AMP YTH

AMP YTH New Life Church, Foley

Good evening from New York!Tonight was a meaningful way to end another full day of ministry and prayer.Our evening began...
06/12/2026

Good evening from New York!

Tonight was a meaningful way to end another full day of ministry and prayer.

Our evening began with a trip to the 9/11 Memorial. During the subway ride, Pastor Ryan shared a brief testimony about God’s power and faithfulness, reminding us that there is nothing impossible for Him. It was an encouraging message as we prepared our hearts for the evening ahead.

After arriving at the Memorial, our team split into groups of two and three and spent time walking throughout the area, praying for those who were visiting. Standing in a place that carries so much history, loss, and remembrance was a powerful experience. It gave us an opportunity to pray for healing, hope, and for people to encounter the peace that can only be found in Christ.

From there, we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, where we continued walking, praying, and taking in the incredible sights of the city. By this point in the day, our feet were feeling the miles we had traveled, and everyone was beginning to feel the effects of a busy week of ministry. Even so, it was a special opportunity to spend time together and reflect on all that God has been doing throughout this trip.

As we headed back for the evening, we found ourselves grateful for another day filled with opportunities to serve, pray, and grow in our faith. It has been incredible to watch our students step out of their comfort zones, trust God, and intentionally look for ways to love and encourage others.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our team. We are so thankful for your support and for the many ways God has been moving throughout this week. We look forward to sharing more stories in the days ahead!

Happy Thursday from New York!Today has been a wonderful day of ministry, conversations, and opportunities to share the l...
06/11/2026

Happy Thursday from New York!

Today has been a wonderful day of ministry, conversations, and opportunities to share the love of Christ with others.

This afternoon, our team spent about 5 hours in Union Square where we set up a prayer station and walked throughout the park engaging people in conversation, offering prayer, and sharing the hope of Jesus. The weather was extremely hot, so we purchased cases of water bottles to hand out to people passing by. It was a simple act of kindness that opened the door to many meaningful interactions. As we provided physical refreshment through a cold bottle of water, we also had opportunities to point people to the true source of living water found in Jesus Christ.

God worked in many ways throughout the afternoon, and there are far more stories than we could fit into a single post. We would encourage you to ask our students about their experiences when they return home. We have already seen God moving in powerful ways through conversations, prayers, and opportunities to share our faith.

As we prepared to leave Union Square, our team found a nearby bench to enjoy lunch together. While most of us were focused on eating, Miranda, Lydia, and Olivia became interested in feeding the local pigeons. Then Lydia decided to see if she could actually catch one! But she was unsuccessful in finding another lunch option!

After returning to NYSUM, we quickly realized just how much energy had been spent serving in the heat all day. Many of us took the opportunity to rest, in fact Croc was so tired that he didn't even make it up to the room, he just fell asleep on the couch.

This evening, we are preparing for another opportunity to serve and see what God has in store. Thank you for your continued prayers for our team. We are grateful for all that the Lord is teaching us and excited to see what He will continue to do during the remainder of our time in New York.

More updates to come!

Today’s NYC Update!We began the day with breakfast at a local bagel shop before returning to NYSUM for a training sessio...
06/11/2026

Today’s NYC Update!

We began the day with breakfast at a local bagel shop before returning to NYSUM for a training session that helped prepare us for the ministry opportunities ahead. Once training wrapped up, we loaded up and headed out to serve at a local food pantry.

Despite Ben being behind the wheel, we arrived safely at our destination, thank the Lord!

When we arrived, our team of 16 divided into several different roles. Some students prayed with individuals coming through the food pantry, others helped distribute food, and the rest of the team got to work organizing nearly 15 pallets of food. Throughout the day, our students worked incredibly hard and demonstrated servant-hearted attitudes in every task they were given.

There were many meaningful moments during our time at the food pantry, but one that stood out happened near the end of our work. The pastor overseeing the ministry came downstairs to check on the progress of the food organization project. As soon as he saw the transformed space, his face lit up with joy. It was a simple but powerful reminder that even behind the scenes acts of service can make a significant impact on those we are serving alongside.

Later in the afternoon, we had the opportunity to serve homeless veterans living in a halfway house by providing hot dogs and hamburgers. Unfortunately, we do not have any pictures from this serving opportunity because everyone was fully engaged, talking with residents, serving food, and praying with them. While there may not be photos to share, the conversations and connections made during that time were deeply meaningful and reminded us that ministry is often most impactful in personal moments.

As the day came to a close, we reflected on how encouraged we have been by our students. Their willingness to work hard, serve faithfully, and put others before themselves has been evident throughout this trip. It has been a blessing to watch them live out their faith in practical ways and represent Christ so well.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our team as we serve throughout New York City. We are grateful for the opportunities God has given us and look forward to sharing more updates in the days ahead!

We had a full and memorable day filled with learning, worship, and opportunities to see God at work.This afternoon, we v...
06/10/2026

We had a full and memorable day filled with learning, worship, and opportunities to see God at work.

This afternoon, we visited a predominantly Muslim and Hindu neighborhood where we learned more about the culture, traditions, and incredible diversity that makes New York City so unique. While exploring the area, we even stopped by a local grocery store where Olivia and Lydia discovered some fresh coconuts!

One of the highlights of the day was visiting a local mosque. We had the unique opportunity to meet with the Imam and ask questions about Islam, the mosque, and the beliefs and practices of the Muslim faith. As Christians, it was a valuable experience that helped us better understand our Muslim neighbors and learn how to love and engage with people of different backgrounds with greater compassion and respect.

But before arriving at the mosque, God was already at work. Lydia noticed a woman wearing a yellow hat on the subway. Before this trip, Lydia felt that God had placed it on her heart to pray for a woman wearing a yellow hat. Seeing that woman today was an incredible reminder of how God can guide us and provide opportunities to care for and encourage others. We are so thankful for students who are attentive to God's leading and willing to step out in faith.

After eating dinner back at NYSUM, we headed back out for an evening worship service at Times Square Church. It was a powerful time of worship as believers gathered together to lift up the name of Jesus and encourage one another in their faith. We also heard a message from Pastor Nik Godshall about trusting God even when we walk through difficult seasons and trials. It was a timely and encouraging reminder of God's faithfulness.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our team. We are grateful for all that God is teaching us and look forward to what He has in store for the days ahead.

Goodnight from New York!

Good morning from New York!We have already had a wonderful start to the day.This morning we gathered for worship and had...
06/09/2026

Good morning from New York!

We have already had a wonderful start to the day.

This morning we gathered for worship and had the opportunity to hear from Paul and Gloria Johansson, the co-founders of NYSUM. Following that, Pastor Peter DeArruda, President of NYSUM, shared an encouraging message about trusting the Lord as we step out in faith to share the hope of the Gospel with others.

After the service, we participated in an orientation session to help prepare us for today’s ministry opportunities. This afternoon, we will be visiting a local mosque as part of a cultural learning experience, giving our students a greater understanding of the diverse communities that call New York City home.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please pray that God would give us wisdom, humility, and opportunities to reflect the love of Christ in every conversation and interaction throughout the day.

We look forward to sharing more updates soon!

On our way back home, God gave us another opportunity to help someone feel seen, valued, and loved.Caleb and Ty took the...
06/09/2026

On our way back home, God gave us another opportunity to help someone feel seen, valued, and loved.

Caleb and Ty took the initiative to walk over and introduce themselves to a man named William who was homeless. What started as a simple conversation turned into a meaningful connection. They spent 10–15 minutes talking with him, hearing his story, and getting to know him. Before they left, Caleb asked if he could pray for William, and he gladly agreed.

After the prayer, William asked who the rest of our group was. We had intentionally stayed back so we wouldn't overwhelm him, but he invited the rest of our students to come over and meet him. For the next 15 minutes, they shared stories, laughed together, encouraged one another, and prayed together.

It was truly incredible to watch these high school students step out of their comfort zones to show the love of Christ in such a tangible way. Even as crowds of people passed by; some staring, some judging, and some even mocking what they were doing. Yet, our students remained focused on the person right in front of them.

This moment was a powerful reminder of how God changes lives. It would have been easy to let embarrassment or the opinions of others keep them from engaging, but instead they chose to walk alongside William, listen to his story, and show him the love of Jesus. That is exactly what they did.

What an incredible start to the week! We could not have asked for a better first day, and we are excited to see how God continues to move throughout the rest of this week. Moments like these remind us that ministry is often found in the simple act of being present, listening well, and treating people with the dignity and love that God has for them. As Matthew 25:40 reminds us, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We are already seeing God work in the hearts of our students, stretching their faith and giving them opportunities to be His hands and feet in meaningful ways.

Thank you to everyone back home who has been praying for us. Your prayers are making a difference, and we are grateful for your support and encouragement. Please continue to pray for our students, our leaders, and the people we encounter throughout the week. We are trusting God to continue opening doors for conversations, relationships, and opportunities to share His love wherever we go.

Once we arrived at Grand Central Station, we immediately put Olivia in timeout...After Olivia's timeout, we were able to...
06/09/2026

Once we arrived at Grand Central Station, we immediately put Olivia in timeout...

After Olivia's timeout, we were able to continue on with ministry. Our group of nine split into three teams and spread throughout Grand Central, looking for opportunities to connect with people and share the love of Christ.

Throughout the night, we had meaningful conversations with five different individuals. We spent time listening to their stories, offering practical supplies such as toiletries, hygiene products, sandwiches, water, and clean socks. But most importantly, we had the opportunity to pray with them. Prayer requests ranged from healing in broken families, freedom from addiction, peace in difficult circumstances, and restoration in relationships.

It was incredible to watch our students step out of their comfort zones to make others feel seen, valued, and loved.

Of course, ministry wasn't the only memorable part of the day. We witnessed someone confidently park in a no-parking zone, Ty and Miranda somehow managed to get stuck in a revolving door, and the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan reminded us just how big this city really is.

As the evening continued, we made our way toward Times Square, looking for people we could pray for along the way. And wouldn't you know it, God placed an incredible opportunity directly in front of our students.

(To be continued...)

After getting some much needed rest, we headed into the concrete jungle to grab some food. We stopped at Gino’s Pizzeria...
06/09/2026

After getting some much needed rest, we headed into the concrete jungle to grab some food. We stopped at Gino’s Pizzeria for some classic New York slices that helped reenergize us before an afternoon of ministry in the city.

Before heading out, we spent time in prayer, interceding for those who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We prayed that God would give us boldness, wisdom, and opportunities to share His love with others.

Not long after boarding the New York subway, Lydia stepped out in faith and shared her testimony with a train car full of strangers, telling them how God has moved in her life. What an incredible opportunity for our students to put their faith into action and share the hope of Jesus with others!

From there, we made our way to downtown Manhattan, where we continued sharing the Gospel in the heart of the city at Grand Central Station.

Well, we had a successful flight to New York! It started off great with Olivia and Lydia taking a selfie with the pilot!...
06/09/2026

Well, we had a successful flight to New York! It started off great with Olivia and Lydia taking a selfie with the pilot! Then we tried to catch up on sleep by taking a nap on the plane, and eventually once we landed and arrived at the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM) we were still tired and got a little more rest before heading out for the rest of the day!

At 3:30am, AMP YTH headed to New York for our 2026 AIM Trip!!We are excited for what God is going to do through this tea...
06/08/2026

At 3:30am, AMP YTH headed to New York for our 2026 AIM Trip!!

We are excited for what God is going to do through this team as we minister to the community of New York! Please be in prayer over our team throughout this next week.

As we left this morning we talked about what we were excited for, answers ranged from serving food from a food truck to seeing a big New York rat! Either way we are excited for this opportunity to serve God!

Thank you to all of the parents and supporters that helped make this trip happen. We truly wouldn’t have this opportunity without you.

Also, thank you ai for making it look like we are already there haha!

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931 Norman Avenue N
Foley, MN
56329

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