so you want to volunteer with Nottingham YfC?

Nathaniel has come onto the NYfC team for a few weeks. here are some of his initial thoughts.

The short of why I came to volunteer for Nottingham YFC was to fill some time before I went to university in America. The long of it is I felt a need to use the gifts that God gave me for His work, so when I heard of Nottingham YFC from friends and family, I jumped at the opportunity. At the same time as applying for a volunteer slot, however, I was also searching around for a part-time job. So when offered the choice of full-time volunteering or only doing a couple days a week, I struggled to make a decision. On one hand, I knew I needed the money for university and for general living before I left. On the other I knew God was calling me to do this. Ashamed to say, I reluctantly said I’d do full-time volunteering for NYFC. However, I knew I serve an amazing God who can provide and will provide if you place your hope and life into His hands. So in a sense, I chose the more exciting path.

I’ve only had 1 day so far with NYFC and I’m so glad I chose full-time. This team is so engulfed in the grace and love of God and have such a passion for sharing that with the youth all across Nottingham. They are all such strong prayer warriors and have fine-tuned their hearts and minds to the Word and Will of our Heavenly Father. I am so excited to see what God is able to do through us as a team and through me as an individual. I can only pray to develop such a strong and acute sense of God’s Word and leadership in my life as I have seen in the team already.

We have lots of different types of opportunities for volunteers within the NYfC team. If you would like to volunteer a couple of hour a week then please get in touch with our office.

More change?

Well, after 3 - 4 weeks i still don't think i have got over the trip to India, which was amazing. Pretty much it was back into the swing of things here at NYfC. The great news is that we have grown as a staff team, which is really exciting and you will hear more about the new team in the coming weeks on here and in our newsletter which is due out in next few weeks. I am never surprised by what God has in store for us at NYfC, each year i know there will be change in the team as we have year outs join us (although this year that isn't the case), and we do also have on team Centre of youth ministry placements and so every so often they move on. Although i am not surprised it is still important we listen to God and not just go through the motions. To know where God wants us is of vital importance, as it is His mission, not ours, we are the co-pilots not the other way round. With this in mind it is really exciting that we are starting in 2 new areas across Nottingham. After getting Arnold up and running last Christmas we have now started working in Radcliffe-on-Trent and also alongside churches based in villages around the south Notts area surrounding Harry Carlton school.

After ten years of working across Nottingham, I can honestly say no 2 years have been the same and that is exciting although hard work. Chatting to a church leader recently we were talking about a particular denomination starting off as a movement and as it grew older it became more established and set in it's ways. We can all be like that if there is no movement or change in our lives or churches, because when there is nothing in the mix, to shake things up it does nothing but stay still.

I am really glad God is not letting us stay still but creates movement in the life of NYfC. Only then we will stay a movement and continue to see amazing things happen in the lives of young people across Nottingham, i hope you will join us on the journey.

Richard Dawson

Thoughts of a work experience student (3)

I knew that most people in my year would be doing their work experience in a shop or in a school. So I wanted to do some thing different. I’ve been here for two days I have REALLY enjoyed it. What I love is that so many different people, from different backgrounds and different churches can come together, and help young people come to Christ. Also I like the way things are run, because NYFC have so many different people doing different thing for the young people in the Nottingham area. On the Monday when I went to help out at ‘ The Big Question’ it was really interesting, because only one lad there was a Christian and all the others didn’t believe in Christ. They would talk about Christ and the Bible, I found it amazing to see what YFC was doing in school to help young people come to Christ or inform them about him. I also helped with ‘ The Base’ which was cool. All the young people there were very nice and they wanted to know about what we believe in etc.
We went to Birmingham on Tuesday. This was because YFC had a focus day. This was were all the YFCs from the Midlands came for a big meeting about the changes and what YFC was doing to help young people round the country. I found this interesting and I really learnt from it. Also I came not just to get the experience, I came to see what YFC was doing for the young people in the Nottingham area. This has shown me what I can do for the young people in my area and how I can lead them to Christ. I enjoyed working here so far so I hope that I enjoy the rest of the week.

Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes will, like them, will be dressed in white. I will never blot out he name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge his name before my father and his angels. (NIV version).

Jessica Pugh

Verses for 2011

Acts 16: 6-10

'6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. ' New International Version.

Ten years can seem a long time. Ten years ago George Bush succeeded Bill Clinton as President of the US. The UK foot and mouth crisis began. The atrocities of September 11th happened. Does it seem a long time ago or only yesterday?
I remember all those things, I don't as easily remember life without Kids and what that felt like. I do remember though coming back to Nottingham, with Laura, to re-launch Nottingham YfC back in 2001. The one thing i remember vividly was waking up on 1st September, at my in-laws because we didn't have a house, and thinking 'right, what shall i do? where shall i start?'
These past ten years seem to have gone quite quickly, and what i know is that NYfC wouldn't have been able to impact as many young people as we have without people praying for us and God leading the way. For the most part we seem to have been able to make a difference and it has felt like we are where God has wanted us to be. there have been times where we have probably got it a bit wrong, but part of knowing where God wants you to be is to try different things, if you don't knock the door will never be answered.
There have been times where we seem to have stayed in the same place for a long time, done the same things for longer than was thought, and that can sometimes feel frustrating and restricting.
If you look at Youth for Christ centres across the country, as i write there are 66/67 local YfC centres, they are predominantly based in towns and villages, and i understand why. You can get your head round an area with a certain number of schools and a certain number of Churches, whereas a city is a different kettle of fish. There are more opportunities, more possibilities, more young people to connect with and more risks to be taken. i remember one trustees meeting a number of years ago where we discussed whether we should become Nottingham West YfC as that was where we were putting our mission focus, and had been for the majority of the years we had been working. The vision had not slipped though, it was still to 'take good news relevantly to every young person in Nottingham.'
Ten years on having honoured that vision, we seem to have more opportunities than ever before, renewed favour amongst Churches, Schools and young people alike, but this brings with it fresh challenges.
Paul, in this passage, wanted to enter Bithynia, which would have taken him back into Asia minor, and back towards the middle east. Instead, because of his listening to the Spirit, they went to Macedonia, and so began Christianity's impact on Europe. What an impact that decision had. God was already working in Macedonia, but by listening to His Spirit Paul was able to bring his own dynamic to the mix which helped bring the Roman empire into a Christian thinking.
At the start of 2011, we have some great opportunities to move into new areas across Nottingham, and also in the areas we already work. We want to connect with more young people this year than ever before, we want to try doors, without being to precious about what happens if we have got it wrong, but most of all we want to listen to God through His Spirit and ask where is He wanting us to partner with Him to help impact this generation. Please stand with us in seeing God do amazing things through NYfC in 2011

new team blog (3) Miss Charli Wood

Hi I’m Charli, I am a first year student with Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry (MCYM) at St Johns College, studying youth work, community work and practical theology. It’s a massive challenge sometimes, but it also means that I am on placement with Nottingham YFC, and I am absolutely loving it!

Having only just come out of being a young person in my own Church youth group, the jump from young person to youth worker has been pretty scary over the past few months, but I work with some incredible young people who are making the experience worthwhile. I am currently placed at Hadden Park High school in Bilborough, mainly working with year seven. With this age group, I take part in running a lunch club, offering support during class time and assisting in running after school clubs. One of the clubs we run that has impacted me the most is our girls only club- ‘Girls Allowed’. We have looked at topics such as beauty and self-image, and it is so touching to hear the views of young girls on these kinds of subjects. We also tend to share our own Christian views on the topics we explore, which is something that is new to some of the girls, yet they seem comfortable with sharing what they think. To be alongside these girls as they grow is a privilege, and I learn so much from them!

do we really understand what we are able to acheive?

Having been doing mission across Nottingham over the last 9 years i have been surprised, looking back, how much God has let us be involved in. Although we haven't purposely set out to be schools workers and doing Christian schools work, we have ended up being able to see nearly 2,000 young people each week through our work in schools. This has been through just serving the schools and giving them support and standing by them, in particular with spiritual and pastoral issues. Yes, we do assemblies and we do mission weeks through lessons and roadshows, but schools have really appreciated the ongoing support we have been able to give them.
To be honest, as i have looked at Jesus I see this as something that He would do. Jesus was someone who didn't judge but stood with people, got alongside them and supported them.
This is also something that we are passionate in doing. Getting alongside young people, supporting them when they feel alone, when they feel no one else is around for them, that is where Jesus would be.
Through the things we do, and looked to acheive we look back and see that by just being there, we suddenly have the opportunity to speak into thousands of young peoples lives.
Isn't it funny what creeps up on you, when you just aim to serve others.

Nottingham YfC dates for 2010

Here are some important dates within Nottingham YfC for 2010. Some may be useful for you to note down. Events will be added as life moves on.
These could and will change as we go through the year. For regular updates and any changes please check out www.nottinghamyfc.co.uk/calendar

January
11th full team meeting
17th Richard speaking @ NG7 at Holy Trinity Lenton
18th Trustees meeting
22nd Half night of prayer @ NYfC office
23rd Richard speaking at Southwell youth weekend
26th Day of prayer and fasting for Ignite

February
1st Kristy Buck arrives our new eta from Canada
14th Richard speaking at St. Michael's Breaston
15th Trustees meeting
18-19th Youth Alpha conference @ HTB
21st Richard speaking at Foxhill evangelical church

March
3rd Reggie Dabbs event @ The Christian Centre
4th lunch meeting with youth leaders about eq
8th Full team social evening
15th Richard speaking at Lent meeting in Sandiacre
19-21st YfC team running youth weekend away for New Life Baptist church
22nd Trustees meeting

April
12th Trustees meeting
19th Full team meeting

May
2nd Speaking at Clumber Hall
5-7th YfC senior staff retreat
16th Richard on Radio Nottingham
speaking at Holy Trinity Lenton
17th Trustees meeting
22nd Youth leader training

June
21st Trustees meeting
27th Richard speaking at Sawley Baptist Church
28th Full team training

July
11th Richard speaking at Foxhill Evangelical Church
12th Trustees meeting

September
6th School term begins
20th Trustees meeting
25th Agm and NYfC showcase event

October
8-10th Team weekend away
9th National YfC showcase and commissioning
18th Trustees meeting

November
15th Trustees meeting

December
6th full team Christmas social
13th Trustees meeting

Welcome

Hi guys and welcome to my blog. This is a place where you will get a bit of an insight into the world of Nottingham YfC. Hear about some of the struggles and the joys. There are a lot of big issues that maybe brought up along the way to do with youth work and faith, so it would be great if you fancy journeying with me. I will also use this space to push events that we are doing, and other random things. I plan to blog each week, so keep an eye out. Let's just see what happens.
Rich