YFC Metro Maryland connects with Military-Connected Youth
At the start of the new year, Youth For Christ Metro Maryland in Baltimore (www.mmyfc.org), hits the ground running. Campus Life Military Director, Chris Martin, partners with local ministers and school administrators. YFC Metro Maryland wants to bring hope and healing to the military-connected youth of the community. YFC is dedicated to meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the youth. They have the second-largest workforce of any Army installation in the continental United States. There are more than 65,000 military and civilians on the installation.
Struggles with Military-Connected Youths
Since military families are often moving after a few years, they want to urgently reach military-connected youth with the Gospel. In a world full of distractions, this can be difficult.
Martin said, “Youth these days are bombarded with everything from what they hold in their hands all day long from the tablets to the cell phones, to the radio, to the movies, to the TV. They’re constantly being told who they are, what they need to buy, what they need to wear, and what they need to look like.”
Understanding the Pivotal Moments
Through all these distractions, Martin and all of the YFC Metro Maryland team are determined to come alongside these youth. They do this in hopes of sharing the love and hope of Christ. For some young people, all it takes is for someone to listen and understand their basic struggles.
“Some youth who are connected to the military are coming to school with so many struggles. This can include unstable home lives, financial issues at home, no leadership at home, and no spiritual resiliency,” said Martin. “We come alongside youth in those situations. We do this to provide an additional layer of support during such a pivotal time in their lives.”
Building Hope
Their goal is to make sure that every student feels heard and that they have someone to talk to. Martin and all YFC Metro Maryland team are tirelessly working to build up their presence in the military community. Being loved by God is the goal. Not only that, but He desires a real, intimate relationship with them.
Martin said, “I want the youth to think, ‘Today I could have dirty clothes and not much money. However, I know that Christ has a plan and a purpose for me. I may feel like I scored low on this test, but I know that this test doesn’t define me. It’s Christ that defines me.’
“When the youth see how God has a bigger purpose for their lives, I’ll know that we are making a real impact on the youth in our community.”