Volume 52, Issue 3 MARCH 2011

“Be Careful Little Eyes…” A group of men were standing around discussing which translation of the Bible they preferred. One liked the old King James because it was so poetic. Another liked the American Standard because it was easier to understand. Still another preferred The Message because it explained everything so well in today’s language. They turned to the youngest man in the group and asked him which translation he liked.

He said, “I guess I would have to go with the translation ‘according to my Dad.’ He put the Word to work in his life every day, and it is the translation that I understood best of all.” That says it all. Dad & Mom, we need to put the word to work in our lives so

that our sons and daughters around us see Jesus in us. We are living expressions of Christ, bolstered by His power that works best in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) As sobering as this is, there are some basic skills of parenting, that when

implemented, can make a huge difference, no matter what the age of our children. 1. Listening: Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise listen, and add to their learning…” When you listen, you add to a child’s learning, plus you are able to get a full understanding of their problems, and what’s going on in their lives.

2. Encourage: Good encouragers are willing to invest their lives in others. Dad & Mom, you need to be an encourager to your sons and daughters daily. Yes, I said “daily.”

3. Role Model: St. Francis of Asissi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all time; if necessary, use words.” Being a role model is being an example for your sons and daughters to follow. We need to preach more with our own lives, than with our words.

Someone once said, “We teach what we know, we reproduce what we are.” Please keep in prayer those boys and girls who are growing up in homes without a Mom or Dad. For those children are taking a long trip with no map. Dad and Moms we are mentoring, whether we like it or not. Let’s agree to

start liking it. For Families, Brian Allen Executive Director

1110 MANHATTAN RD PO BOX 2454

JOLIET, IL 60434-2454

CYC STAFFCYC STAFFCYC STAFFCYC STAFF

Brian Allen........................Executive Director JW Bergmann ..........Director of Development Tim Carr ..........................Maintenance Manager Kelly Corcoran....................Teen Evangelism

Ginny Griffin .............................Bookkeeper Christy Johnson ..... Administrative Assistant Sherry Lindstrom..Development Coordinator Bob McDonald .........................Project Manager Lee Swank ..........................Director of Sports

CYC BOARDCYC BOARDCYC BOARDCYC BOARD Dr. Mark Danielson .................... President Harv Russell .....................Director Emeritus

Tony Ray...........................Community Liaison

Barb Burk . Bob Champlin Brian Keith . Wanda Onstad

1110 Manhattan Road . PO Box 2454 Joliet, IL 60434

Phone 815.723.6837 Fax 815.723.5451 www.cycjoliet.org

The ministries of the Christian Youth Center are funded solely by the gifts of our ministry friends. We receive no

government funding. Your generous support enables us to minister to

thousands of young people each year.

We are an ECFA Member!

You may donate directly to the CYC through our website. You may also make payments for sports registration and/or tickets on the website!

Joliet Cares Free Clinic Joliet Cares will be offering a free clinic for those in need which will be held at the Christian Youth Center on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. To serve those in need in the Joliet community, the following will be available at no cost: • Free Medical Screenings • Food Pantry • Hair Cuts • Clothes Closet • Lunch • Prayer • Fellowship • Family Portraits

Tim Carr is CYC’s new Maintenance Manager. He came to know Jesus as his Savior in 2002. He came to the Lord after his wife Tracee, who he married in 2004, witnessed to him about salvation through the death and resurrection of

Jesus. In 2004, Tim also started attending Stone Hill Bible Church where he was baptized and is currently a member. Between 2007-2010, he served at his church on the leadership board as a Deacon. Also, Tim is currently a member of the IBEW local in Joliet, where he is employed as a journeyman wireman electrician. He looks forward to serving God at the

CYC, and is excited to see how God is going to use the CYC for His glory! Hello, My name is Bob

McDonald, my wife's name is Vicki and we've been married for 19 years. We have two boys, Ryan who is 14 and Kyle who is 12. We have lived in Minooka for 7 years and are members at Minooka Bible Church. I'm looking forward to serving the Lord as the CYC’s Project Manager and getting to know all the families that make up the CYC. -Thank you, Bob

Welcome New Staff

Items Needed at the CYC 3 Flat Screen TV Monitors to be mounted around the CYC that will scroll videos and

announcements of CYC events and activities. Call JW (815)723-6837 ext. 104 if you can

help us out with this request.

PRAISES: • New kids coming each week to Teen Night • Faithful volunteer help for concessions • Wonderful Teen Night volunteers

PRAYER: • Harv Russell and health issues • Youth Mentoring Program • Day Camp Director • More volunteers to assist with needs at the CYC • Baseball registrants and coaches • Teen Leadership

Strongest Links

In Memory of Carol McCauley-Swink: Adam Mutsch In Memory of Vicky Bristow: Bonnie Gerstung

Memorials

As many of you know, Harv Russell has been sick for several weeks. He appreciates everyone’s prayers, cards, visits, and words of encouragement. He is currently in rehab, trying to gain his strength back. Keep praying! God is using him– even today!

Keep Praying Onward & Upward! -By JW Bergmann

This was a common saying around my house while growing up. It's the Bergmann way of saying, "Another project complete! What can we do next!!!" I just finished writing my first End

of the Year Report as Director of Development here at the CYC. I rehashed many of the events, thoughts, set-backs and achievements since starting at my post last year in September. Folks, God is on the move here in greater

Will County. He has opened doors and closed others... as you well know: The CYC budget is about to balance out for the first time in a long while. Sports registrations are moving toward record-setting levels for 2011. Teens are meeting Jesus. But you know these things already

because YOU have bathed this ministry in prayer and financial support since the first 57 Chevy rolled off the assembly line. YOU have told your friends, neighbors and extended family about this unique ministry and in turn they have told their friends, neighbors and extended family. YOU and I are a part of the Lord's beautiful story of repentance and salvation in Joliet and beyond. How humbling is that!? The Executive Team (Brian Allen and I)

can barely hold in all the amazing plans that are rising to the surface here at the Christian Youth Center... but you know (from experience) how God works in the hearts of His people: This is just the beginning! As you read through this edition of the

Center News, take a few seconds after each article to thank the Lord for what He is doing and is about to do among us. Onward and Upward!

The CYC is a place where I always want to be; it has become a part of who I am. The second I walked through the doors in October 2010, I felt the atmosphere … everything so inviting and happy. I never experienced that before. I loved it then and there. It doesn't matter where you come from or where you are, you're accepted into this group of friends that will love on you and be there no matter what the situation. The relationships I have made there are priceless. I cannot imagine life without them; they are my

family, my friends, and my heart.

The CYC is a place where you can grow as a Christian.

It is a place where the greatest of seeds are planted. Seeing the utter love and adoration for our Father absolutely amazes and excites me. I am absolutely honored to have the chance to be a leader, and to be a part of changing lives.

-Submitted by Kylie Twietmeyer, 18 years old

Kylie has taken on the project of remodeling the CYC bathrooms.

What’s Going On With CYC Youth Ministry?

After careful consideration and reevaluating the garage sale as a viable fundraiser it has been determined that the garage sale will be postponed for this year. If you have a passion for garage sales and want to help the CYC and it’s ministries, would you consider holding a garage sale at your home and then donating the profits to the CYC? Call Christy at 815-723-6837 with questions or comments.

Garage Sale Postponed

CYC Sports! Batter up! The warm weather is just around the corner. We will blink and baseball / softball will be here. So many families enjoy spending part of their days with us during the summer. Won’t you consider providing a scholarship to a family that could benefit and even enjoy being here at the CYC? There have been so many young people impacted by the Coaches that God put in their lives!. It is quite an opportunity to glorify God and be a blessing to families. Please pray with us to that end. Besides reaching out to another family, would you consider being a coach? I always need more each year. This could be your year! Let me know please.

You can always point someone to our web site. CycJoliet.org or email me at…Lee@theCYC.org. Thanks!

Adult Volleyball and Men’s Softball are starting up! Please make sure that your team is signed up and that you do not miss the fun and fellowship. God bless. -Lee

CYC Sports -By Lee Swank Dear Brian & CYC Staff,

� God has blessed, so I want to share $___________ to help the CYC continue to be a blessing to many!

� I will pray for the Christian Youth Center

� Please add my name to the Strongest Links prayer ministry

� I would be blessed by volunteering at the CYC in the area of: __________________________________________

Name: _____________________________________________ Home Phone: _________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ______________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________

Detach and mail to: CYC, PO Box 2454, Joliet, IL 60434-2454

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Spring Expo Help We need volunteers to help at the Spring Expo (Westfield Louis Joliet Mall) on Saturday, April 2nd, 10am to 9pm. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to share Christ and the CYC with people at the mall! Call 815-723-6837 today!

Mentoring Ministry Training

The Christian Association of Youth Mentoring is working with the CYC to provide the knowledge and materials to help churches and organizations start or continue to develop life transforming mentoring ministries. June 17 & 18 at the CYC. Registration and details

at www.CAYM.org