StoryLetter December2024
This season, we are centering our message on trust and sharing Peter's story from Matthew chapter 14. During the storm, the disciples became fearful as they believed they had witnessed a ghost walking on the water. As the voice of Jesus shouted to the disciples, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Peter trusted that it was Jesus as he stepped out of the boat and onto the water, but as he looked around, he became fearful of the wind and powerful waves; Peter began to drown.
Even when facing death, Peter called out to Jesus to be saved. We aspire to be like Peter, who placed his trust in Jesus despite the raging seas surrounding him. This is the kind of trust we are striving to model and instill in our students!
These Christ-sharing relationships with our students are founded on trust; our teen centers are meant to be comfortable and safe spaces for teens to be themselves and allow them to open up about the storms they are facing.
Together, we can provide safe spaces and trusted adults in our communities!
We want to invite you to help others get through the storm. Would you be willing to give the gift of trust to local Kitsap students?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Ministry Stories
One of the most incredible things is witnessing God work through someone's life. We met one of our students, Andy, through another teen center, and while we were on one of our Campus Life trips, we grew close to him.
During our trip, we hosted Club time. For those who are unfamiliar, Club is small group time where we discuss the Bible and how it relates to our lives. Andy became very interested in our small group discussions, and he shared with us that he felt most at home during Club.
One day, Andy became frustrated because he wanted to know more about God; three hours later, after giving him a Bible, he knew where to start. Little by little, Andy became settled into a youth group at church, and last summer, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized!
Just a week ago, I went to a worship event and saw Andy, he gave me the biggest hug and told me that I was the reason he was there. Andy has always been an amazing kid, but now he lights up; you can see God's love in him. Of course, I cried! This is what YFC is all about!
Stephanie Delvalle
Central Kitsap Area Director
When I was in Middle School, I was really shy, and I recall going on a church youth group trip where I had no friends, and no one was interested in talking to me! I was wandering around the mall by myself when this tall guy with a huge smile said, “Hey, aren’t you with us?” I told him I was just by myself, and with a swipe of his hand, he said, “What? That doesn’t work, come on!”
He slowly gathered a bunch of awkward Middle Schoolers and me together, and while I know he intended for us to make friends, we all just kind of stuck together in a group. We were socially awkward, for sure, but we were not alone!
That moment always stuck with me. Later in life, when I was called to be a youth pastor, I remembered that moment and thought, “Okay, God, if I am going to do ministry, that’s how I want to do it!” Later, I ended up getting a few months of training as a youth pastor from that same tall guy who cared for me all those years before!
We have been asking this month, “Who was it that you could trust when you were a teen?” For me, that guy was one of them…and he had an impact on my life that helped guide my entire career! What is great about our teen centers is that they offer students a similar thing…big smiles and people who care for students.
No one sits alone at YFC youth centers! What a gift you are giving our local students when you support us! To know that you have a place to go that is safe and warm and full of smiles and cookies and the love of Jesus?! This happens because of support and prayer from people like you!
Joe Koski
Development Director
