If you get the chance to meet Jim and Kim Sorenson from Windward Productions in person, it won’t take you more than a minute to feel right ‘at home’ with them. Truly such kind and likable humans with hearts of gold. They love the Lord immensely and have served faithfully on the North OC YoungLives Committee for the last five years. More recently, after “retiring” from their careers, they dove head first into starting a production company. They are literally non-stop on the go throughout the world filming for non-profits, corporations, weddings, and more. Somehow, with all they have going on, they take time to capture and produce beautiful and heartfelt footage of our local teen moms and babies.

From Jim’s own perspective, what it’s like to film these beautiful young ladies:

“So we set up the camera, the lighting, the microphone and all the stuff that is needed to record an interview.  I look over the camera and I see the “deer in the headlights” look on the teen mom’s face…and I think…how do I get them to talk to us…perfect strangers that they only just met?

Their stories are often heartbreaking and difficult to hear…but they are part of God’s plan and and it is the love they have felt that compels them to be sitting here in front of us.  So we chat with the young women…play with their children and try to convey to them that they just need to be themselves and tell us their story as if they were having a conversation with a friend.

In the end, they sometimes forget that they are being recorded and the emotion comes through…they get teary eyed…then we get choked up and try to hold back the tears. When we create the final video we know that it is all worthwhile. That their story will help some other teen mom and that maybe…just maybe they too will feel the love of God.”

 

Do you know what Nathaniel is famous for in the Bible? I for one can admit that I honestly didn’t know much about Nathaniel until Myrna Bittar, the tireless leader of the North Orange County YoungLives Program, began her message the other night and shared a little of his story.  I guess his claim to fame was adamantly saying, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

This statement is directly correlated to some of the stigmas skeptics might have about this particular program. If we are completely honest, I am sure that at one point in our lives we have all heard something negative said about the community of Santa Ana and perhaps we have even heard stereotypes about teenage parents. Perhaps the question might have even been asked, “Can anything good come from trying to help teenage parents in Santa Ana?”

Well, I adamantly invite these possible skeptics to come to one of our YoungLives club nights. For just as Nathaniel changed his mind the minute he set eyes on Jesus and became one of his disciples, I know that anyone with any doubts about the good this organization does, will change their mind the minute they look into the eyes of one of these innocent babies.

Walking into club on September 5^th was like walking into a family reunion. There were hugs all around and laughter everywhere. Delicious food was shared and stories of summer were told. New friendships were made and old connections were reconnected.  Babies were passed around and comments about toddler’s growth were heard. Games were played and gift cards were won. But the best part of the evening happened about an hour and a half into the evening when babies were safely with the wonderful childcare volunteers and the word of God was being shared.

Myrna invited the Holy Spirit into the room and His presence was felt. She introduced Nathaniel and explained the transformation he went through, from questioning and doubting and having pre-judgments to becoming a Christ follower. She then encouraged the young people who were there and gave them the props they deserved for giving up a Tuesday night. She let them know that each and every one of them is loved by Jesus Christ and so are their babies. She let them know that just like Nathaniel, if they meet Jesus then they will know the truth. She invited them to make connections with the mentors who were there and wanted to help them do just that.

Things lightened up during craft time (and “guy time” for the guys) as the young moms and dads got to talk with mentors and make new friends. But Jesus was never far from the conversations. Real questions were asked, truths were shared, and reminders of God’s love were given. Phone numbers were exchanged and hopefully by the next club some amazing mentor and mentee connections will be apparent.

I myself have been volunteering my time with this organization for only about 8 months or so and I can honestly say that it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Watching these young adults mature as they grow into being parents, has been truly heartwarming.  They are strong and proud and they demand respect for their choice to honor life. They are proof that with the love of Jesus Christ, there is so much good that can come from being a teenage parent. They are proof that great things can come from Santa Ana… great families that have God as the center.  

I can’t wait to see what the new year holds and what God has in store for this amazing group of volunteers, mentors, and young families. ~ Theresa Stack, Mentor & Volunteer

We have someone we want you to meet! Ashley Novotny quietly works behind the scenes of YoungLives gathering donations of baby clothing, accessories, toys, diapers, etc… making our monthly club tables full of items for the young parents to gather (for no cost of course!) for their little ones. In her own words…

“I basically act as the liaison between Rock Harbor Costa Mesa’s mom group, Nurture and YoungLives. I just make a group FB (Facebook) post on the Nurture page regarding the needs Myrna mentions and then either meet the ladies at their house or have them bring their donations to church/Nurture the following week. If it’s urgent, I will usually just go pick it up from their house the same day. Nothing very exciting, really. Haha!  My Life Group has pitched in on numerous occasions and are always glad to be the hands of Jesus and serve these parents.  I sometimes reach out to various mom-to-mom groups that I’m involved in through FB and will just set up a public meeting spot (Target/Trader Joes) and let people come to me and drop stuff off.”

Ashley also has the gift of “love bombing”.  Ashley explains it this way, “when there is a specific need, if I can, I’ll help fulfill it. It’s usually a quick stop. Sometimes the girls will let me stay and pray with them, but usually it’s a a quick exchange as I typically have my children with me.  Many of the girls are overwhelmed by the donations because my goal when donating is to “love bomb” the heck out of them. If they need diapers, then why not also include diaper cream, wipes, powder and Arm & Hammer trash bags for the stinky diapers?

Why I choose to drive all over creation for these girls is because I don’t want to just give them a band-aid. Yes, diapers are a need, and clothes are a need, but their greatest need is Jesus and to know in the depths of their souls that they are known by the One who created them.

Providing needs like diapers or a crib is just an easy segue to share the gospel and show them that they are immeasurably loved by their Heavenly Daddy. My prayer when I meet these moms is to be left knowing that they are cared for and that they are doing a great job and that God loves them. Knowing that some of these young parents aren’t told how special they are helps to spur me on while I’m stuck on the 405 or 55 freeways; that my job of picking up and delivering donations is important. It’s literally being the hands and feet of Jesus and I feel so beyond grateful that I have the means to do so. I couldn’t pick up and drop off these items if it weren’t for the numerous people all over Orange County who love Jesus and love these mommies and babies. They are the ones that should be applauded because it’s their giving hearts and giving hands that make what I do even possible.”

Aren’t you glad you got to meet Ashley? We are so grateful for all those that help the YoungLives mission…including those special ones that are behind the scenes.

 

 

Summer time! I was reminded this summer by a gifted women’s ministry teacher who taught on Titus 2: 3-5, “And so train the young women to love their husbands, and children, to be self-controlled, pure, to work in their homes and to do good…….”

I have had the privilege to help in this ministry for 4 years. I am currently helping as a   Coordinator for the Santa Ana YL Ministry. Although we might take on different tasks within the ministry I have gotten to meet many different young teen moms in the Costa Mesa and Santa Ana areas. This past June, I was able to witness a handful of teen moms  graduate from the ministry. Although the young mamas have graduated, it’s tough to not think of or pray for them. In the past, I would get together with some of the teen moms at my house or other outside YoungLife events called Campaigners (a bible study & craft event). Some of the young mamas contacted me since they missed our small intimate get-togethers. During the summer God moved everyone’s schedule around and we were able to get together for dinner. And guess what? The girls were even able to get baby sitting for the evening! We met up at Gypsy Den in Santa Ana (so yummy!) We shared each other’s goals and accomplishments.

One teen mom that I have personally seen graduate from high school is Georgina. Georgina is a teen mom of twin boys. I have gotten to know her personally and have walked and prayed along side her on a few trials of her life these past few years.  Georgina was able to gain confidence in moving ahead in obtaining a High School Diploma. She has been able to accomplish a few goals like obtaining her drivers license, getting her own apartment, purchasing her first car, and working full time for a local hospital. Georgina shared how she was able to share her testimony at a YL Golf Fundraiser event this past June. Crystal encouraged the other Girls on how her YL Video and Testimony has been viewed  by thousands of people. Including at the Fish Fest Concert (at the Honda Center) and at a Danny Gokey Concert. Crystal works for a major business chain and is on her way to a management position. Fatima shared her great news of working for the John Wayne Airport.  She also shared on how she has a healthy relationship with her boyfriend and they are on their way to one day getting married and having their own apartment. Maria shared with us how she now has a healthy relationship with her family. Maria would like to go back to school and one day attend college to further her career. I have seen Maria grow as a young mama and how she cares for her children. Maria has overcome toughobstacles in her life and is so grateful for YL. Wendy shared with us that she and her family attend church regularly.  She was excited to share on how her boyfriend (also a graduated teen dad from YL) is a security officer.   They have big goals and trust that God will open doors for her and her family. It was so encouraging to see that we all wanted to continue to fellowship together.

After dinner we took a little walk through the streets of DTSA.We went out for ice cream at La Michoacana.  So Good!  We all agreed to keep in contact and continue to get together for prayer, encouragement, and friendship. I am looking forward to our next get together with some of our graduated young moms from the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa Area.

~Maria Randall

 

 

 

I’ve always been a big fan of the fall season because it represents a new beginning…a clean slate…a new composition book…a new Bible study. Nothing yet written or underlined or highlighted. Even as a kid I loved the new school year. Getting to see my friends I hadn’t seen all summer, meeting new friends, getting to know the teachers, fresh new pencils, etc…(I could go on and on!) Anyway, I think this is why I love the YoungLives Fall Kick-Off so much.

It’s a time of reconnecting with the returning volunteers and meeting those that are just getting started. It’s a time of being reminded why YoungLives exists – to provide faith, hope and love to teen moms & dads & their babies. It’s also a time to reassess which part we will each play – mentor, childcare, food prep, hospitality, committee. We were refreshed, reminded, and encouraged by Pastor John Teter who came to share with us about Understanding and Developing Giftedness, that we each have a call from the Lord and that the primary purpose for our personal gifts are for His purposes. (Side note – God ADORES this ministry and blesses us with some of the most incredible teachers and speakers – it’s crazy!)

At this Kick Off, like the others that have happened before, we were also given the opportunity to hear from several different leaders about the various roles that need to be fulfilled. Again I am struck with the village it takes to accommodate this particular demographic of teens. But what is even more striking is how God orchestrates this village. Seriously…why else would a roomful of gifted people from all different churches, from all different walks of life, give up 5 hours on a bright and sunny Saturday to gather for this training day?

G O D  I N  U S.

We can’t help but to fulfill His purposes. He wants the hearts of these teens and their children and He has appointed us to use our gifts to meet them where they are and to provide faith, hope and love to them. This never ceases to amaze me.

God never ceases to amaze me in how He works and cares for this ministry so much better than any of us could. I look back on the last five and a half years and I see that He has orchestrated everything- the small details and the big things too!

With amazement still in my heart, I want to announce the hiring of Colleen Drew as North Orange County YoungLives’ Area Administrator! Five years ago I sat across from a table at Starbucks with Colleen and she told me that she loved the mission of this ministry and wanted to provide fresh flower arrangements for our first club- she has been around ever since making all kinds of arrangements behind the scenes to bring beauty, order, and just get stuff done as a volunteer and committee member. Over the last couple of years she has come alongside myself and the men and women that have devoted their time and energy to see the longevity of this ministry by serving as our committee chair. Along with her husband, Tom, Colleen has sat in countless committee meetings seeking the Lord’s direction as we have prayed about the next step, next school, next city, next fundraiser, etc. She has been a part of our banquet team, pancake breakfast team, planned volunteer appreciation dinners, done decorations for countless events, loved on babies, advocated for the ministry, and pretty much shared about it with everyone that knows her with a smile plastered across her face. She gets the heartbeat of this ministry and with her whole heart wants to see the mamas, babies and dads that we serve come to know the love and hope of Christ. I am excited to see her corporate experience and passion will intersect to meet some very real needs in our area as we are given new opportunities, step in to more schools to reach teen moms and dads, and our area continues to grow.

As I sit in excitement about this next season, I also want to acknowledge the end of a season. At the end of this month we will be sending off Kylie Bradley who has served on staff with us both administratively and out in the field with teens over the last two years. It has been a true joy to share the staff roles with Kylie, work in the office with her, pursue teen parents, plan clubs, and most of all watch the Lord at work in her life and heart. The thing that has been most beautiful about watching from my seat has been seeing her humility to pick up the menial tasks that maybe no one would ever find out about as she has simultaneously sought the Lord in how He would call her to use her giftings and passion to love and disciple others. I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses her in this next season.

Thank you friends for being a part of this journey. You may not know it, but your support of our staff team is so much appreciated.

 

With Love,

Myrna Bittar

Area Director

We hope you’re all having a wonderful summer. It’s that time again! We are gearing up for this next school year and are super excited for what God has in store! You are invited to join us for this years Fall Kick Off: Saturday, August 19th 8:30am-1:30pm at Rockharbor Church Offices: 3095 Red Hill Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. You can click here to sign up!!

This is a great day for new and returning mentors, club team volunteers, childcare volunteers, and anyone interested in serving teen moms through YoungLives! This is a one day training to help equip you for ministering to teen moms and dads this year. You will be encouraged by and learn from local YoungLife staff, current volunteer ministry leaders, and our special guest speaker John Teter. Below is a list of volunteer needs we have for this year.

Mentors::
Walk with a teen mom or dad for one school year.  This often looks like doing things together such as going to the park, sharing your story with them or helping them register for college classes. Your mentor relationship depends on you and your mentee’s needs and can often look different from person to person. Mentors are required to attend a mentor meeting on the 2^nd Thursday of each month in addition to attending club and meeting with a teen mom 2 times per month.

Childcare::

YoungLives clubs always provide childcare. Everyone eats dinner together first, and then the moms and dads drop their children off before club starts. Loving on children during monthly club events so that the moms and dads can enjoy club and hear the Gospel message.

 Music::

Using appropriate secular and Christian music that the teens recognize and enjoy helps them to let their guard down and shows them that you value them where they are. It also pulls the group together and sets the mood and pace of club. Enthusiasm from all of the leaders in the room is the key to good club music!

Mixers/Games::

A mixer is an activity that the group does together or in team competition. It creates unity as a group and breaks down walls. The non-verbal message of a mixer is “we are all in this together. A game is a silly competition that just a couple of kids participate in while everyone else cheers them on. YoungLives clubs use the same games that Young Life clubs use, because teen moms and dads love to laugh and have fun just like any other teenager.

Club Talk::

Young Life’s founder, Jim Rayburn, said, “It’s a sin to bore a kid with the gospel.” The purpose of the club talk is to reach the farthest-out teen mom or dad by presenting the Gospel in a compelling and understandable way. Everything else we do during club breaks down the barriers so that teens are ready to hear the club talk. The club talk is THE most important part of club.

Dinner::

Because YoungLives serves teen moms, dads and their children, we serve dinner at club. Some clubs set up a rotation of church small groups to bring in a home-cooked dinner, some have a volunteer or group of volunteers who make dinner for every club, and others have food donated by local restaurants.

Transportation::

We have found that most of the teen moms and dads we serve don’t have reliable transportation. This means that mentors and committee members pick up one or two girls for club and take them home afterward. Anyone who provides transportation needs to complete the Young Life Driver Questionnaire on the Staff Resources Site.

Crafts::

Girls love to make things with their hands, and it creates a relaxed environment for getting to know each other and the mentors. YoungLives uses crafts (making baby items, holiday decorations, photo frames, scrapbook pages) at the end of club as a time for mentors and girls to discuss the club message.

Guy Time::

While girls love making things with their hands, guys love physical activity. During “Guy Time”, mentors and teen dads play soccer, basketball or some other physical activity that allows them to be active and connect with other guys.  YoungLives uses guy time at the end of club as a time for mentors and guys to discuss the club message in a relaxed, non-threatening environment.

Club Support Team::

The strength of the YoungLives mission is dependent on the adults who own and support it in local communities. Ideally each club (HB, SA, CM) has a support team around it to help dream, strategize and minister effectively. Support teams network in the community, pray for the ministry, advocate, support and care for staff and leaders. Since YoungLives ministries require extra support such as childcare, meals and transportation support teams are key to the health and longevity of the ministry

Committee::

The committee is a group of local adults who care about kids and are committed to Young Life’s mission to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.

Committee is also active in supporting the local area ministry by praying for local Young Life, by fundraising, securing administrative resources and encouraging staff. The committee typically meets monthly throughout the school year- see committee roles doc for specific roles.

Media::

The YoungLives Media Team consists of 2-3 volunteers who can assist with audio/visual needs such as playing music, displaying song lyrics, showing videos, taking pictures, etc.

Set Up/ Tear Down::

The YoungLives set-up team serves to create a safe and functional space for teen moms, dads, their children and volunteers to gather each month for club.

The YoungLives tear down team serves to clean up after club, restoring all rooms and equipment to their proper order.

Hospitality::

The YoungLives hospitality team serves to create a fun, welcoming, beautiful atmosphere each month at club. Table decorations serve to enhance the club space and help identify the theme of the evening. Greeters are welcoming and inviting to new and returning volunteers, mentors, teen moms, teen dads and their children.

Special Events::

The YoungLives special events team works together to create meaningful, fun and engaging special events for teen moms, dads and their children.

 

We hope you will consider volunteering with us this new year!!

 

 

 

This was my second year volunteering as a childcare worker at camp, both years have been the hardest and best weeks of my life. I was in the nursery with the 18 to 24 months, we were in the gym which we transformed into several different nurseries.

The best way to describe it in one word is “crazy” babies crying all over the place, childcare workers doing anything, literally anything to keep their baby happy. On the other hand, its crazy in a really good way, being in the gym with other nursery’s you get to become a big team serving the Lord together.

It makes the week a whole lot better and a ton easier. By the end of the week you get pretty used to all the crying babies, the craziness becomes just a normal day at camp.

 

Seeing the moms come back and pick their babies up everyday with a new amazing story of what they got to do that day is one of the best parts about camp, watching these girls get to be teenagers again is so rad it makes all the hard work totally worth it. The last day of camp right before everyone gets on their buses to head home, we have our last club with all the babies, moms, and childcare workers. This club is where the girls have the opportunity to stand up and say so if they gave themselves to the Lord the past week. This is such an amazing way to end the week, you leave camp so full and fulfilled you forget all about how tiring and crazy the week was.

 

 

 

-Camryn Bradley

I am not a blog writer 364 days of the year. I am though asked to share my thoughts, outcome and goals for the Annual Young Lives North OC Golf Tournament each year, so here you go…

We just had our second annual golf tournament on Thursday July 20, 2017. The tournament went very well, as far as staying on schedule. I again have been notified by many that this tournament is quickly becoming one of their favorite events of the year. This is of course great news for me and the team of volunteers, that the Lord has brought alongside me to pull this event off.

Last year after the tournament, you may recall reading about the faith needed and the battles included, in sustaining the faith needed to pull off this event.

Well once again, this turned out to be my get out of the boat and walk on the water to Jesus’ outstretched arms moment. This is without a doubt a real head scratcher. What I mean is why would I put myself in such a place each year? I know I have faith, however do I have trust? 

Seems to me that as long as we are inhabiting these tents we call bodies, we will battle having Faith + Trust more than we care to.

Last year I wrote about mustard seed sized faith, as being all that is needed to move even a mountain. I told you of the story of both my children being in the ICU at different times in their lives with different ailments. I explained how God showed up both times to heal them, while explaining that executing the golf tournament took even more faith than waiting for my kids be healed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This time I will remind you of a story of a lunch sized portion of food, that was used to feed thousands of people (Matthew 15: 32-39).

As this years tournament grew closer and closer, the bottom line was dismal. The golf fund was over eight thousand dollars in the red the day of. We had a prayer meeting at my house the night before. We asked God to show up as only He can. I was very much uneasy. I put the debt on my credit card in order to pull off the event.

My wife Chris and myself, are not in the habit of being in debt. That’s another lesson from The Lord for another time. This though was when I stepped out of the boat.

On paper, the bottom line if you will, showed a storm was in the works. Guess what, God reminded me He is not a bottom line God. What you see in moments of literally putting yourself out on the choppy water, is not at all what God sees.

What God sees, is a group of people, willing to put all the Faith + Trust they can muster up and blesses that. The next thing you know, the thousands are fed.

 

We as a team, kept telling ourselves that though we love these teen moms and dads, we know God loves them all the more.

We wound up at the end of the day, coming away with just over four thousand dollars profit. God has graciously brought forth an anonymous donor to match that amount.

I can say that our first Silent Auction, or the amazing Raffle items we had, or the mini Car Show that showed up stirring the people up was the reason. Then I could say we were forty golfers lighter than last years tournament for various reasons. Those reasons would simply discount what God is capable of. He did this! He took some people who want to help people and did what only He can do.

With all that said, we will rely on God Almighty once again for the third annual golf tournament on July 25, 2018. That is a Wednesday, at the same venue the Navy Golf Course in Seal Beach.

We hope to have Air 1 Radio join us next year and hopefully a full field of golfers, now that we proved we can get the round of golf done in four hours.

Please be in prayer for the tournament. The 2018 tournament will be the last year of having the proceeds matched, we want this to be huge, like our God.

 -Mike Nelson

 

Young Lives Camp 2017 at Lost Canyon

Camp season always comes and goes so quickly for me. With so much fun, bonding, and adventure all crammed into one short week, I’m sure everyone is still processing just how special of a week camp was. My name is Sarah Sprague and I started out just like these girls, experiencing Young Life camp as a camper in high school, then a volunteer leader at camp for 4 years, and now have gone to YoungLives camp for the first time as a leader this past week (as I’m sure you know Young Life’s camp for just teen moms). It quickly became one of my most cherished camp weeks.

Teen moms and their babies, childcare workers, and leaders, all packed up on the bus to Williams, Arizona, to experience one of the best weeks of their lives. The reasonwhy I love this specific camp so much is that it lets teen moms have space to be kids again! It’s unbelievable the amount of responsibility they carry and I admire them for sacrificing so much for their kids! So this week was all about them for once!  While most activities were planned for the girls, we had a lot of free time to play with their kids in the pool, in the huge grass field, at the carnival, and on play structures. We also shared three meals a day all together, which I don’t even do with my own family, so I think it meant a lot to all of us that we could have family-style meals with each other the whole time we were at camp.

Childcare drop off was hard the first couple of days for our girls, but our amazing childcare volunteers had sucha great system for play time and naps! It was mind-blowing sometimes going to pick up the children and all the kids would be asleep napping, with pack-n-plays all lined up side by side. Once they knew their babies were in safe hands, they were able to let go and JUMP INTO all the crazy activities that were planned for them— messy games, cabin unity competitions, horseback riding, square dancing, carnival games, and nighttime zipline as well. The girls (and myself included) had to gain enough courage to go on the 50 foot swing and the zipline where you had to climb up this mountain to start but there were definitely no regrets afterwards. My favorite day though was our Spa day where all the teen moms got pampered with massages, facials, manicures, a yoga session, and a craft session too. Here are some of our themed dress ups:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you ask any kid who goes to camp what their favorite part of camp was— most of them will say cabin time. We got to have cabin time where we sit with each other and process together the message we heard about Jesus at club, and talk about the struggles we’re all facing back at home. This is such a sweet and sacred time for us girls. After singing and dancing to crazy, silly songs in club, laughing through the program team’s skits, then listening to Debbie, our camp speaker, share these stories about Jesus in the Bible that made them real for us, cabin time is where we broke down our walls, were real with God and real with each other.At the end of the week, we have a club called “Say-so” which means that you were given the opportunity to tell the whole camp that you decided to follow Jesus this week, and why you decided to follow Him. Little did they know, they got to walk across this large Cross from a box that said “Us” to a box that said “God,” acknowledging that they believe Jesus dying on the cross was for them, and so they could be with God forever. It was such a sweet moment for everyone, and for me as well, as two of our girls walked across the Cross, knowing they are coming home to the same Jesus they met at camp, and a God who will never leave them or abandon them. I’m excited to see these girls grow this year in their faith and continue to be the women and mothers God designed them to be for their little ones.

All that being said, if you have not experienced YoungLives camp— YOU NEED TO GO! Come and see for yourself! Whether you are an adult guest, a teen mom, an expecting mom-to-be, volunteer mentor, a husband and wife, anyone— it was made for you too.

With love,

Sarah