Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

Danielle A.

"Defeating Post-Modernism" Assignments!

Just firing off an update from the Strategy Group meeting this morning. We discussed preparations for the exciting upcoming event on November 5th, "Defeating Post-Modernism" which will be at Roper Mountain Baptist Church.

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and although scheduled to run through until 10 p.m., likely won't be that long. There will be fellowship, valuable information, and delicious pizza afterwards.

I would like to note that certain assignments have been given to various YCLA members, and are such as follows:

- David Killinger shall bring beverages
- Justin Summerlin is in charge of plateware and ice
- Matt Wally will be picking up the pizza and leading music - I think the songs we chose were "The Bible Stands", "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "A New Life in Christ"
- The Goulds will be in charge of some cookies for dessert
- Josiah Magnuson will create the program for the evening.

More info can be found at the public Facebook Event page!

Ten Commandments Series

It should be noted that the Ten Commandments study series will begin in two weeks. Remember when you picked which commandment you'd like to study and talk about? This is that assignment! You'll be teaching a mini-lecture for about 5-10 minutes, so study up - you never know if someone may have a question about your topic afterward!

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser Dues

On a final note - YCLA members, this is important!

The Creation Museum was a blast. Please remember that if you owe anything or have not sold your certificates for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, you need to do so ASAP so we can pay David back for his generous investment. He spent $500.00 to buy all the doughnuts and certificates and not all of it has been returned to him via profit, leaving him in the red. Don't settle for debt - if you can't sell the certs to others, consider buying them yourself  (hey, they're fantastic Christmas gifts for local loved ones!) or donating a set amount of money to the YCLA to help pay off the costs. We appreciate your cooperation!

I think that's all for now. Keep tuned for more meeting and event updates from yours truly and the other awesome bloggers.

God bless~

The YCLA is happy to announce a new strategic emphasis for the year 2010. Our theme beginning in January will be “Core Communities.” The emphasis of the Core Communities theme will be to build on our individual contacts already in existence nationwide, to create or identify entire centres of principled young people. We will thus be focusing on reaching entire groups, as well as continuing our previous concentration on gaining new individual contacts and members.  The goal is to establish numerous bases of support which can be networked for political, social, and evangelistic action.

One way this goal can be accomplished is through YCLA training events such as Lead the Lemon.  Lead the Lemon is an example of an exciting and fun yet simple event which demonstrates how to “be an example” of Christ (I Tim. 4:12) in “sour” situations. It consists primarily of a round of mini-golf with lemons as the golf balls, followed by a brief presentation, and then lemonade making and refreshments!  Through this and other events, the YCLA will take a broad yet personal approach to growing our network. (You can find out more about the Lead the Lemon opportunity online at www.YoungChristianLeaders.org/lemons.aspx!)  

Operation Pi and BEAMS will also contribute to the Core Communities theme. Operation Pi, an effort to see prayer groups started in schools, will continue to create new centres of young people who are connected with God and who have a heart for serving Christ. BEAMS, an acronym for Becoming Energetic And Mobilized Servants, is an educational option for leadership–minded youth. It, too, has great potential to begin creating a network for principle as groups begin using its challenging rank advancements and Handbook.

The ultimate goal of the YCLA is to unite likeminded young people to serve in reclaiming the culture. For example, thousands of Bible-believing churches have youth groups, but many take\ little time to integrate moral efforts into their activities. Still fewer ever interact with other youth groups, because of a lack of the common ground created by action for common principles. The YCLA will seek to provide ways for these groups to come together in support of the Biblical worldview.  Ultimately, success depends on God’s working and our individual contacts spreading the word.

Will you help us build the network?

"Lead the Lemon" is an event we are currently developing for church or other youth groups, to introduce them to the YCLA while teaching numerous key leadership principles. 

What Happens

The main event is a nine-hole mini-golf match.  Each member of the groupbrings a lemon to use as the "golf ball."  They can pair up withothers, or compete individually.  Each must hit their lemon with a designated instrument - they must not use their hands.  It is generally hard to get the football-shaped lemons into the holes.  After the match, the group can use the lemons to make their own lemonade, to be used in a time of refreshment.  A presentation may be included between the mini-golf and lemonade-making, or may be added at the end.  

The Point

Pushing is not an effective leadership strategy.  If the lemon were pulled on a string, for instance, the game would be much easier.  In leading others, the best way to do so is by example - to live what you believe,"pulling" others along in love.  If people are forced to follow, they usually will not be committed for long.

Also, the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" can be well-demonstrated in this event.  The lemons may be explained to represent one's life, sugar as the choice to have a positive ("sweet") attitude, and water as the Water of the Word which God has given us to live by.  While our lives sometimes may be "sour," and while God often may have to "squeeze" us some, we should remember that "He knoweth the way that I take - when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as [liquid !!] gold."  (Job 23:10)

What to Do

Please pray as we finalize plans and continue to schedule these events in churches.  If you would like info on hosting a "Lead the Lemon" event at your church, please contact us online or email us at yclalliance@gmail.com.  Thanks!

The State of the Alliance, July 2009

A Message from the President of the Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

Throughout the brief history of the YCLA, there is one important question I and other members have often been asked when presenting the concept of our Alliance. That question is, "So just what do you do?" Recently, the YCLA celebrated its second-year anniversary. Such a question is especially relevant at this time, in which our group is looking forward to many bright possibilities, while continuing to face many challenges.

First, the YCLA was founded to be a network of servant-leaders. Our members want to encourage and inspire each other to continue doing their very best for Christ. Our mission is to be ordinary youth who follow Christ first. Our mission is to set an example in our everyday lives. The YCLA will not always be doing some "big thing." If we do big things, it is simply to inspire us to do the little things.

On the other hand, the YCLA does not only act as an individual encouragement-booster. It is our goal to provide resources, energy-building experiences, and opportunities for action to all those involved in our network. There are a number of large projects we are currently involved in. We now have contacts in at least 19 states and three foreign countries. At the time of this writing, twelve Operation Pi prayer groups out of our 2009 goal of 25 are being planned for the coming school year. Our 2010 BEAMS handbook, currently in writing, is slated for publication by November in God's provision. We are also beginning a monthly newsletter which will contain important news and developments, as well as helpful character thoughts and action points.

So, what is it we really do? What is the vision of the YCLA?

The YCLA is far from being a quest for fame and fortune. It is a group of young people who each live "in Christ" with Him as their Leader.  It is an organization in which service is highly valued. It is a network enabling members to present and evaluate ideas for more effective action. Finally, it is a team which unites behind the best ideas and puts them to work for the advancement of Truth and Biblical principle. It is with this vision in mind that we can indeed look towards the future and plan the "big things."

Praise God for the success He has already brought us! Let us continue to honor Him as we share His love and His Way.

In Christ's Liberty,

R. Josiah Magnuson

YCLA President

ycla@youngchristianleaders.org

pilgrimjos@gmail.com

P.S. If you want to do more, please become an online member. Becoming an online member is the first thing you should do. It helps you communicate with likeminded YCLA supporters, helps us better communicate with you and you with us, and gives us a vote of confidence that you are truly interested in supporting Biblical principle. You could also help start (or join) an Operation Pi prayer group in a school. Or, you could distribute BEAMS flyers, pre-order a 2010 Handbook, or sign up for the newsletter! You can even become a voting Member if you look over the requirements and meet them. These are examples of several simple things you can do to make an impact in our group. I look forward to hearing from you for further information on any of these issues.

YCLA President Receives Second Term

Wooster, Ohio / July 5, 2009 / www.YCLAlliance.org

R. Josiah Magnuson, the Founder and current President of the Young Christian Leaders Alliance (YCLA), was reelected yesterday for a second term, receiving 100% of the vote. No other candidates had filed for the office, which carries the YCLA executive and leadership responsibility and lasts for a two-year term. The vote was taken via an online web election which had been announced previously to all YCLA members.

Magnuson stated that it was "an honor and privilege to serve again for our mission of principle" and told the members that he would continue to uphold the Biblical worldview. He also announced plans for two new publications, including a hard-copy handbook for BEAMS, the YCLA outreach project, and a new book, Called to be Leaders, which will be published by Liberty in Law Publications. Magnuson said he expects the book to be ready by the end of next year.

The YCLA is a network of young people extending to nearly 20 states and several foreign countries which aims to unite Christian youth in support of Biblically-minded organizations. The YCLA has organized numerous evangelistic and educational endeavors, including a project in support of Answers Magazine last year. Through the generous help of their supporters and advisors, the YCLA was able to sponsor a weekend group journey to the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum last August. Their current projects include an effort called Operation Pi (Prayer Initiative), which aims to create or identify at least 100 school prayer groups by the end of the year 2010.

Contact the YCLA:

National:

yclalliance@gmail.com

www.yclalliance.org

Wooster, Ohio Office:

ycla@youngchristianleaders.org, or (864) 420-7933

Greenville, SC Office:

sttministries@gmail.com

We welcome those interested in the YCLA to learn more about us onthe About Us page and join the site by clicking "register" at the top left of the page. YCLA site members can connect with other young Christian leaders and work together on creative projects and goals. You will be able to share your ideas and insights and collaborate with other energetic, equipped, and educated young people; and mostimportantly, older authorities and advisors.

Signing up is fast and free. Thank you.

In Christ,

AV Fundamentalist

YCLA Web Master

Here is an email that the YCLA President, R. Josiah Magnuson, recently sent to those interested in the YCLA. Feel free to pass it on to your friends:

"Dear friends,

The Young Christian Leaders' Alliance (YCLA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website, www.YCLAlliance.org. The website includes site member accounts, a blog, newly-written descriptionsfor YCLA goals and beliefs, and an overall more professional look.  Please check it out now and sign up as an online member!  Our previous site, www.YoungChristianLeaders.org, will remain in service and will be updated as a resource area in the fall.

 

The YCLA is a network of young people, from many places across the United States, who are willing to learn, grow, and act to support Biblical principle.  We believe that the humanist, evolutionary worldview has caused godly standards to be replaced with a relative morality, which has caused a slide towards socialism in America.  In order for ourculture and society to be reclaimed, there must be (in the words of John Adams)" a revolution in the hearts and minds of the people."  In other words, we must reach individuals with a Message to change their lives.  It is the goal of the YCLA to foster the revolution in individuals, through proclaiming the Biblical worldview, including the need for trust in Christ as Lord and Savior.

The YCLA exists primarily as an energizing agencyfor other groups, which have a like minded series of core beliefs and anunderstanding of Biblical authority.  Examples of these groups include Answers in Genesis, The Institute on the Constitution, Coral Ridge Ministries, and Vision Forum. YCLA members learn and encourage the development of characterand leadership skills, so each of us can be of maximum benefit to the cause of Christ. We also continuously work to educate ourselves and our peers on important issues.

 

If you would like to support the YCLA and our mission, I would encourage you once again to check out the new site and sign up as an online member.  This process takes only minutes.  Also, you may contact the YCLA at ycla@youngchristianleaders.org to learn furtherways to help, such as participating in Operation Pi, our "Prayer Initiative" inschools.  If you need an immediate reply, you may email me personallyat pilgrimjos@gmail.com.

 

Finally, please take a minute to forward this email to several of your friends. Thank you for your prayers, and God Bless! 

 

In Christ's Freedom,

 

R. Josiah Magnuson

YCLA President"