EXCEL EXPRESS PRAYER BLOG

News from Youth for Christ - Feb. 22

2012-02-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of YFC,

He's only 8 years old. He's definitely NOT in our ministry's target age group. Neither is his mom. She's 22. When you do the math, you realize this boy was born when mom was about 14. But he's been coming to City Life's Jump Off ministry every Monday night for a few months.

His mom came two weeks ago. She told City Life's Andy Lightcap that she stopped going to church a long time ago. But, she said that all her son talks about is the Jump Off and that he can't wait to go each week. She also said that she needs to be learning the things her son is learning...and that she wants to start going to church again.

22 and 8 - not in YFC's target - but needing ministry, needing the Hope that only is found in Christ Jesus. THAT's why we do what we do...because people need HOPE.

From the Jump Off to Campus Life to Teen Parents to Excel and Break OUt - meeting a kid (and sometimes a parent) one on one and sharing the love of Jesus is the core of Youth for Christ - it is the core of our daily ministry.

With the Break Out middle school conference now just 3 weeks away, please continue to pray for our staff as they prepare for the event. Pray also for the 600 students and church youth leaders who will be attending. Pray for their hearts to be prepared for what God will challenge them with over the weekend.

Pray for the kids coming with our City and Campus Life staff, too. Pray that God would clearly speak to them and draw their hearts to His.

Thank you so much for the incredible part that you play in this mission to reach every young person, one at a time with Jesus' love. Please know that our staff and volunteers value and cherish your prayers and your generous giving very much. Your partnership with us is vital as we move ahead to reach more kids, to impact more communities for Christ.

God bless you. Thank you for praying for us too.

In Christ,

Dave Lenehan

Lenehan Prayer eNotes - Dec. 16, 2011

2011-12-16T13:42:00.001-08:00

Good afternoon. I hope your day is going great and that you are caught up in the incredible story, blessing and gift that this Christmas season brings us as we reflect on God the Father's gift of His Son to us.

I wanted to update you on a couple of requests that went out last week.

Janet's Mom Phyllis Caley came through her surgery just fine...there were some other intestinal complications following it so she is still in the hospital...but might be getting out today, according to a text Janet just received. Doctors wanted to see some progress in recovery areas that had not quite gotten to where they needed to be..so pray she can go home today.

You read Wednesday about Chris Richmond's latest PET cancer scan. With the latest reduction that doctors saw, Chris says the cancer is now down about 70% from its original size and spread in total! That is such an answer to so MANY prayers...we praise God for his healing.

Little Zoe Prettyman who broke her elbow this week is recovering at home. She only had to stay overnight in the hospital, so that was ok. Doctors said the surgery went well but there is not word yet on how long her recovery will be. Pray for strength and encouragement for Kim and Steve.

Today was the second registration deadline for the Excel conference and we are so grateful for the groups that have registered. We are seeing a slight up trend in attendance so its my prayer - and I ask you to share in this - that God would bring an INCREASE in attendance this year! Thank you Lord.

We pray that you will enjoy your weekend and continue to look to the face of God as we come to Christmas next weekend. Thank you so very much for partnering with us and praying for us.

God bless you.

In Christ,

Dave & Janet Lenehan

dlenehan@cdyfc.org

Prayer e-Notes

2011-09-16T07:02:00.001-07:00

Good afternoon! I hope your day is going great. It's certainly wonderful to have the sun back with us after so much rain. If you don't live in upstate NY, you've probably at least seen news reports about the vast areas of flooding. Many have lost homes, businesses, crops and so many memories.

In the midst of these tragedies, we've also seen the Christian community step up and help...providing resources, help in clean up, places to stay, meals and more. It's a privilege to see men and women of God live out their faith so practically.

As we move into this new school year, there are some new and some familiar things that we would ask you to be in prayer about:
1) pray for our Campus Life, Teen Parents and City Life staff and volunteers as they begin their weekly clubs this month. Pray for connections to new kids. Pray for the Lord to raise up many much-needed volunteers.
2) pray for the construction of our new building in Halfmoon. Often, it does seem to be progressing rapidly, but we have a couple of months work left and we need to raise $1.5 million to complete it! God's resources can provide.
3) as you pray for the funding of the new rec center,please pray that God would also raise up or point us to new staff. There are so many possibilities for the use of the new facility to reach more kids with the Gospel message, but our staff cannot do that alone...we need to build our team as well.
4) on a personal note, pray for Andrew and Caleb as they settle in to the new school year. We are so thrilled that this is Caleb's senior year and we're praying for God's leading for his future at college.
5) more recently, Joshua's car suffered yet another mechanical malfunction, and at this point, we do not want to sink more $$ into it because of its age and mileage. Please pray for the Lord to provide a replacement vehicle for Josh so he can continue getting to his two jobs easily.

6) pray for Janet as she settles into a couple of new roles are her job at LCS. Pray for wisdom and patience.

7) pray for Dave as he also takes on some new responsibilities at YFC and as he concentrates more on the planning for Excel and Break Out.

Thank you so much for being such a key part of this ministry team! Your prayers, your giving, your telling others about YFC helps us in so many ways. Thank you for taking on your role in the mission of "...for every kid, one at a time."

God bless you!

In Christ,

Dave & Janet Lenehan

dlenehan@cdyfc.org

News from Youth for Christ - Sept 2

2011-09-02T06:55:00.001-07:00

Dear Friend of YFC,

You've probably seen the TV game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The host asks contestants a series of multi-choice questions. When the contestant wants to lock in their answer, their letter choice, the host asks, "Is that your FINAL answer?"

In the myriad of conversations our staff has with kids, we find often that sharing Christ is more of a continuing conversation than it is a answer at any one given time. Zack was a freshman in high school when we first met him. He went to church and youth group regularly, he claimed that he was a follower of Jesus Christ. One evening in a small group setting, Zack admitted he wasn't so sure any more about his faith. When prodded a bit deeper, Zack said he really wanted to "check things out" about faith in Christ - if he was to be sure about this journey, he wanted to be COMPLETELY sure. So the conversations continued in the months to follow.

Fast forward to Zack's senior year. He said he had found what he was looking for. He said that all of the conversations, all of the reading, studying the Bible he had done had indeed convinced him that following Jesus was the best decision for him to make. It took a few years of relational investment on the part of our staff, but Zack is now a COMMITTED Christian. He now knows his final answer.

For kids like Zack and for others, such as those who attended our recent Blazefest HipHop Camp in Schenectady, a final answer on Christ may come quickly...or it may happen gradually over time. Rest assured, though, that it is our commitment to ministering to kids that we will NEVER give up sharing the Gospel message - never stop asking kids about beginning a relationship with Jesus.

On another note, the construction of the new recreational center in Halfmoon is progressing quickly. The interior walls are going in, the climbing surfaces are about ready to be cemented over and the wiring will go in soon. We are also scheduled to close on our mortgage for the new building THIS AFTERNOON - PRAISE GOD! Please continue to pray that God would bring a buyer for our current offices in Latham.

As we move into Fall, would you also lift up our various ministry staff in prayer. Our weekly Camps and City Life Clubs will be kicking off in a few weeks along with the Teen Parents Mentoring Program and Juvenile Justice Ministries. Pray for those working with our contractors on the new building as well. And please pray for our finances - for ongoing ministry as well as the new facility.

Thank you so much for your support and prayers for this ministry. God bless you.

Prayer eNotes - Aug 30

2011-08-31T11:18:00.001-07:00

It is mind-boggling to know what has happened in the Northeast since we last wrote to you. The earthquake in Virginia was felt here and even by some on Cape Cod where we were spending our vacation. Then Sunday brought Hurricane Irene...and breath-taking devastation across our area. We were spared completely, thankfully, but know that many areas where other YFC staff live are still without power and some river waters continue to rise.

We know you've been praying much over these past few days - thank you! Now on to this week's prayer notes:

Blazefest was AMAZING! What a privilege to witness many kids make a commitment to Jesus Christ Friday morning. We are so grateful for the outreach on Saturday at Jerry Burrell Park...what a beautiful day to celebrate and honor the kids involved in Blazefest and to see and here them perform. Thank you for praying!

The next edition of News from YFC will give you a building update, but we PRAISE GOD that we close on our mortgage loan tomorrow! And, there is someone who is apparently VERY interested in purchasing our current office building - that would be a great answer to prayer in the current economy.

Janet starts work at LCS this Thursday and the boys start their new school year in one week. We are so proud of Caleb and his entering his senior year! Josh's jobs continue to go well...pray for direction for him.

Fall brings us to a much busier time of year. Weekly club ministries kick off. We're are in the midst of planning the Excel and Break Out conferences; planning the move to the new building; developing the annual banquets and continuing to build new partnerships with local individuals and churches in order to strengthen YFC's prayer and financial backbones.

Please pray that God would raise up at least 40 new donors for us in the next 10 months. YFC's cash flow is VERY tight at this time and we need to continue to see new donors step up and step into supporting this ministry.

As we move through the next few months, would you commit to sharing our prayer needs with just one other person or couple whom you know? That would be a huge blessing to us. THANK YOU for praying.

God bless you!

In Christ,

Dave & Janet Lenehan

It's all in the approach - building update too

2011-08-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

The headline in a recent New York City newspaper read like this, "Atheists - Go to Hell!" The writer was responding to the recent court action that a group of atheists sought to try to stop the construction of a cross as part of the Ground Zero memorial in lower Manhattan, New York City. Yes, the title is shocking and many might argue, true. But that's really NOT what we want. As followers of Christ, we don't want ANYONE to go to hell...

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

And that should be our desire too, that NONE should perish, that no one should leave this life without hearing about Christ's love and forgiveness and having the opportunity to follow Him.

I think I am more taken aback by the potential idea behind the article's title than the words themselves. And I admit that as I look at people around me, I am not always thinking about them through God's eyes, through His eyes of compassion.

What about that person who sits in front of you on the bus, or in front of you in line at the store? What are YOU thinking about them as you observe their behavior, their dress, their words and attitude? If there is one thing about the article's title that struck me, it is "Dave, are you thinking the same thing? Those people who don't care about God or just want their own agenda...who needs them?"

Yep, time for an attitude check, for a spirit check from God.

On a different note, the new YFC recreational center in Halfmoon continues to grow. The pictures below show you just some of the progress on the inside and out. If you would like to see it firsthand, let me know via email or by phone at YFC - 518-783-5332.

God bless you. Thank you for praying for us and for your desire to see EVERY young person experience God's love, forgiveness and new life.

Opening Day at the Ropes Course

2011-05-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots of Schenectady High School students at our Shiloh's Edge Challenge Course in Haflmoon this past Thursday.

Prayer for the Richmonds

2011-04-29T12:38:00.003-07:00

From Dean Rueckert, Chairman of CDYFC's Board of Directors:

Dear Friends,

This is being sent so that you are all well informed with the information that we have at 4 pm today and so that you know what specifically to be praying for regarding Chris and John Richmond. They now know the results of the PET scan taken Tuesday. The scan shows that there is a mass in a lobe of a lung as well as what appears to be some tumors on the liver and a kidney. There is a high probability that it is cancer but the doctors do not know that for sure at this moment. A biopsy will be performed on Monday and it may be a few days before the lab test determines if it is cancer and what type of cancer it may be. As I‘m sure many of you know, some cancers respond very well to chemo. But until the lab report comes back a plan of treatment can not be determined.

Please continue to pray for healing for Chris, wisdom for all those whose care she is in, and peace for the Richmond family. I could not even begin to count the number of people that love and care about John and Chris, but I do know that God knows, and He hears the prayers of a righteous man. He knows the desires of our heart, and that is for us all to know that Chris is going to be ok.

There will be a prayer service for Chris and the Richmonds this coming Sunday night, May 1st at 6:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Scotia on Mohawk Ave./Rte. 5. Rev. Jay Richmond and Eric Reamer are co-pastors there.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress."
Psalm 46: 1-3, 6-7

Dean

YFC New Building Update

2011-04-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Edge Halfmoon (and the rest of our new YFC recreational facility in Halfmoon) is rising more each day. The brick facework is almost done on the sides and front of the office/cafe sections. The steel frame is up for the rest of the building.

Pictures of its progress are up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Edge-Halfmoon/127062247344874

Here are a few to whet your whistle:

The Edge will be the area's premiere indoor climbing gym; the building will also feature a multi-use gymnasium, cafe' and new office space for YFC. This sits on the same property as our High Adventure Ropes Course...which, btw, fires up in just a few weeks. Schenectady High School students will tackle the course near the end of April.

I Peter 1:2 & 3
"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

Point Break and the New Building Moves Ahead

2011-03-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

While the sun and temperature are not matching up really well today, there is some fantastic news to report. First, we had an incredible Point Break anti-bullying program with Waterlviet High School students today. 125 kids, 16 teachers, an old Elks lodge and plenty of fun and challenge.

We did 3 Gotcha Back (middle school version of the program) with 7th and 8th graders at Watervliet Jr/Sr High School Tues and Wed. Great response. Thanks for praying.

NOW THE SWEET NEWS PART 2: The Steel at the YFC New Recreational Facility in Halfmoon is going up...in fact, the general frame outline is almost done! After waiting a few weeks for our cranes to return from another job down south, workers are back in action and the shell is going up.

Here are a few pictures from today. You can find more on the progress on Facebook - look for The Edge Climbing Gym: When the gym opens, it will be THE premiere indoor climbing facility in the Capital Region and nearby areas. One more tool God is giving us to meet kids, build relationships with kids and share His love and forgiveness with kids.

Excel 2011 Amazing Weekend of God's Love and Forgiveness

2011-02-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

“I came to Excel and I was an atheist. But because of my friends and the messages I heard, I surrendered my life to Jesus Saturday night.”

That quote is from a high school girl who gave testimony to Jesus’ saving grace at the Excel high school conference, January 14-17 in Saratoga Springs, NY. As we’ve talked with youth leaders , parents and students, we’ve heard over and over incredible stories of how Christ reached into hearts, healed and encouraged young lives. Following the conference, several people wrote to YFC:

“I’ve been going to Excel/Break Out just about every year since 6^th grade and I’ve loved every second of them. Unfortunately, it’s my last year, but I really appreciate all of the hard work all of you do because you love God and you love us. Every year I’m so amazed by how God works through the hearts of so many because of Excel and your service to Him. Thanks again and I’ll be praying for Excel’s net 25 years! (and hopefully even more than that!)” - student

“This was my first time coming and I was able to see all 5 of our youth group girls hear and experience amazing truths of God’s great glory. Two of the girls are my daughters so it was awesome to share and grow with them. I can’t wait for next year!” – youth leader

“I would not want to spend my weekend any differently. I no longer care about if I am judged or if I am called a “Jesus Freak” because that is now what I want to hear. I am so proud to be a Christian.” – student

922 students and youth leaders attended Excel along with an amazing team of artists, speakers, volunteers and production staff. We are so grateful to God for the lives surrendered to Him throughout the weekend. It is such a privilege to witness the move of His Spirit at this event.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

New Building Site Prayer Request

2010-09-27T06:18:00.001-07:00

The start of this week finds us looking forward to regular ministry, S.E.T.T. class and our first Point Break with Schenectday High School freshmen on Friday.

Please be in prayer this week for two key items:
1) a safe return and stress-less ease back into work for Executive Director John Richmond and wife Chris as they come back from spending time with daughter Becky and her husband Keith in England. They fly back tomorrow.
2) for the moving forward of a historical survey at our new building site by a government agency. The survey was declared necessary a few weeks ago, but no action that has been taken so far. We are faithfully trusting in God's timing on the building as it has definitely been HIS project and timing from the beginning.

Thank you for praying. God bless you.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Dave Lenehan
Conference Director
Youth for Christ

Lenehan Prayer Notes

2010-09-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

Good morning. I hope you are doing well. I find it amazing how often God allows us to use so many different means to communicate his Truth and Love to kids. On Aug. 21, our City Life team, volunteers and artists and instructors took over Jerry Burrell Park in Schenectady for the day for the final exhibition and outreach of Blazefest 2010.

As you may remember reading, Blazefest is our annual hiphop camp where we use the elements of hiphop culture to reach kids in the heart of Schenectady. Saturday features artist and student performances, a cookout, games, services and a gospel message toward the end. We had a great crowd this year, saw several young people commit their lives to Jesus and were able to honor the camp students for the skills they learned throughout the week.

My hat goes off to Ray, Andy, Catie, Cherie, Ray & Ruth and our many volunteers for such a tremendous week of ministry. I am also thankful for Ed Dufek and Tim Gibbons who served faithfully on the tech end during the week. We are also grateful to the American Bible Society for funding a portion of Blazefest.

Columbia High School: this is one of the schools where we held a pilot Point Break anti-bullying program last school year. The administration saw the impact the program had and has kept in touch with us for several months. Friday, Aug 27 we headed back to CHS to be part of the freshmen orientation program for the entire freshman class!! We had about 20 minutes with each group of 80 or so students throughout the morning where we will took them through some interactive games, small group discussion and a short instructional time about the choices they are about to make as they enter high school.

The morning went great, most students were very responsive to what we said and now the school wants to bring us back for a full set of Point Breaks for the class. We are amazed that we can access these students and be part of a school's efforts to help incoming freshmen excel in their high school experience.

Thank you very much for praying, for giving and for taking part in reaching teenagers in the Capital Region with the love of Jesus!

Dave Lenehan
YFC

Heading to the Ropes Course

2010-07-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday I get to interact with a few of the students who encountered our Point Break anti-bullying program in Schoharie County. The first of three groups of students from high schools in that county will tackle our high adventure challenge course in Halfmoon tomorrow morning. Looking forward to working and leading with Shiloh's Edge Director Steve Prettyman and our volunteer Nick Stoker.

Pictures to come later...pray for safety on and off the course. Pray for this experience to solidify these students as a group - so they truly "have each other's backs."

Cape Cod Vacation, Ropes Course, Excel's Anniversary

2010-07-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

We are so grateful to the Lord for the week we spent on Cape Cod this month. Plenty of beach time, seafood, visting with friends and a great time away for Dave's Mom Eleanor.

Along with the Grace Fellowship Youth Ministry Guatemala Missions Team, Dave will be assisting at the High Adventure Course in Halfmoon several times this and next month. The Team takes the challenge on August 6...photos to come.

We are in the midst of reconstructing the Excel and Break Out Conference websites. In 2011, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Excel and the 10th anniversary of Break Out! Yes, there will be cake. More to come on Excel soon.

Step by Step 2010

2010-06-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you to those who walked, ran and raised sponsors for Step by Step. So far, we've raised over $20,000 with more to come in the next few weeks. Top to bottom, the photos are:
Kevin Post and Cherie Vedder
The Dufeks/VanDykes
Dave with Ed Dufek, S.E.T.T. graduate
City Life's Andy and Rayski
The Group photo at the end
Janet, Valerie Dufek & Mrs. VanDyke

Schenectady High School at the Ropes Course 5-13-10

2010-05-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

30 Schenectady High School students and three teachers tackled the team challenges of the High Adventure Course in Hallfmoon on Thursday. God gave us an incredibly beautiful, warm day. The students all took on the course well, albeit for some shaky feet and statements of being scared. But, they DID IT! Here are a few photo highlights:

National Day of Prayer, Albany, NY May 6, 2010

2010-05-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

These pictures are highlights from the National Day of Prayer event at West Capitol Park in downown Albany on May 6. Students from LCS, OSL and Shaker High School were among those on hand to pray. Isaiah 6 - the worship band for Excel - led us in worship. What a beautiful day the Lord gave us for praying for the leaders of our local, state, county and national government.

Isaiah 6 Leading worship

LCS staff and others praying

Some of the boys from LCS who came

YFC Staff Retreat

2010-04-23T12:25:00.001-07:00

Yes, staff retreat in April, warm and sunny in the Adirondacks - Schroon Lake, Severance Mtn., good food and great conversations. It was a good three days!

Reviewing Excel Testimonies

2010-04-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Friday I wrote on Facebook: "Just spent the last 1.5 hours reviewing DVDs from Excel 2010, then hit the testimonies from Sunday Night...WOW, what a great witness to the power of God to heal hurts, heal the past, declare His Word, encourage students to declare Him loudly and to bring them to a place where they know their faith is strong. Praise Yo...u Lord for such amazing testimonies. The power of God was AT WORK at Excel!!"

Then these final testimonies I read from the Break Out evaluation forms post-conference:

“David Dean was great. 2 of our teens made a decision for Christ on Saturday!” – leader

“This was my 5th Break Out. Keep up the great ministry. Blessings!” – leader, Edison, NJ

“I loved the messages, the stories really made them understandable. Overall, I felt charged after this weekend…I know the kids picked up things as well, great discussion times.” – leader, Gansevoort, NY

Amen, thank you Jesus!

Dave

BREAK OUT 2010 - continued

2010-03-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

It's early Sun morning, a couple of hour before our clocks move ahead and Break Out has been incredible. This afternoon, we saw over 100 students commit their lives to Christ when challenged to do that by keynote speaker Dave Dean. Chris Ames and his band have been amazing with leading us in worship.

I have had the privilege of meeting a TON of kids in person more so than any other year as I have played the role of MC. Plus, our technical crew is, as always, top notch.

Praise God for these new lives now part of His Eternal Kingdom. Thank you for praying.

More later this week. Dave, from the living room of my hotel room in Saratoga Springs

Break Out 2010

2010-03-13T03:50:00.000-08:00

Quick note from the hotel...Break Out 2010 is underway...great opening session with Dave Dean last night. Chris Ames lead incredible worship...kids are really connecting. About 600 here from churches across the Capital Region.

Pray for Pastor Ray Lightcap who is home sick...we miss him. Today is VERY full, three sessions, a seminar time and two game times. Laser Tag is a hit. Thank You Grin Mobile Laser Tag.

More to come...

Dave, on site at Break Out

Break Out is on its WAY

2010-03-04T12:52:00.001-08:00

It is amazing to me that over a month has past already since Excel 2010! It seems like March is more like 6 months from Excel, but that is not the case. So, YES, March 12 (next Friday) marks the start of YFC's annual Break Out Middle School conference. This year's theme "MyLife:God's Way" is designed to help students learn more about their lives and what it means to live a life fully engaged with Jesus Christ - reading His Word, praying, sharing faith with family and friends, tackling life's daily issues....all while having a ton of fun, worshipping, singing and sharing experiences.

Please keep this conference in prayer - in particular for the students and youth leaders who attend. We expect about 600 or so along with a team of 75 volunteers, ministry team members and seminar leaders.

Thank you for praying!

LENEHAN NEWS: While I'm here, let me update you on us Lenehans. Josh is moving one step closer to college as he awaits word on his acceptance to Hudson Valley CC in a week or so. He worked a few hours with a local contractor and will likely pick up more steady intership hours with him over the next few weeks. Caleb is playing on two worship teams at church and has a part in the school play "Pygmalion" - the non-musical version of "My Fair Lady." Andrew won a few races recently in the Awana Grand Prix pinewood derby, so we are thrilled for him - a successful design for sure. Plus we all just got over the lovely stomach flu.

God bless you and your day!

The Lenehans

Excel 2010 Photos

2010-01-26T11:56:00.001-08:00

Photos from Excel to give you a small sense of
what happens during the weekend. ENJOY!!

EXCEL 2010 Testimonies & Info

2010-01-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

These are just a few of the testimonies and comments about Excel 2010, held January 15-18 in Saratoga Springs. The weekend conference for high school students drew 1202 kids and youth leaders, raised $3250 to help get the Bible into the hands of US troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, an untold amount collected for YFC Haiti and relief efforts there and about 50 students committing their lives to Christ! Photos to follow. Praise God for an amazing weekend!

I’m going to practice what I preach more and really show the kids at school what it means to be a Christian. – student, Brunswick, NY

One change I will make in my faith journey with Christ is to remember that I always have God even when I have no one else. – student, North Pownal, VT

I’m going to share my faith with my friends. – student, North Pownal, VT

I really appreciate the simple and consistent message over the weekend – of love and sharing and being an example of God’s love. – youth leader, Altamont, NY

Because of my experience at Excel, I’m going to let my light shine more to reach more people with the Gospel! – student

I’ll be less afraid to speak out about Christ, I’m not going to care what anyone thinks. – student, S. Glens Falls, NY

Thank you for all your hard work. I really believe it will make a difference in our teens’ lives. – youth leader, Latham, NY

Thank you for praying and rejoice with us as we celebrate Excel 2010!!

The New Year

2009-12-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! from Dave, Janet, Joshua (who turns 18 on Sunday!), Caleb and Andrew...oh and Jessie our dog and Skippy the turtle.

May God bless you mightily in this new year. Thank you for praying for us, for supporting the cause of reaching lost teenagers for Christ.

Please be in prayer for Excel 2010 - now only 3 weeks away January 15-18 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

In Christ,

Dave & Janet and boyz

Fall 09 and More Beauty & The Beast pictures

2009-12-18T10:53:00.001-08:00

EXCEL 2010 ONLY SIX WEEKS AWAY!

2009-12-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

TELL ANY AND ALL TEENAGERS YOU KNOW ABOUT EXCEL...SEE BELOW