Kingdom SEPTEMBER 2018

A PUBLICATION OF Worker THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST IN YOUTH Connection WWW.CIY.COM

WORLD CHANGERS

DECISIONS MADE AT CIY EVENTS ARE PROPELLING STUDENTS TO AFFECT CHANGE FOR GOD'S KINGDOM IN PLACES ALL OVER THE WORLD 2 STAFF LIST

CIY PRESIDENT ANDY HANSEN [email protected]

EDITOR CHRIS ROBERTS [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITOR AUDREY WUNDERLICH [email protected]

STAFF WRITER BECCA HAINES [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR AUSTIN EIDSON [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/DESIGNERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS CHRISTINE COOK, JESS CLIFTON, CRAIG DAVENPORT, EMILY KROHN, JOSH HOWERTON, ZANE LEAVENS, ZEA MAROON, MYHA MCDANIEL, MAYA VAUGHAN, KALISA VEER

COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS ROBERTS

SUBSCRIPTIONS P.O. BOX B JOPLIN, MO 64802 (888) 765-4CIY

To be added to the CIY mailing list, or to receive the Kingdom Worker Connection via email, please contact [email protected]

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 3 KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION CONTENTS

STAFF LIST 2

PRESIDENT’S LETTER ANDY HANSEN 4

A 50th ANNIVERSARY STORY 6

EXPLORING IDENTITY BELIEVE 8

CONQUERING GARGANTOR SUPERSTART 10

STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT MOVE 12

FROM DARK TO LIGHT MIX 16

WORLD CHANGERS 20

TRAINING FOR A LIFE OF KINGDOM WORK ENGAGE 28

WHY CONVERSATIONS MATTER AEFFECT 32

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT 34

STORIES FROM THE ROAD ENGAGE 36

FINAL THOUGHTS SCOTT WALKER 38

CIY PROGRAMS 39

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

ne of my fondest memories of early youth ministry years was when I was a “weekend warrior.” My wife, Marcia, and I would travel almost three hours from Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Michigan, Oto Bangor, Michigan, every weekend for a couple of years to lead youth ministry at a church. Several of the students from the church lived at and worked on farms, especially fruit farms.

I frequently visited a student at his home where peach trees were brimming with huge peaches at the peak of their maturity. All I had to do was pick a peach, pinch the skin and pull. The skin would come right off, and the juice would begin to run down my arm! The flavor and sweetness of that freshly picked peach – WOW!

Galatians 6:9 says: “Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Not many of our CIY friends understand the tremendous challenges and issues that take place to prepare for and provide 58 MOVE and MIX events and a dozen international Engage mission trips in the course of a summer. The crunch time leading up to the first events and then the incredible 10-week sprint from mid-June to early August is almost overwhelming. Yet, the harvest compels us to persevere!

Andy Hansen

PRESIDENT CHRIST IN YOUTH

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Students attending MOVE events this summer were encouraged to make first-time decisions for Christ by walking out of the darkness of their past sins and into the forgiving light and salvation of Jesus.

Luke 8 tells us that the seed that falls on good ground can planted in my heart for Haiti. I returned to Haiti in 2010 after the produce fruit a hundredfold! Jesus states in John 15 that our earthquake to build and help in an orphanage for special needs Father in Heaven is glorified if we bear much fruit. children.”

The “end of the summer” is also one of my fondest times at Christ Keith Stone of Fairfield, Ohio, said: “Our son, Daniel, just In Youth, for I receive incredible messages that share testimonies returned from a week at MOVE in , Tennessee. He can’t brimming with the fruit of what God has done through the stop talking about the messages! He even shared page after page ministry of CIY. of notes he took on his phone and all the visuals he was able to download. Thank you for all the time, love and prayer you put “Almost 20 years of attending/serving Christ In Youth events, into these kids! Daniel’s friend, Shelby – who was a professed talking to kids about Jesus, baptizing people in fountains and atheist a year ago – attended the MOVE week this summer and being poured out as God did big things at a CIY event,” wrote gave her life to Christ and was baptized at our church this past Chris Vandeline of Shiloh, Illinois, in one such message. “THIS Sunday! God is so good!” TIME, my own kid just got back from MIX and has decided to be baptized. She has truly had a God-touch on her perspective this Story after story continues to come across my desk. I am so past week! (My wife) and I are so thankful – thankful to God, but humbled and overjoyed by such an eternal harvest. I also realize also to CIY for the heritage of faith threaded through my life and the fields are vast and white unto harvest. CIY is ready and now my family’s life as we pursue Jesus.” willing to continue to expand.

Pamela Hunter of Joplin, Missouri, wrote: “I took my first mission THANK YOU for continuing to PRAY for this ministry trip with CIY when I was 16 (I turned 17 while in Haiti) and it and continuing to sacrificially PROVIDE for this ministry. changed my life forever. John Mouton was the leader of our group The harvest of eternal fruit through God’s grace WILL BE and he and his wife were wise and loving Christ-like role models OVERFLOWING with bounty if together we persevere. for us. I am so very grateful for the work CIY continues to do in the lives of so many youth and adults alike. Please keep planting For such a time as this, let’s give of our best to expand the seeds of Jesus’ love and grace! I know personally the one you harvest!

CHRIST IN YOUTH 6 RESCUING A REBEL CIY founder’s legacy goes beyond events and trips and into the hearts of individuals who were led to the salvation of Christ because of his influence

STORY BY CHRIS ROBERTS

hen Rob Lansdale was a Reeves, who was the youth minister at want to accept it,” he said. “So as one last kid, he was a punk. This the time, and Bob Stacy, who was serving act of rebellion I was going to stand in isn’t just something other on the ministry staff at the church while front of those people and let them have it.” people have said about also serving as the dean of preaching at himW – he claims it for himself. In fact, Cincinnati Bible College. When his name was called, he grabbed his as the youth minister from Greenwood letter and marched up to the stage. He set Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, looks One of the first things he was told when his letter on the lectern and then looked back on his life, he can’t help but shake his he started going to Spring Hill was if up at the crowd. The eyes and smiling head in wonder at the way God rescued you went to church with Bob Stacy, it faces overwhelmed him. All thoughts him from a life destined for doom. The was mandatory to go to a CIY Summer went out of his head. He looked down beginning steps of that rescue started Conference. That’s because Stacy was at his letter, and “the words were gone,” with a local church, and were amplified the original founder of the ministry, and he said. “I don’t know what happened. It by his first experience at a Christ In Youth though he wasn’t involved directly with just wasn’t there. I looked up again and I conference. CIY anymore, he still believed whole- could feel the Holy Spirit taking over me, heartedly in its mission. and I just started weeping. I knew what Lansdale didn’t grow up in the church. God wanted me to do, but I was afraid to His family was broken – a father who had It took a lot of jumping through hoops do it. But then Bob Stacy stepped up and cheated on his mother, causing a divorce for Lansdale to get to CIY’s Summer put his hand on my shoulder, and asked and then both parents remarrying. His Conference, but he did get there, and if I wanted to give my life to Christ. He father was a bad example, and Lansdale the week ended up changing his life – baptized me that day.” would often act out or get into trouble as despite his best efforts. He spent the week a kid … so much so that his mother sent rebelling against everything that was Lansdale would go on to attend Kentucky him to counseling before the age of 12. being presented to him. Christian University to obtain a degree in It was around that age that he moved youth ministry. A lot of people in his life to Middletown, Ohio – a little-known But it’s nearly impossible for a young told him he’d never make it in ministry – town in the middle of the U.S. that would person to attend a CIY event and not be his past was too checkered to overcome. have been otherwise unremarkable for affected by the Holy Spirit. By the end of But every time he started to doubt himself, Lansdale’s story except for the fact that the week he knew that God was tugging he would remember the words of Bob it was home to Bob Stacy and Spring Hill on his heart. There were cracks building Stacy – a man who was also told he would Church of Christ. into the fortified walls he’d put up over the never make it as a preacher, but who years. And he was determined to make overcame those obstacles with the help By the time he was a freshman in high sure those cracks didn’t grow wider when of God’s power – and applied them to his school, Lansdale was well known he got home. So when he and the rest of own life. throughout town as a troublemaker. His the students in his group were asked to nickname was “Mr. Rebel.” But he was write letters to read to the congregation Lansdale has been serving in vocational also good at making friends and had following their CIY experience, he ministry for the past decade. And in every stumbled into a group of young people prepared the most scathing letter he year of his ministry he has taken students from Spring Hill Church of Christ who could think of. He was going to use his to CIY events. He said he’ll never miss an happened to attend the same school as he opportunity in front of the church to rail opportunity to take young people to CIY did. They invited him to youth group, and against all of the false hypocrisy he saw. events, because he sees time and time though he told them they were crazy, he again how the Holy Spirit works in those agreed to come. That’s when he met Steve “I knew CIY had changed me, but I didn’t moments to change kids’ lives.

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An actress from the CIY-produced film “I AM” puts a sticky note on her bedroom mirror during a scene from the story. Believe’s 2018-2019 tour is called “I AM” and will feature mirror imagery as the program works to help Jr. high students understand their identity in Christ and what that means for how they live their lives. Throughout the event students will be asked to finish “I am” statements by asking God to define them.

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 9 EXPLORING IDENTITY

Believe’s 2018-2019 tour will help Jr. high students unravel the confusion of who they are and what God has made them to be by helping them to answer the question: ‘Who am I?’

STORY BY BECCA HAINES PHOTO BY AUDREY WUNDERLICH

he 2018-2019 Believe tour will continue Christ In as he takes the stage for the second time on the Believe tour – first Youth’s mission of utilizing cutting-edge technology appearing on the “Open” tour two years ago. He will be one of the and passionate stage talent to design powerful events main acts showcased on Believe TV. that amplify Christ’s call on a student’s life to be a TKingdom worker. “KJ-52 is amazing – I’ve never seen anyone control a crowd like he can,” Branton said. “It was something to watch. And he gets Jr. high students in 12 cities across the country will be asked student ministry. He was a product of people investing in his life to explore their identity in Christ throught the theme “I AM.” when he was younger, and he really understands it.” Believe Program Director Mike Branton said students can expect to see some new staging techniques and even more interaction NEW DIGITAL EXPERIENCES from CIY personalities to help deliver the important, Gospel- Youth leaders will already be holding two new tools in the palm centered truth that they are uniquely and wonderfully made to of their hands this year. Branton said two new digital experiences serve a specific purpose within God’s Kingdom – and that out for mobile devices – found within the Believe app – have been of that purpose comes a confident assurance in their identity. specifically created to enhance Kingdom Worker Challenges and By answering “Who am I?” they can walk more confidently as small group time. Christians through all walks of life. “We always try to give youth leaders tangible tools for their small “It’s going to be fun and it’s going to be different,” Branton said. groups,” he said. “In the past we’ve used packets, games or cubes “Identity is critical to talk about when you think of raising up and allowed students to own the conversation. With the new app the next generation of Kingdom workers. Kingdom workers at ‘Convos,’ those experiences are going to be digital, so leaders their core understand their identity in Christ and the lifelong will be able to pull it up and pass it around the group and utilize commitment to the Kingdom, as well as the place Kingdom work technology in the small group in a cool way. It’ll have questions, holds within who God has created them to be.” anonymous polls, games, and hopefully it’ll bring a new level of professionalism and experience to the small group.” BELIEVE TV The Believe team is excited to introduce a new feature in the REVENANT WORSHIP program’s 21st year: Believe TV. CIY emcees will set up a A brand-new worship band will take the Believe stage this year. designated area at the event from which to go live with reporters Revenant Worship is comprised of young musicians and worship “out in the field” with students. Branton said students who have leaders from , Texas. been to other CIY events will recognize some of the smiles on camera and create more fun memories with their youth groups. Branton said he is thrilled to highlight an instrument not usually found at the front of the stage – the piano. To hear some of the “This is going to help us as we program our breaks, and it also musical talent of this year’s lead singer, Josiah Warneking, search gives us more space to highlight students other than just on the for the band Sixteen Cities on YouTube. stage,” Branton said. “We’ll be playing games with students, doing some interviews and use this time to do some giveaways.” Find dates and locations – as well as other information – for this year’s Believe tour at ciy.com/believe. A highly anticipated crowd craze will be Christian rapper KJ-52

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SuperStart partners with ‘American Ninja Warrior’ contestant for upcoming tour to help preteens learn how to overcome the obstacles that often get in the way of sharing their stories

STORY BY BECCA HAINES GRAPHIC DESIGN BY AUSTIN EIDSON

reteens at SuperStart will be cheering on Emily sharing their stories,” Snow said. “They sometimes feel like Durham – an athlete from Orlando, Florida, who has they don’t have a story, or there’s fear, or it’s not something appeared on the NBC television show “American Ninja they’re motivated to do because they don’t think about it or Warrior” for three seasons – as she demonstrates her see the purpose behind it. Understanding that we all have a agilityP on the stage this fall. SuperStart turned to Durham to help story because Jesus died for us is the big picture. When we say inspire preteens in learning how to dominate overwhelming ‘conquering Gargantor,’ we’re talking about conquering the obstacles in their lives – especially when it comes to sharing difficult things that keep us from sharing.” the stories of their salvation. Patrick Snow, CIY’s senior director of weekend events, said this tour will undoubtedly create Durham said she hopes students will be inspired to never astonishing and memorable visuals of Christ conquering sin … hesitate to give glory to God when given the chance. with help from an obstacle course named “Gargantor.” “I love being able to use the platform God has given me – “God calls us all as Kingdom workers to go and share His story especially with kids – to share the Gospel,” she said. “It’s – which is also our story – with other people,” Snow said. “It’s actually why I do ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and count on the difficult to do that sometimes. When it comes to sharing with gifts and talents God has given me to help tell my story. My faith other people what God has done for us, it can feel like we’re is the most important thing in my life, and I want the kids to facing this really big obstacle. On this tour, we’re going to be experience that, too.” talking about how to overcome the obstacles that we face when it comes to sharing the things that God has done for us.” SuperStart kicks off Oct. 12 in St. Louis. To register, and for more information, please visit ciy.com/superstart. Gargantor stands intimidating and seemingly impenetrable with a 12-foot Warped Wall, Double Salmon Ladder, Devil Steps, Ring Toss, Cannon Ball Alley, Cliff Hanger, Quad Steps, Unstable Bridge, Fly Wheels and Pegboard. Durham said the course is definitely challenging – and she should know since she helped design it. All of the Durhams – including their daughter Hope, 8 – will be doing some stunts and sharing their stories.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the tour,” Durham said. “We put in some challenging obstacles, and the Warped Wall will be the one in focus. But the Salmon Ladder is a really cool one, too. It’s amazing how many obstacles we can have in a small space. Hopefully the kids will be really excited about it.”

Snow said this year’s theme is pulled from the book of Luke. The mission of this year’s tour is to help preteens recognize how God has moved in their lives and how Jesus continuously saves His people from sin – and how knowing that creates a natural response for them to share that knowledge with others. SuperStart staff Matt Foreman and Patrick Snow test out the “We’ve talked to preteen pastors around the country about Gargantor obstacle course with Kevin and Emily Durham, who what social life is like for preteens and what keeps them from will join SuperStart for the 2018-2019 tour.

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STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT Thousands of high school students make first-time decisions for Christ, Kingdom worker commitments, while attending MOVE events

STORY BY BECCA HAINES & CHRIS ROBERTS PHOTOS BY CRAIG DAVENPORT & BECCA HAINES

hen Morgan Mink, Mackenzie Swan, Bryce Moore and Josiah Thomas stepped into the shallow current of a creek in Southern Arkansas, they let out some joyful shrieks – the water was shockingly chillyW compared to the hot Arkansas air. But the students who had been attending CIY’s MOVE conference throughout the week didn’t mind. They were about to celebrate sweet salvation in that cold creek water.

Swan and Moore were about to be baptized – joining 1,674 other students across the U.S. who made first-time decisions for Christ while at a MOVE conference this summer.

Their youth group from First Christian Church of Dodge City, Kansas, stood on the dry rocks with cameras, smiles and tears, watching as Mink baptized her friend Swan and Thomas his friend Moore. This was the culmination of many years of relationship- building and many conversations steering friends toward Christ. And with Christ’s call on their lives being made readily apparent throughout the week of MOVE, both Moore and Swan were ready to make a life-long commitment. As youth minister David Barber watched, he couldn’t help but smile at the way Mink and Thomas had lived out the call on their own lives to be Kingdom workers.

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“That’s where the ministry happens,” Barber said. “It’s students Specifically for me it was special because this one group of people who have ministered to them because of their relationship inside kept trying to get me here. I’m really thankful for them because I their discipleship group. This is students being Kingdom workers.” know that God wanted me here.”

Just a little further north and east in Tennessee, Ashley Marie Moore and Swan had similar experiences. Four years of Hamilton was making a similar decision for Christ. Like Moore conversations had led to that moment in the creek for Moore. and Swan, Hamilton responded to a moment within the MOVE According to Barber, Moore has major control issues and really program in which she was asked to “step into the light.” After a struggled to surrender his life to Jesus. But Moore said he felt God message from the night’s speaker about the salvation of Christ, tugging at his heart for the first time ever while at MOVE. Hamilton – and every student attending MOVE – was challenged to step out of the darkness of a sinful life and into the light of salvation “I’m not sure why – I guess it’s because I thought I wasn’t old offered by Jesus. This symbolic step of faith was made literal with enough and needed to know more,” Moore said of his internal light posts set up around the room. And much like Moore and struggle. “During those worship times it was really moving, and I Swan, Hamilton’s decision came after much encouragement from felt the Lord – so I was like, ‘OK. Let’s do it.’ I’ll be more Christ-like friends who had helped her get to that point. and try to be nicer to my sister. But I’ll also hopefully see things differently and be happier. I feel happier now. This is awesome.” “When they invited us to go into the light, I was really hesitant at first because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to confess I was in Swan said her spiritual maturity has come a long way over the the dark,” Hamilton said. “But I stepped into the light and I don’t past few years. Though she was baptized when she was 10 years regret it at all. It felt like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders. old, she knew she needed to make a re-commitment to Christ I felt reborn.” while at MOVE. She isn’t alone, as 8,042 other students made recommitment decisions while at MOVE this summer. Hamilton’s journey to that moment was an unexpected one. She started going to the youth group just a few months earlier because “I’m not perfect, and I really was inspired,” Swan said. “These past someone from her school had reached out to her. When she found few months I’ve fallen in some bad directions that haven’t been out about MOVE, she was interested but knew she’d never be able Christ-like, and I was ashamed of it. I just felt like I was renewed to find the money to afford the trip. But those same friends who and different and had that connection to God again. I wanted to had invited her to youth group decided to raise money to help pay get baptized for that. God was saying, ‘You need to do this now.’” for her MOVE registration. In addition to the first-time and recommitment decisions made “I’m so glad I got to come to MOVE because I got to step into the at MOVE, an additional 1,858 students made commitments to light,” Hamilton said. “God wanted me here for that reason – to pursue vocational ministry as a career, and more than 11,000 get closer to other people and to have that really special moment. made commitments to live as Kingdom workers.

Morgan Mink and Josiah Thomas baptize their friends Mackenzie Swan and Bryce Moore in a creek near Siloam Springs, AR. The teenagers were attending a MOVE conference that week with their youth group from First Christian Church of Dodge City, KS.

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Nearly 1,700 high school students made first-time decisions for Christ this summer while attending a MOVE event. Another 8,042 made decisions of recommitment, while 1,858 made commitments to pursue careers in vocational ministry. The response to commit to a life of Kingdom work was the largest rallying cry for these young people, however, with more than 11,000 standing to commit themselves to Kingdom work in every aspect of their lives.

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LEAPING TO NEW LIFE Middle school students draw closer together through play and small group conversations, leading to first-time decisions for Christ

STORY BY BECCA HAINES & CHRIS ROBERTS PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE COOK & EMILY KROHN

t was just this past school year when Jennifer Borges wouldn’t sit with anyone at lunch. She wouldn’t talk to anyone or engage in any sort of friendship – the new middle school student in Texhoma, Oklahoma, was a recluse in her home. HerI sixth grade teacher was Joey Landara, who also happens to be the part-time associate pastor of First Christian Church. He said he could see a lot of anger and hurt in the way she slouched her shoulders throughout the year … but the Holy Spirit has a way of changing things.

Borges wasn’t alone. Thousands of other middle school students like her found their way to one of CIY’s MIX events this summer – young people who stepped away from broken homes and families for a few days, and brought with them anxieties, worries and doubts that were clouding their minds with darkness. Every year CIY events welcome students from all walks of life. And every year, the Holy Spirit does amazing things when those young people get away from the distractions of life and spend time with peers and adult leaders who care about them. Oftentimes, when the walls are broken down, those students find themselves in pivotal moments where God is calling out to them, and they are faced with the decision of whether or not to answer that call.

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For Borges, that moment came on night two at MIX. After an Borges’ actions made an immediate impact on the others in her up-and-down school year that steadily got better as she got group. According to Landara, even the boys started letting their more involved with the youth group at First Christian Church in walls break down and weren’t afraid to shed some tears. Texhoma, Borges found herself alongside her new friends at MIX, faced with the decision to go forward and respond to the Holy “They act so tough at home, but to see them with their arms Spirit’s call. around each other, encouraging each other – it touches all of our hearts,” Landara said. “Thank you, God so much! I’m just in awe. “I actually realized God is there – to forgive me and protect me Our leaders, my wife – all of us are just so excited to see what the when I need help,” Borges said. “The only thing I have to do is obey next steps will be when we get home. I told Jennifer, ‘God’s got a and just be a person that’s there for other people. To respect Him is plan for your life and I don’t know what it’s going to be. But you to respect other people. To be in the light and not the dark. In that have a powerful voice and He’s going to use that.’” moment I started crying. I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me, ‘It’s OK. You’ll be alright. I’ll be there for you and God will forgive MIX Program Director Taylor Brown said stories like Borges’ serve you. You’ll be OK. I promise you.’” as an encouragement to CIY’s mission of amplifying Christ’s call on students’ lives. After hearing God’s truth spoken from the stage and experiencing powerful praise and worship, Borges let down the walls around “Students always come to MIX in different phases of this journey her heart and walked to the front, where she hit a button that made with Jesus, and I love to see how MIX can water the seed that a light flash – symbolically demonstrating her first-time decision someone else planted,” Brown said. “However, just like Paul says, for Christ. The youth group started chanting “Jesus Power” after God is the one who makes it grow. It touches my heart to know and she hit the button, and afterward during small group time the see the hard work the MIX team does to make the name of Jesus conversations were especially deep for middle schoolers. known. Then to see a student get it and start doing Kingdom work is so rewarding and humbling. The fact that Jesus lets us join in on “I confessed everything, including all my suicidal thoughts and this work is so incredible. Students want to be part of something all the stuff I wanted to do to myself,” Borges said. “It made me different and bigger. If having faith doesn’t look drastically sad and it made others cry with me. The people who bullied me different than anything else they see, then they won’t care to join have turned into my best friends because of what happened here. in. But hearing that stepping into the light of Jesus makes you and We talk all the time. Boys and girls – we’re all like this big church your life stand in contrast to the world around you is enough to family. It’s so beautiful and so comforting to have someone there motivate a student to surrender all they are and start doing Jesus’ for you. We just care about telling other people about God and to Kingdom work.” keep going to the light, not the darkness.”

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FACING PAGE: A small group gets pumped up before a dodgeball tournament. TOP: Students respond to a call to replace hate with love during night three main session. R IG H T: MIX Host Cindy Branton illustrates the importance of staying plugged into the true source of power, which is God. LEF T: A student enjoys an obstacle course through the Outer Realm.

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CHRIST IN YOUTH KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION WORLD CHANGERS Younger generations combine their greatest talents with the globe’s greatest needs to bring lasting change to a hurting world

STORY BY CHRIS ROBERTS PHOTOS BY KALISA VEER, CRAIG DAVENPORT & AUDREY WUNDERLICH

hen Carson Brown heard about the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, he was very upset. Like many other high school students his age, he wanted to do something to make a change. ButW participating in a nationwide walkout with millions of other high school students didn’t quite strike him as the right response for his community. He recognized the walkout as a positive demonstration that could spark long-term change nationwide, but he wanted to do something more personal for his fellow classmates at Linton Stockton High School in Linton, Indiana. His idea? Write personal letters of encouragement to every single student … more than 400 personal letters.

He would need help to accomplish this feat, and he thought of his immediate friends and members of his Bible study. Like Brown, those friends were eager to make a difference. And like the other young men and women of their generation, they harbored a deep desire to affect lasting change in the world. What better way to do that than to shine a little of Christ’s hope on the people they pass every day in the halls at school?

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A student at a week of MOVE spends time praying during “Encounter Time” – a dedicated quiet time with God for all students attending the event.

Brown’s actions are reflective of millions of other young people “Sometimes they stumble into making a difference because they across the world who are eager to be a part of something bigger haven’t learned what’s not possible yet,” said Eric Epperson, than themselves. They want to become world changers. CIY’s senior director of Æffect, which produces films about social justice issues with the intent of inspiring young people to respond Christ In Youth has long been a ministry that helps students in Kingdom-appropriate ways. understand that God also wants this for them. He calls them to Kingdom work, and challenges them to use their unique gifts, “They are extremely creative. They are innovators and explorers talents and abilities to make a difference in the lives of people all and they recognize that they can use anything they have to make over the world. He calls them to change the world for the better. a difference. When you can combine your greatest talent with It’s a task that is perhaps perfect for Generation Z. the world’s greatest needs – wherever those things meet is kind of what Kingdom work is. And they’ve shown us that they don’t Unlike any other generation before, they perceive the world as have to leave a community to make a difference on the other side small and the resources at their disposal are easily attainable. of the world. They can sell T-shirts or utilize their social media Combine that with a youthful ambition that hasn’t been burned platforms to make a difference. Some people would scoff at that by the harsh realities of life, and students in this generation not and complain about them being too plugged into their phones and only believe anything is possible, but prove they’re up to the task media, but part of what that has done for them is made the world time and time again. smaller. They are exposed to so much more than most of us ever

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Worship and powerful teaching from the stage inspire students who attend CIY events, and their response following those events is to go back into their communities and use their spheres of influence to serve God’s Kingdom. were. They can pull out their phones and go anywhere and access task, but I just didn’t think of it as that big of a task back then. I just anything and think, ‘I can impact anything.’ And we’ve seen it.” knew it’s what we needed to do. I think it impacted a lot of people. I think they ended up feeling like someone knew that they were And that is exactly what Brown accomplished as he picked up pen there and they weren’t just another kid walking around school and paper to make a difference. He used his ingenuity to come up with no friends. And they felt safe – like there were other people with a novel idea to make a difference in the lives of others his age. watching out for them. I think they just knew that someone knew He got creative, and brought his community together to address their struggle and that God was looking out for them. He was an issue – not just from a systematic level, but at a deeply personal using us to show them that He is there.” heart level. Brown’s story is just one of many that showcase how students all “We thought that the letters could show them that there were a over the world are responding to the call of Kingdom work and lot of people looking out for them and that they had people they making waves of change all around the globe. Take, for instance, could talk to,” Brown said. “I knew we needed to make the letters the youth group from New Braunfels, Texas. While attending more personalized, with the people’s names and things specific a week of MOVE in 2017, they were inspired by a message from about them that would encourage them in their lives. We wrote Jasper Rutherford – CIY’s director of European expansion – who more than 400 letters, and we didn’t sign any of them – it was all talked about growing up in Northern Ireland and how badly the anonymous. Looking back on it I can see how it was such a huge young people of his country needed to be re-awakened to their

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passion for Christ. The youth group returned home with the intent of raising money and awareness for Rutherford and CIY’s efforts, and they did so by pledging to eat a bowl of Lucky Charms every day for a year. To date they’ve raised thousands of dollars … and they’re just one of hundreds of youth groups and individuals from all over the U.S. who have helped to raise approximately $200,000 for CIY in Ireland.

When this generation believes in a cause, they get creative and go all-in with their efforts. But world changing doesn’t have to include massive amounts of money or sweeping, country-encom- passing policy changes. Sometimes changing the world means making a difference in just a few lives down the road.

A group of middle school girls from Ukiah First Baptist Church are living this out. They attended CIY’s MIX conference this summer at Chapman University in California, where they received a Kingdom Worker Challenge – a task they could complete back home that would help them put Kingdom work into practice. Upon returning from their week at MIX, the girls immediately went to work embracing their challenge. They went to the local hospital to see if they could send their nurses letters and gifts once a month to encourage them. They quickly organized a sleepover, during which they took time to write the first letters and to bake treats – which they gave to the nurses as well as used in a bake sale to raise funds for future experiences for the nurses.

There’s also Kiara, who received a Kingdom Worker Card at CIY’s MOVE event in 2017, which challenged her to raise $2,500 to bring 10 students who didn’t know Jesus to a MOVE event in the summer of 2018. That seemed like a daunting task for a young A programmed moment at MOVE invites students to respond to woman who didn’t have a job at the time, but with the help of Christ’s call on their lives by walking through a door frame. family and friends and many garage sales, she was able to rise to the challenge. Instead of just randomly selecting 10 peers to Kingdom work, it just makes me pumped. I’m jacked. I know that I go with her to MOVE, however, she chose to give the money to don’t have to be the one who’s going out and putting this stuff out some young people at a Native American reservation that she there. They’re coming up with the ideas. They’re the ones putting had visited the year before – teenagers who were struggling with stuff into action and actually doing it. I get so excited to see that, poverty and desperately needed hope in their lives. Though Kiara because I know that God is prompting these students to want to lives in Florida, she was able to join the 10 students in California do those things. It stops being me leading them because they get for a week of MOVE this summer. it now – they understand what it looks like to actually go out and do things that are not for themselves, but are for other people and “I think this whole idea of what CIY has come up with talking about for the Kingdom.” Kingdom work is an incredible direction,” said Tyler Hodson, youth minister at Linton First Christian Church in Linton, This period of life for a young person is a pivotal point in their lives Indiana. “I love that type of atmosphere that they try to create and where the path has not been totally paved yet, and the options challenge kids just a little bit out of their comfort zones in order before them are wide open. God can use that unique place in to go out and do these things. Going out and doing that type of the life of a willing follower and provide them a mission that can Kingdom work in the present tense is the mindset that I want to literally change the world. And when a young person realizes that set for our youth ministry and for our students. When I start to (Continued on page 26) see kids like Carson (Brown) and others stepping into this idea of

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 25

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CHRIST IN YOUTH 26

and embraces that role placed upon them by a divine Father who Said Hodson: “I think if our students fully embrace this whole gives them all the power and resources available through the Holy Kingdom worker idea and they actually go out and start doing the Spirit, then nothing is impossible. things that the Holy Spirit is prompting them and leading them to, there’s nothing they can’t do. If students who come to CIY events “I think it has major ministry and missions implications,” start feeling that prompting of the Spirit and start acting on that, Epperson said. “When young people understand this call on their you just see their world and their friends’ worlds around them lives, they begin to re-think how they can utilize their careers and start to change. When you see something like that – someone the rest of their lives for the Kingdom. They begin to think about going out of their way to do something awesome or Kingdom what they’re able to do and how they can use their passions – worker-minded – it grabs the attention of people around them. whether for engineering or music or math – to make a difference Anywhere they go – any part of the world they’re in – if they have for the Kingdom.” that mindset that God is with me and nothing can be against me, then they can do anything.”

5 STEPS TO MOTIVATE WORLD CHANGERS

Young people who make up Gen Z want the story. So when challenging them, don’t to be part of something bigger than give them an action that is too generic, themselves. They love to know that their and don’t give them too much to do or actions can make a difference and affect they’ll get overwhelmed by the details. real change in the world. It’s the reason Find one specific action that they can why campaigns like the Ice Bucket rally behind, then watch as they let their Challenge for the Amyotrophic Lateral creativity run with it. Sclerosis Association raised more than $150 million, and why so many of them 3. Show them the payoff:Most banded together across the U.S. to stage young people are (surprise, surprise) a walk-out in response to the school wishy-washy in their decision-making. shooting in Parkland, Florida. Motivating They want to join a cause that they feel them to make a Kingdom impact takes brings them hope – not just for the future some ingenuity and intentionality. but for their own lives. Sometimes that Here are five steps to motivate Kingdom means they jump back-and-forth between A youth group from New Braunfels, workers to become world changers: causes. But if you can show them that Texas, responded to CIY’s challenge Kingdom work is a life-long action that to help bring MOVE to Ireland by 1. Reinforce community: One of the will continue to payoff in their lives and committing to eat a bowl of Lucky primary characteristics of Gen Z – and in the lives of others, they’ll commit for Charms every day for a year. the Millennial Generation before them all eternity to the work that God is calling – is their fundamental ability to work them to do. gives them an opportunity to showcase together. They are connected in many that cause to the world around them. ways, and they like to work together across 4. Give them ways to make it personal: demographic and racial lines. Therefore, When young people are bought in to a 5. Emphasize the Kingdom impact: any movement they choose to belong to cause, they like to announce it to the If it’s bigger than them and will affect must have some sense of community and world. They like to brand themselves with change in the world, young people be designed to make them work together. the cause – from buttons to bracelets and will most likely be interested in it. But even tattoos in some cases. Young people Kingdom work without the King is just 2. Give them something to do: A good value non-verbal symbols that associate dumb work. Don’t forget to emphasize movement goes beyond merely asking them with a larger movement. So make the eternal impact of the missions they young people to donate money or sign a sure whatever you’re calling them to choose to become a part of, and to petition. Students want to become part of includes a way to make it personal and remember to always glorify God first.

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ciy.com/kwc 28 THE NEXT STEP ... High school senior Maya Vaughan talks about her Engage trip to the Dominican Republic and how God has continued her journey from a trip the previous year to Zambia

Walking through an airport on an island me when we went to a leprosy colony on Sunday in the Caribbean earlier this summer, I heard afternoon. The missionary staff explained some nothing but people speaking Spanish. I knew things about the colony before we entered. First, immediately that I was going to have an the people living there were not contagious experience like no other. My group of 21 others because they were being treated. Second, most of joining me on a CIY Engage trip to the Dominican the people living there have been abandoned by Republic all saw the same things … but not their families and rarely get visitors. anyone was seeing things the same. I don’t We were told to ask them what they needed think any of us were truly prepared for what the prayer for. Before we visited the colony, we went to Dominican Republic was going to teach us. the grocery store and got snacks and made goody This was my second mission trip with CIY bags for them. I gave my goody bag to an old Engage, and right off the bat I spotted differences. woman, and I communicated with her the best I went to Zambia last summer, and from the that I could, but I often had to rely on a translator. moment I stepped off the plane in the Dominican As we talked back-and-forth through the Republic I could tell it was drastically different. translator, she told me she did not have leprosy, It seemed to be in less of a state of poverty but her family had left her there 60 years ago than Zambia had been. The Dominican had because they did not want her. As the translator restaurants and fast food places, which I was not moved on to help others from our group, I just sat expecting. As we drove down the road, there were there and held her hand. We didn’t talk, but we buildings that had been abandoned right next to didn’t need to. nice hotels. It continued like that until we got to That moment rocked my world. She was still the hostel where we were staying. so strong in her faith, despite what had happened We worked in a village named Cotui. The to her. If someone who has been completely children there were all very clean, despite the fact abandoned by her family like that can still be that dirt was everywhere. Most of the children strong and know that Jesus died on the cross for we worked with were ages 7-to-12, but it seemed her, everyone should be able to be solid like that. to me that they were extremely mature for their I think about her daily and picture her face. I age. I noticed in particular that they would take pray for her and pray that her family may one day care of the younger ones. When I mentioned this return to her. to one of the leaders from the community, she Maya Vaughan To say that this trip completely changed told me they don’t believe that they are living in my life would be a lie. A life cannot change in 10 poverty because they have strong relationships HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR days. But this trip was part of an ongoing change with each other. A broken relationship is worse DOMINICAN REPUBLIC in my life – the next step in my journey. In some than not having luxury items, in their minds. ways this trip was the next step, while in other That single comment sent my mind reeling and ways it was only the beginning. I’m eager to see changed the course of my trip. and show them that God loves them, then what else God has in store for me as I continue to there will be a little less poverty. If I can form relationships and make a change and progress from the lessons I’ve learned difference in at least one person’s life every day, I took this relationship mindset with through my Engage experiences.

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 29 PAVING THE WAY ... Zane Leavens puts lessons from Northern Ireland into perspective and examines the various ways God spoke to him while on an Engage trip

If I could describe my trip with CIY Engage to Northern Ireland in one word it would be: Reckless. God provides an authentic love that is astounding and covers us in everything we do. This trip amplified so many things God was trying to tell me. Truth was spoken into my life and set a pathway for my future.

The people of Northern Ireland were some of the most loving and incredible people I have ever met in my entire life. Engage teaches us on these trips that cultures are both beautiful and broken, and I came to fully understand that through the various meetings I had with different people throughout the trip. To have the opportunity to experience this and meet the people of this country was truly a blessing.

There is a common misconception of missions as sweating in the name of the Lord and doing as much as possible in the time that you are there. Engage gave our group the opportunity to slow down and take time to really BE there – to become immersed in the culture and to understand what these people have been through. When we had the opportunity to do that, what God showed us was truly amazing.

Spiritually, I grew and learned so much. I had my very first one-on-one spiritual conversation with God that still gives me chills just thinking about it. We saw God move in some absolutely incredible ways, and I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. God was already working in some amazing ways in this country before we got there, and to be able to go and be a vessel of His love and grace was the biggest blessing the Lord could have ever given me.

The journey was long. It started long before I left the U.S., with nights of little sleep wondering how I was going to raise funds for the trip, or thinking how unprepared or unqualified I was for missions work. Next came many, many hours of travel – followed by many hours of battling the urge to sleep in hopes of defeating jet lag. While in country there were lots and lots of “Wee Danders” – short walks, though none of the walks we ever went on were ever “short.” Each of those walks paid off in some brilliant ways, however, and my faith will never be the same because of it.

That’s what Engage does. It paves the way and leads us into environments where you can freely learn so much about yourself and Zane Leavens about the Lord. Sometimes the direction the Lord wants to lead you in HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR isn’t always clear, but when you trust in Him, you won’t be disappointed. NORTHERN IRELAND Sometimes it just takes a little faith.

CHRIST IN YOUTH 30 THE LEAST OF THESE ... Kenya experience helps college freshman see the world differently and inspires her to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever she goes

Coming home from the Kenya Engage trip last year, my heart was in knots. I came home from a country with slums paved in dirt roads, filled with thousands of people whose stories completely broke my heart. I saw broken lives and families, but full spirits. I arrived in America to highways and strip malls. Everywhere I looked, I saw Mercedes Benz vehicles and women juggling multiple shopping bags.

It was unfair. How could a good God allow people to suffer on the other side of the world, when my family and friends were thriving? What were Christians doing in my church and hometown to help those who couldn’t make ends meet over in Kenya?

After being home a few weeks, I realized there wasn’t enough being done. I decided that I couldn’t control what others did to help, but I could control what I did. I signed up to travel to Kenya with Engage the following year, and messaged the ministry there about staying to intern the rest of my summer. Although the weeks leading up to my trip were hard – full of goodbyes to family and friends – spending my summer in Kenya was the best decision I could have ever made.

When I arrived home from Kenya this summer, it took awhile for my heart to process the amazing things that God did throughout the course of the six weeks I was there. When you take a leap of faith, go out of your comfort zone and travel on a missions trip with a program like Engage, your heart has no choice but to be molded and shaped into one eager to serve those you come into contact with.

Ultimately, I learned that we are placed where we are for a reason. Every time you step out into the world – whether you’re in your hometown or you’re in a developing nation – there’s someone out there who could use encouragement and Godly love. Whether you’re in the supermarket in Georgia, or the supermarket in Nairobi, Kenya, the cashier could use the love of Jesus. God places people where they are for a reason.

I once read a quote that has stuck in my heart, and for good reason. It is a reminder of our purpose and our mission as Christians and missionaries. It said: “God never turned His back on the least of these, He sent us.” This sums up our mission as Kingdom workers. Zea Maroon The least of these are all around us – they are everywhere we look. We just have to be willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He sent us, COLLEGE FRESHMAN let’s let Him use us! KENYA

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 31 ENGAGE MOMENTS

Starting in mid-May, CIY Engage hosted 12 international trips to locations all over the world. More than 300 students have attended Engage trips this year, including to Poland (above right), Cambodia (middle right), Northern Ireland (bottom right), and Kenya (below).

CHRIST IN YOUTH 32 HOW TO HAVE A CONVERSATION Kingdom Worker Week to lead students and groups through 5 days of conversations

STORY BY AUDREY WUNDERLICH

very November, young people and their adult leaders starting on Nov. 4. Each day will provide a devotional using from all over the world come together for CIY’s Æffect’s SELAH app, a video released via Æffect’s Instagram TV Kingdom Worker Week. Unlike most other CIY events, channel, and an interactive “conversation” piece that will allow they don’t meet on college campuses or in arenas. They participants to both listen and speak. meetE digitally … on their mobile devices. According to Epperson, those attributes of communication are Kingdom Worker Week is getting ready to host its third year of key to every good conversation. helping people have conversations from their own churches, classrooms or homes by inviting them to meet over the screens of “A conversation is 50 percent speaking and 50 percent listening,” personal phones, tablets and computers. he said. “Or, at least, a good conversation should strive to be that.”

This November, CIY’s Æffect team will once again host Kingdom Topics for this year’s Kingdom Worker Week will vary, starting Worker Week with a new look and feel. As with every year, the goal with the foundational topic “How to have a conversation.” That of the event is to create a space for conversations. topic will set up groups to have healthy conversations later in the week on tougher topics such as race, LGBTQ and technology. “Conversations are the foundation of discipleship,” said Æffect Senior Director Eric Epperson. “I’m convinced that young people Epperson said to think of this event as “five days of conversations” leave our events – or are out in the ‘wild’ – and are looking for that can be continued beyond the week. To participate in content for topics and themes and don’t know where to go. We Kingdom Worker Week 2018, visit kingdomworkerweek.com want this to be a place for those conversations.” on Nov. 4, where instructions will be given to access the three elements. To stay in the loop and learn more, follow Æffect at Individuals and groups will receive five days of content, facebook.com/ciyaeffect or @ciyaeffect on Instagram.

To help propel the conversation during this year’s Kingdom Worker Week, CIY’s Eric Epperson chatted with youth leaders and speakers from around the country, asking them to identify the issues facing young people of the world today. Among the topics discussed were LGBTQ, worship styles, sharing testimonies and more.

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION 33

The Nation’S leAdInG chRistIan PretEen Event

JoIn thoUsanDs oF otHer 4Th-6Th gRade StudEnts thiS faLl aT suPersTart! Fall 2018 touR daTes

St. LouiS, mo , ga PhoeNix, az LouiSvIlLe, Ky OctoBer 12Th - 13Th OctoBer 19Th - 20Th NoveMber 2Nd - 3Rd NoveMber 9Th - 10Th

Find out morE at CHRISTcIy.com/supErstArt/Kwc IN YOUTH 34 SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT Stories of God’s amazing work in the lives of so many Kingdom workers all over the world can be found in different places throughout social media. Below is just a small sampling of #kingdomworkers embracing Christ’s call on their lives. Amplifying christ’s call on

God’s LIGHT brings JOY! Guess who’s back? students’ lives to be kingdom workers Back Again? KJ’s BACK!

New friends in Kenya!

ciy.com Happy 50 Years, CIY! Watch out, there’s some NINJAS! @christinyouth Kingdom Workers love like Jesus loves.

@ciysuperstart @mixciy @ciyengage “Conversations are @ciymix the foundation for discipleship.”

THIS. Aliens + DOnuts = MIX @ciybelieve @ciyaeffect @ciymove

Celebrating another amazing summer!

KINGDOM WORKER CONNECTION Amplifying christ’s call on students’ lives to be kingdom workers

ciy.com @christinyouth

@ciysuperstart @mixciy @ciyengage @ciymix

@ciybelieve @ciyaeffect @ciymove 36 STORIES FROM THE ROAD Engage is continuing to train students for a life of Kingdom work by leading trips to countries all over the world. Young people on these trips go through training that includes Engage’s Seven Mission Principles. The following are testimonies from Kingdom workers who have traveled with Engage and participated in the training.

HAILEY KINSTLE, 17 (NORTHERN IRELAND)

Northern Ireland was beautiful and I would love to go back, and I loved the ways in which I got the opportunity to serve. But truth be told, I think one of the main reasons God wanted me to go was to meet the people on the trip with me. God stood right alongside me and made one connection at a time and put me in situations that gave me no choice but to connect. Was I myself equipped to go on such a trip and be so close to these people, no – but God handled that. He doesn’t call you so He can hang up on you. He calls you and shows up right by your side.

ALYSSA HUMPHREYS, 17 (KENYA)

In America we tend to get caught up in our lives. We pray for the future or for something we want God to give us, which isn’t bad. But in Kenya these people are praying for the here and now. They rely on God for their every meal. Although most of us might not be in that situation, I learned that I need to put that into my life. Praying with the certainty that God is here right in this moment – not waiting to pray for it later. Passionate prayer can connect us to God in ways we may never expect.

JOSIE PRITCHETT, 19 (NORTHERN IRELAND)

Each night we were challenged to give a short testimony to the youth of Northern Ireland, and many of the stories people shared really resonated with me. The conversations I had have shown me that I’m never alone in my struggles, and it gave me the confidence and courage to go up there and share my story, as well. The Northern Irish youth are awesome and funny. I was miles and miles from my comfort zone, but I still managed to connect with them, and it’s all because of God, not me. He is my strength, and we prayed throughout the entire trip to give Him total control.

COLE MASSEY, 20 (POLAND)

In my discomfort, I began to realize that the Lord was trying to teach me something: It is OK to be uncomfortable and not be in control of your circumstances. In fact, I believe the Lord can teach us the most in those scenarios because we are more inclined to lean on Him. I am a child of God, but I find myself caring way too much about myself. I find myself making assumptions and judging people way too quickly. I find myself holding grudges against people for stupid reasons. I find myself lacking joy a lot of the time. Sometimes we have to get uncomfortable and lose control to experience pure joy.

TO READ MORE STORIES OF KINGDOM WORKERS TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY WITH CIY, PLEASE VISIT KW-HUB.COM/STORIES

KINGDOM WORKER HUB 37

CHRIST IN YOUTH 38 THERE’S NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT Young people all over the world are hearing Christ’s call on their lives to be Kingdom workers, but millions more still need to hear the call ... and CIY hopes to expand its reach globally

them with unique gifts, talents and magine a student who has felt abilities that they can use for a purpose in confused, betrayed, hurt … alone. His Kingdom. But millions more still need They’ve been living in the darkness to hear that call on their lives. Millions of the world’s lies for so long that more are still living in the dark … Ithey’ve become used to the dull life that’s been presented to them. And … it’s time to bring them to the light. then suddenly they’re presented with something new – a hope that shines a light The summer may be over, but CIY is still so bright that nothing will ever be the calling students to Kingdom work. Believe same. and SuperStart both start their tours to Jr. highers and preteens this fall, and Engage That’s the experience many students had is already prepping for next year’s slate of this summer while attending CIY’s MOVE international trips that will start in and MIX events. Quite literally, students January. responded to Christ’s call on their lives Beyond that, there are many ways that the to be Kingdom workers by stepping into ministry is expanding – from additional the light. With tears streaming down their Scott Walker events, to new global locations like Ireland faces and optimistic smiles blooming, and Canada, and even to new buildings. they stepped boldly into splashes of light SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT placed around the room and proclaimed CHRIST IN YOUTH Will you help the ministry of CIY reach their desire to make Jesus their Lord and those many millions of young people Savior. around the world who are desperate for I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO CIY’S the hope of Christ? There are so many Those are the moments that Christ In MULTIPLY CAMPAIGN: ways to partner with the ministry – Youth exists for. The ministry has _ I would like to give a one-time $50 gift. through prayer, through promotion and continued for 50 years to obediently live through providing of your finances and out the mission that God has put forward _ I would like to give a one-time $500 gift. resources. Would you prayerfully consider to amplify Christ’s call on the life of a _ I would like to give a one-time gift of ______. how you might partner with the student to be a Kingdom worker. ministry in one of these ways? And if the _ I would like to give a monthly gift of ______Holy Spirit encourages you, would you Powerful moments like these happen at throughout 2019. more than 100 events all over the U.S. please consider giving CIY a financial gift every year. They also happen during the that will help us reach more young people nearly 20 mission trips that take place PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS for Christ? in locations all over the world, as well as MORE GIVING AND PARTNERSHIP Together, we can influence a generation through the powerful resources CIY OPPORTUNITIES WITH CIY. for the Kingdom! continues to create. NAME ______ADDRESS ______Young people all over the world are CITY, STATE, ZIP ______learning, sometimes for the first time ever, Scott Walker is the senior director of development EMAIL/PHONE ______that God loves them and that He has made for Christ In Youth. To find out more about ministry partnerships, contact Scott at [email protected].

KINGDOM WORKER HUB CIY coordinates and produces programs, events and trips for students in grades four through college throughout the U.S. and the world, and develops resources that benefit the local church. CIY amplifies Christ’s call on students’ lives to be Kingdom workers.For more information, visit ciy.com.

A two-day interactive weekend event designed specifically for preteens (4-6 grades), engaging their growing minds and teaching them more about the Bible. ciy.com/superstart CONTACT: Logan Sperry · [email protected]

ST. LOUIS, MO PHOENIX, AZ DALLAS, TX , IN ATLANTA, GA LOUISVILLE, KY , TX , IL ORLANDO, FL TULSA, OK CINCINNATI, OH

Believe is a high-energy weekend event for Jr. high students only, packed with powerful worship and teaching from God’s Word. ciy.com/believe CONTACT: Juan Fallas · [email protected]

DALLAS, TX TULSA, OK KISSIMMEE, FL KANSAS CITY, MO IRVINE, CA LOUISVILLE, KY SPRINGFIELD, IL ABDERSON, IN PORTLAND, OR CINCINNATI, OH ATLANTA, GA HOLLAND, MI

Engage offers mission trips that train students to engage other cultures of the world for the Kingdom of God. ciy.com/engage CONTACT: [email protected] NORTHERN IRELAND CAMBODIA POLAND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAITI HONDURAS PUERTO RICO KENYA

A five-day summer program for high school students to experience God, including daily devotions, dynamic worship, community discipleship and Biblical teaching. ciy.com/move CONTACT: Joel Yates · [email protected] MISSOURI ALABAMA NEBRASKA CALIFORNIA MICHIGAN ILLINOIS TENNESSEE FLORIDA TEXAS OHIO COLORADO OREGON MARYLAND INDIANA ARKANSAS CANADA IRELAND MASSACHUSETTS

A four-day summer conference for middle school students (6-8 grades) designed to address the unique spiritual, cognitive and developmental needs of that age group. ciy.com/mix CONTACT: Titus Weece · [email protected] CALIFORNIA OKLAHOMA PENNSYLVANIA MISSOURI OHIO MICHIGAN INDIANA TENNESSEE NEW MEXICO TEXAS FLORIDA WASHINGTON ILLINOIS KENTUCKY Conversations are the foundation of discipleship. Kingdom Worker Week sets you up for conversations that matter.

Nov 4-10

KW7 celebrates the core of discipleship: conversations. Releasing this November, five small group experiences, five conversations that matter, all mobile and on-demand.

kingdomworkerweek.com