Would you like to go back to high school or college and do it all over again? Well, part of me would, like studying harder, spending less time wasting time, and fewer all-nighters. I kind of had a chance to go back to school this past month and want to take a few moments to share those experiences with you.

First of all, as always, I want to thank you for your recent gift because in an important way your gift allows us to go back to high schools and colleges to share our vision to see at-risks communities changed by the compassion and outreach of those serving Jesus Christ in desolate, depressed, neglected communities.

In late September I was asked to speak in chapel for a local Christian High School which has a beautiful brand new campus that looks like a college. The students were very respectful and receptive to our challenge for them to serve on a CityConnexx “micro-mission” weekend trip in downtown Denver.

A few weeks later I traveled to the Chicago area to share with faculty and students at a Missions Fair hosted by a Christian University about how they could come for their spring or summer break to LA to share their gifts and talents on behalf of poor kids.

Last week, I had the privilege to speak in chapel at my alma mater in Idaho and shared with them about what it means to be a “good neighbor” and “come back” to the city to help those abandoned, abused, and beaten on the modern day Jericho roads of our most at-risk communities.

Many of these students will be spending their spring and summer breaks going on CityConnexx mission trips to serve children and youth living in America’s at-risk communities. I was so touched by these young people giving up their time to serve total strangers, just like the Good Samaritan did in Luke 10.
 
 
At each college and high school, we met dozens of students who really believe that it is more important to spend spring break “serving others” rather than serving each other beers, drugs, sex and whatever else goes on during those notorious secular spring breaks.

My hope and prayer is that we will start a small revival across many campuses where a successful spring and summer break is not measured by how many parties one can attend but by how many lives one can change. Our goal is to help high school and college students, and even adults like you learn what it means to serve as Jesus did, with a heart of mercy and compassion, love and care for those abandoned by our society on the skid roads of America.
 
Come join us and go “back to the school” of loving others with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Oh and that’s what loving God is all about too.

For Him and Them,

Dean Cowles
YouthPartersNET
President

LIVE COMPASSION!

Your Donations at Work:

A long time ministry partner, we are excited to provide a grant to Crossroads of the Rockies for their Christmas Joy program. They expect 150 children from their after-school and summer programs to attend this celebration along with their families.  The goal is to provide each child, 18 and under, with two gifts and a Bible.  They will serve a special dinner with the families that night, share the Christmas story, and celebrate the spirit of the season.

Prayer Request:

A prayer request from Jojo, a teenager who accepted Jesus this past week, is that she would grow in her faith, read her Bible and pray to God everyday.

A prayer request from the staff is that God will provide all the needed things for their Christmas Joy program and it will draw people to Him through the event.