The first teen mama that I had the privilege of leading to Christ married the man of her dreams today! What a true joy it has been to watch her grow in her faith!

I remember early conversations with her about a different relationship she was in and how he was "perfect" except he didn't believe in God. But with time and at God's prompting, she left this relationship and moved out of state to get a fresh start with just her and her daughter. She continued to passionately pursue Christ during this time and eventually met a godly young man with whom she continued to pursue Jesus and ministry with.

Today they stood before their families, friends and their church family, committing their lives to each other in marriage. What a beautiful example of God's redemptive love. I could not be happier!

I had moved around a lot and been in school in California and never got started back in school when I moved to WA. When I became a mom, I knew that I wanted to provide a different kind of life for my son than the one I had been living.

A girl I met told me about Youth for Christ and their Teen Parent Ministry. She said they would help me figure out how to raise a baby and get my life back on track… so I called them. Soon after, they met with me and asked me what I wanted for my future and they began helping me take things a step at a time to get there. After finishing my first few goals, they offered to help me get my GED. They even said they’d pay for it! Since then, I have been working really hard in my GED classes and just scheduled my first tests. I’m really nervous, but I think I will do alright.

Not only have they helped me with my GED, but they really care about me. When I got into my own apartment, they helped me move and get stuff to go in it. They help me with food when I need it and stuff for my son – especially with diapers and wipes. Most of all they have given me a place to belong. I was so lonely when I first moved here – knowing only my baby’s daddy. When we broke up, I have never felt so alone. I actually have people I can call and I met my best friend at our Teen Parents group!  I now go to a small group where we are learning about Jesus and our mentors pray for us. It’s pretty cool.

I always dreamed of going to college, but I didn’t think that would ever happen after dropping out and having a baby. The people at Teen Parents believed in me though and they’ve helped me apply to college and get my financial aid in place for after I finish my GED.

I am really going to college!

I am so grateful for YFC Teen Parents. I don’t know where my life would be without them!

Both Wednesday and Thursday this week, young people we have been building a relationship with came to know Jesus as their personal Savior. As the director of this mission... NOTHING compares to this feeling. I am completely overjoyed... completely awed at the power of our Savior to turn darkness into light. In my opinion, there is no greater feeling!

Let me tell you a little about one of these young people, Nicole. My wife, Brenda, has been building a relationship with Nicole over the last many months - sharing her own story, learning Nicole's story and loving her through some very tough times in her life. Over the past several weeks, they have had several conversations about God and the difference trusting and finding our hope in Jesus makes for our lives. A few weeks ago, Nicole started reading some passages in the Bible that Brenda showed her and she started reading a book that Brenda gave her. Wednesday night, Nicole recognized her need for the Savior and she asked Him into her heart. Not much, if anything, in life compares to this.

2 Corinthians 5 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Thank you Lord for the amazing work you have done in the hearts of these young people!