by Michelle McFarland

God works in amazing ways. The more life experience I gain, I realize how God’s timing is often quite different than our own. Case in point: Since my last article on McClure Middle School and God’s leading of some Bethany folks to extend community to the students there via a possible after-school program (specifically a “life skills” mentoring course), things have changed.

The head Young Life (“YL”) leader for McClure, Megan Levene, who had been faithfully serving the students there for a number of years, accepted a new role as Young Life Area Director for North Seattle, where her God-given gifts will be used well. Megan really held the vision (and knew the kids!) for making this new program happen.

Upon discussing this possibility with the new McClure head leader, Ben Watanabe, his response was different. He explained that the real need right now is for Bethany folks to come alongside McClure Young Life (called “Wyldlife” in middle school), a relational ministry that is demonstrating Christ to kids already .

A longtime mission partner of Bethany, YL holds a bi-weekly “club” in the Youth House. Ben explained that God has been calling them to hold club every week…and have been praying about how to make this happen. It then dawned on me that God intended this to happen from the beginning. He helped many folks to develop a heart for McClure and then pointed us in the direction of a wonderful ministry already doing great work, but in need of more “servants”.

If you are interested in helping, here’s what we need on Friday afternoons: drivers to take kids home, often to different parts of the city (in cars or Bethany vans— what a great way to strike up conversation— or listen in— with middle-schoolers!) and snack shoppers or preparers. As needed, we also need hosts to offer up space in their home for YL leadership meetings (mostly SPU students) to provide a meal for a meeting, and perhaps most importantly, prayer warriors.

I wonder what God will do next?

Please contact Michelle McFarland
954-5363; michelle.mcfarland@gmail.com