In 1941, Winston Churchill gave a commencement speech in which he repeated the phrase “NEVER GIVE UP” three times.
Forty-six years later, as a high school senior, that phrase became personal to me when my commencement speaker invoked Churchill’s words again, repeating the phrase three times, “Never Give Up.”
And now, 34 years later, those words are echoed again, this time through my WhatsApp account, by an enthusiastic group of youth leaders who want the world to know that NOTHING is going to stop them from introducing the next generation to salvation through Jesus Christ! Not advancing militant Islamists, or pagan traditions, or a worldwide pandemic will keep them from the mission!
Click HERE to see the video on our Vimeo!
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Last week I was reminded of this truth again while on a Zoom call with Christina, our Country Leader in UKRAINE. We were talking through a few current events in our world when she said, “God knew we would be living in this moment and therefore He will make a way.” What I heard God whisper, yet again, was that He is calling His people to “Never Give Up.” That phrase was personalized through a story Christina shared of Kseniya, a student at camp this summer who “cast away all fears of commitment.” Here’s a picture of her baptism!
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Last month Pasha, our country leader in RUSSIA, told me the story of Anton, a trained Reach Out Eagle Leader who coaches soccer to a group of boys. This spring, each time he was with the boys, he would also give them a short devotional (just planting seeds). This summer, his team attended a Young Life Camp where seven of those boys became Christians. Now, these new believers are being discipled in small groups, using our Mentoring through Maturity discipleship materials! A beautiful picture of “not ‘growing’ weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
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Another story of perseverance! Over the last 18 months, penetrating the culture has been incredibly challenging in KENYA. Typically, our youth leaders would have been connecting with students on campuses throughout the country, but the pandemic had schools closed for most of last year. However, during the last 18 months, our leaders have continued building relationship with students through outdoor sports and neighborhood activities. Then, on July 26th, students across the country returned to the classroom, and our leaders were ready… sharing the Good News of the Gospel, performing baptisms for students who made professions of faith, and providing new believers with their first Bibles!
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From Russia to Kenya, these youth leaders are the cheerleaders we all need…echoing Paul’s “never give up,” attitude when he writes:
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
Thank you for persevering with us as we continue to provide the resources, training, and encouragement for youth leaders around the world who have chosen to “Never Give Up!”
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Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to bring Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry to villages, towns, and cities in the US and around the world? Just click the Give Now button below and you’ll be connected to our website for more information on how to give. |
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