Youth Encounter

Come celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Youth Encounter August 12-14, 2005. There will be many events held throughout the weekend, including time devoted to alumni, concerts and sharing by this year’s teams, and a picnic celebrating homecoming and Youth Encounter’s anniversary. Details are below, but if you have further questions, or would like to register for the event contact Michelle Evens at michelle@youthencounter.org or 651-287-8471.

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Lots of Exciting News Regarding Quakes and Zones!
Discounts, Registration Info, and More!
Jennifer Noyes

We're gearing up for our 2005-2006 Events with new themes and new discounts!

1. Announcing Online Registration!
We are so excited to introduce online registration! Right now, you can fill out your Early Bird Discount Qualification Form, which saves you $15 off the standard registration price! Later this summer, you will be able to register online. If you’d rather register via paper, you can download our registration forms today!

2. New Discounts!
You asked, and we listened! In addition to offering the Early Bird Discount, we now offer an additional three discounts! Wow!

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Youth Create 2005 A Great Success
"Another Manifestation of God At Work"
Cathy Pino

Once again, God blessed us with another great Youth Create experience last month as participants and staff gathered at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for a week-long worship leading and creative arts retreat.

Highlights of the week included sessions led by alumni from Captive Free West Lakes of 1999-2000 (Sarah Anderson, Phil Greve, Kirsten Lyshoj, Jeromy Dorsing, Beth Gearhart, Shane Flynn and Jo Barrett), a dance workshop led by youth leader Stacy Goralski and YC participants Jenna Bee and Anthony Eder, a community art project facilitated by staff and team alum Erin DeBoer, yummy food and kitchen wisdom from Captive Free and Coast To Coast alum Cammy Anderson, the "kitchen dance" by Anthony and the KP Crew, late night movie mania, dodge ball, anime art lessons, a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, corporate worship, family time, "Catch Phrase," a songwriter's coffeehouse, and of course, the Youth Create Variety Show!

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Look Out For Lost And Found
Hymnody, Germany, and a New CD
Kate Tripoli

Lost And Found, possibly the world’s most famous purveyors of “speedwood” music, is always on the move. In the middle of a Midwest tour, vocalist and guitarist Michael Bridges spoke to Youth Encounter about hymns, intergenerational church experiences, and the band’s new CD, Pronto.

Why did you choose to release a hymn CD? It seems like it’s kind of the “in thing” for Christian artists to do now.

MB: Speedwood Hymns came out over a year ago, and actually, I was unaware that anyone else was covering traditional hymns. George [Baum, vocalist and pianist] and I grew up in the Lutheran church, and we have always appreciated traditional hymns. I think they are very singable, very enjoyable. Adult types always assume kids don’t like hymns, but they love them if nobody has told them they shouldn’t like them. I mean, when I was young, I was listening to the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, and I would also walk around my house humming “Beautiful Savior.”

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

The Courage to Wonder
Reflections on Youth Ministry
Tiger McLuen

We live in an answer-oriented society; we gravitate to people and organizations that promise answers to the problems that plague us. And the church is often in follow-the-leader mode. Too many youth workers are looking for someone else’s answers rather than wrestling with the right questions. Jesus was no answer-man. His favorite teaching technique was asking questions, many of which had no “right” answer. In a quick skim through the Gospels, you’ll find Jesus asked at least 109 distinct questions. Author Dennis Miller says Jesus asked questions ten times more than he gave answers. And he often responded to questions by asking another question. Why? Was he just trying to be annoying? Of course not. Jesus used questions as all good teachers do—to engage learners’ minds and hearts. We can use questions to teach, to challenge, to expose, and to encourage. Shouldn’t we take Jesus’ example seriously and begin to be people of the question?

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Amazing and Encouraging
Read Excerpts from Captive Free North East's Online Journal
Captive Free North East

Our third day of VBS in Jacobus, PA! We have all been able to develop relationships with a number of kids and also adults! It has been amazing and encouraging that there are so many kids attending VBS and hearing about God's love and how he calls us to his family. The kids have been participating so well in all aspects of the program and have been learning many new songs! This year on the road has been great as I have learned a lot of new songs, especially sing-alongs for kids. The exciting part for me has been going to places that these songs are new to and being able to teach them and see the joy and excitement in their faces! It has been somewhat like that this week. We actually got to teach the Sheep song and the Hippo song, and no one knew them at all! So cool!

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

A New Look at Jesus
Read Excerpts from Captive Free West Lakes' Online Journal
Captive Free West Lakes

West Lakes leads VBS kids in a great sing-along!

Hello from Marion, Wisconsin! I know that it has been ages since I have written, but I can assure you that my lack of writing doesn't mean that there has been a lack of amazing ministry moments. Through the weariness and frustrations that come from a year on the road, God has truly worked through my team. I'm going to be honest, though, and say that I wasn't the most excited about coming back after Memorial Day. With only the summer to go, I was tired and ready to be done. I went into VBS training struggling to see why I was still doing this, but something God showed me once again is that none of this is about me. I was down because I was consumed in myself, but when my team came together to rehearse for our program at training, it was clear why I had come back. When we came together, all of the petty irritations and hurts didn't matter; we came together to worship and glorify Jesus. I was so encouraged that night because I experienced the beauty that comes when people lay down their pride and simply kneel before the one true and living God.

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

I Hope I Can Learn to Want What I Have
Read Excerpts from Cross Fire's Online Journal
Cross Fire

Josh gets a unique fashion treatment experience

Since returning from East Africa, I've had many wonderful experiences. It's been interesting to see how I look at things differently this past month. To see how different some things are and how similar others are when I compare my Team experiences in East Africa and the United States. One thing is communication. It's much easier to communicate with friends and family now that we're back. Some of our host families have internet access and let us use their e-mail and telephones. It's great. The other is getting back to our friendly 15-passenger white van and trailer. We used to complain about "living in the van," but after experiencing East African transportation, we are living the luxurious life in the van that seats 6 with spaces for many more. On the flip side, some things are very similar. Back in the USA, we continue to meet amazing kids and adults, and we experience God's wonderful love in so many places.

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Youth Encounter Qualifies for Thrivent GivingPlus
Gifts from Thrivent Members Are Eligible for a 50% Match
Brett Koopman

We are excited to announce that Youth Encounter now qualifies as a Thrivent GivingPlus^® recipient. That means that gifts to Youth Encounter up to $600 are eligible for a 50% match by Thrivent if you are a Thrivent member. We are so grateful to be included in this fantastic program.

The GivingPlus^® Member Gift Form must be completed and sent to Youth Encounter with your gift for us to receive those matching dollars. Please click here to download that form. Also, if you are not a member of Thrivent, you may apply to be an Associate member for $10, which will allow you to participate in the GivingPlus program. You may click here to learn more about the requirements for becoming an Associate Member of Thrivent.

The following is valuable information regarding this program:

[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY]

Team CD Summer Sale
Get Yours While Supplies Last!
Ryan Veil

That’s right! This year’s Captive Free and International Teams are almost done, and we still have CDs in stock! Youth Encounter is marking the team CDs down 40% from $10.00 to only $6.00! Call 800-659-6884 x8489 or e-mail sales@youthencounter.org and mention this ad to take advantage of this great price! Quantities are limited, so hurry up, because when each team’s CD sells out, they’re gone forever!

TELL A FRIEND