As Executive Director of Quinte YFC / Youth Unlimited, I have some exciting news concerning Mike Mathewson and his opportunity to become the Area Director for Quinte West / Youth Unlimited. The position became available this spring because I’ve transitioned to be the new Executive Director and have previously served in Quinte West personally for the past 6 years.  

After much prayer and reviewing over 30 possible candidates, the local YFC Steering Committee in the Quinte West have voted unanimously to offer the position of YFC/Youth Unlimited Area Director for Quinte West to Mike Mathewson. As you’re aware, Mike and his fiancée Sharon Engelsman are getting married this spring and are both excited about this ministry opportunity.  Mike comes to us with a solid academic background as well as practical ministry experience working with the Salvation Army, church youth ministry and at Fair Havens summer camps.

The position involves overseeing the campus ministry on two public high schools in this area (Trenton High School & Bayside Secondary). Together they represent over 1,800 students. We have established a very solid working relationship with the Principals at each school that allow us on campus to meet and to connect with students on a voluntary basis. Currently we have four lunch hour programs available to students on campus and the YFC staff is available before, during and after school for outreach, leadership and growth level activities. We have also established a very strong church youth network in the area that involves over 12 churches. Mike would begin in our two year national internship program called LEADRSHAPING which would provide him with the supervision, skills and mentoring needed to understand the changing youth culture and issues facing teens today.

Youth for Christ, now also referred to as YFC/Youth Unlimited, is an international, non-denominational Christian youth organization seeking to present the person and teachings of Christ to teens worldwide.  YFC has a rich legacy spanning back as far as 65 years.  Billy Graham was one of our first staff members and organizations like World Vision is only one of the many ministries that can trace their humble beginnings back to YFC.   With over 3,000 full-time staff world-wide (over 400 across Canada), YFC continues to grow and to seek ways to work effectively with high schools, churches and communities to serve and meet the needs of youth today.  We continue to be a missionary endeavor.

As with most missionary and non-profit organizations, we derive our funds from a variety of sources.  Individuals, businesses and churches in each community help underwrite much of the budget through donations and regular sponsorship.  However, each staff member is also personally responsible for underwriting a portion of their salary, approximately 35% in Mike’s case. We refer to it as DEPUTATION SUPPORT.

I am asking that you prayerfully consider being a partner with Mike and Sharon in this vital ministry to youth.  All of Mike’s support must be in pledged in advance before we can proceed.  Mike has made a minimum commitment of 5 years to YFC/Youth Unlimited if the pledges are received. We are hoping that you, as a friend, church or family member, will consider making a similar commitment yourself to pray regularly and to pledge financial support on a monthly basis toward this young couple. We are not

asking that you send any funds in now. We are asking for a faith pledge. (We also understand that circumstances change and your support may need to be altered or cancelled and this can be done at any time.).  Will you prayerfully consider this now?

Please be aware that Thursday May 1^st  is the deadline for all pledges to be in.  This would allow Mike to start full-time by August 1, 2008.  However, if by May 1^st he has not received the necessary support, we will have two options left - either we postpone Mike’s start-date until the necessary funds are raised or we stop the process altogether and release Mike to seek another ministry opportunity somewhere else.

We are confident that Mike and Sharon are God’s choice for this ministry! Won’t you help them?

Below, I have outlined some vital information that will assist you in making your pledge.  Please be sure to contact our office if you require any further information or help in making this decision. Thank you for considering being a partner in this ministry with Mike and Sharon. We are all very excited about what God is going to do through this young couple.

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