A Mel & Tay Holiday

Ho, ho, ho.  One big reason I am jolly at this time of year is because of how well our first ever Oak Hill High School Youth For Christ Banquet went on November, 18th!  Over 80 adults attended, along with high school Principle Mike McDivitt, Oak Hill United School Corporation Superintendent Joel Martin, and a sizable pack of hard-working students who helped set up and serve during the banquet.  We were able to hear the testimonies of one student, one volunteer, and one teacher of how God is already using Campus Life to impact families and change lives at the high school.  We also had a worship song corporately sung at the end of the banquet led by my beautiful and sweet fiancé Melissa Meyer and her friend Caitlyn.  Local churches were represented with excellence as well, as we had four pastors from four different local churches pray throughout the course of the evening.  Thank you to all of you who contributed to this huge success!  Not only has it generated a noticeable amount of enthusiasm and momentum around the school and surrounding community, but we were also able to further fund the ministry of Campus Life by raising over $10,000 in a single evening!  Thank You, Lord.  If you missed this incredible night, go ahead and mark your calendar for our second banquet installment coming back to a high school cafeteria near you (Oak Hill, silly) in November 2016.

Excuse me while I…  Get personal for a moment: ON DECEMBER 27th I’M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!  I know that for many of you this comes as great evidence that our God is still in business of doing miracles.  It does to me, as well. Melissa Meyer and I will become One at our local church in Marion, IN, on the evening of December 27th and will spend the following week in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee for our honeymoon.  As you pray for the ministry of Youth For Christ at Oak Hill, please also remember this momentous and life-changing event in your prayers.  Marriage is a life-long covenant before God and man that I am ecstatic for, but I am also very humbled by it and needy for your prayers and support as Mel and I prepare to proceed into a new and wonderful life together.

So what’s next?  As relationships deepen between students, volunteers and myself, your prayer continues to carry us.  Thank you for remembering me and for showing your support in, for many of you, a variety of wonderful ways.  Weekly breakfast’s continue to engage and encourage an average of anywhere from 20-35 students each Wednesday morning in the school cafeteria. Weekly Club nights are preparing to launch at the Oak Hill campus in January 2016, and we couldn’t be more excited or ready for this next development to finally take flight.  Personal financial support continues to come in month after month bringing me to up to 76% of my financial need for this fiscal year.  It’s a joy-filled walk of faith as I trust the Lord’s promise to always provide for His children what they need.  With all that said, "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!"

Humbly for Jesus,

Taylor Frank

765-618-8418

taylor@bigjawsyfc.org

October 2015 Update

Why YFC?  Twenty-seven percent of American high school students admit to having used illicit drugs, 46% admit to having had sexual intercourse, and 72% admit to having consumed alcohol by the end of HS with average first consumption occurring at age 12. Students are searching for purpose and meaning in life, and I believe there is only ONE place they will ever find it: Jesus. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.”  If high school students aren’t finding life in Jesus, it isn’t because they aren’t desperately searching for it.

Setting the sails.  Access to Oak Hill High School has been freely given to YFC and the opportunities God is giving me to build relationships with parents, teachers, coaches, and students are by His grace, abundant. Every Wednesday morning for 30 minutes before school we have donuts, milk, and a community pastor or parent who comes in to share an encouraging devotional and lead prayer. This Fall we have also been hosting community-wide events called “Tailgate for the Team” before every varsity football home game where we offer free food, music, and games. These events have been providing countless opportunities to connect not just with students, but with their parents and friends, as well. What’s even more amazing to me is that the Oak Hill varsity football coaching staff has asked me to come in to speak to the team before every game this season, sharing for fifteen minutes about anything I want to regarding faith, relationships, God, football, or otherwise. Having the opportunity to lead these chapels has been very exciting and very rewarding to say the least.

Looking ahead.  I continue to pray for time and opportunities to deepen the relationships God has been providing for me at Oak Hill; quantity is exploding, but quality will take intentional time given to the hands of the Holy Spirit. I will also have the wonderful privilege of hosting a YFC Fundraiser Banquet in the high school cafeteria on the evening of Wednesday of November 18th. This will be our most important fundraiser of the year, and every dollar given will stay local at Oak Hill High School. In addition, in January we plan to start a weekly Club night in a local home to bridge the gap between searching students and local churches we are connected with.

Room for growth.  Please pray for this ministry. S.D. Gordon once said, “Prayer strikes the winning blow, ministry is just picking up the pieces.” I believe that, and I will continue to ride on the wings of your prayers. We also have a mentorship program in place to place students in relationships with qualified adults, but we stand in need of more adults to step forward to care for and empower the students of Oak Hill. Financially, God has provided approximately 62% of my financial needs through the generous contributions of many family members and friends. Donors and monthly supporters are foundational to making this crucial ministry to the searching students of Oak Hill happen.

Taylor Frank || 765-618-8418 || taylor@bigjawsyfc.org