by Megan Levene

Jesus describes our community when He says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send workers.”

This year Young Life at McClure and Catharine Blaine Middle Schools are blessed with a dedicated team of workers. Eight college students and myself spend hours every week serving students. We tutor and coach. We play basketball and Play Station. We build friendships, and share the Good News of Jesus with kids. We host club at the BPC youth house – a safe place where kids hear God’s Word and experience His love.

At first glance Young Life club may seem like a bunch of rowdy kids playing around. But if you look past the yelling and the wrestling you will see hurting kids sharing their stories. You would see Izzy (not her real name), an angry 8th grader who has been in and out of foster care. Now back with her birth mom she lives in survival mode. She is bombarded by messages that tell her new shoes or a new boyfriend will bring happiness and love. Her Young Life leader is the first adult to break through the walls and earn her trust. Young Life is the first place she heard about Jesus and a new way of living.

I am excited about how God is using Young Life in our community to reach kids that represent the entire city. I am encouraged that kids like Izzy are responding to Jesus. I am thankful for the support of the Bethany community and I invite you to pray with me that God continues to use this cross-cultural ministry to change lives in our community.

If you would like to gather to pray for Young Life, please contact Megan at meganlevene@hotmail.com.