Did you know R.E.A.C.H. Summit isn’t just for directors?  

ALL VOLUNTEERS are welcome to our annual leadership summit, which is designed for refreshing, connecting and growing. That includes mentors, camp nurses, facilitators—anyone who serves at T.R.A.C. with a HEART for vulnerable youth. 

Jessika Nienhuis, Camp Counselor, Torrance, California  

When I welcomed 14-year-old Sara to T.R.A.C, she quickly told me, “I don’t like people; no offense!” 

“That’s fine,” I replied. “I like people enough for the both us.”  

You must all be quick to listen,  slow to speak,  and slow to become angry.  James 1:19 

Recently I received a prayer request from one of our leaders. Emotions were high after girls’ camp. Her prayer was for the Lord to soften hearts. 

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.  1 Thessalonians 1:2  

Have we told you lately how much we appreciate you and your volunteers? We pray every Thursday as a national team, so always know you can text/email/call us with specific requests.

The morning of boys’ T.R.A.C. in Lakeland, Florida, Hunter faced his judge in juvenile court. But he wasn't alone.  

The 14-year-old young man had been in and out of detention several times, including spending Christmas locked up.

During a recent weekly national team meeting, Serena shared the following poem by 14-year-old Mia Thomas in the LIVE Bible. 

Is Somebody There?  

Is it a sin to say that I don’t believe? 

Well, it’s true . . . 

But if you’re God, you already knew. 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. A few days ago, I received the following update from a foster mom regarding one of our T.R.A.C.life mentees, a young man who continues to navigate his future after being abused and neglected as a child.

Welcome to our newest T.R.A.C.life leaders who trained in Nebraska last month: 

Stephanie Sunday & Tammy Wheeler (Central Nebraska), Tami Davis & Sheri Rickertsen (Kearney, NE), Erin Cantrell (Lincoln, NE), Stephanie Kidman (Springfield, MO), and Heidi & Sam Pergolski (Milwaukee, WI). 

A phrase stuck out to me recently. He provides all that He requires of you. We serve such a good and loving Father. He puts us on assignment, and then He equips us with everything we need to fulfill those tasks.

As Teen Reach marks 25 years, we celebrate the dedicated chapters and many volunteers who have consistently worked to introduce vulnerable youth to hope. While many things have evolved over the past quarter-century, our commitment as a national team to providing each volunteer, sponsoring church, camper, and mentee with quality, Christ-centered support remains steadfast. 

Did you know T.R.A.C.life launched a library of modules designed to teach mentees important life skills? Currently, topics include: budgeting, credit, hygiene and goals. 

On Saturday Jesus sits in a corner of my bedroom.

He moves the piles of socks and clothes over gently and tucks his feet up resting his chin on his bony knees

Jesus sits in the mix of the laundry and the various nicknacks from my week and I sit on my bed while there aren’t any words exchanged in the five feet between us

In The Life We’re Looking For, Andy Crouch’s main point is that we’re increasingly trading real relationships with each other and God for the magic of technology. This isn’t completely new; however, recent changes in the world from the industrial, financial and telecommunication revolutions have made this view dominant in society.

He is the oldest of nine siblings and the only one in foster care.

Before coming into care, CJ carried more than his share of pain. Sixteen years of trauma, broken trust, spoken labels, and unmet needs had shaped how he saw himself. Self‑worth has been his greatest battle. He genuinely believed the lies spoken over him, that he was not worthy of a future, that he did not deserve good things, that his story would end exactly where others said it would.

Am I going to be enough?

If you’ve ever felt insecure, you’re not alone. This question seems to hound volunteers, especially during the first year with T.R.A.C. and T.R.A.C.life.

It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices . . .”

Zechariah 4:10

As we all know, some prayers are answered immediately, while others take weeks, months, or even years. Over the years, T.R.A.C. has dominated my prayer life as I’ve asked God to bring finances, staff and campers every camp season. Can you relate?

I discovered T.R.A.C. when searching for a way to serve in my new church after moving to Omaha, Nebraska. I had never been a camp counselor, and my only experience with children in foster care were my cousins who I saw once a year at our family reunion.

I’ll never forget something my friend, Tricia, said one summer when we served together at church camp. 

“You either see the world filtered through God glasses or the culture’s glasses.”