yfc canada klassen report-september 2017 pages/yfc canada klass… · september 2017 yfc canada...

SEPTEMBER 2017 YFC CANADA KLASSEN REPORT

Here To Serve… As a YFC National Staff Team member, I have the privilege and responsibility to live out our stated purpose. It is “To serve and lead YFC Canada, strengthening health, unity and effec-tiveness”.

In the last 6 months, it’s been fun to gain greater clarity on how I can live out my 1 sentence job description (written below) in ways that fall under the purpose statement noted above. When I first started this role, most of the focus was on helping our Canadian chapters use a resource to measure the transformational impact they are having in the lives of the youth they work with. As I began to interact with different chapters, it became clear there were other aspects of organizational health and day to day operations that needed to be worked on before this resource could be implemented effectively. Since my supervisor Tim is very familiar with how our chapters operate, he has been a huge help as we’ve discussed how to best serve & resource each of our chap-ters in ways that strengthen their culture & foundations. At this point we are getting close to completing the development of a 6 Step process for Developing a Culture & Foundation for Effective Ministry. Each step has a number of resources & tools. Our plan is to present it to our Executive Directors at our ED conference in October and then set it up as an on-line “live” resource.

Unique Environments While gaining greater clarity about how I can best serve and resource our chapters, it’s been enlightening to learn about similarities and differences. While each of our locations has a similar passion for reaching spiritually lost youth with the message of Jesus Christ, how they live out this passion is quite diverse. Also, every YFC chapter has a Board of Directors, an Executive Director, a Missionary Staff Team and Volunteers. However, there are often differ-ences in how each Board & Executive Director demonstrate leadership. I’m enjoying increas-ing opportunities to walk alongside our leaders, gain a better understanding of the dynamics

[email protected] 1-800-899-9322 ext.223 or 204-797-6932 !1

Creating a Culture of Effective Mission

Accomplishment Through Strategic Measurement &

Response

YFC CANADA KLASSEN REPORT

YFC Saskatoon


in their chapter and provide resources that help develop greater organizational health & vitality.

A good example of this is comparing 3 of the chapters I’ve been working with…

In Saskatoon, SK a brand new Executive Director (Kim) stepped into the roll this summer as a 30 year veteran stepped out. Even though he’s been part of YFC Saskatoon for many years, his new role has caused him to be evaluat-ing what they have in place as their vision, mission, values, culture and team. Their main building which includes a Drop-In Centre (see picture above) is surrounded by a mid-dle class residential community with lots of families. I was able to spend 2 days with him in August clarifying the items needing to be addressed and then facilitating a day of inter-action with his staff team. During our discussions it became very clear how the items we were addressing had direct con-nections to front line ministry. By working to gain clarity and develop vitality in key areas, YFC Saskatoon will have greater impact in the lives of youth.

In MB, the Portage la Prairie Executive Director (Art) has served in that chapter for many years and took over the ED role about two years ago. During discussions about working to increase the effectiveness of their ministry to youth, a lot of questions about their staff team rose to the surface. As a result, I introduced a resource designed to help people gain a better understanding of where they can experience the greatest fulfillment and have the greatest impact serving the Lord through their daily work. As this chapter moves to-wards having the right people in the right positions, their youth outreach will become much more effective. With the location of the YFC building in Portage, (see picture)(which houses a Drop-In Centre) in a downtown, business environ-ment creates a unique dynamic for how they can best reach youth in their community.

The last YFC ministry location I’ll refer to in this comparison is located in Prescott, Ontario. We call it Upper Canada YFC. Unlike most of our ministry locations across Canada, this ministry falls under the National Office and is called an Affiliate. We started adding Affiliates about 3 years ago because of the demand for YFC to facil-itate ministry in communities that feel a desperate need to help their youth. This approach allows us to begin ministry to


YFC Portage la Prairie

Upper Canada YFC


youth quickly with lots of existing supports in place. In Prescott, our Director (Johanna) is very passion-ate about working with and equipping churches in their ability to effectively minister to youth. Part of YFC's mission around the

world is to help youth get connected to churches. In this case, our Affiliate Director is working to carry out everything YFC does with youth in and through churches. This approach comes with a different set of opportunities/challenges and the need to identify what ministry effectiveness looks like. We have begun to identify the key items that need to be addressed and we’re planning a day of interaction with her Leadership Team on October 13th in Prescott.

Fall Banquet


On October 24th YFC Winnipeg’s Annual Fundraising Banquet will take place at the RBC Convention Centre. Once again I have the privilege to participate in this event. Every year this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how God is impacting the lives of youth through the work of YFC. I also see it as a way to say, Thank You!! to those who regularly partner with us in prayer and financially.

This year we have a guest speaker with a powerful story about forgiveness. Wilma Derksen’s daughter Candice was murdered as a teenager creating huge challenges for their family, friends and the broader community. Having the ability to forgive the person who killed her daughter is incredible and only possi-ble with God’s divine intervention. I’m praying for God to use this evening as a way to bring healing and wholeness to everyone in attendance.

Yes, this is a fundraising event and it has provided extra funds to help us reach our annual financial support needs. At the same time, I know God has used previous banquets to accomplish far more than meeting financial needs. This year, I invite you to consider attending the banquet beyond the limits of raising ministry funds. Please also consider using this evening as a way to in-troduce family members, friends, neighbours or co-workers to God’s wonder-ful work of redemption & forgiveness. If you are interested in attending on October 24th for any reason, please call or send me an email. The Winnipeg office is wanting to have the number of tables we need confirmed by October 6th.


Family


Summer was quite different this year. For the past 13 years or so, I have spent time camping or in the back country with Noah & Lily individually. With both of them getting older & becoming more independent, it appears the days for those adventures may be coming to an end. Next summer they’ll likely both be working so I’ll have to figure out other ways to connect with them and spend time in the beauty of God’s creation.

Noah spent 4 weeks at camps and wanted to enjoy the com-forts of home when he wasn’t away. He had a terrific time at Red Rock Bible Camp participating in their Counsellor-In-Training program. He is hoping to be a counsellor their next summer which would be fantastic. Thankfully, just before school began we had a chance to get out into God’s beautiful creation together with our friend Jim from Dryden. We visit-ed a log cabin on Waterfall Lake where we enjoyed catching and eating fresh walleye, hiking and great fellowship. The peace, tranquility and beauty of places like this allow us to experience the Lord and be rejuvenated by His presence.

Lily, being a lover of almost everything with four legs, had one of her dreams come true when we added a puppy to our family this summer. Looking after Kona was basically a full time job and continues to take up a huge amount of her time every day….she’s loving almost every minute of it! Val had a dog through her teenage years as well and she’s really enjoy-ing Kona…except for less sleep & flexibility in her schedule.

With school, volleyball, piano and everything else starting up again, life is full for all of us. Val’s work is needing to relocate their office which adds challenges for her. We are very grate-ful for health, safety & all the opportunities we have to serve the Lord each day. We are incredibly thankful for your prayer support in our family & work with YFC! Your willingness to invest financially in the work we are doing is giving more youth across Canada oppor-tunities to grow in faith and all areas of life.

We pray for you to enjoy the abundant life our Lord offers as we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen (2 Cor 4:18) . May the richness of Christ’s presence fill every area of your life and give you peace, strength, joy & comfort for the challenges and opportunities every day brings.

With Love in Christ & Thanksgiving for You,

Steven J., Valerie, Noah & Lily Klassen

yfc canada klassen report-september 2017 pages/yfc canada klass… · september 2017 yfc canada...

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