My vision is to be able to help people who don’t already know that being a Christian is well “cool”. The way I plan on doing this is by creating a Canadian based Christian blog for youth and young adults. This is the time in young peoples lives where they struggle with who they are and what they believe in. God has placed this idea on my heart and I plan on creating this blog that will collaborate with young Christian leaders to help write about their truths and issues that they have struggled with. This blog will hopefully be able to help young people to realize their full and own potential.

This blog started off as a magazine but was slowly shifted to a blog format. This blog is here to inform and tell stories about the amazing God that created each and everyone of us. These posts will illustrate God’s grace and love through the struggles in our lives.

Keep reading for Joel’s review of how it all went down. -LY

Before the existence of TSA, it was a given vision of mine to use the platform of sports to introduce Christ. Launch Youth Unlimited (Launch) gave me a coach in Randall Linton who was the tool that helped me build my vision with suggestions, ideas, and thought provoking questions. He guided me through every turn, and supported me in orchestrating the birth of TSA. I am honored and thrilled that God brought Launch’s ministry into my life.

On March 16^th  to the 18^th Toronto Sports Association (TSA) celebrated its 1^st Annual and launching event entitled “High-School March Madness” Basketball camp & tournament, which focused on improving the lives of youths on and off the Basketball court. In the opinion of majority, it was a wonderful success. It was held in the Gym of “The Prayer Palace Church” (TPP), who welcomed us with opened arms to use their beautiful facility.  This unique event included teaching and improving basketball skills through various drills, team competition and Christian guest speakers such as Pastor Tom of the TPP and Herbie Kuhn, voice of the Toronto Raptors who encouraged and blessed the hearts of everyone.

Each Athlete paid $20 to participate and that included free team uniform, free food, training and competitive games for three days, four hours each. Since this was the first event, no one knew what to expect, especially with the attendance from athletes. We were blessed to have a total of 32 registered athletes who showcased a lot of talents, with great passing, shooting and specular dunking abilities.

The volunteer group was very helpful in the success of our event because they all conducted and mentor the players through their positive attitude and words of encouragements. They all received a thank you certificate for the great work and involvement.

Were also thankful to have Herbie Kuhn join us at our first basketball camp and share an inspirational message. In his devotional speaking, he stated that “Success is when preparation is met with opportunities.” Herbie Kuhn was also grateful enough to provide giveaways, and other gifts.  Approximately 20 individuals eventually gave their lives to Christ.  Amen! These individuals will never forget this moment because we are following up with those individuals to show that we care and they are all looking forward to our next event

Huge thanks to all the sponsors and supporters of our 1^st event that made it possible of us to achieve our goal. Canadian Basketball Academy, Pizza Ville, Launch, Prayer Palace Church, and many others that contributed basketball equipment’s, food, and encouragements and without them allowing God to use them it wouldn’t be possible

Looking ahead, our vision is unique and challenging and the task ahead requires a united effort, however we continuously seek guidance from God to maintain the vision. We welcome prayers and support from others to join together with TSA and make a change that will impact lives and strengthen our communities through the platform of sports; saving lives one game at a time, because we believe in “More Than Just Sports”.

- Joel

Katrina is a LAUNCHee alumni and has been continuing to give leadership in her church and her community by putting together an annual girls conference to inspire, encourage and teach young girls about the love of God and their identity in Christ. (Read our blog post with photos from last year’s event.) Here’s Katrina’s personal invitation to this year’s event. The promotional flyer and other details are below.

It is my privilege to invite you and the girls in your youth group to attend the second annual Girls Conference, entitled Open Doors! With interactive workshops, thought-provoking drama presentations, worship sessions, dinner, games and more, Girls Conference 2011: Open Doors will be an unforgettable and life-changing experience no girl will want to miss! Last year, over 160 girls attended and were taught about their true value and worth in God’s eyes verses the lies that this world is trying to promote.

Designed by girls – for girls, this conference will offer teaching and encouragement that will provide an atmosphere of worship and opportunities to meet God where they need it most. Our goal is for participants to leave Girls Conference with greater confidence to share their own faith story, a deeper understanding of God’s love, and an increased awareness of their true identity in Christ.

The theme of this year’s conference is based on Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts, and he is saying “Look no further – I am right here!” He wants a relationship with us, and he will continue to knock at the door until we make the choice to open the door and let him in.

Hope to see you there!

-Katrina

Who: Girls from grade 8-12 (age 13-18) and women (age 18-30)
When: Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 3:30 – 9PM (doors open at 2:30 pm)
Where: Springvale Church, 3885 Stouffville Road, Stouffville, ON
Cost: $5 with pre-registration; $12 at the door (pre-register online here)
Website: www.girlsconference.jimdo.com
Email: girlsconference@gmail.com

I have always been fond of soccer for as far back as I can remember. So, too, has my love of God stretched back through my life. In my idea of creating a summer program, my prayer is that I will both be able to convey the joys of soccer and good teamwork as well as the love, peace and wonder that comes through a relationship with God. I hope to build faith as well as skills in those younger than me.

But even after a little delayed start time due to the unforeseen traffic at registration, Bo Boshers (Lead222 and Willow Creek) and Chris Folmsbee (Barefoot Ministries) gave keynote talks that challenged youth and youth workers to Lead with Love, this year’s conference theme.

And of course, LAUNCH was there to do our part in spreading the word about what we can provide, with our coaching, our leadership tools and resources, and our encouragement and challenge to take Kingdom dreams into action. William Raposo, LAUNCHee Coordinator, lead a morning workshop for youth on “Discovering ME and God’s Dream to serve others”, while LAUNCH Director, Carl Nash, lead two workshops, “Developing Leadership Skills in Young People” to youth workers and “Moving Towards Your Kingdom Dream” to youth.

William also worked with Conference Director Matt Wilkinson (from The Meeting House), to offer another “student experience” as part of Today’s Teens, this time challenging them on the theme of leading with love.

Also in attendance was LAUNCHee Alumni, Laura from Keep It Real, bringing some skateboarding entertainment in between sessions and offering Keep It Real apparel for purchase.

“Since 1984, over 23,000 youth and youth workers have gathered together at the Today’s Teens Conference because they believed one thing – that every young person in their community needed to hear about and experience the message of Jesus” (Matt Wilkinson).

Next year’s event is already underway… the date is set for February 25, 2012 with keynote speakers Sid Koop (Truth Matters) and Efrem Smith (author of Jump into a Life Further and Higher). Register early at www.todaysteens.ca. -LY

God has placed a burden on my heart to help youth who struggle with depression, self-injury, and suicide – issues that are often misunderstood and neglected.

Rain will be a conference that deals with these issues head on. The conference will help youth to understand more about these issues and give advice on how to help someone who may be dealing with them. On top of that, the conference will be a place where youth who may be struggling with depression, self-injury, or thoughts of suicide can find hope and help or at least be encouraged to seek help from friends, family, or professionals.

My vision is for people to know that they matter.

We’ll post more information about Josiah’s Rain Conference as it unfolds! So stay tuned!

The Love Call Ministries is a growing ministry birthed in the city of Toronto, ON. The ministry is dedicated to the equipping of individuals and teams serving short-term and long-term in the outreaching and evangelism of their communities. The ministry presently has several projects that aim to effectively work with the marginalized and lost souls of our world.

The Love Call’s vision is to send individuals to be the healing voice of Jesus to the nations, declaring all to return to the Beloved.

These past few years I have become more and more involved in my church and I want to encourage teens to be free to worship God as we should. I feel that my calling is to bring all of these teens together in my community so that we can openly, loudly and lovingly praise the God who created us. I want to create an environment where everyone can praise without feeling shy or without feeling forced. I intend on getting teen speakers, a teen praise team, and an overall involvement of teens throughout Niagara to take part in this team. I feel God calling me to create a stronger faith environment in local churches and that is what I would love to do.

*This video project is a Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC) and Nice to Media collaboration.