<![CDATA[Blog]]> http://chapters4.yfc.net/index.php en matt@masondixonyfc.org Copyright 2011 2011-11-01T15:57:12+00:00 <![CDATA[How Our Ministry Changes When Teenagers Die]]> http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/how_our_ministry_changes_when_teenagers_die/ http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/how_our_ministry_changes_when_teenagers_die/#When:15:57:12Z No matter what the circumstance, it is simply TRAGIC when a young person dies.  The loss of a teenager has a true “ripple effect” that impacts so many people - other students, families, the community, area churches, schools, and certainly YFC are affected.

In the past few weeks, four students, all between the ages of 13-17 died by different circumstances within eight days of one another in the communities that we have active YFC ministry.

There is the initial shock of the news, the spreading of it, and certainly tough times right away.  As more and more people find out about the death, inevitably, YFC receives calls and contacts from kids, parents, and even school officials.  When there are multiple deaths in such a short time period, the needs and emotions felt are accentuated.

Now I need to tell you, friends of this youth ministry, that there are no simple formulas to minister in times of tragedy.  The key is to care for, to love on, to listen, to comfort, to pray, and to point kids to Jesus.  There are many tears and questions that are often hard to answer and our staff must put into practice the best relational skills that we have.  Friends, although I would not wish for tragedy to strike, I am convinced that the Lord uses it to allow for wonderful ministry opportunities.

YFC core ministries deal with so many issues that teens face all the time and death, even sudden death, is certainly that type of issue.

I will tell you that times were tough these past few weeks and our communities are still in a state of shock, but I will also say that I am so very glad that God has positioned an active and effective YFC chapter here to minister in so many ways.

Now, more then ever, I ask than you pray for the staff, board of directors and our support team so that we may remain and even grow in our effectiveness not only in times of tragedy, but throughout the turbulent years of being a teenager.  In addition, we truly need your financial support and direct involvement to sustain.

The fact is that teenagers will die, and one of our key objectives is to introduce as many kids to Jesus before that happens so that when they meet our Lord face to face, that they will be ushered into eternity WITH Him and not separated. 

Please help Mason-Dixon YFC to pursue our Vision:  That every youth in our communities would have an opportunity to have a personal, growing relationship with Jesus and be impacting their world for Him!

For Every Kid. One At A Time!

Gary Grecco
Executive Director

]]> 2011-11-01T15:57:12+00:00 <![CDATA[Hitting Golf Balls Impacts Kids]]> http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/hitting_golf_balls_impacts_kids/ http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/hitting_golf_balls_impacts_kids/#When:14:24:43Z As you are aware, it takes LOTS of adults doing LOTS of planning and preparation to effectively reach LOTS of young people of today.  Our on-going ministry hosts clubs, studies, one-on-ones, activities, conferences, assemblies and so much more and the amount of prep is truly hard to gage.  Thus, it is all important to appropriately execute our busy youth ministry.
 
On Tuesday September 20th, about 50 adults assembled for the entire day at The Links Of Gettysburg for the sake of kids and Mason-Dixon YFC's efforts to make an impact.  We hosted our annual Golf Classic event that day.  The goal wasn't just to have nice drives or super putts, but rather to raise funds to help us reach even more kids!  I am extremely thankful for all those that participated from playing golf, raising funds or volunteering to work the event.  
This fundraising event will truly help our staff team to more effectively reach out to countless kids this fall and throughout this school year.  The need still remains for help from many adults.  We need help in the office.  We need help to work directly with kids.  We need help to maintain our daily operations.  We need continued financial and prayer support.  Can you offer a little time to help YFC make an eternal difference?  I would love to talk to you more about it!
 
Gary Grecco
Executive Director
]]> 2011-09-26T14:24:43+00:00 <![CDATA[New School Year…New Opportunities]]> http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/new_school_yearnew_opportunities/ http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/new_school_yearnew_opportunities/#When:17:58:20Z TODAY IS A BIG DAY!!! Today is the very first day of school for most of the schools in our areas that we offer YFC ministries!  To many it is a relief as the kids go back to the classroom and get out of the house during the weekdays.  Others hate the fact that there will be so many school buses in traffic.  Some kids love it and some kids dread it.
 
In Youth For Christ, today, we see countless opportunities!  A new school year.  New students in middle and high schools everywhere.  New challenges, new temptations.  New opportunities to meet kids, to earn their trust, and to tell them about the life-changing message of Jesus Christ!
 
I am so excited about the many kids that we haven't even meet yet that God plans to bring into our ministry, as well as the many many already involved.  Just think about how eternity can be "adjusted" as YFC will have the opportunities to impact countless lives this year---WOW, bring it on Lord!
 
A Brand New School Year.......YFC is excited and ready!
 
Gary Grecco
Executive Director
]]> 2011-08-30T17:58:20+00:00 <![CDATA[Absorbing Pain: Following Christ’s Example on the Cross]]> http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/absorbing_pain_following_christs_example_on_the_cross/ http://www.masondixonyfc.org/blog/absorbing_pain_following_christs_example_on_the_cross/#When:16:08:39Z You know it's never easy for me to walk into a situation that I know will be painful...to willingly move deeper into a student's life when you know that each step closer will more intimately surround you with their hurts and pains.  I have now been on staff with Mason-Dixon YFC for over a year and if their has been one unexpected aspect of doing life with kids it has been the depth of the hurt that these students go through on a daily basis.  As a Christian, I am far less concerned about "blazing my own trail" as I am following the path that Christ has already exemplified on the Cross.  If I'm honest though, it's really easy for me to follow Christ right up until he bears that Cross.  If I'm honest, it's not easy for me to bare the shame that students carry.  It's not easy for me to absorb the pain that students have...to carry their burdens.  BUT that is exactly what Christ has done for me and that's why it is so important that we be complete followers of Christ and a people devoted to the Cross.  

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.  Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:3-5

 

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