If You're Interested

I found out about TVYFC when I saw a random business card on a desk at work in Dallas.  God graciously said “No”, to a plethora of requests that I was convinced I needed to be happy at the time.  Simultaneously, He called me to Teesside and opened doors that I might come to serve here.

I can remember that while I was considering coming over, I devoured every piece of information I could from this website about the gap year.  I watched every video and read every blog with the hopes of getting a better idea of what I thought God might be calling me to.  So my hope is that if I just described your current season of considering this program, that I can encourage you in the Gospel and help to bring clarity.

“Inherent in the call to leadership is a willingness to be alone”

— Crawford Loritts

When I was in University I moved 10 hours away from home, but I was lucky in that I had known both of my roommates since I was 9.  However, I did not have the luxury of having anyone I knew come with me to England.  If you want to do this gap year, you might be the only one of your friends to move here instead of taking that job or going to that school.  You might have to give up certain goals set by the culture around you, but Jesus is worth it.  Your family might think you are crazy and you may have to forgo pursuing that relationship, but declaring that Christ has made a way to an area in desperate need of hope and truth is worth it. The Bible is chock-full of people risking everything for Jesus, and I’m praying that our lives look a lot like that.

“How do I know God’s will for my life?”

— Every Christian under the age of 30 that I have ever met

Listen, I would like to humbly suggest that we have severely over complicated this subject.  I do understand that this question is rooted in a good desire to do what God wants us to do, but hasn’t He already made His will clear?  God’s will for your life is explicit in Scripture, He tells us to: Love Him with all our being, love people, share the gospel, and make disciples. I am just a 23-year-old guy who cannot grow facial hair to save my life and I have some lovely student loans that could devour my bank account in a second, so take this with a grain of salt… However, I know that if I had waited to “have a peace about it”, then I never would have applied to a gap year.  I knew that God had put the UK on my heart and that the gap year would allow me to be faithful and obedient to Scripture.  Strangely enough, my “peace about it” did come after I applied.  Of course, pray and seek wisdom from older Saints who know you well, but whether its England or Idaho, God’s will for you is to be obedient and faithful.  God is pleased with you through Christ, believer, and now we must walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel regardless of context.

“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high and your joy will be full”

— John Piper

Doing ministry in NE England is not glamorous, but God is doing beautiful things here.  The culture at large is swinging against our faith, but there remains a faithful body of believers who are pressing forward with hope.  This is not a “year off to find myself”, it’s a year of dying to self and pursuing Jesus.  There is no place that I would rather be right now than serving here alongside the Body of Christ.  I hope that you know that you are prayed for by me and the other gap years if you are considering this. “You have no idea who is waiting on the other side of your obedience.”

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”

— Micah 6:8

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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LOGAN THOMSON

Albuquerque, NM | 23

PROJECT: Middlesbrough

Logan graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2016, and has a passion for seeing the Lord call people unto himself.

Where are They now? - Alicia Trinkle

Alicia served in Stockton from 2013-2014 for her UK-USA gap year. We had the privilege of catching up with her recently to see what she’s been up to since heading back to the States. Thank you Alicia for your invaluable service in Teesside! You’re greatly missed!

Where are you now & what are you up to?
I live in Houston, TX, and I work for a tax consulting company. My degree from university is in business, and it’s very much in line with what I studied but a far cry from the experience I had in the UK.

Why did you choose to do a gap year?
I was privileged to know Mike and Kookie Taylor as my youth pastors when I was in high school, but it wasn’t until years later after I had already graduated college and started my first job in Houston that God laid it upon my heart to consider England. My gap year was not so much a gap between high school and college, or college and a job, but I was at a crossroads in my personal life, and the Lord opened up a door for me to relocate and focus on His calling on my life. I am a firm believer that you can be a missionary in any vocation, and my gap year taught me so much about living out my faith in my daily life and “growing where I’m planted” be it England, Texas or somewhere else.

Baptism in the North Sea

What is your favorite memory of UK-USA?
My favorite memory of UK-USA has to be our Monday morning meetings. I made amazing friends through the gap year program but did not always get to see them throughout the week as we were in different towns and schools. Mondays were ALWAYS a day of encouragement and laughs as we caught up with each other, and my Monday evenings always ended with the Vine youth group at the Taylor’s house – THE BEST YOUTH GROUP EVERRRRR!

My second favorite memory was Mike Taylor and I CRUSHING Hayden Taylor and Tanner Bishop in a 2v2 basketball game. *High five Mike*

2013-2014 Stockton Team: Alicia, Josh, Bri, Tanner, Hayden

What was one of the biggest lessons God taught you in England?
God showed me how universal He is. God is NOT limited to my view or understanding of Him. He is at work every day in every part of the world, and I was so privileged and humbled to get to be a part of a small piece of it. I was filled up with love, encouragement, value and purpose through my time in England. It was not always easy, but my head hit the pillow every night with satisfaction knowing that God was using me and allowing me to be a part of His work in Tees Valley. The relationships I made with Brits and Americans alike will never be forgotten, and I hope to visit ASAP!

How have you seen your time with UK-USA impact your future endeavors?
It is easy to get distracted when returning to the U.S. The hustle and bustle of my day-to-day life can mask how God is still working in my life. My time with UK-USA is always a reminder of the excitement of being a part of His kingdom and how I can have that wherever I go in this world. After being exposed to another culture and country, I am constantly reminded of the significant and eternal work being done in Tees Valley, and it challenges me to live a life worthy of the calling that Christ has invited me to be a part of.

What advice would you give to someone considering a gap year or long-term mission?
I would say to open your mind to different food and get ready to eat “chips” with every meal and mayonnaise as salad dressing.

Just kidding…I would say to ask God to plant a specific vision in your heart. Mike Taylor always talked about his #GospelDream, and I think that can be different for each person. The Lord really planted a gospel dream in my heart during my time in England, and that helped me cling to His promises when times got hard or I wanted to go home. The Lord also put people in my life during my time in England to support me, pray for me and befriend me so that my gap year was not just a temporary time in my life. It will continue to impact me and bless me until I die.

Anything else you’d like to add?
If anyone considering a gap year would like to ask more questions or Skype about my experience in England, I am more than happy to relive all of my amazing memories and help in any way that I can! There is a spiritual awakening happening in northeast England, and it is an absolute pleasure to be able to be a part of the Kingdom work going on. I miss my UK-USA & TVYFC FAM!

Doing Life

Every day leading up to the moment of stepping on the plane for England I would constantly contemplate what my life would be like away from everything I knew. My home, my family, my friends, the surroundings of the mountains and southern hospitality, everything would be gone and yet, I chose to start a new life for the next year. Friends and family were questioning what prompted me to desire something different, co-workers would look at me strangely when they heard I was giving up a year of his life to serve those around me and receive nothing in return, and even I would question myself and why I desired something different from the status quo. The answer? Answering the call and fulfilling the God-given desire to serve people as Christ served those with unconditional love and intentionality.

DOING LIFE

I will commonly use that phrase because I believe that’s how the Lord intended us to live- in his creation and with the people He has created. It can look like anything, from hanging out with other gap years for much-needed R&R to getting your hands dirty and doing work for those that may not be able to do it themselves. It could also look like an interaction so deep and emotion-filled that you have no idea how to react or mentoring a student that needs someone to reach out to them and simply listen. It’s messy, it’s tough, it’s draining. Yet, it is the most rewarding and humbling things that I have ever been a part of.

Living in the North East of England, I have had the opportunity to fully take advantage of this simple phrase that has such revitalisation behind it. For example, every Friday is sports club with TVYFC’s Axiom at Ropner Park and we have several kids show up to play football and hang out. One kid in particular stood out to me when he showed up and wanted to play. He’s much smaller than the rest but the life he brings to our events is irreplaceable and absolutely humorous. Yet, while on the field, he had shared with me some of his personal life in the middle of a match and it broke my heart to hear what he had gone through. I could not help but be shaken up in the middle of a match. Yet, I saw the beauty of the Lord through his personality, his attitude, and his ability to make people laugh.

The ability to do life with those around me has been extremely humbling and a sign of Christ’s intentionality to do life with me on the daily.

For those that stumble upon this blog, I encourage you to take a step in doing life with those around you. Don’t take it for granted. You may never know what the Lord could show to you in those moments.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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AARON WESCOAT

Forest, VA | 22

PROJECT: Stockton

Aaron was born in Seoul, South Korea but adopted by his family as a baby.  They reside in Virginia.  He graduated from Liberty University in Kinesiology and eventually would like to become a strength/sports performance coach.  He loves sport and dad jokes/puns.  He has a growing passion for ministry.

How I Ended Up Here

My name is Jacob Chase. I have been involved with TVYFC since 2012. I did my first gap year after I graduated high school and I just wanted to take the first part of this blog to tell you a little about how I ended up here and England and God’s faithfulness throughout this 4 ½ year journey.

I would say my journey to England began in the summer of 2011 after my dad passed away after struggling with illness for many years. After his passing away, I completely abandoned my faith. I wanted nothing to do with church or God. I was angry, confused, lost and alone. I spent the year trying to distract myself with things the world said would make me happy, but really they left me feeling more empty than I already did. Toward the summer of 2012 my mom and I came across a post from Mike Taylor about doing a Gap Year in England. For some reason, in that moment, it seemed like the only possible thing for me to do- not college, or work, but living overseas as a missionary for a year. If that seems crazy, that’s because it is, but to truly have faith that Christ’s plan for your life is best takes a little crazy sometimes. After meeting Mike Taylor for the first time in an Apple store in The Woodlands, Texas, I hopped on a plane not knowing what to expect, not knowing anyone else doing a gap year, all I knew was that if this was what God wanted me to do, it’s what I was going to do. My plan for my life was full of ruin, but His plan for my life was growth, improvement, and blessing.

Soon, what was supposed to be one year in England turned into two years, and after my second year I moved back to Houston to face old wounds which I found hadn’t yet completely healed. I felt disconnected with home, it wasn’t the same place it was when I left two years earlier. In all this confusion and disconnection I quickly fell away from church again. Living back in Houston became more difficult for me than living in England was. Even though it was a difficult year, I learned more about humility and to really look at my motives for serving; were they focused on Christ or focused on self? In July of 2015, I once again felt it was time for me to move back to England, but I knew from the start that this year would be different than past years. This would be a year of personal growth both spiritually and mentally for me. It’s been a year of healing for me personally. A year that God has used to prepare me for my next steps in ministry.

As 2016 winds down to a close, and as my time in England comes to an end, I know I will be going back to a different Houston, Texas than I left only a year ago. But I know that Christ's plan for me is perfect. I know He has given me vision and purpose in ministry. I know that He will be with me each step of the way.

In the Northeast we run a youth camp called Kairos Christian Youth Camp. This past year, I had the pleasure of running the media team that was responsible for creating the promo video, plus any other videos for Kairos. Take a look at this promo video, it will give you some great insight into some aspects of Christian ministry here in England!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JACOB CHASE

Houston, TX | 23

PROJECT: Stockton

Jacob first moved to England in 2012 after high school. He spent two years serving in Stockton before moving back to Texas for a year. He moved back to Stockton in January 2016.

Why are you Going?

When I arrived in England two years ago I was full of excitement and expectation, while at the same time not really knowing what to expect. I had gone on several short term mission trips before, and so I was used to travelling. I had experienced the feeling of discomfort when out of one’s culture. I had even minored in “Global Studies” at University. Now, after two years in England I look back to that time, and I cannot help but think how unprepared I was to serve in the Northeast of England as a youth worker.

I quickly realised this after the first month flew by and it suddenly hit me that I wasn’t going back home. I was staying. I was staying for the whole year and probably longer. This wasn’t a mere one and done trip. Short and sweet. This was a year— fully and completely present, living and breathing in England. Long and difficult.

This work was not for the faint of heart. You could not rely on your initial excitement and enthusiasm to keep you going because sooner than not those feelings would fade and you would be face to face with the reality of your new and surprisingly normal life. Once the honeymoon period is over, you are faced with a choice. You can chose to find your purpose and meaning in Christ and His call on your life to be here, or you can try to find it in all the social media likes and comments you get from Facebook or Instagram after you’ve posted a picture of yourself on top of a mountain in the Lakes District or walking the corridors of Durham Cathedral like they did in Harry Potter.

Don’t get me wrong, those are both amazing and sweet things about being in England and it is fun to share them with friends and family back home, but if you are more motivated to show off all the adventures England has to offer instead of fully committing yourself and your time to serving and putting down roots among your English community— doing the hard, messy, and draining nuances of ministering to people and youth— then this is not the place for you. This is not a trip. This is life. It may only be a part of your life for one year or in my case two (so far), but it is ministry-life nonetheless.

Everything changed for me when I chose to remember my identity and purpose were in Christ and not in the “experience” of England. Despite its magical and attractive qualities we read in books and see in movies, England with let you down. I had to let go of my expectations and embrace the reality of living and doing ministry in the Northeast of England. When I let go that’s when God took over and started using me to truly build relationships and connect with English young and old. It wasn’t about me or my experiences anymore, and perspective renewed, I joined in with God’s plan and His heart for the Tees Valley.

So, if you are trying to decide if you are supposed to come and serve in England or not, check your heart.

Pray.

Ask God to reveal your true motivation for coming.

Do you feel called to be here?

Or are you trying to chase another experience?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JENNA FRASER

Grand Blanc, MI | 24

PROJECT: Thornaby

While attending Liberty University, Jenna studied English and global studies while playing on the women's soccer team. After going on several short-term mission trips, she felt God's call to go to England. She clearly felt God’s call to use her knowledge of English literature and love for their game of football to not only connect with the English but also preach the gospel to them with or without words.

One Month In

Wow. What an incredible first month back in Teesside! It has been such a great transition coming back to England after being home for a little over 6 weeks this past summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love America and the Virginia mountains and the southern vibes, but I’m HOME. God has been so kind and gracious in the various ways that He’s revealed His love to me since being back. He’s opened my eyes to see broken things and broken people, but He’s starting to give me a heart like His for those broken things and broken people. He’s already placed specific people on my heart this past month that I know I need to seek out, call out, and chase after this year; that they may know the One who gave them life and know that He has such a unique plan for them. I’m praying that they may taste and see the things of God and that He rocks their world this year. I’m praying for transformation.

I’m so honoured to be part of a wider team which is known as our Tees Valley Youth For Christ Gap Year Team. Yeah, say that one 5 time fast. We’ve been praying for this team over the past few months and really just wanted to see God send the right people here. We asked for people who have a heart for mission, no matter what that looks like. We pleaded for a team hand-picked from the Lord. I 100% believe we have that team. At the beginning of September, our entire team went to the Lake District. Pretty much the most beautiful place on earth. Don’t believe me? See for yourself!

Now that we’ve been back for a couple of weeks, things have started to pick up pretty quickly. Our Gap Year Team is spread out all around Teesside and everyone is connected with a local church in the area. My church is located in a town called Thornaby. We’ve recently moved into a pretty old church building in the middle of an estate in Thornaby. The old church building had been dead and empty for years. But today, it’s alive and we call it our own!

On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, our Central team and a few other youth workers head out to different parks after school and meet up with kids to play some football or dodgeball. We’ve seen many of the same kids over the past few months come out and hang out with us during park nights which is so encouraging! Relationships are being built and truth is being poured into them by our words and actions. We’re able to sit down with them or have conversations on the sidelines about school, friends, family, and life. We’ve shared the Gospel with a majority of the kids we see at these parks which has been incredible! Gosh, sports is such a gift from the Lord and such an incredible platform to have a conversation.

Thank you for ALL of your encouragement and support! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I covet your prayers daily.

“We are in need of a monumental shift in our hearts to no longer live for ourselves. We go, because when we go, the Gospel saves us from living for ourselves. The Gospel frees us from self, to God, for others. And when we’re free, we must go, some of us to the ends of the earth.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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MONICA ESKRIDGE

Staunton, VA | 20

PROJECT: Axiom

Monica grew up playing sports in school and has a major passion for people.  Mountains are one of her favourite things in life, and she can down a large, cheese pizza faster than you can.  She's excited to continue following the places that God will lead her to. 

Don't Blink

I didn’t really believe people when they said not to blink because this year will go by so quickly. Sometimes a year can feel like forever; yet today marks exactly 5 weeks since I arrived in the Middlesbrough train station and I can already tell that they’re right. Thankfully, “settling in” has taken no time at all. Once again, God has confirmed that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be this year and that’s awesome.

The church I am working in, St. Barnabas, has some of the most welcoming and servant-hearted people ever. From the volunteers who make the tea and coffee after church Sunday and for outreach on Monday to those who volunteer their time in a coffee shop to benefit others to those who set up toys for the toddlers every Tuesday night so that Wednesday’s toddler groups are a blast, the congregation is so joyful and willing to do things that make others happy. I drink far too much tea when I’m around them but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  My host home has amazed me as well. I’ve learned how to make jam and how to pronounce to-mah-to but more importantly, they love Jesus so much and I have so much to learn from them. Already, talking to them about prayer and God’s love has taught me a ton.

The first two weeks of training and meeting people that I’m on this journey with were incredible but finally getting into a routine of what I’m going to be doing this year is so exciting. I love that I get to be with a variety of ages – from toddlers to university students – and that they all have wildly different backgrounds. I even get to work in Grove Hill which is where I first felt God call me to England! Mondays are a time to refresh and fellowship with the other gap years and I can already tell that I am going to value that time immensely. The rest of the week I will be in three different schools, a couple of kid’s clubs and some church related activities building relationships, helping wherever needed and sharing the gospel. I love these kids already and I hope I can be someone that shows them how much MORE Christ loves us.

This has definitely been the start to the best year of my life so far. God is doing unimaginable things in NE England and I love being a part in His plan. I am definitely going to make sure that I stay present and don’t blink.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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LAUREN VAN FLEET

Cypress, TX | 18

PROJECT: Middlesbrough

Lauren just graduated from Cypress Ranch High School. She felt God call her to England during Spring Break of her junior year.  She is super excited that God changed her plans and that she gets to serve Him this year in England.

It's Life

Moving to England to do ministry for God. A dream right? Not exactly.

I moved to England after graduating from college and everyone expected for me to be living in some dream world. Like wow! you get to live in England! Isn’t your life just perfect?! People would tell me about how jealous they were of me or they would ask with anticipation about how wonderful everything is. Now don’t get me wrong, living in England is an amazing opportunity and much of it has been wonderful, but I think anyone in ministry could tell you that with ministry comes, well, hardship.

One of the biggest questions that I have come face to face with since being in England is whether I am truly willing to give up my desire for comfort for the sake of Christ. Growing up as a good Christian girl the answer was always an obvious yes, but now that I actually have to give up some comforts, things are a little harder. But here’s a convicting word for you (and for me, this thought sort of wrecked me). Christ died so that I might have LIFE and yet I am hesitant to give up my comfort.

So why did I come to England? Was it to see castles and eat fish and chips and work on my British accent? No. Though those things may be a part of my life now (please don’t ask me to do a British accent), I am here because of the GOSPEL. I came here because I am CALLED. I came here to further Christ’s KINGDOM. I came here to be OBEDIENT. I came here to make much of CHRIST. Do I fail at this? All the time. And I am constantly having to be reminded of why I am here and repent when my heart goes wayward. But when I remember what Christ has done for me and my purpose in this life I am able to give up little comforts for the sake of Christ.

Again, don’t get me wrong. I know that I am not being persecuted like many Christians are today. There is so much more that I could be asked to give up. But I want to be honest about life. Ministry is hard, even in England. But despite hardships and sacrifices, living a life of obedience to God and choosing to live a life of ministry is by far the most satisfying and fulfilling life I could ever imagine. God has done INCREDIBLE things and I know that He is doing so much more that I am not even aware of. Another thing that I know to be true is that I will NEVER regret choosing to live for Christ.

So what’s it like to do ministry in England? It’s hard. It’s wonderful. It’s stretching. It’s rewarding. It’s beautiful. It’s life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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LEAH REIST

Traverse City, MI | 23

PROJECT: Axiom

Leah graduated from Liberty University in 2015 with a degree in Business.  After graduating, she moved to England where she spent a year working in Darlington and on Axiom.  She felt the Lord calling her to stay for another year, so she is returning to England to work full-time for Axiom Sports.

The Head or the Heart

I did everything I was supposed to do. I studied and made good grades. I went to university. I got a degree. I started my career. I began a retirement plan. I bought my dream vehicle. I was twenty five years old and (besides the whole marriage and kids thing) I was doing exactly what had always been expected of me. Living that American dream. But none of it was fulfilling me. I felt like I was losing who I was and that I wasn’t living up to my potential or purpose in life. So after three years of working in the real world… I sold everything and moved to England to work with Youth for Christ.

In the beginning, I felt utterly free. Quitting my job, selling my jeep, and packing my life into three bags felt like cutting cords tied to weights that were holding me down. I flew away from all the expectations that never satisfied me. I was so excited about not getting paychecks or having bills. I was excited to live off public transportation. And it was incredible for the first month or two. I felt alive for the first time in years.

But then the pressures of society started creeping back into my brain. I felt “adulthood” calling to me from the other side of the ocean. It kept getting louder and louder until it began to overwhelm me. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression at various times over the last seven years and I began to feel it coming back in full force. My brain (which is always overthinking everything anyways) went into overdrive. I couldn’t control the feeling that maybe I was ruining my life. I had almost no money, no job, and no real plans for the future.

My heart, however, remained content. Every time my brain started panicking and wanted to quit… my heart refused to let go of this life. The thought of leaving the youth at my church and my new friends was too painful to imagine actually going home. I was absolutely in love with England and all the people I’ve met here. I was also growing in my relationship with God like crazy!

So then I realized I had to choose one… my head or my heart.

I got out my Bible and asked God to show me what He wanted from me. I started searching for passages about the heart and the mind. I also went back and looked at verses that had inspired me to become a missionary in the first place. These are the words He shared with me:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions, is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Here is what I heard God say to me through those verses:
“Dear one, your heart is what I am after. Your heart is where I live. Everything important will live there too. It’s okay that your mind is having trouble adjusting. I am testing it and strengthening it through the struggle. Don’t go back to the world. Stay with me. Give me your heart. Take my hand through this journey and I promise I will show you your purpose.”

Tomorrow, I will have officially lived in England for six months. It certainly hasn’t been easy… but it has been worth every single minute of the struggle. I am becoming a stronger person that I ever thought I could be. I am seeing God work in incredible ways. I wouldn’t change this experience for the world. I’m not going to let my mind doubt what my heart knows is right.

Choose the heart. Always the heart.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JESSICA DAVIS

McDonough, GA | 25

PROJECT: Eaglescliffe

Jess graduated Gordon State with degrees in early childhood education and special education in 2012. After three years of teaching elementary school, she felt God calling her to use her Anglophilia for His glory. She loves young people, books, tea, and science fiction.

What's Next?

Living & working in England is the dream of a lifetime. From the thrill of living in another culture to getting the opportunity to spread the gospel to young people, those of us who are gap year workers have this chance to travel abroad and gain ministry experience, while also getting insight into something we could continue to do in the future.

Speaking of the future, most of us are coming up on the halfway point of our gap year, meaning it’s decision time— time to decide what comes next. In choosing the gap year program, we have, in a sense, bought ourselves time to “figure our lives out,” as everything back home is on hold. This season of life can be a scary place to be, as lot of us don’t know whether we should stay here longer or go back home.

Something God is teaching me during this season of in between is redefining the meaning of calling & purpose. As a person in my early 20s, I easily become obsessed with what’s next and getting that decision right. As the necessity of choice hangs over me, the pressure from family or peers can cause me to glorify the word calling and stress over figuring things out. Then, I fear failure or disappointment (more importantly disappointing God) in my choices. Yet, God does not want us to concentrate so much on looking for our “calling” to fulfil us.

The Westminster Catechism says: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I truly believe that God gives us gifts and passions that we may enjoy them, and while He calls us to use them for specific times in our lives, there is no perfect equation to how that all lines up. We live moment by moment, making choices when needed. One moment we may be in a season doing what we love, and perhaps the next, working as a waiter in a restaurant.

Yet, if we understand the gospel, we know that our fulfilment & worth are not based on what we do or the choices that we make, but secured by Christ alone. Therefore, we are free to enjoy what we’re doing in the present, knowing that we can fall back on grace for every outcome of life’s circumstances. If you’re a waiter, be a waiter, and love and serve others while in that place. God is more concerned with who we’re becoming than what we’re doing, and we can trust that He is expanding His kingdom during the process of our growth.

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 says, “I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is.”

So wherever you are, be faithful. Take things as they come and know that everything is covered—because God gives us grace for our past, present, and future.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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ELIZABETH MYERS

Dacula, GA | 22

PROJECT: Stockton

Elizabeth attended Liberty University to study worship and music studies/biblical studies, and after graduation, felt the Lord calling her to England for a year. Her desire is to use music as a means by which people can know & understand the gospel.

God's Chisel

It was that time of year again: time for me to hop on a plane from Houston and cross the Atlantic to the Tees Valley. This was my second trip to the Tees Valley, and little did I know that this plane ride was going to change my upcoming year and plans for the rest of my life. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my journey with Tees Valley Youth for Christ.

My church back home in Houston had been going on spring break mission trips to Tees Valley for the past four years. I had heard about them my sophomore year of high school when Mike Taylor came to come and talk about this growing program in the Tees Valley. From that minute I knew I wanted to go one day.

I ended up going my junior and senior years of high school. Those two spring breaks changed the way I viewed ministry and the way in which I wanted to do ministry in my own life, but it also left me with 'want' of more time to further develop the relationships I had built. During these mission trips we had hiked this hill that overlooked the entire Tees Valley called Roseberry Topping. When I went up the first time it was the beginning of my heart breaking for Teesside; the second time I just wanted to ask God what he wanted for me. I remember praying, “God what do you want me to do?” All I heard after that was, “Gap Year.”

Some time had passed and I went through the application process and interviews; what was next was the funding. It was around the middle of June, and I remember my dad saying, “We have to get a significant portion of this funded by the middle of July.” I had to raise at least $5,000, I raised $10,000 by July 31st of 2015. I was fully funded. For me this was just solid backing as to whether this was the right decision.

People tell you so much about how you will be changing the lives of those who you invest into, but in my first four months here one of the only lives I had seen changed had been my own. I am outside of my comfort zone; I've had to grow in every way possible, whether it be my relationship with God or letting go some of the things I've been holding onto that have held me back from becoming more like Him. Those four months reminded me of this drama skit I saw, it was called “God’s Chisel” by the Skit Guys. God was chiselling away at Tommy (the actor) to get down to his perfect masterpiece.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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THEO GOLDNER

League City, TX | 18

PROJECT: Grangetown

Theo was going to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor until he felt God calling him to do a gap year. His passion is to simply serve people.

Lost Perfection

I’ve lived in England for nearly four months. I still remember how I felt when I first saw York, the beautiful city I call home. Everything was just how I imagined it, with quaint buildings and charming people at every turn. I felt like I was living in a dream for the first few months: a dream full of caffeinated hot beverages and constant autumnal weather. What more could girl ask for? I was just becoming familiar with my new home and I loved it.

Then I woke up one morning and everything had shifted just slightly. I started to see cracks in the perfectly placed facades of everywhere and everyone. I started to see the flaws and weaknesses in my surroundings. At first, it was discouraging. I wanted everyone to stay in the neat, little boxes in which I had placed them. When the young people I was working with didn’t act in the way I expected, I became frustrated. I didn’t want this to be hard; I wanted it to be simple, neat and fun.

It’s easy for me to love where I am when people are cooperating with my expectations. It’s much harder when they’re not. People are messy and don’t easily fit into boxes. And it’s so much better that way. It’s easy to vacation for a while, and invest a bit but not get too attached. All the memories are fond and the stories to be told are happy. It’s easy and it’s shallow.

Wading into the mess with people and staying there with them is what makes for deep, meaningful relationships, and in turn, a deep and meaningful life. It’s not easy, it’s not always fun, but it’s so worth it. There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship because there is no such thing as perfect people.

The good news is that we don’t have to be perfect. Our relationships with other people should be a picture of God’s perfect love, not our idea of what love is.

My love is fickle.
My love is impatient.
My love is present when it’s convenient but rarely any other time.
My love has a limit
My love isn’t enough.

But the love of the Father is absolutely enough.
His love meets us where we are.
His love is relentless.
His love is enduring.
His love is sacrificial.
His love is grace.

It’s only after accepting that what I have to offer people here isn’t enough that I can truly start impacting lives. The people around me don’t need my love; they need God’s love. I fail at this everyday, but thankfully He gives more grace.

‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.’ John 13:34

‘Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’ Ephesians 5:1-2

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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BELLA CONES

The Woodlands, TX | 22

PROJECT: York

Bella graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in elementary education. Instead of teaching, she feels the Lord has called her to full time ministry. Her passion is seeing people grow in the Lord.

Early Mornings

It is December.

There’s a rustling.

Far off at first – softly hidden.

Like a crescendo strategically placed in a carefree passage, the rustling turns into a consistent buzz becoming louder to my ears.

The buzz that now fills them and can no longer be ignored. Alas, I must leave the moon I was standing on, turn away from the city that needed saving, and scuba dive another day around the pier that is encircled by reef and sea.

I am being awakened – transported from this daze of dreams and back to the cold yet tranquil morning in north-east England.

The buzz. I had already hit snooze twice but no more able to convince myself to slumber any longer.

The reality of the buzzing that has been made known to me as my alarm has also brought with it the reminding presence of the sounds that will slowly begin to stir and pick up pace around me.

For now, all is quite quiet…except for Ben Rector’s steady vocals and the buzz that comes from the vibration of my phone sitting on my night stand.

I sigh.

Eyes still having been closed now slowly stretching open.

The alarm is turned off. Outside my window, the sun is still neatly tucked under the dimly grey English horizon and I wonder what colours will present themselves today.

Seconds pass and it already seems as though the streets outside my flat are welcoming cars every now and then of passerby that will soon produce an over abundance of noises and bustling.

Inside, all now remains quiet for minutes longer.

“Be Still. Be Still.”

My eyes focused and now looking up onto the ceiling above me. My brain warming up from sleep mode has the option of choosing from multiple paths during the first part of my early morning.

Which one and how will I begin my day?

Such a small and meagre way to ponder the morning hours but I’ve lived and breathed the words that exclaim, “how we start our course on a morning can set us into the direction of how we live that day.”

• “Good morning, Lord.”
• “What about coffee?” – distracting but a delicious and acceptable path to think upon.
• Everything I have on schedule for the day… “Oh wait, there’s been a last minute change!”

No, this last thought is too soon to let my sanctuary-like early mornings be filled with the appointments and tasks of later day.

Then, deep down, a wrestling emerges. My early mornings are filled with either great joy or a low grumble. Sometimes both at once.

And the LORD hears my grumbling.

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:3, KJV)

As if to answer me, the sunrise begins.

Every new one different from the last but beckoning to be seen from above the English horizon of a dimly lit town and grayish winter skies. The sun emerges and with its rays of colour – a visual joy breaks forth.

A Creator – my creator who brings forth the sight of one of his marvellous creations. A sunrise complete with the artistry of what man has deemed comparable to a painting of watercolours throughout the sky.

Shades of different colours vibrant to the eyes or not – all reflect for me a symbolic reminder of a promise, of love, and of action. A joy that is eternal.

Praising the Lord for each sunrise I see during my early mornings here in England paint a new way to set off for the tasks of each day.

The flat no longer quiet. The streets bustling with cars. The sun peeking out over the tree tops with dark rain clouds hovering in a close distant.

The time that ticks by reminding me of what else lies ahead and the small joys strategically placed throughout the day reminding me.

Still, there’s the memory of the sunrise this morning for now.

A reminder of a sovereign Creator – my creator who seeks my presence. A desire – my desire to bring Him glory.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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ASHLEY WIKTOREK

Cleveland, GA | 25

PROJECT: Billingham

Ashley graduated with her M.A. in strategic communications at Liberty University in May 2015. She has spent the last two years teaching public speaking courses while spending a summer in England as an intern for UK-USA Ministries. With a heart for youth and women ministries, Ashley is ready to spend the year serving the Billingham community.

Rooted in Love

With it being Thanksgiving in America a few weeks ago, it was such an appropriate time to give thanks to God for the things or rather ‘thing’ he had been teaching me recently.

This year I am thankful for his love.

About a year and a half ago I lost my Dad. He was in a hiking accident in the northern Indian foothills of the Himalayas. There, he had been trekking between remote villages to minister and share the gospel. As you can imagine and without going into further detail, it broke my heart.

More recently, if I can be completely honest, I’ve been angry. Anyone would say that’s completely understandable or to be expected. I’m suppose to feel angry. Anger in itself is a response to grief. But yet, here I am in England trying to be the love of Christ to broken people and I’m angry? I haven’t been okay with that.

Feeling exhausted by my own frustration, my prayer felt a lot similar to David’s.

“Have compassion on me Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me? Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love.”  Ps. 6:2-4

Because of your unfailing love. I’m telling you that nothing else was able to break through my anger quite like his love. Because his love is perfect. It is constant, never changing, and unrelenting. Thankfully it is never conditioned by our moods or based off our performance. To God, it’s not a choice to love us, it’s simply who he is. He loves me best and he loved me first. The moment I let his love in was the moment I began to feel not anger but peace and joy from dwelling and delighting in his love.

Spending Time in His Love

For a week long I recited this verse in my head. Throughout my day: during the good times, during the bad times, during the ‘I want to be angry’ times..

“I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.” Song. 7:10

I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me. I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me. I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.

The week I said this over my life is the week which started the shift. Out with the anger and in with his love. And with his love came grace and with his grace came peace. I challenge you to try it. Begin praying what you need to hear. In doing so, like me, you might just start to actually believe it.

Messy Love

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9

Up until this point in my life, it’s fair to say I haven’t found it necessary to feel his love in such a powerful way. Yes, I knew he loved me but I’ve never needed to depend on his love quite like I do today. In my weakness, his power has been made perfect. And that has been the power of his love.

Had I never lost my Dad, I never would have experienced the true complexity of his love. It’s not just a love that’s heavenly and divine. God’s love isn’t a clean, untainted love that we get when we want it. No. It’s an undeserving, grace-driven, heart-filled burning desire type of love we get always. It’s a love that is willing to get dirty, which battles through pain. It’s a love that reaches out when walls of anger build up. It’s a love that wins wars over resentment and bitterness. Every time. God’s love gets messy. It sits in the muck and mess with us!

Be Rooted to Bare Fruit

It’s not by chance or coincidence people don’t always understand why we do what we do here. But let’s use this as an opportunity to talk about God’s love that doesn’t always make much sense either–unwavering, undeserving, and gracious.

Because what if people in the Tees Valley knew of a God who loved them through anything? A God who not only wants to meet them right where they are at, but who even delights in doing so. What a revelation that will be. And it’s exactly why everything we do begins with acts of unmerited, sacrificial, relational love.

“May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.” Eph. 3:17 amp.

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About the Author

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CAYLA BROADWATER

Parker, CO | 24

PROJECT: Axiom

Cayla graduated from Colorado State University. She felt called to use sports as a platform to bring God glory and make His name known.

Ministry: Expectation vs Reality

Before coming here, I knew some of what TVYFC was doing but came in with no expectations of what I’d be doing. During our staff training they taught us ways to do assemblies and had us practice leading several examples.

Once I got to York and started getting involved in the schools here, I found that my team mate (Bella Cones) and I were going to help a woman in the primary school do weekly assemblies so that the students would know basic Bible stories.

So going in, I thought ‘great, since I have seen and done examples of assemblies in training it should not be that different.’ It turned out to be far from what I expected. Each assembly I have done for the past 8 weeks has been different from the last. We’ve acted out stories ourselves, had the students dress up, read the stories to them, and also used puppets.

Yes, you read me correctly, puppets. If you were to tell me before getting to England that I would be doing ministry through puppets, I would have laughed at you and thought how could that even be done. But to my surprise, it can be done and has been one of (if not) the most popular assemblies we’ve done thus far.

The assembly we did with puppets involved one of us talking with a puppet about a story in the Old Testament. After that four of us ‘sang’ a song from a popular tune to words about Jesus. At first you think that doing puppets is a breeze, but you are most definitely mistaken. Having to hold your hands straight up, while mouthing correctly so that the puppet is believable, making sure the heads of the puppets are looking down so that they are looking at the students the whole time, as well as stepping from side to side keeping beat. Put that all together and it is tiring and difficult.

Before coming here and even in staff training, I thought there was a system or way of doing assemblies that would be most effective, but I have learned that it is the creative and ‘out there’ assemblies that the students enjoy and remember. This week I’m doing a monologue as Moses recounting him killing the Egyptian and the burning bush account. Never would have thought my childhood acting would pay off in such unexpected ways.

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About the Author

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DANIEL HEBERT

Sherman, TX | 23

PROJECT: York

Daneil attended Baylor University and studied religion. Between undergrad and graduate school, Daniel had the desire to spend some time serving abroad. He is excited for the year to come!

Winter of Discontent

“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.”

— Act 1, Scene 1 Richard III, by William Shakespeare

As someone who studied English at university, living in the same country which inspired many of William Shakespeare’s history plays is an exciting privilege. Living in Yorkshire, so near to York, and seeing the places that people have written about for hundreds of years makes history come alive.

I love this quote because it sheds a new light on the word ‘discontent.’ Christians talk a lot about contentment. This has to do with the fact that we are taught to be grateful and not to complain—God is in control and we have a sure hope, we tell each other. While all of that is true, right, and good, there is a certain element of ‘discontentment’ that I have come to feel about ministry and my own walk with the Lord. When Shakespeare wrote the lines above, I’m fairly certain he wasn’t thinking about youth work, but allow me to apply a loose interpretation.

For those of us who have been working in the Tees Valley since last winter, summer is an exhilarating time. Most of us got to take some time off, visit family back in the States, or travel. The speaker in the quote above contrasts the glory of summer to the looming gloom of winter and references the yearly cycle of changing seasons—summer was so glorious because it casts off the previous winter’s greyness. But all that is about to end because summer is coming to a close… but, the cycle will begin again and winter will eventually lead to summer.

Now is the winter of OUR discontent here in the Tees Valley. For those of us who are returners, we enjoyed time off and now we’re back into the swing of full-time ministry. Now is the time for us to look around our communities and say that we are not content with the way things are. We are not satisfied with the current state of things. And just like the dark clouds were banished in the summer in the play, we are charging into the darkness. By this time next year, the cycle will have repeated itself again, and we want to see a noticeable change. We are not content with the spirit of negativity that hovers over this area. We are not content to watch society give up on ‘the youth of today’ when we are as much a part of this generation as the kids we seek to reach. We will love instead of shake our heads in judgement and despair; we will partner with those who have offered up their lives to educate and lead young people. Until we see this change, we will not be content.

Will you partner with us in bringing the Gospel to the Northeast of England?

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About the Author

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SARAH TIPTON

Austin, TX | 25

PROJECT: Eston

Sarah attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, studied English education, and graduated in December 2014. She loves coffee, chocolate, meeting new people, and having deep conversations. She came to England in January 2015 and loves working with kids of all ages.

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10

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About the Artist

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MAGGIE ALL

Union, SC | 25

PROJECT: Mosaic Church

Maggie graduated from University of South Carolina with a degree in Anthropology. After serving for two years in South Asia, she had the opportunity to serve with you and college students in Florida mobilizing them towards missions where she gained a passion for youth work. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with youth in England!

A Day at Kids Club

Here in Coulby Newham, a small area of Middlesbrough, there’s a tiny church doing amazing things. Coulby Newham Baptist Church, where I work, has an amazing heart for outreach to the local community and is immensely faithful to reaching the miniscule area of the northeast that God has given them. I’m involved in almost every outreach ministry CNBC runs, including: toddler group, a coffee morning for pensioners, Sunday morning services and children’s work, youth church, and Bible studies in the local secondary school. But out of all the work I do, my favourite thing is our Kids Club.

Every Tuesday night, a group of 12-15 primary school children come to our church building from the estate around us. These kids are mostly unchurched, and this Kids Club is most likely the only connection they have ever had, or will ever have, with Christians. This means we have a massive responsibility to love these kids like Jesus commands and to teach them the gospel faithfully week in and week out. I work very hard to keep the activities exciting and new each week, so that the children will look back on their time in Kids Club years later and remember the fun they had and the kindness they were shown by the church. Our activities include arts and crafts, board games, discos, baking, movies, group games, drama, and all kinds of other fun things. Every week is chaotic, but also so much fun. It brings me joy to know that we are providing a safe and fun environment where kids can just be crazy and know that they are deeply loved, both by the leaders but also by God.

The children are taught a Bible story at the end of each session, and they are given an opportunity to ask questions and talk together about the Bible. They get to see that the Bible really is relevant to their lives and it is possible to have a real relationship with Jesus. My prayer for this ministry is that God would be moving mightily through our faithfulness, that these kids would have a positive impression of Jesus and the church. I pray that as they grow older and life becomes harder, the church would always be a place of safety where they can go to be loved and discover more about Jesus. We now see older young people who have graduated from Kids Club coming to our Youth Church, wanting to be friends with us and learn more about God. The energy we put into Kids Club now will build a lasting impression on these children later, and will make them infinitely more likely to come to church at a later age and eventually come to saving faith in Christ.

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About the Author

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EMMA SACCO

Austin, TX | 22

PROJECT: Coulby Newham

Emma grew up in Austin and attended Texas A&M, graduating with a degree in international art and culture. She married her husband, Vincent, in November 2014 and shortly after, they moved to Coulby Newham. Emma works as a youth worker and administrator at Coulby Newham Baptist Church.

What are we Trying to Prove?

We live in a world of misunderstood, mistaken, unappreciated, and undermined people; a world of misfits looking for value and seeking to make sense of the world in which they live. I doubt you will come across a person who is one hundred percent confident with his or her own thoughts and opinions, when challenged.

As I jumped on a plane nearly two years ago I heard the Lord whisper, “why do you feel the need to justify me? I didn’t feel the need to justify myself in front of Pilot, and I do not need your help.” This was extremely profound to me. Why did I truly believe that I could be the Holy Spirit within the heart of man? Jesus does not need justifying. He is the justifier.

With that being said, I saw through the lens of my misconception on life. I felt a need to justify Christ to help my personal belief to make sense. Do this, don’t do that- because I cared far too much of what other thought of me, not of what they thought about Christ. You see I wasn’t truly standing for Jesus out of a heart of love and devotion to him and his mission. I was out to prove my own point and belief. I wanted to be understood and acknowledged in my belief as a way of assurance. I wanted to be appreciated and valued for my good character and appearance. I wanted to be sure of my faith, but I was seeking the security of my beliefs in what man thought, and not what God thought.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t stand for Christ, what I am asking is why? What is the deep purpose behind our belief and are we willing to sacrifice reputation, acceptance, and ourselves out of our deep faith and obedience to Christ?

My life motto at the moment is to, “seek to be understanding, rather than to seek to be understood.” The world we live in always appears to have something to prove, something to earn, or gain. I am guilty of this very thing. But God is in the business of saving insecure and crippled people just like me. He gives us courage in this scary world to not just say we believe in something in which a culture has taught us to adopt. He’s in the business of making the weak strong through the reassurance of our faith. He is faithful when we are faithless.

To truly love like Christ we must know Christ personally. We love because he first loved us. We are on a level playing field with people from different backgrounds, upbringings, and perceptions but we are called to unity and we are called to love. The way to do this isn’t through proving our point of view, but through seeking to understand and walk through life with others.

Jesus had all the knowledge, power, and ability it took to force people into a belief. He didn’t want to do it this way. He sought relationship. There is right and there is wrong, but the ultimate good is to seek to do as Jesus did. He stripped his deity and humbled himself to do life with others. He sought to journey through the misunderstandings of man and their mistaken disbelief. He became all things to all people.

My prayer is that we would be a people of the same nature. A people that seek to walk, live, and journey through life and all it’s questions within the context of community. May we look different from the world that begs for us to prove ourselves? May our lives be enough of a witness and our actions speak louder than our words.

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About the Author

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BRITTANY WRAY

Los Angeles, CA | 26

PROJECT: Stockton

Graduating from Liberty University in Spring, 2012, Brittany never dreamed God would take her on such a journey. Three months after graduating, she transitioned from Virginia to Los Angeles, where she worked full-time with Muslim refugees. Brittany's heart is to let the world know about the free grace of Jesus Christ. She love to serve, play games with kids, and do whatever it takes to meet people where they are at.

Things Hoped For

My hopes, over time, have changed. At every pivotal point in life they seem to progress; evolve, some might say. They get bigger and better.

When I was a child I hoped to become a race car driver. Speeding legally sounded too amazing to pass up. Unfortunately I could not manage the initial stages of professional racing – learning to drive stick shift. A few goes in a Mazda Miata convertible (hey ladies) when I was sixteen was enough. You know what they say: “Those who do not make it in the race industry move on to youth work.” And here I am, a bike-riding, youth worker. The Billingham team, plus one, complains that I am in my second year, unable to chauffeur them around. They will get over it.

My hopes are totally different now.

One hour ago I had the most remarkable conversation with a man named Dave. I did not expect to speak with him; in fact, I intentionally avoided him. I noticed he had a severe problem with his right leg and I wanted to pray for him. His glare at me though suggested he didn’t want to be bothered, so I carried on.

I was the one who didn’t want to bother.

Twenty yards up the path I came to a fork in the road. Right or left? I was lost on a path I had walked before. Then came an “aha” moment when, as I understand it, the Holy Spirit suggested I wait to ask Dave for directions. I believe God confused my way. I really wanted an excuse to pray for him, and tell him about Jesus. So I began standing around and over-dramatizing the fact that I was lost. Picture me as Indiana Jones, map in hand, surveying the entrance of two mysterious paths, one leading to certain death, the other to riches unknown. Needless to say, Dave knew I was lost, yet I initiated the encounter.

He was the most delightful person to speak to and our conversation lasted an hour. We discussed our lives, personal world views, evolution, morality, and the life of Jesus. At the end of it all I prayed for his leg, in faith, with boldness, declaring the blood of Jesus over every damaged nerve. He lifted his cane, walked, and suggested that maybe the healing would take time. I prayed again, in faith. He lifted his cane, walked, and made the same suggestion.

Placing myself under evaluation, being the over-analytical type, I came to realize my fascination was more so with his healing than his heart. When I see a cane, wheelchair, or cast, I think, Jesus wants to move. I should think, Jesus wants to love. This is my new hope: the body of Christ will collectively see the power of Jesus revealed, through our love. Dave and I both know we will cross paths again, or maybe I will sneak up on him from behind again. When I do, Lord help me, I want it to love him.   

The Scripture, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen,” reminds me of our daunting duty to convey to people that a God we cannot see, cannot hear, and cannot show ‘convincing’ evidence of wants to love them, heal them, and save them. I walk away from encounters with people like Dave and look at the trees, or think of authentic faith, like that lived out by John Rhodes. These ‘evidences’ are enough for me to give everything to God.

We do not have a lot to lose if we give everything to God and He is a figment of our imaginations. We have lots to lose if we do not give anything and He proves to be who He says He is.

Let the love of Christ, through you, become evidence to other people of God’s existence.   

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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MICHAEL NORTHRUP

New Haven, CT | 23

PROJECT: Coulby Newham

Michael attended Liberty University to study biblical studies. He is passionate about worship and evangelism. He is starting his second year in Coulby Newham at The King's Academy. Hi, Mom!