"April showers bring May flowers" so goes the popular saying. Sure enough, that's how things have been shaping up for us at YouthPartnersNET and CityConnexx. We had a month full of spring storms and unusual snow but now the grass is a lush green and the flowers are popping out all over.

We want to thank you for the "showers of blessing" we received from your recent gift. Each gift allows us to plant a few more flowers of hope and compassion for those we serve. And we've seen a lot of beautiful flowers pop up through the ground this past month.

April 1 we were blessed to add another key staff person, Kevin Shipley who will help build our CityConnexx program as Director of Marketing and Development. Our Board, staff, some key donors and partners pledged significantly to bring Kevin on for this important position as CityConnexx continues to meet and exceed our expectations.

On a nine day road trip I was able to travel to several states meeting with partners and churches who want to help us reach more urban and Native American youth. Each trip reminds me of the incredible work our ministry partners are doing at the grassroots level with few resources. One Chicago partner I met with has a storefront church that seats 60 but serves 400 neighborhood kids in its program so they use his apartment next door for bathrooms, kitchen and just about every activity you can imagine.

When I landed back at DIA, we gathered for our Annual Board Meeting and Strategic Planning Retreat. We spent several days reviewing programs, budgets, dreaming and praying for God's direction. It is so refreshing and encouraging to have a great board and staff. I just want you to know that YPN is in good hands. We also had several key meetings with the executive staff of Compassion to review our accomplishments, budgets, stewardship reports and further funding.
 
You can also reserve September 19 and attend as our guest our first Celebration Banquet in Denver, CO.

We hosted several Network lunches for our urban youth workers which were a great encouragement. On May 5, we had the largest group all year with 40+ and special guest Pastor Felix Gilbert who leads Restoration Christian Fellowship, one of our key Denver ministry partners. He shared from the book of Job how God has deepened his own personal relationship while going through a very rough battle with colon cancer. Pastor Felix is an amazing man of God and we'll soon be posting a video greeting from him at www.CityConnexx.org.

We've already seen a few groups serve in Portland and Chicago as part of CityConnexx with a full summer planned as youth groups from around the country spend a week of short-term missions in Washington DC, NYC, Chicago, Denver, Lakota Reservation, Portland and Vancouver.

As you can tell, the Lord is indeed sending "showers of blessings" and we're excited and ready for a summer of serving and loving kids in Jesus' name.

For Him and Them,

Rev. Dean Cowles
YouthPartnersNET
President

PS: check out the May cover article of Christianity Today which highlights our parent organization Compassion International, "The Not-for-Profit Surge: Even in tough times, your favorite charities are surprisingly strong". Compassion showed an 8% increase in donations last year and YPN is happy to report a 28.4% growth in giving from our individual and church donors!

LIVE COMPASSION!

Your Donations at Work: (this month x3!!)

SAFEPLACE is a ministry of Edgewater Baptist Church that reaches youth and their families on Chicago's North Side. SAFEPLACE has two main components, their Afterschool Program which runs September through May and their Summer Day Camp program that is six weeks in June and July.

This grant will go toward their Afterschool Program which provides holistic mentorship and homework assistance for about 80 kids per week. The majority of the youth they serve are from low income, Hispanic immigrant families. This program trains local youth with the gospel of Christ and equips them to grow as believers. Over the years, they have seen hundreds of children saved and grow in their ability to truly follow Jesus.

His Love Fellowship is one of our Latino urban ministries whose mission is to love, help and train the family of God in west Denver. This community has extremely low income and education levels which lead to alcohol and drug addictions.

This grant will go toward their Summer Program for children K-12. Their summer program includes several weeks of outdoor camps, sports camp, Vacation Bible School and a mentoring program to help the children in math and language arts. And for the second year, they will be attending CityConnexx and serving another YPN ministry partner in Washington DC in June. Missions and community service is an extremely important aspect of their youth ministry as their kids learn by serving that they don’t always have to be on the receiving end – they always have something to give of themselves to others.

Confluence Ministries serves the West Colfax Neighborhood in Denver, CO and is the host of our YPN Denver Ministry Partner meetings.  In appreciation from our Denver Network, YPN is pleased to provide a grant for their Baseball In the City program. 

This summer program serves children ages 8-12 and teaches kids how to play baseball.  The purpose behind the program is to give neighborhood children a constructive, safe activity during the summer.  It calls forth a passion for sports while educating kids on how to be a part of a team and builds relational skills.  It is also a vehicle to preach the Good News to those who might not otherwise have an opportunity to hear it.

Prayer Request: (this month x3!!)

SAFEPLACE – many of their youth and their parents are desperate to find jobs.  Please pray for these families, especially the single parents looking for employment.

His Love Fellowship – Nathan is 14 years old.  A few years back his father over-dosed and died on Christmas Eve.  Because of this and being abandoned by his mother, he has many serious issues, one being school.  His grandmother and the school district are trying to find a non-traditional school setting that will work for him.  He is naturally gifted in the arts.  Please pray that Nathan can overcome the many challenges he faces, that they will find a good fit for him educationally, and that he will positively use his talents as a way to heal and express his feelings.

Confluence Ministries – please pray that a local church will again provide volunteers needed to run their Baseball In the City program.  Also pray that they will find and invite the children that need this program so God can work in their lives.  They are also hoping to receive tickets to a Rockies game again this year to conclude their baseball camp.  None of the kids last year had ever been to a Rockies game and it was awesome for them!