyes were empty and his mouth set in a frozen line. Her voice broke as she lifted her daughter’s car seat from the back. “Mama… where’s he taking our car?” the little girl whispered. We packed her things into my car — every seat filled, every heart heavy. The ride was loud with chatter… but beneath it all, I could hear Emma’s quiet tears slipping down her cheeks. Losing that car meant losing her way to work, to daycare, to freedom. I took her home and hugged her goodbye; there were no words to say.

Later that night, I posted John 16:33 — “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Five minutes later, I saw that Emma had liked my post. Thank you for providing the support to young parents like Emma through 71Five.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH, 71Five Parents Coordinator

541.941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

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

Oct '25

A Barnabas in the Making

Posted on Oct 3, 2025 by Will Arias | Life Change Story | 48

Oct '25

Serving with 71Five is full of blessings. Some days I arrive at the Shady Cove Youth Center weighed down, but the moment the first student walks in, everything shifts. A hug, high five, or quick story reminds me why this ministry matters. Recently, a note did the same: “Thank you for helping me grow in my relationship with Jesus.” Those words came from Aundrea. I’ve known her for nearly four years, both on the soccer field and in leadership. I’ve seen her grow in faith and character. She participates in discussions, encourages others, and even in competition she makes sure to compliment her peers. She is becoming more of a Barnabas, an encourager, every day.

Because of your support, students like Aundrea are meeting Jesus, growing as leaders, and changing lives, including mine. Thank you for making stories like hers possible.

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

Sep '25

Breaking Small Habits

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 by Sara Vassallo | Life Change Story | 20

Sep '25

At high school 71Five Camp this summer, one of the boys pulled my husband and I aside and promised us he wouldn’t say a single curse word for the entire week of camp. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how seriously he meant it, but he held himself to it. He gave his word and kept it. A few weeks later at Teen Club, that same student walked up to me with a grin and said, “I’m not gonna curse at all anymore.” Something that started as a small, temporary commitment turned into the beginning of a lasting change. What began as a camp promise is shaping how he wants to live his everyday life. It reminded me of the story in 2 Kings 4, where a widow came to Elisha with nothing but a small jar of oil. It seemed like barely enough to meet her need, but God multiplied it into more than she could have imagined. A little poured out became a life transformed. In the same way, even the “small” habits God breaks in us can overflow into big change. Sometimes, transformation starts with something as simple as choosing different words. And it’s a reminder that the Spirit is at work not just in the dramatic moments, but also in the quiet, everyday victories that add up to a new way of living.

Every prayer you pray, every moment of support you’ve given, makes space for the work of the Lord in a teen’s life. Thank you for standing with us as we celebrate not just the big wins, but also the small steps that turn into lifelong transformation.

SARA VASSALLO, 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

Sep '25

One Last Prayer

Posted on Sep 12, 2025 by Chris Willis | Life Change Story | 17

Sep '25

A few weeks ago I ran into a colleague, and he told me about a young man he’s been mentoring in a residential program. Earlier that week, this young man was at a breaking point. He was battling the urge to run from his program, give up, and return to his addictions. In desperation, he prayed one last prayer: “God, if I’m not supposed to do this, please show me a sign.” Not long after that prayer, I happened to walk into this residential program. I wasn’t planning to stay long, just a quick visit with the guys before heading into a meeting. But in that moment, God answered his prayer. The simple act of showing up became the sign he had been asking for. Instead of running away, this young man made the decision to stay. Today, he is enrolled in our 71Five VoTech classes where he is learning construction skills and building confidence for his future. His dream is to one day own a construction company that not only builds houses but also helps people rebuild their lives and rehab individuals just like himself.

His story is proof that when God steps in, even in ordinary moments, lives can be changed forever. What started as a desperate prayer has now become a new direction filled with hope, purpose, and a vision to help others. Thank you for stories like these that make a real impact on young lives. Your prayers and continued support truly do help.

CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five Area Director – 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

Sep '25

Are you ready?

Posted on Sep 5, 2025 by Shane Skirvin | Life Change Story | 15

Sep '25

I was surprised by the fact that after speaking at 71Five’s High School Camp there was a group of seven or eight young men gathered to speak about theology and church history for close to an hour! For anyone that’s worked in or around youth group ministry this was a surprising encounter, but Gen Z boys are starting to change the world! There has been an increase of 30 million US adults who claim to be following Jesus since 2021. This growth is mainly fueled from Generation Z and Millennials. At the same time, a recent study found over 40% of Gen Z report feeling persistently sad or hopeless and many people feel that is what’s driving the younger generations to look for an anchor or some stability in life.

These are very exciting times to be in youth ministry! We have an awesome opportunity, you and I, to reach young people with the gospel! Many of them are looking towards heaven and asking for help. This is a golden opportunity to reach them and be a part of the Great Gen Z Revival! Please consider helping us with financial resources, your time, and your prayer. Let’s not keep silent, at such a time as this, [Esther 4:14] let us stand up and reach these youth, for Christ – AMEN!

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

Aug '25

Giving up childish ways.

Posted on Aug 27, 2025 by Beau Jeska | Life Change Story | 12

Aug '25

One of our longtime detention kids has been working hard to find a job. Recently, he set out determined, visiting 13 different places in a single day, yet every door closed. Later, I spoke with the manager of a local oil change shop, a friend of mine, who was open to hiring a 17-year-old with a rough history. This young man has a hot temper and often makes poor choices, but they were willing to give him a chance and mentor him to develop his character. Just two days before his interview, he got into an altercation with a family member and was lodged in detention. He missed his interview, but amazingly, the shop is still working with him to bring him on board.

Please pray for my young friend as he learns to grow beyond his old ways. “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” [1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV].

BEAU JESKA, 71Five Operations 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

Aug '25

Who Leaves 99 for One?

Posted on Aug 20, 2025 by Wendy Collins | Life Change Story | 2

Aug '25

In Matthew 18 Jesus tells a story about leaving the 99 to find the one who wandered off. When I was 17, God found me. This happened because people within the body of Christ took interest in me, shared stories of their life & God, invited me to be one of them, sacrificed time relaxing, and spent time with me. Today, there are 3 young people who have been waiting for mentors for a long time. One is in Grants Pass, elementary age, and needs a male influence age 18 to 30. One is in Medford, elementary age, and wants any age male mentor. One is in high school, in Central Point, and wants a female mentor that’s 18 to 25.

These young people are the one. Do you know someone or are you the person God is calling to go out of your way to find the one? Thank you for reaching the lost with the hope found in Jesus.

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

Aug '25

71Five Adventure!

Posted on Aug 13, 2025 by Bud Amundsen | Life Change Story | 3

Aug '25

One of 71Five’s organizational values is to: “Navigate Relevance- relentlessly vigilant”. This means we prioritize the needs and interests of young people over methods or types of programs. Our job is to stay very rigid in our mission of bringing God’s story of hope to young people through trusting relationships, but stay very flexible in our methods to accomplish it. Our current ministry models are:

71Five Campus- High-energy activities, discussion, and Gospel message. (Old Campus Life club)
71Five City- Similar to Campus but with the focus on a neighborhood and more on the whole family
71Five Camp- Summer camps for high school and middle school age young people
71Five Mentors- trusting one-to-one mentoring relationships
71Five Parents- Mentoring for expectant and parenting teens
71Five VoTech- Provides vocational training to 16-24-year-old young people
71Five Justice- We reach out to young people in the correctional system

Most of these methods have been a part of effective ministry for decades, and it’s been a while since we added something new.

Introducing … 71Five Adventure! Starting September 1, we will be reaching kids through outdoor adventures. Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking, and other fun outdoor pursuits. This opens the door to hope for a whole new group of young people who prefer to be outside.

Thank you again for faithfully providing fun activities, trusted adults, and eternal and indestructible hope! Lives are changing for good!!

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