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“Organic” – I’ve tried to steer clear of using that word for many years. When it came to food, the expense of that word at the grocery store often kept me at a distance! I also had a tainted view of “organic” in church work because I believed it was often used to excuse intentionality, structure, and diligence. So, I have to admit that “organic” wasn’t typically in my vocabulary. But, as I was recently reading through some of the ROYS Country Leader reports, “organic” seemed to fit, especially as defined in the Cambridge Dictionary: “happening or developing naturally over time, without being forced…”
In our “Reach Out Youth Solutions” world, we often talk about the process of JFYM – “introduction, implementation – multiplication.” We highlight Forums where leaders are trained, then they put Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry into practice in their churches, and the result is that students are saved and discipled and they become disciple-makers themselves. There is no doubt that God is at work in this process all over the world!
And then a report shows up like the one from Uganda last month…
A church in Mbale, Uganda hosted a Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry Forum. This church was started by a ROYS Eagle Leader who trains other leaders around Uganda in JFYM. People who attended the Forum were saved. Following the Forum, attendees were so inspired and excited about sharing their faith, they went door-to-door throughout the community spreading the Gospel, and many others were saved. By the end of the weekend, 12 were baptized.
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And we received this testimony from Isaac…
Pastor Isaac attended a JFYM Forum, and at the time, he was a youth who cleaned the church and ushered on Sunday mornings. Although our Forums typically focus on leaders reaching and training youth in their local churches to become disciple makers, God is using this JFYM graduate in a traveling ministry throughout the country of Uganda. Take a moment to read his journey, and the way in which God is using him today…
“I'm truly grateful to Reach Out Youth Solutions for preparing me to reach my young generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I attended your JFYM meeting, I was just a youth, an usher, and a church cleaner. Yet, the Lord called me to youth ministry and burdened my heart to reach my generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Today, my youth choir travels with me to share the gospel with hundreds of youth. I also teach JFYM and mobilize leaders to reach and disciple their youth. You may not know the full impact of your ministry on me and others in Uganda, but God knows. JFYM has impacted thousands of young people in Uganda through the years. I'm grateful to you and your team. I'm grateful to Reach Out for their belief and investment in us, the younger generation. Please don't get tired. Keep loving us and partnering with us to reach the youth of Uganda."
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And finally, an unlikely story about this youth leader, turned beekeeper, in Kenya…
Pastor Thomas is one of the youth leaders our team trained in Kenya. God opened Thomas’ eyes to the reality that tribes in Migori still practice female genital mutilation, even though the practice has been outlawed by the government. He described to us that in the beginning, the situation looked impossible. Yet he knew that this tribal practice was surely not God’s will for these young girls. But how could he rescue them? He started praying and God told him to become a beekeeper. He bought some hives. He started harvesting honey and wax, selling it, and saving the proceeds.
Then, God began bringing girls to the church. One by one, the girls came, asking for help. When a girl would arrive, he would find her family and offer to place their child, free of charge, into a Christian boarding school in the area. With the proceeds from the honey and wax, he has now placed over 100 girls into boarding schools, where they are physically safe, spiritually fed, and educationally challenged. Adding “beekeeper” to this youth leaders’ job description was not even a thought in his mind several years ago. But God had a plan that had Thomas drawing outside the lines of “normal” youth ministry. And as God’s plan began to unfold in Thomas’ life, it was so much bigger than anything Thomas could have planned or dreamed! And today, Thomas is expanding his beekeeping business to rescue even more girls!
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These stories and testimonies are evidence of believers following God, as He is at work in their hearts and lives…even when it may not follow “the process” or what seems “normal.”
I’m thankful that God moves both inside and outside the boxes we create, the calendars we fill in, and the finances on our spreadsheets. And although we can’t always clearly see the “how” or know the “why,” because they were faithful…
…a Forum occurred AND people were saved and baptized in the neighborhood!
…a youth attended a Forum AND God used him as a catalyst for His Work across an entire country!
…a youth leader pastored his church AND was used by God to rescue over 100 young girls!
Thank you, God, for “organically” working in our lives and churches and ministries in ways that remind us of this truth, found in Ephesians 3:20:
| | “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” | | |
We invite you to partner with us in prayer regarding…
1. The physical health of Pasha Koryakin (our Russian Country Leader).
2. The physical health of Susan Juma (wife of Mark Juma, a key leader for ROYS in Kenya).
3. Training that will take place in South Asia in the coming weeks.
4. Our team, as we follow God’s direction in putting together the end of year fundraising plan.
5. Our Country Leaders around the world, who face a variety of challenges, from food scarcity to dangerous traveling conditions and even religious persecution.
6. Favor from new foundations receiving funding proposals from us this year.
7. Students who have made decisions for Christ this year and are taking next steps in discipleship.
8. Churches and church leaders who are beginning to implement what they have learned through Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry.
We also invite you to prayerfully consider financially partnering with us as we continue to follow God’s lead into new opportunities of ministry this quarter.
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Randy Riggins, President
Reach Out Youth Solutions
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