Happy Father’s Day

Dear Supporter,

Just a few short months ago, we celebrated Father’s Day—or, as some in my family like to call it, a Hallmark holiday. Traditionally, it’s a day filled with greeting cards and gift cards (in my case, usually to Bass Pro—thank you, David and Joel!).

But this year was different. Midway through the day, I received a phone call from one of the boys we had just signed up for camp. I had only met him twice before. When I answered, I said, “Hi, Nick, how are you doing? What’s going on?” He replied, “Not much. Can’t wait for camp. Just wanted to call and tell you Happy Father’s Day.”

I had never had a kid in our ministry do that—especially one I had barely met. He went on to say, “I just wanted to call and tell you that. I can’t wait for school to be out and camp to start.”

When camp began, I quickly learned that Nick was a handful. He didn’t want to listen, picked fights, argued constantly, and disrupted the program. Week One was tough. Week Two was no different; if anything, it was worse. By the time we started our final week of camp, I was honestly questioning why we had brought him. Part of me thought I should have given his spot to someone else.

But on the very last night, Nick came up to me and said, “I trusted Jesus as my Savior. I’ve been battling this decision all summer, and I finally said yes to Jesus. Thank you for taking me to camp. I can’t believe you didn’t send me home. Thank you.”

Then he added, “Oh, one more thing—you remember when I called you and said Happy Father’s Day? That was the first time I had ever said that to anyone. I hope and pray that one day, if I get married and have kids, they’ll say that to me. Thank you for finding me. And for the second time, Happy Father’s Day.”

We can’t thank you enough for your support of our mission to reach the least, the last, and the lost young people of Central Florida. Please continue to pray as we begin our fall ministries. I am grateful for every young person who said yes to Jesus this summer, resting in the promise of Romans 10:13: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In His Service,

Scott Hirdes

Director, Leverage Ministries