Dec 01

Kentucky Churches Organize Fundraiser to Send Youth to GYC

PAOLA MORA ZEPEDA

Juliana Olivas shares authentic Honduran dishes.

Ashton Human serves a traditional dish from South Africa. Through fundraisers such as this one, church members were able to raise close to $2,000, which will help cover part of the registration, lodging, travel, and food expenses for individuals attending GYC.

A table showcases some of the dishes at the “Taste of the World” food fair. During this delicious event, church members prepared recipes from countries such as the Philippines, Germany, Japan, and Mexico.

Jean Shephard, from the LaGrange Church, serves vegan Tikka Masala. Shephard, with the support of many other church members, started this tradition to raise funds for GYC. “When we invest in our young people, we invest in the growth of the church,” Shephard said.

The LaGrange, Pewee, and Shelbyville churches in Kentucky hosted “Taste of the World” on October 2, 2022 — a food fair meant to sponsor young adults who wish to attend this year’s Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC). This is the 10th year the churches have raised money to support GYC participants.

Jean Shephard, LaGrange Church member, organized the event. Shephard first attended GYC in 2011, and was inspired by the impact the program had on young people.

“I was just in awe to see so many young adults in this movement, because that age group is the big group that leaves the Church,” Shephard said. “After the event, I noticed that those who attended [GYC] became more involved in the Church, taking on roles that they never had done before.”

Since then, Shephard, with the support of the LaGrange, Pewee, and Shelbyville churches, has coordinated various fundraisers throughout the years to sponsor the GYC attendance of more young adults. Some of these fundraisers included a Valentine’s dinner and a chili cookout.

In addition to a yard sale, this year’s fundraising included “Taste of the World.” For this event, church members and friends prepared and sold cuisines from different countries such as South Africa, the Philippines, Germany, Japan, and Mexico. More than 50 individuals attended the fair.

“Knowing that we have a family that supports us in our spiritual growth with God, encourages us to stay focused on the Lord’s path,” said Abraham Roblero, a young adult from the Shelbyville Church who will be attending this year’s GYC program. “It’s important that other churches also focus on their youth because it helps them stand strong in the faith.”

This year, the three churches have raised closed to $2,000, which will help cover part of the registration, lodging, travel, and food expenses for 12 individuals. The group will be traveling together to Phoenix, Ariz., at the end of December for the GYC session.

“When we invest in our young people, we invest in the growth of the Church,” Shephard said. “It may take a lot of work and a lot of time, but all of that is worth it when you save a young soul.”

Kentucky-Tennessee | December 2022