Mike King

Justice-Centered Mission Experiences, in KC and Mexico

Everyone gives lip service to helping without hurting.  We all know about toxic charity.  But your mission trips and your service projects still don't look any different.  And every summer we bypass our own city's blighted neighborhoods on our way to help out another city with theirs.

 

This summer, do justice right.  Come alongside vulnerable neighborhoods and bear their burdens with them.  But go deeper.  Unearth the tragedies that have been inflicted upon them.  Learn how they got that way and what we can do to heal these wounds by more than good intentions.  This summer, join a Youthfront Missional Journey in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas or at our newly-reopened site in Croc, Mexico where we'll help your church move from charity and mercy to justice.   Talk to one of our staff today.

 

WHO SAID THIS? I Can't Stop Thinking About This...

Several days ago, I got an Advent Daily Dig featuring a quote that I can't quit thinking of.  I've read it to a few people and asked them to guess who said this.  Most people think of Pope Francis, which makes sense because he has us talking about the kind of issues that this quote addresses.  We are talking about it because through his behavior he is pushing the conversation captured by the following quote to the forefront.  The Pope has been called a Marxist.  Jesus was called names also, it goes with the territory.  So now, for the quote. 

"Let everyone examine himself in the light of the Gospel and see hoLew far he is from Christ, and what is the character of his faith and love. There are many who are enkindled with dreamy devotion, and when they hear of the poverty of Christ, they are almost angry with the citizens of Bethlehem. They denounce their blindness and ingratitude, and think, if they had been there, they would have shown the Lord and his mother a more kindly service, and would not have permitted them to be treated so miserably. But they do not look by their side to see how many of their fellow humans need their help, and which they ignore in their misery. Who is there upon earth that has no poor, miserable, sick, erring ones around him? Why does he not exercise his love to those? Why does he not do to them as Christ has done to him?"    Who said this?  (The answer below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Luther, the Father of the Protestant Reformation

 

I'm Loving This Data. I Hope It Silences Some of Our Critics.

Over the last several years, I, and Youthfront have recieved criticism for challenging young people to cooperate with God's Mission in the world to bring restoration and redemption as a significant part of their Christian Formation.  Doing works of mercy and justice have been criticised as being a replacement for evangelism.  I can't begin to tell you how often we've heard a label of "social justice" attached to us as a criticism.  Most of the time, I've, we (Youthfront) absorb the criticism and continue to do what God has called us to do.  But, to be honest, it often stings because it comes sometimes from friends, or former staff of alumni who want things to stay how "they used to be."  For sure, I, we no longer train young people to engage in evangelism that starts the narrative with the fall of humanity into sin.  The story starts with God creating human beings in the image of God and that is good news.  Yes, the story includes the sinful fall of human beings.  We are all broken and in need of the work of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who brings redemptions and ultimately the restoration of all things.  We who know Christ are called to cooperate with God's movement to bring about the restoration of all things - our broken relationship with God, our own broken relationship with ourselves, our broken relationship with others and our broken relationship with the entire cosmos.  Fortunately, those who have been critical because they believe their culturally shaped understanding of Christianity is the "only truth" are being exposed more and more as having a theology that is more nationalistically and politically inspired.  Those who are embracing a more robust understanding of Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ who believe that Jesus didn't come just to get us into heaven when we die but to pick up our cross (not a democrat cross or a republican cross, and certainly not a rich cross or an American cross) and follow Jesus, bearing witness to the good news, to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with our God. This gospel is one that young people are willing to give their lives to, and YES, they are engaged in evangelism.  Here is the just released data from the BARNA Group.  Take note, "Millennials are the only generation among whom evangelism is significantly on the rise."

All that follows in the rest of this post is from the Barna Group from their report on The Most Evangelistic Generation.

They've been called "the social justice generation," and for good reason—Millennials are actively taking up the cause of the poor, the oppressed, the orphan and the widow. Yet the most common critique leveled at this surge in social compassion is that it comes at a great expense. Sure, skeptics argue, they might feed the hungry and free the captives in this life, but what about the next? According to this view, Millennials are elevating physical needs over spiritual needs and forgoing evangelism altogether. Yet the latest Barna research reveals this is not the case. In fact, in answer to the question of evangelism on the rise or in decline, Millennials are a rare case indeed. While the evangelistic practices of all other generations have either declined or remained static in the past few years, Millennials are the only generation among whom evangelism is significantly on the rise. Their faith-sharing practices have escalated from 56% in 2010 to 65% in 2013. Not only that, but born again Millennials share their faith more than any other generation today. Nearly two-thirds (65%) have presented the Gospel to another within the past year, in contrast to the national average of about half (52%) of born again Christians.

Forget Black Friday - Come to PACK FRIDAY.

In response to the devastating typhoon that surged through the Philippines killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands, our Something to Eat distribution partners at Food for the Hungry are working with other crisis response agencies to assess and address the immediate needs. 

 

Many have been asking how they can participate with Something to Eat and how we fit into this response.  It's important that aid agencies know their timing and their place in disaster response.  Flooding a country with food and medical supplies does no good if roads are impassable with debris, water isn't drinkable, and there is no gas or cooking supplies to prepare food.  The good intentions of too many aid organizations are poorly timed, are often wasted or misused, and their help ends up hurting.  Multinational organizations like the UN and Red Cross are providing this critical first step and are drawing from food stockpiles in the region.   

 

But needs will soon surpass the stockpile of regional aid and the Something to Eat meals distributed by Food for the Hungry will provide 'just in time' aid.  We have several thousand meals that are ready to be shipped and in the next few weeks we want to package even more to arrive in the Philippines precisely when they're needed most.   

 

On Friday, November 29, when many of us are shopping for Christmas presents we really don't need, join us in packaging the most critical of presents this year.  Take your family, your friends, church, small group, or office to celebrate Something to Eat's Pack Friday event.  On Pack Friday, join hundreds of others in packaging thousands of meals that in the coming weeks will be shipped to the Philippines to arrive when regional food stockpiles run thin.  Plan your day and prepare your group now.

 

Click here to register!

Don't Miss PRELUDE a SENTRALIZED Pre-Conference event, presented by YOUTHFRONT

September 25-26, 2013

PRELUDE: an introductory action, or event preceding and preparing for a principal and/or extremely important matter

We invite you to join us at Youthfront Camp, located just 15 minutes from the Sentralized conference site, and enter into a time of formation and learning with each other as we explore our participation in God's unfolding story and the transformation of the emerging generation. 

 

This year we will focus on:

* Nurturing flourishing communities of Christian practice.

* Spiritual formation of youth and young adults.

* Crafting life giving spiritual rhythms.

* Unleashing the imagination of youth and young adults for the missio Dei.

* Contextualizing Christian Formation for pre-adolescents, middle school, high school and late adolescents.

* Intergenerational ministry paradigms.

* Rethinking, reimagining evangelism.

SENTRALIZED: Sept. 26-28 

WHERE: Youthfront Camp in Edgerton, KS

WHEN: Prelude begins at 10AM on Wednesday, September 25 and ends Thursday midday, September 26 in time for Sentralized registration and kickoff.

Why another conference? Two reasons. First, we believe there is a need to continue to bring clarity to the missional conversation. By bringing together some of today's best missional thinkers; we desire to assist God's people in thinking deeply about God's mission in the world. Second, we want to ensure the missional conversation moves beyond theory. We want to inspire and propel the church to engage in God's mission in life changing ways. That is why a significant feature of the conference will focus on practical engagement; through the stories and personal examples of some of the best missional practitioners around.

For more information about Sentralized or to enroll, click the button below:

 

Something to Eat in Haiti

This is a letter we recieved from the National Coordinator for Food for the Hungry in Dominican Republic who responded to the latest crises in Haiti with food from Youthfront's Something to Eat Initiative.

This is one of the many leader moms we trained on how to combine foods for better nutrition. The Youthfront food packs were used to do the demo and then given out to share with the poorest families trained through cascade. We will send a report next week.

Thanks for your support!

Shalom,

Martha

Immigration Reform Lunch Briefing with Noel Castellanos from CCDA

Next Tuesday, April 23, Youthfront is hosting an event sponsored by the Christian Community Development Association.

CCDA is providing an Oklahoma Joe’s bbq lunch for pastors and ministry leaders.  The special guest is Noel Castellanos, CEO of CCDA.  He will be addressing the current issue of Immigration Reform.  Many churches in the KC metro support ministry initiatives among Hispanics which serve many whom are here without proper documentation.  Right now, immigration reform is at a critical juncture and many Christians are unsure what they can or should do about it. 

Join us from 11-1pm at Youthfront's auditorium to hear from Noel about how you can navigate your church to think differently about immigrants through Scripture and participate in making historic changes for millions of families that have been torn apart by poor immigration policy.  

Feel free to invite other key leaders, but please RSVP with the number of people who will be attending with you by emailing Kurt Rietema - [email protected]

Youthfront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd. Shawnee Mission, KS  66205

Two Time World Series Champion Jeremy Affeldt and His New Book

On Baseball's Opening Day, Youthfront supporter, friend and associate Jeremy Affeldt releases his first book taking readers off the field and into his life story.  The story of Jeremy’s relationship with our President Mike King and his involvement in our ministry, as well as details of his active participation with Youthfront’s Something to Eat ™ initiative are featured prominently in the book.  Expected to make multiple best-seller lists, this book offers a compelling, page-turning story for all readers.  Another fan of Youthfront and five time Major League All Star, Mike Sweeney says, “Jeremy Affeldt may be a two-time World Series champion and one of the greatest left-handed relievers in major league baseball but that is just the tip of the iceberg as to the man that he is.  As you will read in this book, Jeremy Affeldt is not defined by baseball. He is defined and validated as a child and follower of the most high God.”

Affeldt, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, tells of the ups and downs of his life and major league career beginning with his childhood spent in a military family, the impact his parents had on his life, and his tumultuous high school years.  Affeldt admits that he was often an uncaring, self-centered athlete who was difficult for his parents and teachers. So much so, that his dad kicked him out of the home on more than one occasion.   Although he attended a Christian school, Jeremy wasn’t buying any of it until a series of events led him to see his need for Christ.

After being kicked out of games and sitting the bench because of his behaviors and his attitude, one of his coaches gave him books on attitude and anger control as well as scriptures that Jeremy read mainly so he wouldn’t have to watch the games from the stands. As the Bible began to come alive for him, he was also influenced by God’s transforming work in the life of another student who had been Jeremy’s archenemy. That was the beginning of Jeremy’s close walk with Christ.

Jeremy Affeldt tells of his opportunities in baseball, his marriage to his high school sweetheart and, of course, his success including two World Series Championships – after many setbacks and injuries – in the major leagues.

The book includes Jeremy Affedlt’s passion for social justice and his humanitarian endeavors as he continues to use his time and finances to do God’s work throughout the world.   Available now, discover the side of Jeremy that thrives off the field; the side that is passionate about freeing the slave, feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty and seeking justice for the oppressed.

ORDER BOOK

The ALL NEW Immerse Journal

At Immerse Journal, we believe in good and faithful cultural realities. For the past several years this has meant publishing seriously intelligent and creative essays on the topic of youth ministry.

But good things are meant to be shared. That's why we are pleased to announce that as of April 1 we are enlarging our focus to bring the conversation to our friends in the larger church community.

The new Immerse will sound like a person expounding. On the subjects you want. We're writing on more. And we're writing on mission.

What you love about us will stay largely the same: theological sophistication, expert opinions, and thoughtful commentary on church culture and culture overall. We had a hunch that issues impacting youth ministry must eventually be addressed in the broader ecclesial context. We knew there was more to the story, so now we want to go there too—and we'd like to bring you with us.

Beginning this spring, Immerse will publish four journals yearly. Arrangements have been made for the fulfillment of your current subscription. However, for those wishing to opt out, you'll find a refund option available inside your first issue. For the record, we don't think you'll want to leave.

 

 

To subscribe to the new Immerse Journal or find more information, please visit us at our website. Join the conversation.

  

Peasants' Day Feast 2-18-13

Youthfront is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ

Peasants' Day Feast 2-18-13

In the midst of our prosperity, we so quickly forget.  Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti.  In the days following, thousands filled Youthfront’s auditorium to pray and to pack thousands of meals that were then shipped to respond to the crisis there. 

On Presidents’ Day, February 18th, as our country remembers the privileged and the powerful, we gather together to honor the peasants and the poor like we did three years ago.  Join us for the Peasants’ Day Feast to package thousands of meals that will be shipped to countries experiencing urgent food crises.  Together, in fits of passionate action filling bags to boxes, boxes to pallets, and pallets to shipping containers with humble, life-giving feasts, we awaken an imagination of another world, another kingdom, another King.

Groups, youthworkers, families, individuals; all are invited to give food and clean water to the poor and powerless.  Join us for our Peasants’ Day Feast.  Sign up now.

Download posters and flyers for this event here.

Click these links to learn about Youthfront's Something to Eat™ and Something to Drink™