- 3 days of YFC Camp bring hope to those inside prison
- 28 kids made a first-time decision to follow Christ!
Imagine having never experienced the carefree joy of childhood. Imagine living in survival mode for years, surrounded by hard circumstances, finding yourself repeating wrong choices that have been modeled for you. Where is your hope?
This summer, we brought YFC Camp to prison. Many of the 70 young people we met in this detention center have never experienced the freedom of childhood, forced to grow up way too fast. YFC Camp let them be kids again and brought hope inside the walls of prison. You helped bring Jesus to prison.
“When I first meet with incarcerated kids, I ask them on the first day: “Where do you see yourself in the future?” The majority of them say: “I don’t see myself living to be 25. I see myself either in jail or living on the streets.” – Carlos, YFC JJM Leader & Camp Director
You are an important part of changing this story and speaking life into young people.
The daily themes of Camp were: I am loved, I am worthy, I am enough.
Side by side with you, this Camp is one way we’re changing the futures of young people by creating more safe, positive community spaces for them to thrive and think about their future differently.
“It’s one of the few times you’ll ever see a camp where there’s an inflatable water slide surrounded by a barbed wire fence.” – Karly, YFC National JJM Leader
Whether on a water slide or dunk tank, creating vision boards or in small group discussions, all 70 young souls were introduced to the relentless grace, mercy and acceptance of Jesus inside this jail. All were reminded that we all fall short and are afflicted by sin, but sin doesn’t have the final word. Grace does. Jesus does.
By the end of Camp…
- The love of Jesus broke through 70 unique stories of pain, regret, loss and yes, some bad choices
- We collected 160 prayer cards expressing raw, honest emotions about their new seeds of faith in a God that loves them, sees them and knows their story.
- Mentoring relationships were formed and deepened for ongoing follow up.
“…I was in prison and you came to me.” – Jesus, (Matthew 25:36, ESV)
But the Gospel isn’t a “get out of jail free” card. Jesus wants more for these young people, He wants to set captives free from sin, fear and brokenness in their hearts, souls, and minds. And during YFC Camp, His grace was not without effect!
Hear from the kids themselves in their thank you notes:
“Being in camp was a really good experience. The YFC leaders helped me understand a little bit more about what love really is. They spoke words of God into us, and made it known that we are worthy of God’s love and his Grace.” – S., – 16-year-old girl
“I’ve never been to a camp before and this truly made me feel like I am loved and it made me think differently. It inspired me to want to do better.” – C., 15-year-old girl
“All the staff were reassuring and positive. They made me feel closer to God and made sure I felt enough, even though it’s hard to feel okay while you’re in here.” – T., 13-year-old boy
“All the Camp teachers, even though they had never met me, showed me that even strangers love and care.” – M., 14-year-old-girl
“During the art class we set a vision and future goal that I want to meet. They let me know that I am more than enough in God’s eyes and reminded me that I will always be loved by God. Most people couldn’t have fun like we did, because we all grew up too fast.” – J., 16 year old boy
God has always been about setting the captive free. Jesus demonstrated that and calls us to join in His redemptive work in a hurting world.
Your investment helps YFC Camp leaders earn the trust of those in charge of juvenile facilities so an event like this can happen. In fact, the superintendent of the facility chose the daily themes for the camp because the youth have been struggling with low self-worth, not knowing they could still have any hope of a future or a purpose.
Thank you again for partnering with Youth for Christ and being a vital part of ministering to the lost and hurting.
YFC’s Juvenile Justice Ministry exists to create a faith-based continuity of care around young people during any point of contact with the juvenile justice system. Our strategy is build relationships that are sustained through ongoing involvement as young people navigate the different pillars of the juvenile justice system: Community, Courts, and Corrections. LEARN MORE