 December 2021 Serving In Iowa Merry Christmas Luke 2: 8-12“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Back in this time period shepherds were not considered part of the in crowd. No one thought they were all that important and often they were men of questionable character. I think Luke wants to make sure we all know that the shepherds were told first, to remind us that the Kingdom of God is for all people, noblemen, poor, rich, wise, unwise, insiders, and outsiders. Jesus came for all men and women, from all walks of life in order to provide a way to restore all people into a right relationship with the Father. In Young Life we are always encouraging our areas to reach the furthest out, the shepherd of our day with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  This group consists of our current staff associates (first and second year staff) and they represent ministry in Orange City, Peoria, Rockford, Decatur, and Iowa City. Orange City is our brand new area that just started a few months ago! This is a 2 year program that seeks to train someone up in all things Young Life. We cover Contact Work (meeting students and developing relationships with them), Club (party with a purpose where Jesus is proclaimed), Campaigners (leading a Bible study for students that want to know more), Camp (best week of your life where Jesus is clearly presented) and many other aspects of Young Life. Please pray for this group as they continue in their training of “introducing students to adolescents and helping them to grow in their faith” (Mission Statement of Young Life)  Last month we had a combined banquet with Orange City and Sioux Center (Northwest Iowa). The people in the front facing the tables represent some of the leaders from these 2 areas. Many days of the week, these leaders show up at their high school ready be in the lives of students earning the right to be heard.  The 3 people (Zane, Trevor, Alexis) in the light green shirts are our Student Staff that currently help to lead in Orange City and Sioux Center. Each of these college students raise money in order to join Young Life as a part time staff person while in college. I work with them weekly to help keep our focus on running after students that don’t know Jesus. Brady (blue shirt) is our full time staff person in Orange City, we have forged a great relationship as we seek to build a strong foundation in Northwest Iowa. While I was at the Young Life Banquet in Sioux Center last month, I met a man named Adam Timmerman. He currently is in a similar role to mine but with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In talking to him I discovered he used to own a John Deere dealer and before that “played a little football”. I discovered that “a little football” meant he was an offensive linemen for the Green Bay Packers from 1995-1999 and the St. Louis Rams from 1999-2006. He went to 4 Super Bowl’s, 2 with the Packers and 2 with the Rams and a Pro Bowl. He shared how Reggie White led him to faith in Christ during his time with the Packers. Even though I am a Bears Fan I was taken in by this very humble Jesus follower and was proud to take my very first picture with a Green Bay Packer. 🙂 I was very encouraged by his desire to share Jesus with High school students in North West Iowa! Let’s pray for Adam as he shares Christ with students.   |
Sislers in Iowa 