@ Youth Encounter

We at Youth Encounter have exciting news. We are pleased to announce that in the summer of 2006, “EDGE!,” the first annual National Summer Youth Event, will begin! There is a youth revival moving around the world, and many people have shared with us that they want a youth event with these goals as its heart and soul:

1. That young people be transformed by the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ;
2. That young people be discipled and taught the Scriptures as truth;
3. That young people be equipped to live out their faith in accordance with the Scriptures.

The date and location of the Event will be coming out in our next newsletter. Watch for more information! There will be a pre-registration in May 2005.

So why are we doing this? Youth Encounter’s intention is to serve and strengthen the Church through its youth.
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Youth Encounter Partners with Feed My Starving Children
Feeding 500,000 Starving Children
www.fmsc.org
by Youth Encounter and FMSC

Youth Encounter is THRILLED to join in partnership with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a Minneapolis-based organization driven by the mission of “feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.” Every year Feed My Starving Children produces more food for the world's starving children. Since 1993 the organization has packaged and shipped more than 22,000,000 meals. In reaching out to the world's neediest children, FMSC works with select global partners who can assure safe transit and distribution of the valuable meals.
As part of an exciting new component of Construction Zones, Youth Encounter’s brand new premiere Senior High Youth Event, participants will be taking part in an on-site service project encouraging faith in action. FMSC will be setting up work stations at each of the nine Construction Zones for our first on-site service project. Participants will be packaging nutritious, well-balanced meals that will be shipped overseas to feed starving children all over the world.
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Calm Before the Storm
The New Event Season is Almost Here!
by Jeremy Rodriguez

Back when I was in high school, I played football every season for the Morrison Mustangs. We would spend weeks preparing for the season. Rain or shine we had two practices a day, ran countless drills over and over again, were in the weight room twice a day, ran until we could not run anymore and then ran some more. All of that work, though rigorous and at times not very fun, was to prepare us for the nine games plus playoffs that made up our season. However, despite all the preparation, nothing could stop that uneasy feeling I had right before I stepped on the field, that feeling of confident uncertainty. I felt confident I was ready to play the game, but uncertain as to whether my preparations would be enough or that I had more to do to prepare. I call that feeling the “Calm before the Storm.” I am sure many of us have had this feeling before, especially when it comes to working in youth ministry.
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Captive Free North East Hits the Road!
Read Excerpts from the Team's Online Journal
by Captive Free North East

Captive Free North East is (clockwise from top left): Christie Lange, Troy Stevenson, Shelly Schwalm, Cindy McPeake, Jorden Robinson, Jeremy Thomas, and Samantha Oscar

“This ministry is so much more than I ever expected; more stuff to do in a week, more singing, more puppets, more host homes, more driving, more fun (!!), more work, more laughter, more great conversation with wonderful people from many different places. The only thing I could stand more of would have to be sleep. :) I don't think many people understand how much THEY impact US when we sit down and have a conversation with them. The Lord definitely speaks to us through other people. So far, He's got a lot to say to us!! For the most part, I think He's trying to tell me to totally rely on Him for the greatest of things to the least. From things like where we're going tomorrow and where I'm going to get my lunch. Anyways, God is teaching me to trust in Him throughout this process, which is something I'm totally stoked about!!”
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Journey with Cross Fire
Read Excerpts from the Team's Online Journal
by Cross Fire

“First of all I would like to thank God for getting Cross Fire through training and learning about different cultures around the world. It was such a neat opportunity to take with us on the road as we will find many different cultures within the United States. It has definitely changed my world view on how to treat people of different backgrounds from my own. I am so excited to be on the road finally and use what we have learned. We have been through Wisconsin, and are still in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

We stayed at a host home the other night where all of us were together and our host parents were so cool. They made us feel right at home and they were so excited to see us, having hosted previous teams in the past decade. I really felt like I was treated with royalty because of how we were treated and how much food we had the privilege in having been provided to eat. We talked with each other and laughed with each other. The last few days on the road have shown me how faithful God really is. Having given up so much material items, I feel so blessed because of having people take the time to give us food and shelter and so many other needs that there is no room for complaining."
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Dear Adventurer...
Where in the World are the Side By Side Crews Going Next Summer?
by Emma Kasiga

So… you read of the coolest faith “A-ha” moments from this past summer (if you did not, please check out on the September newsletter, archived on the left side of this page), and you are really fired up to go and experience those moments for yourself… right? Well, you are on the right path, and I promise you, I will be there all the way to help you throughout the planning and preparations before you start this new adventure in your life. It is a piece of cake if you have a friend like me to talk to about it, to ask all the questions that usually come up when you travel overseas, to tell you some fun stories of things that have happened in trips before, and even to encourage you as you strengthen your faith and depend on God a lot more than you would normally do…
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New Gear for a New Ministry Year!
Check Out Our Online Store
by Ryan Veil

The new T-shirts are here! Check out our online store at www.youthencounter.org and click on “Store” to see all the latest merchandise. Looking for a great gift for you or for someone else? Winter is just around the corner and so is Christmas. Check out our Captive Free Beanie Caps to keep your head warm this Winter…also check out the Lost And Found Christmas Album. This is perfect for all you Lost And Found lovers out there.

Are you having a Captive Free team or International band at your church? For the first time in many years, each team is recording their own CD this December. Call 800-659-6884 ext 249 or e-mail sales@youthencounter.org to preorder yours today and get free shipping!

Is your youth group going to a Quake or Construction Zone this year? E-mail sales@youthencounter.org today to find out how you and your youth group can preorder your Event T-shirts and SAVE MONEY!

Recruitment for 2005-2006 Team Ministry!!
Seeking Servants for a Year of Life-Changing Ministry
by Jeff Rowdon

As you read the title for this article you might say to yourself, “Hey it’s only 2004! Why am I reading about something that won’t even start until 2005?!” The reason is simple--many people are already beginning to wonder and pray about doing ministry with us a little less than a year from now. It seemed right to let those of you who are already interested in team--or know someone who is interested--know what we’re looking for as we look ahead to August 2005.

For 2005-2006 we plan to send 13 year-long music and relational ministry teams. These teams will include 8 National Bands that we call Captive Free that will tour different regions of the U.S. We will also send 5 International Teams headed to the U.S. and the following places: Cross Fire to French-speaking West Africa, New Dawn to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, Watermark to Germany, Watermark to Denmark and Rainbow of Promise to India and Nepal.
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