With Most Youth Groups Closed, YFC Continues to Offer Hope Weekly

Recent YFC Event at iTramploine

"As the son of a pastor, I feel a lot of pressure to perform for my dad. I am good at playing the part of an obedient child in front of him. My parents shelter me and I feel like I am being suffocated. Seven months ago, I tried drugs for the first time in my home with two of my friends from church. When my parents found out they were devastated. They thought they could trust us because all three of our families were close and part of the church. Because of this I was grounded for 6 months and I couldn't see any of my friends; I couldn't even go to church. I was held at home like a prisoner without a phone or video games. My depression and anxiety got worse and I would cry and shake myself to sleep. My night terrors became more frequent, which I kept a secret from my parents.

As my grounding lifted, I had an opportunity to join YFC's regional club events, such as going to the beach, mini golf, bowling, day camp and hiking. One of the YFC staff had reached out to me because my church youth group had stopped meeting due to COVID. YFC helped me to feel less judged and more normal, especially because of my bad choices and also the challenges of school and church lockdowns. At each event I would learn more and more about finding my identity in Jesus and my anxiety started to lessen. My night terrors have even stopped completely. I thank God for Youth for Christ and the leaders that help me process my mistakes and personal challenges. Without them I don't know where I would be."

Luke, 10th Grader, Homeschool