When we got back to our seats after communion, our little three-year-old foster child leaned over and asked, “Did you get chicken?”

That was last year about this time, and lots of us didn’t get what we were expecting in the year that passed in between! What was it like for you? Maybe you started last year thinking you were going to get chicken, but instead got something very different!

For us in Youth for Christ International, like people everywhere and perhaps for you, the pandemic and all the other chaos around the world forced us to make some rapid shifts. But it wasn't all bad. Listen to this story from one of our Youth for Christ staff:

This year our world turned upside down. The world came to a halt as a virus spread across cities, nations and continents. Voices called out to be heard in regards to racism ravishing our nation. Riots. Media coverage taking sides and pointing fingers. And an election drew the divisive line deeper. Maybe you wonder when all this chaos will end.

Yet in the midst of a world-turned-upside-down year, God worked and is continuing to change lives and draw lost young people to Himself. Looking different, ministry continued this past year. Our staff and volunteers around the world were creative as they connected with young people virtually, hosted social distancing gatherings, drove by and dropped off resources. Young people heard about the message of hope: Jesus, who loves them deeply and paid the price for their sin.

In talking with one ministry leader, Donny shared that when COVID-19 hit, they started meeting with young people via Zoom. And you know what happened? New faces started showing up on their Zoom calls. Not just any new faces, these were young people who had never attended a Youth for Christ Campus Life meeting before. God made a way as the world shut down; schools, extra-curricular activities, after school jobs, all shutting down. Invited by friends or our ministry leaders to Youth for Christ Campus Life online, these young people came and heard about Jesus. Many young people have said “Yes” to God’s amazing gift of eternal life in this past year via online gatherings. Let’s celebrate that, in the midst of chaos, God’s redemptive story was shared across the globe and many have said “YES” to Jesus.   -Kelly Hoeting, Youth for Christ International staff

Your gifts and prayers have been vital in seeing this outreach to young people go forward despite all the challenges. We rejoice with Kelly in what God is doing and we celebrate your partnership with us.

Looking forward to what God is going to do in 2021 would you give a gift this month to launch this outreach into the new year? Your regular gifts are vital in making this happen. If you don’t already give on a monthly or quarterly basis, would you consider signing up to do that this month? We would be so grateful!

Blessings to you this coming year. Though the blessings may be different than you and I expect, we pray they will be more and greater.