July News

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“I don’t think that God loves me. I’m a naughty boy.”
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Our time here has been both incredible and diverse. In the beginning of July we partnered with a Youth For Christ team from Northern Ireland, helping to organize the team’s trip and facilitate some of the events here in Galway. For a week we worked alongside three local churches doing kids clubs, street evangelism, and youth clubs.

God moved during these venues. The above quote is from a boy who lives in one of the rougher estates in Galway. His father is in prison and his mom is single and struggling. He’d never been told that Jesus loves him regardless of what others say, or what he may have done in the past. When a Kids Club worker shared that love with him, his countenance totally changed—evidence of God at work. Another great example was an 11year old girl with a learning disability singing Christian karaoke in front of the Kids Club. Her mum said, “I’ve never seen her stand in front of strangers much less sing!” She was so impressed with the youth club that she is now bringing the family to church on Sundays. God is good!

One of the churches that we did a youth club with now has eight new teens attending their youth group. This is huge since this is one of the only Christian youth groups in the whole city of over 3,000. Even more exciting is the fact that all eight of these teens are non-Christian. This church has been traveling to another city to participate in a joint youth group as they don’t have a youth pastor. The church pastor’s teenage daughters felt that needed to change and are now leading it themselves with their dad's help.

Another amazing adventure is working with the youth group of Galway Christian Fellowship. There are around 15 teens that have been running their youth group for the last year with the help of a church deacon and some dedicated university students. This group is such an answer to prayer as we have been specifically praying for opportunities to mentor and work alongside young Christian leaders—something that is missing in the churches. Church leaders are so stretched for time and resources that they are unable to fully invest in the youth, which are currently a generation slipping away from the church. This is changing as more workers like ourselves are able to challenge the youth and come alongside them.

New opportunities continue to develop for our ministry to be able to encourage and assist the churches here in Galway. None of this is possible without your constant support and prayers. Nor would we be able to stay here without your continued support. Thank you for your partnership, for sending us so that we could be used in the growing youth ministry here in Ireland. If you would like to keep even more updated please leave us a comment to get on our prayer email list.

Blessings In Him,
Kevin & Maureen

Prayer needs
*Wisdom as Kevin prepares to speak at a teen leadership seminar August 20th- 22nd. Around 20 Catholic & Protestant teen leaders from several counties will be going deeper on what it means to be a servant leader.

*We are organizing YFC Galway’s first citywide youth event in September. All the area youth groups are invited for a night of being goofy and having fun. This is our chance to introduce ourselves to all the youth. Pray that this would turn into a regular bridging event where youth can invite their non-Christian friends.

*Pray for our financial supporters. During these hard times, some are giving sacrificially for us to be here...some have had to put their giving on hold due to job losses. Pray that their needs would be met. Please that our support level would not decrease and that more families, individuals, and churches would join us financially so we can continue to minister in Ireland.