04/29/2026
Our Spring Plant Letter is going out but I thought I would post it here for those of you not on our mailing list. This one shares a bit of a recent story from one of our teens who wanted you all to hear about their recent experience.
HCY Spring Plant Letter
This spring, I was sent a video late one night that brought me to tears—tears of joy I won’t soon forget.
In the video, one of our HCY students stood in a pool in Belize, choosing to be baptized.
Many of you who receive this letter already know what HCY is about. You’ve also likely heard that over the past few years, we’ve faced real financial challenges. I want to be direct with you: right now, HCY is at a critical point. We need more donors and more consistent support to continue the ministry God has called us to. But this is why it matters.
Recently, a group of our students traveled to Belize on a school trip. Near the end of their time there, a few of them noticed a youth service happening near their hotel pool. At first, they simply stood on a balcony, listening from a distance. But something stirred in them. When they were invited down, they chose to step closer.
The service was led by a church group from Oklahoma finishing up a mission trip. As the night went on, they began baptizing students. And at that moment, one of our HCY juniors felt a pull they couldn’t ignore. They stepped forward and asked to be baptized. I watched that video later that night. I sat there overwhelmed, praising God through tears. It was one of those moments where you can’t help but see clearly—God is moving.
And what makes this even more powerful is this: these students were away from everything familiar—away from HCY, their parents, and their home churches. Yet they still pursued Jesus. They still responded to His call. I could not be more proud of these students. Especially the one who chose to be baptized. That is the mission of HCY.
We are not just creating events or weekly gatherings. We are investing in students so that when they are on their own—when no one is watching—they choose Jesus. We are helping them build a faith that lasts.
But we cannot do this without you. Our immediate goal is to raise $15,000 by June 1st. This will stabilize HCY and allow us to continue reaching students in this next season.
Here’s what that looks like in real, tangible impact:
$100 helps create a welcoming environment for students each month, including snacks and gathering space—often the first step in helping a student feel like they belong
$250 helps support discipleship and mentorship for multiple students
$500 can send one student on a mission trip, creating the opportunity for a life-changing moment
$1,500 covers an entire month of ministry operations
Every dollar matters. Every gift has an impact. But most importantly—every gift helps reach a student who needs Jesus. I’m asking you to act now. Please don’t wait. If God is placing this on your heart, respond today. Because moments like that don’t just happen. They are made possible by people like you. God is moving through HCY. Students are stepping into faith. Lives are being changed. Will you help make sure that continues? Thank you for standing with us and investing in the next generation.
Because of Jesus,
Colton Mellinger
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