By Jim Rahn, Plymouth County Area Director
After praying for the community of Akron and attempting to start ministry many times over the past 15+ years, Akron ministry is finally beginning!
In 2022, Siouxland YFC formed a local launch team and began studying the feasibility of ministry in this community which included prayer, one-on-one conversations, surveys, and a town hall meeting. We came to the conclusion that the Akron community is ready for an outreach ministry to middle and high school students, so we are excited to announce the start of a High School Campus Life Club this spring!
Our Be the Story event on January 15th provided information about YFC, our strategic plan, including future ministry in Akron, as well as opportunities for the community to partner with us in our mission as we prepare to launch ministry in Akron. We communicated the need for volunteers, prayer warriors, and a goal of $20,000 per year in funding for the next three years (or $60,000 total). We asked God to answer our prayers based on Ephesians 3:20-21 which says:
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
He provided far more abundantly, indeed. To date, the total impact of the event is over $38,400 plus numerous volunteers and prayer partners! The community has been incredibly supportive and encouraging and for that we are so grateful.
The next steps to launching ministry in Akron include developing a Community Support Team, forming and training a Volunteer Team, identifying and equipping a Ministry site leader and then preparing to start High School Campus Life ministry. We are excited for this opportunity and asking God to begin working in the lives of kids, even now, for a harvest of souls in Akron-Westfield schools! Please pray with us for continued favor in the community of Akron as we prepare for the launch of ministry this spring.