Youth for Christ Partnership with Leeward Community Church Results in Thousands Reached
Staff & Volunteers at Nerf Night
Youth for Christ’s desire for evangelizing the lost youth of Hawaii aligns with the mission of many local churches. One such church partnership spans over a 4 decade long collaborative effort between Leeward Community Church and YFC Hawaii which has produced multiple YFC executive directors, numerous YFC staff and an overflow of YFC volunteers. All of which has resulted in thousands of youths reached, hundreds saved and an island impacted with the Gospel of Jesus.
I was one of the thousands of youths touched by LCC. I was specifically mentored by LCC congregant, Owen Yamamura, who was volunteering for Youth for Christ. The spiritual impact of Owen on my life, over 20 years ago, and the many Youth for Christ events I was invited to cannot be overstated.
On July 2, 2021, the impact of this partnership came full circle when I presented the Gospel of Christ to over 100 hundred participants at a YFC Nerf Night hosted by LCC. In the audience was the eldest daughter of Owen, Tiffany, who I had the privilege to minister to and encourage during the event. Only by God’s grace was this serendipitous moment made a reality.
Another faithful LCC partner, Abi Arakawa, has been serving for over 9 years as their Youth Minister. In addition, she has been helping with the Pearl City High School YFC campus club for years and was beaming during our Nerf event in July. Abi shared with me, “God has expanded my heart for [lost youth] in a way that I had no idea was possible,” and she adds, “I can’t wait to partner again with Youth for Christ to further our reach for our lost communities.”
In the audience that night were two self-proclaimed atheists in the audience. I, along with our Ministry Director Johanna, had the opportunity to speak with them about Christ. Youth for Christ has been shaped and built by these moments, people and church communities. May we continue to support and pray for our local churches and the work of para-church organizations, such as YFC. Our church partnerships speak boldly to God’s call for the edifying and maturation of the body of Christ to bring all to Him.
Grace and Peace,
Darren Ho
Youth for Christ Campus Minister