The Testimony of Upper Canada YFC

I was born out of a Prescott Kids Choir practice. As the kids sang, my attention was brought to the faces of the youth in the back row. Youth that knew of the Christ, but didn’t necessarily know the Christ. Like a sweet song from Heaven the word Hope was given. Hope. He spoke so clearly, “For I know the plans I have for you,” (declares the Lord) “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Did they know there was a God who not only loves and has saved them, but a God who wants to bless them, not harm them… A God that desires to gives them the best … not the easiest or the most common, but the best life, this side of heaven? And how could I show them what that looked like?

My Christmas present that year was a resurrecting of the old me in a new and younger body.  While writing a prayer email, and a beautiful shaping took place of what I would look like. A glimpse of the someday, and what could be  Hope for the future…

This is what I saw:

I stood beside the church, just inside her shadow, as the Father illuminated his bride, His affection, the desire of His hearts heart.. she, (his church) shone with the radiance of the sun. Jesus held her hand. And there, in the shadows we were, servants inviting and welcoming youth toward the Bride; we were always pointing up, never drawing attention to self, staying tucked in, beside, just inside her shadow.

John the Baptist understood this well when he told his followers:

“It is the bridegroom (who is Jesus) who marries the bride (who is the church), and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.  He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:29-30

The focus must always be on the Bride and Groom. This is eternal, and we know only what is eternal will survive in the end. YFC will mould into the Bride, becoming less and less… the bride and groom will remain.

And so I, Upper Canada YFC began…

God set out to show me a church youth group, the chosen group where He would begin. Together we found one… this church let me hang out and teach the leadership team during VBS. St Johns Anglican was her name, and her heart beat in rhythm with the Fathers for youth and families in the Prescott Community. He then introduced me to another part of His bride… a livelier part, and her name was Seaway. Seaway also joined in serving.  We were made up of two very different parts of the same cherished bride. And God’s pleasure was on us as he lead us by the hand inviting, teaching, illuminating, and redeeming lives as only He can.

We could go on about How God has used Upper Canada YFC to be glorified, but you have newsletters, and a quote book on your tables that does this as well. When you read through all that God has done, I would ask that you rejoice in A God that includes us, his children, His bride in the work that he has begun…

 

On this table we have three things that represent what we would call core values of Upper Canada YFC…

1. A pitcher and basin:  Serving

In contrast with modern culture, Upper Canada YFC has been called to serve… and specifically serve the local church. When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples on their last night together, He didn’t say, “lets partner in death and resurrection” He became a servant, sacrificed and gave of himself fully in order that We would be fully redeemed and brought back into a right relationship with the Father. Rural churches are quickly becoming extinct, and partnering with them is not always an option. We cannot ask for what they do not have. No more than Christ could not ask of us for what we do not have. It is our desire to serve the local church. And if we are doing what we have been called to do, as a servant we will prop up His bride stay in Her shadow, and go unnoticed. I am aware that this is not popular practice, but it is pure and simple Biblical servanthood. As we honour and serve His bride, we are blessed.

2. Communion: Remembering

Bread and Wine, representing the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ that was poured out for the complete payment of all of humanities wrongdoing for all of time. In a world that is quickly forgetting the difference between right and wrong, a sober reminder of God’s sacrifice is needed. It is also something that every Bible believing church practices… Bringing unity by honouring the one that we all call our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. As we are unified through communion, the story of Salvation will continue to be heard, and not forgotten.

3. Bible: living and teaching

The living, breathing word of God. Teaching youth the word of God. Need I say more? Timeless wisdom can be found in these pages, not to mention the Holy Spirits ability to woo us putting God and us in our rightful place in Eternity. We live and teach youth the word of God because it is the only truth that will last when all else is gone.

Through the personalization of YFC, you have seen how we began, in the newsletter and quote book, you can see what we do… and what about the future of Youth for Christ?

We have always said that Upper Canada YFC starts and ends with the local church. Begins with serving and working with, and ends with bums in pews, lives in active church community. What does this look like?

About a month ago YFC was in Athens and met with a group made up of believers and local pastors. They asked why we were there, I said we were invited. They asked what YFC’s plan for Athens was, and we said it depended on what their plan was. Athens, the little village of Athens, has two very successful, very active youth groups. But the people that I met with knew that the groups they were ministering to were only a small percentage of what could be. In looking at what works in their community, hiring within that community, and having programs run by the people that know their community best, the success of more youth coming to Christ will become a reality. We have been doing international missions like this for years, why do we not do the same thing in our own back yards?

The example of what is happening in Athens is a very tangible example of where the future is at with Upper Canada YFC. It is our hope to have a YFC plant beside every community with active churches in the Upper Canada region. This area is the same as the Upper Canada district School board region. We would love to begin, manage, and gift back to each community a YFC.