One of the ways we accomplish this and encourage our kids to ask questions and learn about Jesus is through small groups and discipleship. Every Tuesday and Thursday night every one of the One7 youth is given the opportunity to be part of a small group. These are the times where our leaders some of which are high school students share a verse from the Bible and talk about life with the group member. It is one of the most powerful things we do each week.

Through our small groups we are seeing kids begin to understand what it truly means to be a follower of Christ and we are challenging our more mature kids to step out and grow deeper in their relationship with Christ by leading groups.

We love playing soccer, taking the kids to do fun things but at the end of the day we never want to hold an event, run a program, or take kids to an activity that does not point them to Jesus and His love for them and give them an opportunity to respond. At the heart of everything we do, we desire to see these kids and their families become disciples of Christ!

Our boys have been training hard and are excited to start the season not only because they get to play and compete in a game that they love but because they view it as an opportunity to glorify Jesus through their sportsmanship and interaction with other teams. After every game our players give the “man of the match” award to a member of the other team and asks if they can share about Jesus and pray with them. It is in these moments that their heart for God is fully recognized by anyone present. We don’t just play soccer to play soccer; we play soccer to bring God honor and glory with our lives.

It all starts this Saturday with our U17 boys season opener at 2:00pm at the Palisades field against the Winston-Salem Twins. We would love for you to come cheer on our teams as we play this season. For other game dates and times just check out the sports page of our website.

Yesterday in partnership with Samaritan’s Feet and Elevation Church we took 13 leaders to be part of an event that was giving away shoes to kids and families who needed them. The One7 kids set up soccer goals, started a football game and spent the day hanging out and investing in these kids. They understand that something as simple as throwing a football or kicking a soccer ball can make a huge impact in their lives and can be used to bring God glory. They seize every opportunity possible to serve people around them.

The moment we arrived at the apartment complexes we were greeted with warm smiles, tons of hugs and sheer excitement that we had come back even if only for a few days. It was incredible. We took the kids ice skating, to a movie, and most of all did a huge outreach day of giving the kids and their families food. The One7 leaders on the trip jumped right back in and gave all they had to these younger kids.

We closed out the trip by spending New Year’s Eve at Navy Pier as a One7 family. It was a great time of celebrating and having fun together as a family!

It always amazes me how the One7 leaders are able to lead the next generation with such love, compassion, and care on these trips. They never complain and always are focused on sharing Jesus with the kids they are serving. It is simply powerful. Our One7 leaders are truly a generation of Joshuas that God is using to bring His word to the nations!

With our vehicles full of chicken, rice, eggs, milk and other items for the families, we went door to door delivering food and stocking their empty refrigerators. Our leaders helped every family by carrying  the food and helping them put it away. This time was an incredible opportunity for us to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the kids and families who call One7 home.

On Friday we also took food to a new community for the first time.The majority of the families in this community are Nepali refugees who were in need of food. This was an incredible time of meeting new families, bringing joy, and serving together with the leaders of One7.

The time we spent buying food and then giving it all away was fun but also demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas and Jesus’ love to every family we met on Thursday and Friday!

We will continue to send out email updates and other information as well but think that this is a great way to share all that God is doing with as many people as possible.If you would like to be notified every time this blog is updated just click the follow this blog button on the right hand side of the screen and type in your email address.

In the coming days, we will be unveiling the new one7 Website with our fresh new look.

We are so excited for the season that is before us and are truly thankful for everyone who loves, supports, and prays for our ministry on a daily basis.