Written by Missy Johnson, YoungLives Regional Coordinator
At the end of March, our Western Great Lakes YoungLives team had the chance to be together with other YoungLives staff and mentors in Chicago for a divisional Summit with the theme of being Rooted. This mini-conference was full of worship, prayer, teaching and training in the basics of ministry to teen moms. The content was rich, but being together was by far the most refreshing part of the weekend. I am in awe of the depth, warmth, and tenacity of this team. Our weekend together was a sweet reminder that Christ is present through them in the lives of teen moms all throughout our region, state, and division. Glory to God.
In an effort to grow and lead in an era of pandemic, global military conflict, and polarizing ideologies, I’ve been listening to a bunch of podcasts. In one of my favorites, an Australian pastor recently drew me back to this simple, profoundly Biblical idea:
crisis precedes renewal.
It’s summer now—we’ve worshiped through another holy week, and celebrated Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. Still, I can feel the longing and anticipation of ALL that Christ has yet to do; heal families (including mine), lift up the oppressed and impoverished, father the fatherless, and “wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).” We continue to hope that the crises of this world will end in one certain way—he will make everything new.
But waiting for that day can be so hard. Even as we prepare for camp, we know that YoungLives staff and leaders step into the stories of young women whose lives are often fraught with complex social, cultural, and emotional challenges.
When I’m tempted to demand “why?!” the story of Jesus brings me back to that simple, profoundly true reality. He became human and entered into our crisis in order to make us new.
If there’s one ministry where we get to see, experience, and share tangible stories of the reality that God steps into this world’s crisis to make way for renewal, it’s YoungLives. Right now, teen moms in your community (no matter what they’ve done, or what they’ve been through) are called by name, cared for in loving relationships with adults, and invited to receive Christ’s love for them.
A few things going on in the region that I’m excited about:
- This Spring, Claire in Kalamazoo hosted weekly RealLives conversations on Facebook with community leaders, on a range of topics including college applications and emotional health.
- Little Traverse Bay YoungLives is growing fast! Hannah continues to faithfully build a team — they’ve already hosted a handful of teen moms and their babies at monthly club events.
- A team of women including Erin from Grand Traverse County have continued to meet regularly, and have their first teen mom signed up for YoungLives camp!
- There is a new area coordinator in Eastern Ottawa Young Life! After a long season of discernment and attending Summit with us in March, Lindsay interviewed for the YoungLives role, and was heartily accepted.
Ways to pray for the YoungLives team in the Western Great Lakes Region:
- For continued unity on our team of area coordinators, and between area coordinators and their Young Life area directors.
- That leaders, mentors, and area coordinators would have ordained encounters with young moms, young dads, and their babies.
- For encouragement for mentors as they persevere through the challenges of ministry to these young families.
- For ongoing CAMP SIGN UPS! That many teen moms and leaders from our region would be able to attend camp with us at Timber Wolf Lake (JULY 21-26) and that the Spirit would prepare hearts to be changed!
