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The 2019-2020 School Year—Unlike Any Other! These past three months have affected our world in so many ways! Businesses shut down, most of us were in lock down mode, and SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED to finish out the school year! Simply Amazing!

I knew during this unique and troubling time, that the ministry of YFC was critical to continue! As the days and weeks progressed, students seemed to be on an “emotional roller coaster”! From the initial jubilation of an extended break, to missing their friends and the sense of any normalcy.

We found some students to get extra anxious, lonely, exposed to turmoil in their homes, and often confused! The issues in students lives may have changed, but how they attempted to navigate through it was typical for many.

There was still so much of the school year left remaining, and students and administrators weren’t sure of the eventual shut down until well into the lock down. Once it was announced, the emotions felt were rampant once again. Although some were happy, the majority were not, as they have never experienced something like this in their lives.

Mason-Dixon YFC was positioned to make the shift so we could be there for students as we have for over 73 years. I admit, it presented our leadership with some serious challenges. How could we make this work? It didn’t take us long to develop a plan, make the necessary adjustments, and move into full force, relational youth ministry virtually!

God used us, and continues to, in incredible ways! Lives were, and are, being impacted! I am so proud of our leaders for rising to the occasion to minister!

We have faced numerous challenges. Technology doesn’t always work for everyone. Our resources were greatly limited. Our financial income has been a fraction of normal. Yet, God clearly is using us to impact students!

Please pray and contribute if you can. WE NEED YOU! Gary Grecco, Executive Director

What A Year 2020 Has Been! See Inside What God Has Been Doing Through

Two Upcoming Events For Adults & Students

Even With So Many Challenges, God Is Surely Using YFC!

Mason-Dixon Run

Saturday, August 29th

Both a 5K and

a 10 Miler Race

Great Course & Prizes

masondixonrun.com

YFC GOLF CLASSIC

Friday, September 18th

The Links at Gettysburg

1 OR 2 Rounds—-FREE

masondixonyfc.org/events

YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT SUSTAINS US TO KEEP REACHING YOUTH FOR CHRIST!

The Words Of A Student Speak Clearly The Mission Of YFC

Emily Lovell is a member of the graduated Class of 2020 from Hanover Senior High School. She and her sisters have all been deeply involved in the ministry of YFC for many years. As Emily was applying for scholarships, she was asked to

complete an essay of how she turned hardships in life into achievements. The following is Emily’s submission.

The Path Of Faith and Achievement

Everyone has a multitude of hardships that they face in life, but what about achievements? Sometimes it seems as though it's easier to describe our failures

rather than successes because it's easy to feel bad for ourselves, yet we are reluctant to afford ourselves due credit.

My biggest achievement in the whooping almost 18 years of life that I've accomplished, is my faith. The connection with the Lord that I have not only built up within myself, but my community as well, has filled me with great happiness and satisfaction. My biggest goal in life is to spread the gospel and leave the name of Jesus in my wake no matter where I go, and I have put myself in a fantastic place to do so.

Youth For Christ is an outreach program being utilized to reach young teens and provide them a safe space to learn and grow within their relationship with Christ. I started out as a student with a troubled past and no connection to anybody in my community, or any sense of security. I was a kid with a troubled past and a troubled family situation, and now I couldn’t be more proud of who I have become due to this amazing program, but also my dedication to thriving and breaking the cycle that my family had created all around me.

My family has been involved for as long as I can remember, but I personally have been invested as a student for five years, a student leader for two, and an intern for one. Throughout these years I have managed to allow my leaders to bring me closer with God, but I have been afforded the opportunity to be the leader in my community, a leader of such a journey, and I could not be more thankful. YFC has allowed me to expand my social skills and widen my horizon of what I am capable of. I have been able to pull myself up the totem pole of leadership, and the higher I get, the more wide spread my voice will be. The more change I will be able to accomplish in the lives of others.

I will be attending Shippensburg University in the fall of 2020 with the intention of majoring in Communications/Journalism. I believe that this degree will help me with my overall goal by affording me the necessary tools and skills to effectively reach others all throughout the community of not only my home town, but all that are within my grasp. I intend to use my extended education to spread the Gospel and spread the love of Jesus Christ in hopes of one day running my own ministry site and having my own team of leaders that I pour into and give the opportunities that were once afforded to me.

I have managed to build myself up thus far and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon. Quitting is not an option, and there is no such thing as striving too hard to accomplish one’s goal.

We LOVED having Emily so involved in YFC these past years and pray the very best for her as she will be a freshman at Shippensburg University in the fall!

Mason-Dixon

Youth For Christ

Ministry Sites:

In Maryland:

Shiloh Middle

North Carroll Middle

Franklin Middle

Manchester Valley

Man Valley Girl Talk

Westminster High

Winters Mill High

Northwest Middle

In Pennsylvania:

Hanover Area High

Southwest High

Hanover Area Girl Talk

Bermudian Springs

Middle

New Oxford Middle

EHMIS/Hanover Middle

In this day of constantly changing regulations, determining what is open, what is not, and what you can do versus what you can not do, YFC is committed to do whatever is necessary to continue our vital work in outreach youth ministry! Our incredible staff have been flexible with our approach, while dedicated to stay in relationship with as many students that God will allow! All the while, staying safe and healthy for both our

students and staff!

RELATIONSHIPS

This has always been, and will always be, a high priority to reach students in AUTHENTIC CHRIST SHARING RELATIONSHIPS! We work hard to earn the trust of students! We deeply care about them and fully desire to come along side them in these important developing years to help them and to point them in the way of the Gospel!

BIG TRIPS

Unfortunately, our annual big events (Heatwave for HS students, YFC Camp for MS students, Project Serve at Camp or otherwise for all students and staff) have been cancelled this year. Bummer! However, we are strategically planning creative and exciting activities and events

that continue to connect students together and with our staff!

VIRTUAL MINISTRY

Immediately at the time of lock down, our leadership created an innovative way to continue regular outreach ministry to local 11 to 19 year-old students! This presented some challenges, but our staff did an amazing job connecting through platforms such as ZOOM, Instagram, Facebook LIVE, Messenger, Remind, Group Me and the good ‘ole telephone! I am excited to tell you that YFC was able to still reach LOTS of students for our Lord through the use of technology! Lives were continually being impacted!

FACE TO FACE MINISTRY

We have stayed in constant connection with YFC/USA, who has provided lots of guidance and resources to help us through this pandemic and into the summer ministry. We have also paid close attention to both Maryland and Pennsylvania regulations, as well as the CDC guidelines to ensure safe ministry. We continue to be confident that our Lord remains in control and has this important ministry in His hands! With that said, we are just starting to see students face to face.

THIS SUMMER….. We will continue to use technology as necessary. We will focus on smaller group activities. We will stay safe and promote healthy ways to interact with as many students as possible! We will not back down from reaching as many YOUTH FOR CHRIST as God will allow!

YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT SUSTAINS US TO KEEP REACHING YOUTH FOR CHRIST!