What will CYIA look like this year?

This year, nine young people from Western Wisconsin will be training to reach kids with the Gospel. They'll be training with two team leaders, who have taught 5-day clubs for years and are now willing to share what they know with the younger teens. 

Here's a few things that these summer missionaries will learn this summer...

At the risk of being over-obvious...

They'll learn how to teach! And not just during the two-week training. One missionary said last year, “we were having difficulties teaching [at club] because of the large variety of ages and there were 36 kids. So we split the club, and it worked.” Another teen said she learned that God “can empower me to teach 25 kids just as well as 2.”

“I am excited to learn this year,” says another returning student from La Crosse, “and to review my lessons from last year.” She adds, “Watching those kids [last year] understand and accept the gift God has given was so cool.”

“I hate studying at home,” one student admitted at training camp, “but I like it here.” And no wonder: what could be better than learning the word of God, with other Christians, to serve others and deliver the Gospel message?

The teens will also learn more about the amazing Lord that they serve.
As one young woman put it, “CYIA has prepared me for more than teaching children. It has prepared me to strengthen my walk with God.”

A young man who taught last year said he was convicted that he didn't do what he taught the children to do: “I started to practice what I preached with the grace of God.” When one young woman was asked about her decision to return to CYIA, she said simply, “I had never felt so close to God before I started CEF. I enjoyed the close connection and want to get a closer relationship with Christ .”

The teens learn to rely on the only One who can draw children to Him.
“We love the kids because he first loved them”, said one of our Western Wisconsin teens last summer. She got to see several children come to Christ while she taught four weeks of clubs and shared the gospel at the fair.

One young missionary wrote in her support letter, “I am returning to CYIA training because of the feeling of joy I got last year, watching the Holy Spirit work through me.”

As one young woman summed up: “when God is your boss, nothing can go wrong (Psalm 20:4). 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all (Psalm 34:19).”

Isn't it exciting what God will be teaching these nine summer missionaries this summer? These testimonies are only from a small part of the state; a tiny part of what God is accomplishing through CEF and Christian Youth in Action! And the greatest part is that these lessons are not only true for the summer; they are things to hold onto for the missionaries' whole lives!

 Now I have a question for you: how will you be a part of CYIA this summer? Will you build into these teens' lives by hosting a 5-day club; praying for them; or by sending money for their support?

Remember, the rewards of ministry are heavenly; the joy is eternal; the prize - closer relationships with Christ - is worth everything.