Crossing the Finish Line, Into a New Chapter
We are roughly half way through Summer on the school calendar, and there are some incredible stories and some exciting updates that I am eager to share with you all! It is hard to write my gratitude with a simple blog post, but I hope you know how grateful Jenn and I are for your support and prayers along the way.
Crossing the Finish Line: Summer Camp at Sharptop Cove
On June 16th, 27 kids from Independence HS got on a bus to experience the best week of their life at Sharptop Cove YL Camp in Jasper, GA. Our team at Independence fought hard all year to get kids on this trip, because we know of the impact it can make in a single kid’s life when he or she is away from home and distraction and getting a front row seat of the mercy, grace, truth, and love of the Gospel; it hangs in the air at YL Summer Camp.
This year, Independence YL’s camp trip resembled the school’s demographic more than it ever has. Young Life is slowly but surely looking more like the school that we serve, and moving away from being a thing for “just the white kids”. Independence High School has a decently large population of Burmese and Southeast Asian students whose families are refugees here on the east side of Charlotte, and we have recently started reaching this group of incredible kids! My three friends Van, Nolian, and Johnny were able to come to camp, and it was life changing for all 3 off them. Since moving to Charlotte from their home in Burma, they have never experienced a week away from home and adventure like this!
Van stood up at the end of the week at our ‘say-so’ and give his life to Christ, and Johnny and Nolian (both brothers) grew in their already existing relationships with Jesus. Johnny and Nolian have grown up in a rather strict, fundamentalistic church and I will never forget the words of Nolian as he headed home to jump back in his life after camp: “I didn’t know it was so simple”. He said this with a look of freedom and relief, as he has admittedly been trying to earn his relationship with Jesus. He never heard the message of God’s grace being free, and that there is no measure of works that one can do to earn God’s love or salvation!
By the end of the week, 9 kids from Independence gave their life to Christ in response to hearing the Gospel. It is beautiful to come home with these “new-creations” and to walk alongside them as they grow in their faith and seek to know Jesus more!
Please be praying for these kids who are new in their faith and that they would continue to grow now that they are back home. Pray also that ministry in Matthews/Mint Hill would continue to grow from this summer’s momentum.
Into a New Chapter: South Charlotte Young Life
Throughout this past Spring, the possibility for Jenn and I to move areas and pursue a new adventure within Young Life arose. The idea of gaining a promotion and a different job within a different context of the city of Charlotte was exciting, but we knew it would be uncomfortable and come with its own challenges. Through much prayer, discussion, and thought, Jenn and I felt a calling to move areas; from overseeing the towns of Matthews and Mint Hill, to overseeing a larger, different portion of Charlotte as an Associate Area Director in the South Charlotte Area!
Our time in Matthews/Mint Hill was incredibly special to us. It was our first adventure together as a young married couple and where we were able to see the Lord move in incredible ways. And it was special, because we did it together. I will never forget the first time we showed up at Independence High School a week before classes started, without knowing a single kid, and without there being any Young Life ministry yet. We walked around the track of the football field on an early August evening, just asking the Lord to move in big ways and for us to be a part of what He would be doing here.
He moved in mighty ways throughout our time here! Throughout history, God seems to use ordinary folks to carry out his great plan, and I couldn’t describe what we’ve been a part of these past 3 years any other way. From meeting a handful of kids, to starting a campaigners bible study, to starting club, to taking weekend and summer trips, to seeing many kids come to know Christ. It was all worth it.
We feel excited about handing off the baton of Matthews/Mint Hill ministry in the hands of Hunter Keyes, a first year staff person who is going to be building upon the ministry that is already here!
Please be praying for the transition of this area into the hands of Hunter and that the Lord would use him in big ways with kids and adults in the community!
We couldn’t be more thrilled to follow Jesus where He is leading! The Lord has already provided in some really awesome ways; with a house in a prime location for ministry with kids and leaders, a community of friends, and the ability for Jenn to keep her job (which she absolutely loves) with Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Please be praying that we continue to sense the Lord’s calling in our lives during this next phase, for the Lord’s favor in ministry in a new part of town and in a new school, and that Jenn and I would continue to grow in our marriage.
Again, a simple blog post is hard to put into words our gratitude for your prayers and support, but we are incredibly grateful and thankful. Stay tuned for more updates of what is to come in this new chapter in South Charlotte!
Sincerely,
Brice and Jenn
