People are often surprised by a young person’s positive
response when presented a challenge that can make a difference in the life of
someone less fortunate.
There are three words we’ve learned among the adults at our church group
here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to get the attention of a teen. They are “I
dare ya!” Just give a group of young people a real challenge that includes
tangible service for the benefit of others, and they will almost always
respond. Far too often, adults overlook the fact that a great number of youth
possess a tremendous capacity to care about the world. Many have a deep desire
to make a genuine difference in the lives of people less fortunate. And when
challenged to give and to sacrifice, they will step up to a level that often
surprises even the seasoned youth leader or teacher. In our church district,
we’ve discovered an event that brings out more youth than parties or just
about anything else. Outreach International’s Hunger Challenge (formerly
Fast-A-Thon) is an event that consists of fun activities, and yet is very
important to our local youth for making a difference. Like I said, present
kids with a meaningful challenge, help them to envision the difference their
efforts can make, and they will be there.
Recently, more than forty young people and a considerable number of
enthusiastic adults enjoyed a “final meal” before embarking on a
thirty-hour fast (most Hunger Challenges are for twenty-four hours). The kids
had spent the previous weeks soliciting pledges from friends and family for
this fundraising event. That evening, we converged upon a middle school
gymnasium for volleyball, basketball, and fun. Before the sporting activities,
our weekend chaplain led us in praise and worship along with a video regarding
world hunger. As another visual reminder, everyone placed their hands in paint
and made ten handprints each on a sixty-foot roll of table paper, which
totaled more than four hundred handprints representing the number of people in
the world who die every fifteen minutes due to hunger and preventable
diseases. It became our banner for the weekend.
The next day, Saturday, was dedicated to service projects. We divided into
work groups and headed out to assist with some activities. One group sorted
and hung clothing at a mission that provides free clothing for the poor.
Another group helped clean up a local Habitat for Humanity work site. A few
hearty souls even made runs to the city dump for a local mission, despite the
muddy ground.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed a few games at a local bowling alley. When the
owners learned what we were doing, they were only too glad to host our group
for a very low fee. We returned to our church building for free-time
activities, naps, and table games, and then regrouped for a “Let’s Can
Hunger” scavenger hunt -a fun, but meaningful activity our group has been
doing for years.
Our fast ended with a much-anticipated celebration meal at 6:00 p.m.
Recognition was given to each youth who raised $50 or more. Awards were given
to those who raised the most funds. The grand total raised by our kids was
almost $2,500. It was wonderful to take our banner of handprints and write
over it in bold lettering the amount of money we would be sending to Outreach
International to help the poor! All of us involved knew that our efforts were
going to make a real difference in the lives of fellow human beings.
We could not have accomplished this without the tremendous support of the
congregations in our area. Twenty adults from our district volunteered their
time and the use of their vehicles. And speaking of dedication-there were a
few young people that could not attend our weekend activity, but fasted just
the same and sent in their pledge money. How awesome is that?
If our relatively small group of ours can raise $2,500 in a single weekend
event, just think what would happen if youth groups everywhere would sponsor a
Hunger Challenge event! Think of the many projects within Outreach
International’s field programs that, together, we could support! We could
make a tremendous impact on the work to assist those less fortunate. This is
the kind of impact that so many young people aspire to create but often don’t
know how to achieve it. There is a way, and it’s through Hunger Challenge.
I should give you fair warning, however. We believe our youth group in
Grand Rapids is the best anywhere. And we challenge others to try to
out-do us! If your group (church, school, team, or club) would like to
organize a Hunger Challenge event, simply contact Outreach International for
details. C’mon . . . we dare ya!
For more information about Hunger Challenge, or to receive a Hunger
Challenge Kit, contact Outreach International at hunger@outreachmail.org
or visit their web site that features specific details about Hunger Challenge
at www.outreach-international.org.
