Youth Encounter

We all have a cause we care about—whether it's finding a cure for cancer, saving the environment, finding homes for abandoned pets or so many other worthwhile endeavors. But what we don't all have is the time or money to support these efforts as much as we'd like. So, what if we could raise money for our favorite charities and schools by doing something we do every day—searching the Internet?

That’s the question the founders of GoodSearch asked themselves a few years ago. GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers—the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!
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Register Today for EDGE and Rock the Campus!
Volunteers Wanted: Apply Now
Dani Tietjen

The summer National Event deadlines are here!

I know you’ve probably put it off till the very last minute, but now there’s no time to wait! The Early Bird Deadline for Rock the Campus has already passed and EDGE’s first deadline is January 31. If you are planning on going, this is hands down the cheapest way to make it to either of these Events. You can register for EDGE or Rock the Campus online at http://secure.youthencounter.org/eseries/scriptcontent/online_registration.cfm, or by downloading the forms and mailing or faxing them in. EDGE forms can be found at http://www.youthencounter.org/edge/pdf/07-edge-reg-web.pdf. Rock the Campus forms are found at http://www.youthencounter.org/rtc/reg_forms.asp.
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Holy Week Global Work Crew Trip to Guatemala
March 30 to April 6, 2007: Register Today!
Susie Anderson

As the sun rises, so does the community to begin another day, the sounds of children laughing, dogs barking, birds singing, the lingering smell of wood smoke in the air, and the sun rising over mountains shrouded by clouds. This is a typical morning in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. Tables filled with men chatting, the smell of coffee mingling with incense, the sounds of singing and people talking as they come to the mission to enjoy breakfast. So begins your day in San Lucas Toliman.

Join Youth Encounter as we spend Holy Week in beautiful San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. The community is located on the shore of Lake Atitlan and sits in the shadows of the volcanoes, Atitlan and Toliman. We will spend the week working on various projects through the local mission. We may help build a house, sort coffee beans, plant seeds for reforestation, or bend rebar to use in construction of new buildings.
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Welcome to Team, Matthew and Danny!
Are You Able to Support Their International Team Ministry?
Michelle Evens

Matthew Abudulai (Tema, Ghana; 3/13/72) has served in the Lutheran Youth Organisation in many capacities. As a local Youth President, regional Youth President and now the National Youth General Secretary. He has also served his local church as a Sunday School teacher, lay preacher, a Bible Study leader, Sunday School lessons writer, and is currently the Treasurer and the Finance Committee Chairman of Trinity Lutheran Congregation. Matthew served on Cross Fire 2003-2004 in West Africa, and never hesitated when God called him to serve again on Cross Fire 2006-2007. He is excited to share the love of Christ with hungry souls who are perishing.

Danny Romero Castillo (Chiclayo, Peru; 4/13/78) is currently studying in the University, working, and playing with a band. He enjoys playing guitar, reading, singing, playing games, making new friends, and photography.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Matthew and Danny have joined our International Team ministry! Matthew will be traveling with Cross Fire while they are in West Africa, and Danny will have the opportunity to travel with Kindred during their time in South America. Matthew and Danny bring many great musical and relational skills that will help these teams further their ministry while they are ministering to the people of Africa and South America.

Sponsorship is a vital part of Youth Encounter’s team ministry. Because of the difficult nature of raising money in these international communities, we are reaching out to the Youth Encounter family to help support the ministry of these young men.
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Want to Get Rich? Join Team!
No, Seriously.
Gary Korpi

Today is Tuesday, January 23, 2007. It has been 24 days since the last time I sat down in front of the TV to watch a program. I don’t really know why I stopped watching TV; I simply did. What is surprising to me is that I don’t miss it all that much. I think one of the reasons is that I never really enjoyed many of the shows. Have you ever noticed how much television is based on the possibility of getting rich? Game shows like “Deal or No Deal” or “One vs. One Hundred,” where you can win millions of dollars in one night, or competitions like “The Amazing Race” or “Survivor,” where contestants invest weeks of their lives, chasing the money. As entertaining as these shows may or may not be, I find myself wondering if the people on these shows know the source of true riches.
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God at Work in Regional Events
"I've Learned Great Things"
Kelly Dotson

Youth Encounter’s Events are officially in full swing! With 17 regional Events already completed, we continue to be encouraged by what God is doing through Events and by what God is teaching. Here is a brief glimpse into some of what God is revealing to youth, taken directly from evaluations we have received:
□       “Understanding it’s not about me accomplishing as much as I can but letting God accomplish through me.”
□       “I’ve learned more on just letting some things go and lifting them up to God. I want to help make a difference by spreading the Word and His kindness.”
□       “I have learned there are many ways to pray.”
□       “I’ve learned great things…to be happy with myself and that I am not just an object.”
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The Powerful Influence of Team Alumni
You Know What They Say Comes With Great Power...
Gary Korpi

One of the responsibilities and privileges I have here at Youth Encounter is to review the applications young men and women send in to us when they apply to be a part of one of our ministry teams. Answers to one question on the application are particularly enjoyable to read. That question is, “Why are you applying to do team ministry?” I enjoy reading about what has influenced these young men and women to apply for team. The one factor I see more than any thing else is the influence a former team member has in the decision making process of someone considering team. Certainly God is directing this process and there are many “God moments” in the lives of people considering team, but it seems that God uses team alumni often as He is leading someone to team ministry.
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International Teams Depart!
Overseas Tours Will Last Until May
Amber Harder

Hej! Hola! G’day! These greetings will soon fill the ears of our International Teams who venture out this month to different countries! While there, they will minister in orphanages, boarding schools, churches, street corners, and even market places!

One of the great things about the International Teams is the way in which they are used overseas. Some of the countries they will visit have not had a Youth Encounter team for many years and are anxious to work with the teams to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Some teams even have the opportunity to visit places where no other team has been before!

Cross Fire will spend nearly four months ministering in Ghana, in English-speaking West Africa. New Dawn will go to Papua New Guinea and also spend a portion of their “overseas” tour in Hawaii. Kindred will visit Peru and Bolivia. Watermark will travel to Denmark, and New Vision is returning to Queensland, Australia.
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Development Professional Needed
Youth Encounter Seeks Dynamic Fundraiser and Division Head

Youth Encounter seeks a dynamic person to fill the role of Development Division Executive. This person will also direct the Lutheran Youth Encounter Foundation. Youth Encounter is a non-profit with a mission of strengthening the Church through the Christian faith, ministry, and leadership of its youth. This is done in a variety of ways, including sending out relational music ministry teams both nationally and internationally, regional youth events, national youth events, and international and national work crews. Youth Encounter’s annual budget is approximately $6 million.
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