Sending Harvest Workers

The start of the school year is a BIG TIME OF YEAR for us in Young Life. For many of the staff I work with, Oct. 1st is the finish line they have fixed their eyes upon for many months. I'm pleased to share that we have been able to Send several staff members in the last few weeks:

Stephanie has been deployed to do Young Life in the Military Community in Vicenza, Italy

Lauren has been deployed to do Young Life in the Military Community of Aviano, Italy

Marissa has been deployed to do Young Life in the Military Community of Stuttgart, Germany

Sammie was send to do Young Life in Basel, Switzerland

Katilyn was send to do Young Life Cobham, UK

The Season is Changing... Transitions for Allison & Jeff

A season of change is upon us! And we are not just referring to the leaves changing color outside...

 

After 5 years on staff with Young Life, Allison is stepping back from her staff position to devote 100% of her effort towards our family and the ministry within.  We have looked forward to the day when Allison could pursue her passion and desire to work fulltime in our home.  Here are just a few highlights of Allison’s ministry with Young Life in the last 5 years:

o   Student Staff in Corvallis

§  In this season, Allison was a student and was the best female leader in the city.  She had 22 girls in her cabin one summer! 

o   Staff Associate Director of Wyldlife Ministry

§  Allison oversaw all of the middle school ministry in the city.  He lead over 40 leaders at 3 school and had over 100 kids attending Young Life Club.  On top of leading the Wyldlife ministry, Allison was a Young Life leader and the director of women’s ministry for Young Life College.  WOW!

o   Young Life Expeditions Development Coordinator

§  Allison was responsible for starting a new initiative within Young Life to proactively make strong, lasting connection with Young Life ministries around the world through the Expeditions program.  She was the point person for over 1000 Expedition participants each year and oversaw over $150,000 raised for international ministries. WOW!

§  She is leaving her post with Young Life with the cheers and thanks of her co-laborers.

·         Here is just a small sample of the feedback she received after announcing her transition off of staff –

o   from the Vice President of Latin America  - “I know that people can have a conviction in one direction and then the Spirit of the Lord can come and correct the direction. Praying for Allison's direction correction to STAY!!  Allison - I am in Bogota Colombia but want you to know how grateful I am to get to know you and receiver your gifted ness in the Lord.  You have helped us!!  Always time to come back!!!!”

 

After 5 years with Young Life, Jeff is still going strong! However, he will be making a transition over next few months.  Over two years ago, Jeff joined the Field Development team to help launch the Personal Donor Development Program nationwide for Young Life.  As an existing coach for the International Operation team, Jeff brought a level of passion and experience that helped shape the program across the country.  In two years, we grew from 3 to 60 coaches (most of which were trained by Jeff) and now the Program impacts every new Staff Associate that joins the Mission.  The team has hired additional administrative staff to operate the Program as it continue to bring tremendous value to the Mission of Young Life.  Jeff is pleased to share that the Program is going strong.

 

As such, Jeff is transitioning back to devoting 100% of his time on International ministries.  This transition will allow Jeff to focus his efforts in 4 Young Life Divisions rather than 10 (what a relief!).  The transition will give Jeff greater FOCUS, RESPONSIBILITY, & DEEPER IMPACTS.

 

We wanted to share this with you and ask three specific things:

1.       Celebrate Allison’s transition

2.       Pray for us in the midst of multiple transitions

3.       Help us raise the $80,000 needed for Jeff’s new role.

 

The new fundraising goal reflects the increase of international travel, leadership and responsibility.

May and June...

Family Wise - We've had a great last two months.  We'll let the pictures tell the story.

SENT - The Stables

Jeff, Becca and "the Boys" will be serving in Scotland.  They will be reaching lost kids and raising up disciples in a country with a rich history of Christ followers.

SENT - The Hamptons

The Hampton family will be taking the baton and leading ministry in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Not only will they serve in the Area, but they will also speaking into Regional ministry

SENT - Alexanders

Pete and Schell will be leading the redeeming and restorative work of transforming an old Soviet facility into a Young Life Camp.

TLC

Back in March, Allison coordinated a Women's Retreat with a group of ladies from her time in Corvallis. 

No retreat is complete with good food...

Regional Shepherd

Following Jesus in the unity of a local church congregation is an important part of our life.  Since we moved to Beaverton, we have been a part of the Westside: A Jesus Church body.  We receive great teaching, friendship, collective worship and so much more.  We give through our finances and service.  Our giving through service recently changed.

Jeff now has the distinct privilege of serving at A Jesus Church as a Regional Shepherd.  He oversees all of the Missional Community minsitry in the NW Beaverton area.  This is a new and exciting role and we as a family are humbled to be fulfilling it.

Just last night Rocco and Jeff walked to park near our house which happens to have an overlook of the region.  We prayed for the city and then met with some Missional Community leaders for dinner.

Please join us in prayer for our neighborhoods.

Personal Dominicana

For those of you that don't speak Spanish (like oursevles), that "Dominican Staff."  Just last week, our house was the headquarters for several Young Life staff from the Dominican Republic and the Vice President of YL over Latin America.  It was a busy week as the staff met with stakeholders of the ministry in the Portland area.

The ministry in the DR is amazing.  Check out this video to see for yourselves

Casting Vision

Continuing the theme of travel, Jeff joined some of his Field Development teammates from around the country in Colorado Springs for a time of prayer, vision, and strategic planning. 

We as a team are pleased to announce that we have brought on another member named Alison Spindor.  Amongst other things, she will be helping to operate the PDD Coaching Program accross the US.  Jeff and Alison will be working closely together as Jeff works very closely with the program.

We are excited for the year to come.

First Ever - Stateside Camp for kids in Closed Asian Country

Immediately following the International Development Retreat in San Francisco, the Hall family repacked their bags and headed to Oakbridge, one of Young Life's camps in Ramona, CA.  There they met a busload of kids from a closed Asian country.  While the week was part of a American Tour for the kids and part of the week included English classes, suffice it to say that it was a good old fashioned Young Life camp!

It was a delight for us to serve with this leaders as we have traveled to this country in the past to help run YL camp and do training.  We look forward to seeing more and more fruit come from YL's work in this country.

Here are a few unsolicited comments we received after the week:

·       “You were key in the process of training our staff, thinking through the schedule, interacting and encouraging leaders and kids, etc. In short, you were examples of what Young Life staff do!” – YL Regional Trainer

·        

      “ I can’t tell you how great it was to see you all at Oakbridge! Rocco is amazing and i’m sure the next one is going to be the same. I am so encouraged by your family. And again thank you so much for coming and serving!” – YL Staff in country

Here are a few snapshots of the week:

San Francisco - International Develompent Retreat

One of the many things that we love about our roles with Young Life is that we get to serve together on a regular basis.  In January, we were both asked to participate in a International Development Retreat in San Francisco.  Here's how we served at the two day retreat:

• Allison spoke to a group of people who represent all of Young Life's international regions about the impact her role has on the Mission.  
• Jeff spoke about the trans-cultural principles of Kingdom generosity and opportunity to train indigenous leadership in fundraising.
• Rocco simply walked around the conference room and brought joy to everyone in the room.

Cross Cultural Orientation 2014

This January the whole Hall family participated in Young Life's Cross Cultural Orientation (CCO).  CCO is a intensive week long training for the international staff that Jeff coaches.  As such, it is rich week of face to face connection.  Leading up to CCO, Jeff spends countless hours on the phone and Skype with this individuals and couples praying, listening, training, coaching, and advocating.  A week to be physically together with these friends and courageous missionaries is fruitful.  Jeff trained, led devotions, and led worship amongst other things.

Here are a few snapshots of the week:

A fundraising story

Originally, one of the biggest reasons as to why I never considered Young Life staff was the fundraising aspect. As the Lord would have it, I decided to go on International Staff which means I would raise everything that I need to live abroad. What a daunting task that seemed! Still, I was confident of the Lord's call and so I embarked on my fundraising journey. The process was hard, frustrating and identity stripping  - yet allowed me to fall on my face before the Lord in a way I had never experienced before. I had to re-learn how to trust God. 

One of the biggest blessings the Lord gave me during this process was having Jeff Hall as my fundraising coach. Before I even began meeting with people, we had 3-4 phone calls that were basically Bible study, where he pointed out different places in scripture that talks about fundraising. This scripture foundation was something that I kept falling back to when things got hard. It was also very obvious that Jeff wanted our phone calls to be very centered on the Lord - he prayed at the beginning of every call and I prayed at the end. It really spoke of his character that he wanted to remain centered on Christ in the midst of figuring out the details and more administrative side of fundraising. 

And lastly, Jeff was so understanding to every emotion I was feeling in the process and always spoke in grace and encouragement. I left every phone call feeling confident and ready to take on the world! I am sure that this was the Holy Spirit working through Jeff. While the process was not easy, having a coach was super helpful for me and helped hold me accountable. Jeff would ask me at the end of every call what my goals were for the next two weeks before we would talk again. This allowed me to really think through what I wanted to get done and made things seem more tangible. 

While I cannot say that fundraising is my favorite thing in the world, I feel I have learned how to make it a lifelong idea (or at least as long as I'm on staff). Fundraising is not over just because I have reached 100%. There are always more people who want to be invited into something bigger than themselves. And I get the opportunity to share God's vision for my life with others and allow them to partake. What a unique opportunity!

Symposium

For those of you that recall the Personal Donor Development Symposiums from back in the Spring, there are back by popular demand.  Last week Jeff was in Seattle speaking to 50 staff about the ministry of fundraising.

For those of you that are especially astute, you'll notice that I am wearing the same outfit as the Chicago Symposium.

If it ain't broke, right?

Another Pumpkin in the Patch

While it is Facebook official, we haven't blogged it yet...so, here's the blog announcement that Allison is pregnant!

Our little one is due in May!

Marriage Retreat

One of the many reason we stay involved with Young Life is because the Mission cares deeply for the marriages of the staff.  As such, we got to participate in one of Young Life's marriage retreats.  It was a fantastic 4 day weekend with lots of one on one time together, time in prayer, and time listening to encouraging messages about marriage and parenting.

Puerto Rico

While Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Jamaica may seem to just be tourist destinations, they are also places where God is reaching lost kids through Young Life.  Last week, Jeff had the opportunity to lead another IIX (International Information Expedition).  As you may recall from previous IIXs, these trips accomplish two main purposes.  First, Jeff leads a team of people that are interested in being sent all over the world to reach kids and make disciples of them.  Second, the team Jeff leads serves a local Young Life ministry.  For this IIX the team was serving the entire Caribbean region.  Staff, volunteer leaders, Committee, and kids all gathered in Puerto Rico for their Regional Leadership Weekend.  Jeff got to interact with staff from many different islands and get a taste for all that the Lord is up to.