YMI gears up for another summer

WATERLOO, ONT.

"Are you ready?" That's a question YMI leaders ask participants and themselves each spring as they prepare for another life-transforming summer of outreach, discipleship, worship and adventure. At Youth Mission International, renewal precedes mission. As youth are called to a love relationship with Christ, a foundation is laid for a summer and a lifetime of fruitful service. It's exciting to hear young people testify to the difference that a summer of mission made in their lives. In many cases they are "ruined for the ordinary", as the kingdom of God becomes central in their lives, replacing the pull of a self-centred youth culture. Transformation doesn't just happen. An intentional strategy is needed, and YMI has one:

Desire the Fire. YMI sponsors "Desire the Fire" missions-mobilizing youth rallies across North America throughout the year to call youth to a life of risk and sacrifice.

SOAR (Sold Out And Radical). This entry-level missions trip for youth groups is a three-week cross-cultural mission experience that encompasses assignments in Mexico and inner-city southern California for some 200 youth each summer. This year, YMI is planning to launch a second SOAR site on the Texas border area for churches in the eastern and midwest areas of the US and Canada.

TRACK (Teams Radically Advancing Christ's Kingdom). This college-age program partners with schools and churches to provide summer ministry opportunities to young adults in inner-city and international assignments. A TRACK team will be working throughout the Maritimes (assisting in the new Halifax church plant) as well as several new churches in the Toronto area.

TRACK II. (This has nothing to do with shaving!) The one-year teams are serving this next year in Lithuania and Zaire. A team served with the new Sunwest Christian Fellowship in Calgary during this past year.

Recent staff developments

YMI has affirmed regional representatives this past year at Winkler Bible Institute in Winkler, Man. and at Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon in a unique staff-sharing arrangement. They join several part-time regional representatives in the US to form a network of missions mobilizers/disciplers across North America. YMI is thus seeking to strengthen its relationship with churches and schools.

Winkler Bible Institute. Darryl Kutz (YMI '89 alumnus) serves as the coordinator of Winkler's Discovery Teams program as well as the Manitoba regional representative for YMI. Darryl will be leading a ministry team from Winkler.

Forest Grove Community Church. Paul Loewen serves as the college and career pastor at Forest Grove, as well as the YMI Saskatchewan/Alberta regional representative. Paul is part of the YMI training and teaching leadership team and coordinates a ministry team of young adults who represent YMI in area churches.

Tabor College. Lynn Jost has returned from doctoral studies to teach at Tabor College. He will also serve as a YMI representative in the US Central and Southern Districts. He will be leading missions teams out of Tabor College.

Fresno Pacific College. Philip Serez is the new SOAR director and the FPC staff appointee in the area of church relations (admissions). In addition, he will represent YMI throughout the Pacific District MB Conference.

Youth Mission International is a short-term missions/discipling ministry of the Mennonite Brethren churches. It is a unique partnership between Mission USA, MB Missions/Services and the Canadian MB Conference Board of Evangelism. Its purpose is to disciple a new generation of workers and leaders, as well as to assist various church planting and overseas missions efforts.

Randy Friesen

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