“Way Beyond the Frame”

As anyone who has ever visited this location will testify…pictures are unable to convey its majesty. I’ll post one here to prove it.

My first visit to the Grand Canyon happened last month. I attached the visit to a training event I was privileged to lead at Verde Community Church in Cottonwood, Arizona. 

Randy and Holly Riggins, Senior Pastor Carl Lodico, and Youth Pastor Pierre Noris

It was so much fun to have my wife (Holly) and three of our kids (Silas, Levi, and Lynnlee) join me on this western journey. When our weekend at Cottonwood was over, we headed to Sedona…and then on to the Grand Canyon. I’ll spare you the family photo album…but suffice it to say, we were all in awe of the masterful work of our Creator and King. 

As I look back now on our visit to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, I am reminded of what I feel each month when we attempt to capture and share with you what God is doing through youth leaders, pastors, and churches who are actively taking the message of the Gospel into the next generation. I find myself feeling as if we are only able to give you a snapshot of His activity…a baptismal picture of new life in Christ…a testimonial of an impacted youth leader…the beginning of a new church start initiated by next generation leaders. My hope and prayer is that through a few condensed stories and snapshots, you are spurred on to “pray for,” “give to,” and at times even “go with” us into this immense battlefield for the hearts and minds of the next generation!

This month, our snapshots and prayer requests for you are from Africa…

DRC

DRC Baptisms, School Ministry, and JFYM Forum

In DRC last month, 68 students prayed to receive Christ as Savior, 3 churches were planted, 36 students were baptized, and 12 leaders were certified to lead others in Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry!

The prayer request from our Country Leader, Mwema, in DRC: “We need more forums…more books. Continue praying for Eastern DRC where many have lost their properties and others are dying each day. But I thank God, despite all the challenges that DRC is facing, we continue to do our best and reach the youth for Christ.”

IVORY COAST [CÔTE D'IVOIRE]

If this country seems like a new addition to you in our reporting, it’s because IT IS! Last month, our Country Leader in Niger, Edouard Kokou, traveled to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and facilitated the first ever JFYM Forum in that country! There were 30 leaders in attendance, excited to reach the next generation there. 

Pray for these leaders as they begin to implement the action plans that were created. Pray for the younger generation in this country where:

43% of the population is Muslim,

38% of the women have undergone female genital mutilation,

33% of children do not complete primary school, and

37.5% of the population lives below the national poverty line.

ZIMBABWE

In His Own Words:

Reuben Zivagwe, our Country Leader in Zimbabwe, shared these stories with us recently about the latest Forum in Kariba Rural, as well as a new initiative…

“We praise the Lord for His unwavering goodness and grace that continually sustain us. We are thrilled to report that 65 people attended the forum. Despite our best efforts, we faced significant challenges along the way. Our journey was hindered by a major car breakdown; the vehicle's two main leaf springs failed, requiring urgent repairs before we could reach the forum venue. It was truly a journey of determination.

Additionally, we encountered severe hunger in the area, where many people struggle daily to find food. Yet, throughout these trials, we experienced the profound grace of the Lord. His Gospel reached even the most remote and neglected souls in deep rural villages. Your prayers have been a vital source of strength for us, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share the Word. Upon our arrival, 28 individuals were baptized, and their young souls are of immeasurable worth, far surpassing all the treasures of the earth.

We encouraged the youth to form pairs and discuss how they plan to carry out Jesus' command and share the Gospel with others. We were thrilled to see that everyone was enthusiastic about this initiative. A total of 32 pairs volunteered to distribute Jesus-focused pamphlets at their workplaces and schools. Over the past two months, we have had the privilege of touching the lives of 439 young people in total.”

Reuben also announced that they are launching a “Jesus-Focused Sports Academy!” This is an initiative aimed at blending sports training with Christian values among the young people in Zimbabwe. They will be using sports as a tool to not only build community and character, but also share the gospel. They are also partnering with local schools through this initiative. 

The prayer request from Reuben: “We need additional sports equipment, including balls, nets, and other gear. The Jesus-Focused Sports Academy is just beginning, and we are committed to reaching more young people and building a stronger community through this initiative. Your support and prayers are vital as we embark on this journey.”

UGANDA

In Uganda, a team lead by our Country Leader, Asher Kalema, facilitated a JFYM Forum in Nakabango Jinja. In addition to leading the Forum, our team went door-to-door with the youth from the local churches, preaching the gospel. Those who were saved included a teenage Muslim girl and an older Catholic lady.

Pastor Elijah explains in this video clip that the young people in his church have now learned how to preach the gospel. He describes how his young people went out into the community to spread the gospel, and they saw miracles happen! [Click the photo above or the link HERE to watch the full video!]

Pray for Pastor Elijah, as he continues to shepherd his congregation that is filled with young people. And pray for these young people who are excited to share Christ with their community.

KENYA

In Kenya, Reach Out’s Regional Leader, Isaac Okoth, was in the local schools last week preaching the gospel and encouraging students to depend and focus on Jesus. Over 100 students received Jesus to be be their Lord and Savior!

Pray for these students as they are invited into Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry trained churches in their town which have leaders ready to begin discipling them into godly young men and women of faith!

BACK TO THE GRAND CANYON

In Andy Gullahorn’s song, Grand Canyon, he sums up my thoughts best with these words:

I took a picture of the Grand Canyon, so I could remember that day.

Oh, but the beauty of the Grand Canyon, stretches way beyond the frame.

Over the last 4-½ years of leading this ministry, I can confidently say that the beauty of what God is doing globally in the next generation “stretches way beyond the frame.”

Thank you for partnering with us as we equip and multiply leaders who are influencing the next generation all over the world!

Blessings!