The Program
ASI's Youth for Jesus program began in 1999, involving summertime youth evangelistic projects at each annual ASI convention. Last year ASI conducted its first on-campus YFJ program during the school year at Maplewood Academy in Minnesota.
In February 2008, Leasa Hodges, ASI vice president for youth evangelism, and Dan Ross, ASI Northwest president, encouraged the Idaho Conference and Gem State Adventist Academy to host a similar YFJ program.
The Northwest ASI raised $25,000 toward the project and the Idaho Conference and local churches raised an additional $25,000.
Gem State Academy housed Kevin Sears, YFJ director, and four Bible workers for approximately six months.
These adult mentors were integrated into the GSAA daily schedule to pray for, study with, and train interested students.
The Nampa, Caldwell, Homedale, Parma and GSAA churches partnered with the project for fundraising, evangelistic training and community outreach.
The Results
22 decisions for Christ, with about half the decisions coming from students and half from community members.
Approximately 100 Bible studies, with about 40 ongoing studies supervised by students and local church members.
See and Hear for Yourself
GSAA students will share firsthand testimonies from the YFJ program at the ASI Northwest spring meeting, April 30–May 3, at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon. For more information, go to: http://yfj.netasi.org.
