@ Youth Encounter

In January, Cross Fire welcomed two new Ghanaian teammates, Elvis Kafui Doe and Matthew Abudulia, to join them in their overseas ministry. Youth Encounter looked forward to welcoming Elvis and Matthew as members of the 2003-04 Cross Fire team, but unfortunately, was unable to obtain visas in order for them to serve with Cross Fire in the United States. Believing in their call to ministry, Youth Encounter made arrangements for Elvis and Matthew to join the Cross Fire team upon their arrival in Ghana. Please enjoy the following paragraphs from members of the now-complete Cross Fire team, as we celebrate their ministry and praise God for joining us together with our brothers in Christ, Elvis and Matthew:
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Greetings From the New Event Director!
News From the Event Division
by Danielle Tietjen

I just spent the weekend at the Newport, Oregon Quake on the Pacific coast and in three weeks will be on the Atlantic coast at the Florida Quake. I spent three weekends in Texas and two in Wichita, Kansas. My job here at Youth Encounter sends me all over the country to host youth events that rekindle the flame of the light of Christ that lives within us. How amazing is my job! I started as the new Event Ministry Director on December 8th and shortly thereafter was up to my eyeballs in details looking at a pretty crazy schedule that is the Event season. My name is Dani Tietjen and I work at Youth Encounter. My first experience with Youth Encounter was when I was a freshman in High School and my youth group went to our first Quake and had the time of our life!
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Video Spectacular!
Resource Ministries
by Ryan Veil

Just in time for April Fool’s Day!

and

are pleased to announce:
The HappyFunTime Video Sale Spectacular!
While supplies last Youth Encounter will be selling both of HFT’s Sketch Comedy Parable Videos for the rock bottom price of $20 (plus $5 shipping and handling).
What could be more foolish than that?
For those who don’t know, a "Sketch Comedy Parable" is a funny, wacky story with a message. If you want to get an idea of what these sketches are like you can check some of our videos out online at http://www.happyfuntime.com/.

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Captive Free North West
Check Out Excerpts from Their Online Journal!
by Captive Free North West

“ We just got done with our Quake here in Bozeman, and I'm pretty sure it was my favorite event so far. I had a blast at every single music set, and all of those went really well. But I think my biggest high for the weekend was being able to connect with the Junior Guides (high school helpers) and hang out with them during the Trek times. They were a pretty amazing group of youth, and they were a ton of fun to hang out with. I received probably the greatest compliment I could have received while being on team this morning.
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Captive Free East Lakes
Check Out Excerpts from Their Online Journal!
by Captive Free East Lakes

“Hey ya'll. The terrible thing about being in Captive Free is that we as a band never get to see the fruit that God reaps from the seeds that we plant. But, a gift from God to both parties, tonight, after our concert, a young person from the crowd came up and revealed that we had truly prepared a place for God to come into our presence through the worship this evening. This girl said that we had helped her realize how close God really is to everyone. She told us about the very hard time she'd been going through and allowed some of us to pray with her. It was an incredible experience for us as well as for her.
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What Are You Doing Next Year?
A Year of Ministry--A Lifetime of Experience!
by Jeff Rowdon

Hello from the Recruitment Department! Right now our International Teams to Denmark, West Africa, Germany, South America, Papua New Guinea and Australia are about halfway through their overseas tour. It’s exciting to think of all the experiences and people these Teams are encountering, together with the ministry that they are participating in!

Our 2004-2005 International Teams will be visiting the countries of Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda, Ecuador/Venezuela, Philippines/Taiwan, Denmark, and Australia. We are also recruiting folk to serve on eight stateside (Captive Free) teams.
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Side By Side Global Work Crews
A Word from the Side By Side Director
by Emma Kasiga

“The most significant thing learned on this trip: That you can be best friends with someone who doesn’t speak your language.”

~Ryan, Side By Side Global Work Crew to Tanzania, 2003

The mission of SIDE BY SIDE is to build genuine relationships founded in God’s love, forged in the experience of cross-cultural living, working, and worshipping “side by side”.

Are you ready to experience how God will use YOU in on a short-term overseas ministry crew this summer? We still have spots available on our Side By Side Global Work Crews to India and Belize for this summer, happening from July 9^th to August 6^th 2004!
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Spotlight on Agape
Musician Dave Scherer Shares About His Music and Ministry
www.hiphopoutreach.com
by Youth Encounter

David Scherer (a/k/a Agape) has inspired youth from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Spokane, Washington with his relational ministry “Hip Hop Outreach.” Using Rhythmic American Poetry (rap), he is able to reach the young people of today in a way that they really "get it." He combines dancing, rapping, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish to captivate his audience and challenge them to explore their faith. He has produced two CDs, Bridge the Gap and, most recently, Many Rooms. Youth Encounter was pleased to minister with Agape at two Youth EncounterEvents this year. You can find more information about Dave’s ministry at www.hiphopoutreach.com , including concert and booking information, photos, and opportunities to check out his unique style of music and ministry. You can also call Rachel at 1-800-65YOUTH (651-287-9688) extension 258. Recently, Dave was kind enough to take some time to answer a few questions and share about his ministry:
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Fellowship Dinner 2004
Save the Date!
by Brett Koopman

Youth Encounter's 5th Annual Fellowship Dinner will take place on May 16, 2004 in St Louis Park, Minnesota. This year's event will focus on the leadership impact of Youth Encounter Team Alumni. Confirmed speakers include Reverend Jana Swenson, Director of Small Group Ministries at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minnesota and Carl Stecker, Senior Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS, Catholic Relief Services, Baltimore, Maryland. Youth Encounter’s International Team Kindred will provide music and share about their ministry in Peru and Bolivia. Please join us for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship as we experience the impact of Youth Encounter's ministry around the world. For more information, please contact Brett Koopman at 1-800-65YOUTH, or by e-mail: brett@youthencounter.org .

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