Legacy of a Self-Proclaimed Geek
How God Used Kenny Gibbs to Serve 5ifty6ixers
by Chequita Parker and Mark Arevalo
It’s Sunday morning in the Worship Center. As the doors of the GX room open and close, the sounds of intermittent guitar riffs, drum beats, and voices raised in praise, echo, and then fade away. Worshipers in the sanctuary settle down to listen to the weekend’s video announcements. However, upstairs in classroom 5, everything is going full throttle. Welcome to 5ifty6ix, ALCF’s community of fifth- and sixth-grade children. These preteens are busy—chatting about school, the latest movies, and YouTube clips. They’re playing foursquare, foosball, and video games. In other words, they’re having a great time just being themselves. And sitting with the kids in this organized chaos of activity is the amazing “Mr. Kenny”. Read more 
In Our Own Back Yard
Student Ministries Takes Their First Domestic Missions Trip
by Grace Dulcé
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship’s Student Ministries youth are all too familiar with the concept of helping others who are less fortunate. Last June, they embarked on their very first domestic missions trip in San Francisco’s South of Market area near the Tenderloin district. Marcus Randolph, Director of Junior High Ministries, hopes that this can be the first of many more. Read more
Never Too Young To Make A Difference
Mission Example 2011—Mexico
by Paula Dulcé
I open my eyes to be greeted by other vehicle’s headlights, which, because of the early time, seem blinding. My older brother pulls into a parking space with ease, and as I hear the car’s wheels come to a stop, my heart races. Suddenly, I am no longer groggy, but anxious—ready for this amazing trip to start. As I open the door and step out, the chilly morning breeze surrounds me. My brother carries my luggage to an open van, and he squeezes in my suitcase with the others in the already-full trunk. As he finishes, I turn to him and he gives me a nice long, warm embrace. He lets go, looks in my eyes, and says, in a deep stern voice, “Be good.”
Kennzeil Love
ALCF Member: 4 Years
“I’ve been at ALCF since September 2007 because God told my parents it was time for a change. This is exactly what happened for me too, when I joined GX (Generation Example).”
Ministry Service: GX
“As I’ve always seen, if you stay in one place and follow the same routine from the same director, everything is predictable, then you get comfortable and don’t experience much growth or anything different. When I came to ALCF, although I didn’t like it at first, I grew with the Lord and even really gave my life to Him. Now, I’m involved with HIS (His Image Staged), as well as an accountability group which meets every Wednesday.”
Degree: High school Diploma, Piedmont High school, 2011
Future Aspirations: Kennzeil will be attending San Jose City College this fall and eventually plans to transfer to Biola University.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”—1 Corinthians 13: 4–7
Thiago De Souza
Thiago De Souza
Thiago De Souza
ALCF Member: 4 Years
“I was looking for a place where as a teen, I could grow in Christ and share my gifts and talents. I have always wanted to be a part of a diverse group and ALCF was the perfect fit for me.”
Ministry Service: GX Generation Example & ALCF Music Department
“GX has changed my life in the sense that it helped me get closer to God. Before I went to GX I was a rebel child you may say. I lied, stole, cheated, cussed, got into fights, etc. But ever since then, the influence the leaders and students in GX started to rub off on me. Little by little I started giving up my old ways, simply because I had positive influence from the leaders and I picked my friends carefully and also because God was still at work in my life.”
Degree: High school Diploma, South City High school, 2011
Next Steps: This Fall, Thiago will be attending Liberty University.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”—James 1:2–4
Student Ministries
Transforming Students into Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ
by Dena Evans
[Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2007]
At first glance, this doesn’t look like your parents’ Sunday school. Colorful beanbag chairs, cushioned sofas, video games, and wide-screen TV sets provide the backdrop for this meeting place, while the sounds of a full band jamming to the rhythmic drumbeat of a contemporary praise and worship music style reverberate off the bright purple, orange, green, and blue-painted walls. Absent are a blackboard and traditional classroom configuration. But present are stacks of Bibles waiting to be brought out as needed for small group discussion. Here at GX and The HOUSE, students (from sixth grade and up) enjoy the familiarity of a clubhouse-like, recreational atmosphere and contemporary music.
Generation Example (photo: Charls Fosterwhite)
Recalling the Unforgettable
Silhouettes of EPA Youth (photo: Kurt Beiter)
EPA Youth Write About People and Experiences That Have Transformed Them
by Lovisa Brown
[Volume 1, Issue 1, Spring 2007]
Youth and adults may not see eye to eye on many issues, but one thing we do agree on is that adolescence is a hard minefield of conflicting emotions and potentially dangerous choices. During our teen years, we seek to establish our own identities, become independent, build close relationships, and define success for ourselves. The Bible calls adults to support and encourage us (Proverbs 22:6; II Timothy 4:2). Abundant Living asked several youths to write about a person or experience that has changed them. Their responses serve as a reminder of the importance of adults in the lives of youths.
Katherine, age 12
Tiffany is a Godly person who I admire very much. I met her through my parents’ growth group at church. Whenever I want to tell her something, she is willing to listen. One time, I asked Tiffany what she does when she’s frustrated. She asked me to look in the Bible to see what it has to say about anger and frustration. I found Matthew 16:5–12, in which Jesus demonstrated patience when the disciples didn’t understand what He was saying. Jesus often warned the Pharisees about their actions. He never acted out of revenge. I still have trouble being patient and loving when I am angry, but I’m glad to have a friend like Tiffany to point me to Jesus. I am truly blessed to know her. Read more
