Youth Today. Opportunity Beyond My Ability. Fall 2018 Issue. By Pete Grimm, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Volant PA

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1 Youth Today Opportunity Beyond My Ability By Pete Grimm, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Volant PA My story starts off like this. My name is Pete Grimm and I thought I was just an ordinary teenage boy. Key word being thought. My testimony starts off from when I was going into the sixth grade, the day of open house where I could meet my new teachers and get a feel for my classes. It was this morning that my grandmother died. My grandmother was my life, she was the person who cared for me the most. My Mom and Dad were the best parents I could ever ask for; they worked as hard as they could to provide for me and my three brothers. Even with all of that hard work, they had to rely on Grandma Nana. During my young childhood I was extremely reliant on her. She did everything for me from order food for me when we went out to eat, to fighting my battles with other people. So when she passed away I was devastated. I couldn t grasp why she was taken from me. Fast forwarding a few years and I am sixteen at the time. I was riding a four-wheeler through the woods and it was dark out on a trail I didn t know so well, going way too fast. Then bang. I hit a tree. I felt my head touch the tree lightly. If I would have hit it harder it would have killed me. I don t know how or why I walked away from the accident without a scratch. I asked God why. There are thousands of people in this world that made dumb mistakes like I did and they didn t walk away, thousands of people that I thought are both better than me and deserve life more than I did. I kept asking God why, I kept praying for an answer. continued on inside Fall 2018 Issue

2 Networking Opportunity Beyond My Ability Continued from front page It was a few months later at the World C.E. convention in San Diego California that I found my answer. I was approached by an individual and was told I was volunteered to be a small group leader. What is a small group leader? A small group leader was a leader of Devotionals. Now how does this all tie together? The first day of small group session I had a list of eighteen people who should have been there. Six showed up. These were the key to my testimony. So I went on with my lesson and we started to go off course from the questions. We started to talk more about everyone s life and how God works through their lives. The next day I noticed that a few new people showed up and then the next a few more, and the second to last day it was only the original six. Then at the end of the devotional I turned around and saw about twelve more people sitting in the pew behind me just listening. I was obviously making an impact. And that is when my life puzzle fell into place. The reason my grandma died and the reason I didn t die that day was because God had His plan for me from the start and He was going to make sure I filled it. My Grandma Nana died when she did so I could build my confidence in myself and to make me able to stand in front of a group and talk to others and not be scared about it. God took her to build my self-esteem and become an independent person. The reason I didn t die that day in the accident is because God had already begun to make me the person I needed to be to stand in front of people from other countries and who know the Bible more than and better than I do. Standing in front of that group, I was the least qualified to be doing what I was doing. But, with God s help He made me the person I was that day and gave me the opportunities I had to spread His word to people I didn t even know. God works in mysterious ways and as humans we might not realize that. I didn t. But that day I was there for one reason and one reason only, and that was God s plan for me. We wish to thank and acknowledge the following educational institutions for their partnership in sponsoring our 2018 summer ministry events:

3 Events Annual Golf Tourney Fundraiser & Dinner C.E. s 6th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser and Dinner was held Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Honeybrook Golf Club, Honey Brook, PA. Christian Endeavor exists to Inspire, Equip and Encourage churches to Biblically develop youth as Christ-centered leaders. Money raised supports reaching youth for Christ and unleashing them for meaningful service. Thank You to ALL our supporters! Platinum Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Charlie & Esther Popjoy. Silver Sponsors: Mr. & Mrs. Bruce & Carole Eberwein, Mr. Tracy Matthews, Styer Propane LLC. Bronze Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Randy & Deb Hart. Partner Sponsors: Everything Printing, Heat4Less, Sporting the Stars. Ministry Partner: Lancaster Bible College. Hole Sponsors: Dr. & Mrs. Dave & Jen Coryell, Mr. Mark Dimick, Mr. & Mrs. Andy & Donna Dittrick, Mrs. Betty Fogelsanger, Mr. Robert O. Jones, Dr. & Mrs. Bruce & Linda Rothenberger, Mr. David Simpson, Soli Deo Gloria, Boardman- Hamilton Company, Discerning IT Solutions, Freddy s Family Fun Center, United Tax Service, Windsor Baptist C.E. Youth Group. Patron Sponsors: Gordon & Velda Beidler, Darlene Klischer, Myron & Lois Weber, Geppert Bros., Inc. Honorary Hole Sponsors: R-V Industries, Point University, Truett McConnell University, Union University, Central Schwenkfelder Church Lansdale, Grace EC Church Akron, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Trinity EC Church Boyertown. Prize Donors: Alan & Michelle Brown, Anthony & Sons Auto Spa, J.O.Y. Bookstore, Lancaster Bible College, Shady Maple Farm Market, Sight & Sound Theaters. Goody Bag Donors: Adam s Royal Car Wash, Ambler Savings Bank, BB&T Bank, Crystal Springs Bottled Water, Freddy s Family Fun Center, Freed s Market, Friendly Book Store, Herr Foods, Inc. Hole-in-One International, Messiah College, Ollie s Bargain Outlet, Sharp Shopper, Sweet Aloha Food Truck, Tom Sturgis Pretzels, Turkey Hill Dairy, Weis Markets, WJTL. We appreciate everyone who played in the drizzle! And Thanks to Our Great Hosts, the staff at Honeybrook Golf Club! Check our website for prize winners, special recognitions, and a link to photos: bit.ly/golf4ce. Mark your calendar for next year s event: Thursday, May 9, 2019 First Annual C.E. 5 Mile Race & 1 Mile Walk Saturday, November 10, 2018 Ephrata, PA Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 Visit our website by typing bit.ly/5milecerun for registration and/or to order a Veteran Honor Sign. Honor signs allow people to thank the Lord for the life of a friend or family member who served in the military.

4 Materials C.E. Materials: Updated, Developed and Put to Use! Earlier this year, a new logo was developed for C.E. USA. Since then, the core C.E. documents including the Quick Start Manual, ipledge Manual, T.E.A.M. Work Manual and others have been updated with the new logo. This was not only a desire to bring cohesion to our resources (an important step!), but also part of the effort towards alignment of C.E. on a world-wide basis. C.E. continues to rapidly expand in a few areas of the world. Our new logo and updated resources help connect us to World C.E. And this unity was seen first hand at the World Convention! Five new workshops, based on the pledge practices, pray, study, serve, share, and worship, were delivered at the World Convention. Three of these workshops were developed and led by people under the age of 30! These new resources are now tested, refined and ready to use here in the U.S. to encourage churches in their discipleship efforts! Loving Gifts Sent to Christian Endeavor In memory of long-time board member Dr. Keith J. Hardman, Jr. by Frank & Barbara Kolb In memory of Robert A. Berger Trans Run Methodist Church Bedford PA Leave a Legacy You can leave a legacy through Christian Endeavor! Continue reaching people for Christ even after you pass away. You can do this through mentioning Christian Endeavor in your will. Some people set a dollar amount while others designate an estate percentage to go toward Christian Endeavor. This step provides major assistance to C.E. s efforts for many years to come. All it takes is a quick phone call to your lawyer to add a charitable gift to your will. Please contact our office if you have any questions about leaving a legacy for Christ through C.E.!

5 Coaching Investing in Youth for a Better Future By Charlotte Spider (Keenon) Fish My name is Spider Fish and I run a gap year program at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado for youth that are between the ages of 18 and 24. People frequently ask me, Why do you do what you do? I cannot answer this question without giving credit to the fact that back when I was just a young, punk of a kid, people stepped into my life to support, encourage, and invest in me. They opened their homes to me, shared a meal around a table, came to my soccer games, took me with them on errands, gave me responsibilities, asked me hard questions, held me accountable, inspired me to dream bigger, introduced me to Jesus, showed up, and were present in the moment. They shared life with me and taught me that life is not always perfect. In fact, life can be ugly and messy and sometimes hurts, but they showed me that, in those difficult moments, I didn t have to go it alone. They believed in and saw something of value in me, and that made the difference for this misfit that was trying to find my place in the world. And now, because of the blessing those adults were to me, I can be a blessing to the youth that God brings into my life. With all that we are seeing in the media these days, I am inclined to believe that perhaps now, more than any other time, adults need to be pouring into the lives of youth by coming alongside them, asking those hard questions, holding them accountable, and loving them where they are in the moment. Even though I grew up in Texas, many of the adults that poured into and encouraged me were people I met through Christian Endeavor in Pennsylvania. I spent 14 summers traveling to PA to attend Summer Assembly and many of these adults invited me into their homes before or after the conference. I have no doubt they had their own busy lives to live, yet they still made time for me. Words are not enough to express my gratitude to: Jeff and Geralyn Peiffer, Bob and Barb Wurgley, Dave and Janet Wenker, Charlie and Esther Popjoy, Greg and Jan Trievel, Bruce and Cheryl McMordie, and so many others. My question to you would be: Why do you do what you do? Are you living a life of purpose that has a lasting impact? If not, what are you waiting for?!!! Fall Ministry Kits Sent To Churches The heart of C.E. is to partner with churches to unleash young people for Christ and the Church. In today s busy world, partnering involves developing regular connecting points and getting practical resources into the hands of churches and youth workers. As part of C.E. s ongoing partnership process, Fall Ministry Kits were sent out to churches in August. These kits included items designed to inspire youth to connect with the C.E. movement, equip youth workers to call their youth to deep and daily pursuit of Christ, and encourage churches in their Biblical discipleship efforts. After receiving his kit, one youth worker described it as loaded with fun, quality and helpful things. An additional part of C.E. s partnership process is seeking out other Kingdomminded organizations and getting their resources and information into the hands of churches. Each kit also included items donated from Lancaster Bible College, CPYU (Center for Parent and Youth Understanding), and WordFM!

6 P.O. Box 190 Gilbertsville, PA EQUIPPING YOUTH FOR CHRIST AND THE CHURCH RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BOYERTOWN, PA PERMIT NO. 23 Attention: Youth Pastor & Youth Leaders PLEASE CONTACT US TO: Update your address Remove name from list Receive Youth Today by CONTACT US AT CEworksFaith God was at work! God was at work this summer! Three mission week camps were held with two in West Virginia and one in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Summer Assembly was held at Refreshing Mountain Camp near Stevens, PA. The 28th World C.E. Convention occurred in San Diego, California. Praise the Lord for all He has done! I arrived home from the world convention after meeting people from twenty-five different nations and was totally humbled by God s work through Christian Endeavor. Then, a few days later Josh Good dropped a package off at my house. The package was the new 2018 Fall Ministry Kit that is blessing churches connected to C.E. while informing them even more about the C.E. process, the 2019 Mission Weeks, and partners who are working with us in Kingdom building ministry. All of this summer ministry was happening while plans for the future were being made. Thank you God for touching lives through C.E. May be the best year yet! Dave Coryell, Executive Director