Dear Friends,

For over 40 years, summer camp has been a vital part of our mission to reach at-risk youth. Camp gives us the opportunity to take kids out of their everyday environments and place them in a setting where they can experience things many have never known. For some, everything is a first—going to the beach, hiking, canoeing, sleeping in a cabin, or simply eating a meal off a plate instead of out of a wrapper. But more important than any activity is the time we spend with each child, building relationships and helping them understand they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Over the years, thousands of kids have attended our camps. But this past summer felt different.

The names of some of the boys stood out to me—Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Joshua, Malachi, and Elijah. Out of the six, five had no idea their names were in the Bible. After meeting their parents, I’m not sure they knew either. Each of these boys has continued in our program, and each carries unique challenges and needs.

One of those young men began making poor decisions and eventually faced expulsion from school—at just sixth grade. After multiple suspensions, his future was hanging in the balance. His mother called me and asked if I would come to a meeting with school board members, administrators, and teachers to support her son. I attended, and for over four hours, we listened as the school presented their case, followed by the student and his mother.

It was difficult to hear. I know this young man—he’s made mistakes, but he is not a bad kid.

When the vote was taken, the result was 15 to 2 in favor of expulsion. As we walked to the parking lot, his mother looked at me through tears and said, “Pastor Scott, is there anything you can do? If my son is expelled in sixth grade, he will end up in prison.”

After praying with them, I felt led to go back inside and ask if there were any other options. I brought up the possibility of an alternative school, but I was told that option had already been denied. However, I recognized the name of the principal they had mentioned—I knew her. The next morning, I went to the school and asked to meet with her personally. After some time, she agreed to see me. By God’s grace, she agreed to accept him.

I drove him to school that first week, and he began adjusting well. During those rides, we had meaningful conversations about God.

One day I asked him, “Do you know what your name means?” He said no. I told him, “Your name means ‘My God is Yahweh’ or ‘Jehovah is my God.’”

Then I asked, “Is Jehovah your God? Have you trusted in God’s Son, Jesus?” He said, “Yes. I made that decision at camp. I hate the bad decisions I make, but with God’s help, I know I can change.”

That’s why camp matters.

Would you consider supporting our summer camp program so we can continue reaching kids like him—kids who may one day be known as Peter, James, John… or maybe even Moses? We don’t know the next name God will bring us, but we want every child referred to us to have the opportunity to attend camp. That can only happen with your support.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us as we continue to reach at-risk youth.

In His Service,

Scott Hirdes

Director, Leverage Ministries

Dear Supporter,

Just a short time ago, we celebrated Christmas. At Leverage Ministries, our Christmas season with the kids runs from early November through January, filled with parties, meals, and special moments. Because some of our teens are only with us a short time, we try to make each event meaningful and memorable.

This year, at one of our ministry sites, we had the teens build gingerbread houses. Each received graham crackers and icing, with bowls of candy on the tables for decorating. You can imagine how it went (more eating than building), but everyone was having a great time.

Everyone except one young man. He was sitting quietly. No building, no eating, not even throwing candy. I sat down next to him and asked if he wanted help getting started. He looked at me and said, “How am I supposed to build a home? I don’t know what one looks like. I’ve only lived in one for less than a couple of months, and every home I’ve lived in was full of drugs, abuse, yelling, and screaming.”

My heart broke. What was meant to be a fun activity had opened a deep wound. In that moment, John 14:1–3 came to mind, and I shared with him how Jesus is preparing a real, lasting home for us, and it’s a place of peace, safety, and love. I told him that this world isn’t our final home, and that because of Jesus, heaven is.

He looked at me and said, “That will be my home too. I trusted Jesus last week after you spoke.” Then he added, “I’m going to build my house like heaven so it’s full of love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, with room for my family.” Later, he showed me his gingerbread house. In the center, he had made a cross out of licorice. He said, “See, Pastor Scott? Jesus is the center of my house.”

Moments like this remind me how different “home” is for so many of the teens we serve. For many of them, home doesn’t mean safety or love. It means pain they’d rather forget. And yet, because of your support, we get to point them to Jesus, who loves them enough to die for them and prepare a place for them in heaven.

Thank you for making stories like this possible. Please continue to pray for Leverage Ministries as we reach abused, abandoned, and arrested teens and point each one to the hope found in Jesus.

In His Service,

Scott Hirdes

Director, Leverage Ministries

Dear Friends of Leverage Ministries,

Around this time seven years ago, Leverage Ministries was born. A small group of men, led by the vision of Mike Musick, came together with a shared burden to reach the abused, abandoned, and arrested youth of Central Florida. Shortly after, I was invited to serve as the first director—and as they say, the rest is history.

One of the very first young people we met was a boy named Alan. His story has stayed with me ever since. Alan’s father had just been deported to Mexico, where he was immediately arrested and sentenced to life in prison. I’ll never forget Alan climbing into our van for Breakfast Club one morning and saying, “I’ll never see my dad again—but to be honest, I had only met him once.”

Alan’s mother faced her own challenges, and he moved from place to place, never living in the same home for more than a year. But during one of Leverage Ministries’ first overnight camps, Alan made the decision to trust Jesus as his Savior. From that moment on, he became a faithful part of our ministry—attending every single camp we’ve hosted and staying connected through all these years.

Many of our volunteers know Alan’s story and how difficult his life has been, but as one of them once said, “I don’t think Alan has ever had a bad day.” Despite everything he’s endured, Alan always manages to find joy.

Today, Alan is 18 years old. Last summer, he joined us once again for camp, and it was an incredible week. Shortly after, one of our local business partners offered to buy brand-new shoes for every boy in our program. The very last pair we delivered was—of course—Alan’s.

By then, he was living somewhere new, but we tracked him down and surprised him with a pair of Nike basketball shoes. His eyes lit up. He looked at me and said, “Pastor Scott, this is kind of funny—years ago you taught me how to walk with Jesus, and now you’re giving me the shoes.”

He hugged me and said softly, “I don’t know where I’d be without you guys. Thank you for showing me how to walk with Jesus.” Before I left, he gave me another hug and whispered, “These are my only shoes. The ones I wore to camp fell apart when I got home. You always have perfect timing—these are the first brand-new shoes I’ve ever had.”

Stories like Alan’s are the reason Leverage Ministries exists—to reach and disciple young men who need to experience the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

This year has been financially challenging, as our expenses have continued to rise. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us through a special year-end gift, so we can continue reaching young people like Alan? You can give online at www.leverageministries.org or by mailing a check (payable to Leverage Ministries) in the envelope provided.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” - Philippians 4:6

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your partnership in this ministry.

In His Service,

Scott Hirdes

From our family to yours, may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, a blessed Christmas, and a joyful New Year!