Christian And Cameron

Two former Campus Life participants are now serving the Lord as missionaries! 

This video explains it all! And really, we couldn't be more proud of them!

If you have any questions or want to help out in any way, you can contact Mandy at mandy@lcyfc.org. 

Home Court Advantage

Veneta, Oregon has doubled in population since I moved here with my mom and brother in 1991. I'm so blessed to have grown up in the Fern Ridge Area. The small community has been through a lot in the last couple decades and has been like a big family in times of need. Growing up in all of the schools (Veneta Elementary, Fern Ridge Middle School, and Elmira High School) I had MANY wonderful teachers and made friends that I still care very much about to this day.

I've been the kind of person to try to be involved in everything. From the time I was young, I have participated in many extracurricular activities: Girls Scouts, sports, church/youth group, outdoor school, choir, student government, Tolerance and Diversity, Honor Society, and more. Working with youth and children has always been a calling on my life and something that I really enjoy doing. Over the years I have been blessed to be a part of so many students' lives in the Fern Ridge area. And with Campus Life that just continues on.

I went to Northwest Christian University and got my degrees in Education. When I was getting ready to do my practica and student teaching I knew that I wanted to be nowhere but in the Fern Ridge School District. I even got to spend most of my time in my own elementary school! All of the kids that I worked with I've been able to touch base with even more because of Campus Life and their participation in all nighters and other events. It's been so amazing to see them all grow up, and super cool that they still talk to me and accept me around campus. Through growing up in the community, being involved, and staying around I have a connection with the students that I don't think many get to have. I'm also thankful that the school staff and administration have been so gracious in allowing me to be on campus and continue to be a part of the students' lives. Man, I'm blessed.

All around, I'm a Venetian and proud of it.
God has me serving here for a reason.
Through me. Using a Venetian to reach Venetians.

#ministrylifeprobs

Hey Y'all this is my first post on this blog!
For this one I copy/pasted from my personal blog, but it's about Campus Life so I figured it relevant here, too. 


Late night theological talks.
Early morning rides to school.
Hanging out with young teens and all their silliness.
Funny inside jokes and fun memories.
Trips and camps.
Weekly connecting with students and showing them love.
Behavior problems and discipline.
Slang and strange sayings.
Paperwork, planning, and preparation.
Fundraising.

There are so many things that come with being in youth minsitry. It really is a whole different world, a whole different life than most know or experience. I have definitely had a call on my life to be in youth ministry, and I am SO blessed to be!

Lately, though, there have been aspects that I've needed to really step up my game in. Working with Lane County Youth for Christ I am esentially a local missionary. My paycheck is from the donations of generous people who support what God is doing in the Fern Ridge area through the ministry of Campus Life. I have been challenged (and I know it's needed) to get more people supporting me financially so that I don't have the stress of worrying about bills. Asking for money is NEVER easy, but I have to remember that if I don't even try then I could be stealing from others the blessing of giving. It's about correcting and directing my mindset.

If you are reading this and want to be a part of what God is doing by supporting financially, please feel fee to click here and do so. If you have any questions about the ministry or want to know more you can go to the Lane County YFC website. It takes all of us doing our part, but I know that ultimately it is God who works through each of us in what we can do. Together we can reach the youth for Christ.

And for your viewing pleasure, this is the goofy pic that we took for the office and that is on the website.

God bless you all,
Mandy

Experience

  You can look into a students eyes and see he doesn't get it. I remember having people speak to me and the glazed look I must have given them when I wasn't receiving what they were saying with the required mental aptitude. I had this experience recently with a student trying to explain some of the challenges that were going to be headed his way as a result of not following Jesus aka Sin.
  It can be hard to offer all sorts of help to someone who isn't aware they need it. Often in our lives we have the prideful attitude, with a dose of ignorance, that "I've got this'. Confidence can be a great thing. as C.S. Lewis said "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn."  We can warn someone of impending brutality, but sometimes it just might be what they need. I have noticed in my life there have been lessons I have learned and they have been utterly brutal.
  Sin in any form is a worm that transforms over time into a snake and then into a dragon. I have seen the damage in my life from misguided priorities and lack of focus on God. I pray for the students that I have had recent conversations with. I am reminded to be more bold. I am reminded of where I need to follow Jesus better and where I need to listen.
  For those of you that support this ministry. Thank you. You help preach the Love of Jesus to rescue from sin and stupid decisions. Pray for these students to hear the plea and accept the Good News.

Finally...an Update.

  I haven't exactly updated this recently. Because of a house search, moving, and working two jobs A few things were sacrificed. This blog was one of them. With 150 plus people receiving the monthly newsletter and only about 2 reading any given post, the blog was the least damageable asset to be put to the side for a time.
  I am in the process of training an Intern named Dylan (he is going to Cambodia soon on a mission trip), and I am looking for another job besides driving for Fed Ex. I have the intent to have Dylan replace me as the director at Elmira High School and more about this will be in my subsequent newsletters. With a growing family the intense hours, sometimes 60-70, makes doing any one thing with greatness difficult. I am looking for a more career laddered position than my current job as a driver, that uses more of my detail oriented logistical mind. My boss at Fed Ex is a great guy and I have learned even more about the transportation industry than I thought I knew from years ago working at UPS. Be praying that I network and connect with the right position that God would have for me.

  This year has been a year that has seen a lower turn out among the freshman class. I know quite a few eighth grade students and expect that this won't be as much of a problem next year. Recently Erica had a daytrip to the coast and connected with 3 underclassmen who don't regularly attend club. The foundation of Campus Life (which is the key to any ministry) is connecting with students on an individual level. As a group of students graduates Erica , like the rest of us, is making new connections to invest in the next class of students.
  After the Barn Party I had the opportunity to connect with several students. One named Cody lives right down the street from my new home. He shared his back story of his single parent household and poverty. I am hoping to connect with this freshman more in the coming weeks. One excuse he had for not coming to club was the availability of a ride, I have promptly solved that problem for him.
 

2014 to God be the glory

 Welcome to a new year! 2013 was capped off with a student getting baptized and my group of strong Christian ladies remarkably taking over a girls bible study and expanding it to reach their peers on campus. I don't take credit for these things, nor could I, I am just happy to be a part of them.
  In the process of encouraging my students and staff I often get the opportunity to sit back and marvel at how God works. The Robertsons (Mandy, Cameron. and Ruben) have done an amazing job in the case of the student who was baptized recently. They took building a relationship to inviting this student to church, to their house, into their lives. They accept the student for who he is.
  I can tell you statistics and figures of the Campus Life program. I can tell you that it made a difference in Alex's life. However, to adequately pinpoint the success of Campus Life is not to give credit to the program, but to the people that God is using to reach these students (and ultimately the God who is in charge of directing His people). It truly is building relationships and sharing the love of Christ that makes the difference. God gets all the glory. I realize I get to play a part, but it is exciting to sit back and realize I am so tiny and small in this wonderful orchestra that is the Kingdom of God.

Scrapbook Moments

  We had an excellent club. Commandos was the theme (a giant game of tag). I enjoy the game, but I also enjoyed the talk. we are talking about the scrapbook moments of ones life. You often throw your best moments into a scrapbook, but the bible doesn't do that. living a life showing only the good moments isn't real or realistic. God wants to take those moments that aren't scrapbook and turn them into scrapbook moments.


  After three years of trying to wake students up, we finally got breakfast club of the ground. 7 students showed up with hopefully a few more to join us in the coming weeks. Breakfast club provides the opportunity to have a free breakfast and enjoy a devotional and worship. I think it is the best way for students that are striving for Jesus to start their week.

  We also just had the YFC Golf tournament yesterday. It is always a fun event to see the multiple donors who support YFC. One team included three of my brother-in-laws, and many others included my father-in-law and friends. Hopefully I can upload pictures soon, as my card reader at the office is being difficult.

Xavier Baptized

I spent a portion of my day yesterday at the Baptism of Xavier. He accepted Jesus at Open Bible church a week ago. I have worked with Xavier since he was a freshman. This month's newsletter is about Stacey, who accepted Jesus last year. Stacey and Xavier are best friends, and Stacey introduced Xavier to that church. I am excited to see God continuing to move through the work He has started with Campus Life! The Kingdom is being advanced.

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I got my YFC Credentials, which means I am a licensed minister again. Which is good for my volunteer Erica Fox, because I am slated to do her wedding in a few weeks. This will mean a housing allowance and other benefits that help ministers. God is good!

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 Had a great day of playing soccer with the Campus Life Kids today. Got a nice sunburn and sore legs. It was a group of kids I think that can radically changed the campus if they boldly profess Jesus.

Skycamp 2013

  What an amazing week at Camp. When the Spirit of God moves it is amazing to witness. 3 Elmira students made commitments to follow Jesus Christ. Taylor, Samantha, and Jesse. Many others made commitments to seek Christ in some way, whether they were already believers or were still seekers looking to find Him. It was an amazing week to watch God move.
  I am hoping that I can share Jesse's story with you either in the newsletter next month or here. The Holy Spirit answered his genuine prayer for Christ to have his life. It came on him so powerfully he was shaking, scared, and at peace all at the same time.
  Jesse's new faith is so encouraging! I had the opportunity to fill in for Pastor Gangle at Fern Ridge Faith Center this past Sunday. Jesse showed up to the service with his uncle. It was amazing to know he is a brother in Christ and actually in church. Jesse had not stepped foot inside a church, and said he couldn't after his father passed away. On Sunday he had no problem coming to grow in his faith and seek the life God has for him.
  May you too be encouraged by what God is going, and always look forward to what he does next.
In Christ,
Skyeler Lewkowicz

Summer Transition

As things transition into summer I get the opportunity to transition myself and the students into new activities. Boating, Pool days, Paintballing and Kickball. Raising money for camp and organizing work parties for 12 of the up to 20 students who are going to camp.

I also have an opportunity to work as a driver for Fed Ex. This will help pay off some student loan debt and help make up the difference in my Campus Life salary. Providing for my chief ministry, my family, will always come first. How can I best model behavior for my students. While my schedule will become a bit more hectic I am excited to see how God continues to shape my family and the Campus Life ministry. He is so good!

I also have finished YFC Bible Academy (good training), which means I am one paper away from being a fully credentialed minister for YFC. Besides being a benefit for tax purposes, I get a pretty awesome certificate. 

Quick update

  Sorry for the inconsistent update. Crazy and exciting times for Elmira Campus Life. Our spaghetti dinner is next week and will be featured in the Fern Ridge Review.
  Two students accepted Jesus at club. Dale and Haylee responded to the gospel message and stayed after to pray and discuss what the journey with Jesus looks like. Haylee got plugged in with one of my volunteers going to church youth group and Dale has been reading scripture, coming to bible study, and is attending church.
  We will be making some modifications to our clubhouse at the Moose. We will be adding lights and decor soon. Below is a picture of us playing a game at club at the Moose. In the middle is a picture from the girls retreat. On the bottom is Ruben falling asleep at the Middle School All Nighter with me taking advantage of him.

Meeting with students

  Had a spring break that focused on our upcoming Auction.

  While I collected Auction items, and called my regular donors. I also took the spring break to connect with a few students over lunch. You will be encouraged to know that one of these students is making strides in his Christian journey, as he meets with another one of my students for Bible study. I love both of these guys and tried to encourage them to keep growing in Jesus. I ask that you be praying for them as-well.
  With so many distractions, I love camps and retreats, because the opportunity they afford to get away from those distractions, and allow Jesus to actually speak to them. I pray that these students will both attend camp  and have the breakthrough that takes Jesus from Savior to Lord of their life.

Facing a fear

I love watching my volunteer staff grow as they serve. This last week at Club Erica gave her testimony. She was scared and afraid of public speaking. Last year she attempted to give her testimony and had some difficulties. This time, with some encouragement, she had the students full attention. She even broke down and cried once, not because of fear for speaking, but because she was deeply sharing the pains that Christ had taken her through. When it was done the kids applauded. I can't tell you how happy that made me, but how much more so when Erica said, "I have never got applause for my testimony before." I am so happy for Erica, for the kids that got to hear her story, and for God who gets all the glory.


  I am blessed to have amazing donors and sponsors for Campus Life. For the last week I let one of our donors and supporter of Elmira Campus Life Dodgeball, The Farmstore (Vicky and Travis Soverns) hold the championship trophy for the week. It is partnerships like this I am looking to expand in the near future. 

Winter Retreat

  What happens when you have a winter weather advisory and one chain for your bus that is a link to short? The winter retreat was looking doomed. After two hours of trying to make a chain fit on a bus we realized it was a futile effort. A few weeks prior new tires were put on the bus and the chain no longer fit with the increased tread depth. Problems with a previous mechanic at the bus barn and numerous other small errors led to us not having the correct safety gear. We could not proceed safely (and the time we lost trying to put chains on made it a lot darker and more dangerous to proceed.) So our trip looked doomed.
  Many times in life we get to that point where we feel a link short and doomed. I turned the bus around and headed back to Eugene, only being just under an hour away from our destination of Black Butte Ranch. With some quick thinking Shaun and I got permission to crash at Fairfield Baptist Church. If we would have let the kids go home ,and pick them up the next day, to try again the logistical nightmare would not prove worthwhile. I am grateful for Fairfield for helping us try again. The next day we got a new bus with correct chains and headed up the pass again. We waited an hour for weather to clear and arrived at Black Butte Ranch without incident.
  The kids were relatively unfazed. Leaders however, especially Shaun and myself, were a little more drained. Staying up late and waking up early to make sure we did everything to keep kids safe and make this trip happen. When we are a link short God fills in for our (and others) shortcomings.

The Alley

  This week we did club at "The Alley" in Creswell. We blended the Creswell and Elmira clubs. I heard many of my 45 students tell me that we needed a club house. My reply was I am working on it. Glenn Leslie, the director of Creswell's club, presented the Gospel. At least three of my students looked up that they prayed for Jesus to change the course of their life and for salvation.

  I met with one student (I will keep his name private until I get his permission to use it) at lunch the next day and had a great time connecting. I also had the privledge to recommend a church and other Campus Life students he could go with to that church. Be praying as we continue to develop relationships and get these students plugged in.

Dodgeball Season

Dodgeball season is underway. A great way to build team chemistry and teach these students how to work together. It is also an amazing time to build relationships. A few of these 28 dodgeball participants are coming on the winter retreat trip and I know that dodgeball has helped a few kids make a decision to go whom otherwise wouldn't have. Team 1 is still undefeated and the other two are still fine tuning how to work together. Next week we have our last game and the tournament. I hope you will be praying that we make a difference in these students lives and that Jesus is glorified by dodgeball (He is, but you know lets keep praying!).
Also club is going well (facebook has pictures and an 80's dance from 80's night). Last week we talked about excuses vs explanations. I tied the talk into judgement day and who do you want to be a person with an excuse or an explanation.

students play smashface before the game.

Institute and Dodgeball

How do you begin to sum up 8 days of training and spiritual growth? Institute was a whirlwind of information and connecting with the heart of God. I am re-energized to connect with my volunteer staff and students to use the tools of YFC (3 Story and other training). It was really hard to be away from my wife and daughter for that amount of time, but it was great training. I will be sorting through my notes for weeks to come.

My volunteer staff has run the last weeks of club and done an amazing job. Aleck gave the talk two weeks ago and Mandy last week. I love having talented people reaching these students, but know to adequately reach every student on that campus we will need more!

On a side note dodge ball will be starting next week. Practices have already been going on, and I have included what our jerseys will look like. Scotty Barnes has done a story that graced the front page of the local paper (the Fern Ridge Review). Hopefully you get a chance to pick up a copy and see how we continue to make strides in the community. In about a months time we hope to have a meeting to develop a community support team for the Campus Life ministry in our area. The point of a meeting like this is to generate community awareness and involvement to keep the ministry sustainable in our community. One thing we do is turn excess into quality, and what I mean by that is take excess time and money and invest it in the students. The hope is we can do more of that and make this a ministry area that is constantly supported.

Great Wolf

I have been busy. I personally took a job with first student to try and supplement my income. As has been mentioned in my letter money is a woeful commodity. On the bright side we have had some incredible ministry moments over the last month.

Our Great Wolf Trip saw 28 Elmira kids experience a fun time while getting a chance to hear the gospel. A portion of that student count are strong Christian students whom also take the opportunity to reach out to their friends on the trip (and by inviting them to it). Besides pictures of slides and a fort being built inside our bus, the bonding times with students led to amazing relationship development. One student named Alex made a decision to follow Jesus. My intern Ruben and I really wanted to meet with Alex after he started asking questions at commandos club. His decisions along with the amount of growing and striving students in club is leading to a bible study that starts next week before club. Another student gave up his weed habit shortly after the trip. Staying in a hotel room was very conducive for transformative conversations and the movement of the Spirit.

A prayer request is that God would provide a couple more volunteers. With 61 students coming to the last club, and that doesn't include the flux of students who come and go or only come to specific events, we miss some opportunities for connections. My staff does an amazing job, but I want to be sure everyone gets an opportunity to connect. With a student populace of around 450 it is safe to say at least a 1/4 or more, of the students have been involved with campus life at some point. 6 volunteers, myself, and a couple dedicated students are doing all the can. I could use a volunteer just to monitor the door and make sure students don't leave allowing the rest of us to focus on meeting with students. I propose this prayer request because I want to see all these students know Jesus and have as much support as possible.

Bigger and Better

  On the cusp of a trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Washington (a trip where you get to pray for 27 Elmira students), Campus Life has been a busy place on the Elmira Campus. Dodgeball season, A Sadie Hawkins Dance, and even a bible study is in the works to be added to the club schedule. Every event with the intent to minister into students lives.
The busyness took the shape last week in the form of a game called bigger and better. This is where students start with a paper clip and must go door to door trading for something "bigger and better" than the object they currently possess. My group set out with the task with much gusto. This year I did not drive my jeep so I told the students not to aim for bigger, but to aim for better, as we did not have much space for big items.
  I am often amazed by the conversation topics of students. Upon receiving University of Oregon memorabilia  the talk of what the students could do with the money came up. Did they want video games, food, clothes...no one students stated he wanted a hooker. A WHAT? This student was obviously joking, but in his heart and the heart of his friends some contemplation did take place. They started to agree and debate about the subject in earnest before I interjected with why that was a stupid idea. The one Christian student in the car spoke up a bit as well. The conversation weaved a few different directions with myself trying to point students towards less self centered thinking and more Christ like thinking.
  Why do we do events like this? So we can have relevant conversations in the lives of students, even ones centering on what to do with money. The night continued until we had acquired a mini-fridge, gun case, white board, and ceramics. I grew a bit closer to all the 4 students in my car and we won (though the old Noti school slide was definitely the biggest object).
 

Nothing is bigger and better than Jesus! The things he is doing are awesome and always amaze me. I am excited to see what he does in the lives of students in the coming weeks and throughout the school year!

Laboring for Jesus

  1 Work Party for Great Wolf Lodge down, at least one if not two more to go to get some of these kids funded to go. The students did a great job ripping up black-berry bushes. Samantha helped her friend Elysa even though she has the trip already paid for.

  Sometimes I get that thought in my head, "I am out hear helping kids pull blackberries when I should be worrying about my paycheck." Not only do I hate this thought because I believe the enemy uses it as discouragement, but I also hate it because I do this job out of calling not because of the money. As some of you may know I have been applying to other jobs over the past 6 months. My intent is not to leave this ministry, but provide for my family. Not only is this an element that needs prayer, but it is an area I would like to see improved. I hope in the next couple months to start a community support team for the Fern Ridge Area for the Campus Life Programs in our community. This team will be an advocate for Campus Life and seek ways to support it through making it known and coming up with ideas to generate funding. It is my heart to see kids come to know Jesus. Salvation calls to these students for them to grasp it and realize the relationship that Jesus has in store for them. I want this ministry to survive when I am called elsewhere. My heart is behind these students and this community!
  I know that some of us have realized that our trip to Heaven has already been paid for. It is our job to help pull the blackberries from these students lives as part of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Another night at club, another 60 students who got to hear the gospel. Dave Williams was our guest speaker (he is a youth pastor in springfield), and his testimony challenged both those that call themselves Christian and those that don't. Hurt by an abusive adopted father, disowned by his church, starved, a thief, in jail for armed robbery, sentenced to death by a doctor for the cancer (one type he still has)... What excuse can you make not to believe in Christ or go to church? This testimony covered many of those areas of pain that these students have. It was powerful and I am grateful Dave brought the word! The students listened well, and Dave even challenged the Christian students to reach out to the hurting. May we all heed that call and reach out to the hurting!
  Thanks again for your support!

(Work party picture, with two pictures from the talk @ Monday's Fear Factor Club. The picture at the very bottom is me sharing the gospel at the middle school all nighter).