Real stories of real people making disciples and a real difference in the lives of others!
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A challenge to change our thinking about those outside our own generation so that we might learn from one another and bless one another.
Listen to what God can do through a couple passionate about serving Him AFTER stepping aside from ‘full-time ministry’ positions!
Now operating out of a 14,400 square foot structure, hundreds are served each week with a hot meal, clothing, haircuts, counseling, and a message from God’s Word.
Vicki Proffit (at the age of seventy) is another vivid example of someone saying ‘YES!” to God and being young enough to serve. Addressing the unimaginable horror of children being sex-trafficked right here in the United States, Sarah’s Home offers both healing and hope to young women.
Paul serves as the director of Second Half Ministries for the Assemblies of God in Southern California.
We love how he has placed intercessory prayer at the forefront of this ministry. He is not overseeing a bunch of programs and sliding in prayer as an afterthought … he rightfully sees prayer as the hidden steel rebar that holds everything together.
Dodey shares a rich devotional, challenging us to consider and steward the “meantime” in our lives. In addition to being actively obedient and making the most of these in-between moments, she underscores that meantimes have both a beginning and end. There is hope in knowing that our darker meantimes, such as the current pandemic, won’t last forever.
Women who have lost their spouse need special assurance that they are not falling between the cracks—they are loved by God, not forgotten, an integral part of the body of Christ.
But widows are not just needy; they’re also needed. Marlene reminds us that these women are often untapped treasure boxes of God’s love and mercy.
After seeking for love, belonging and approval in all the wrong places, Anh found herself in prison, serving 25 years to life. Fortunately, her story doesn’t end there.
Not only was her life transformed, Anh was able to help disciple many other women in prison. Now released, she continues to share the hope and love she has through the redemptive forgiveness of Christ.
Candace reflects on the combined influences of other godly women and the heritage of her own life challenges, equipping her to impact others during life’s later decades.
Jolonda is another young voice who understands the value of adults not stopping in using their gifts to serve God in their later years.
Our souls will be healthier and well when we come together … with our eyes fixed on Jesus!
Three years ago, they said ‘yes’ to a Japan missionary, needing them to fill in for a year. Their one-year adventure morphed into three-plus years. As they return home soon, their adventure continues. They have a special heart for retired pastors and want to underscore what God can do with their continued availability.
Inspired by role models decades ahead, Dan and his wife Shani are special examples of younger leaders who see the intrinsic value of adults in life’s second half. And as that second half chapter ends for some under his care, Dan sees more clearly how eternal life with Christ doesn’t start with death. It begins much earlier when we invite Christ into our lives.
Ryan Marcella is a Worship Pastor in Modesto, California, and is also a member of our YES! Board. In this podcast episode, Judy and Ryan discuss ageism in the church and the importance of intergenerational worship.
Mike & Lorelei have discovered the joy of doing discipleship in community rather than isolation. They love seeing what God will do synergistically as generations unite around the Word of God. They stress the importance of experiencing life together—not just knowing Scripture—but also observing as apprentices the living out of Christian faith through relationship.
Ward encourages us to view life as theatre. He is currently starring in Act 3, which he sees as the era of listening—listening to the hopes and dreams of those younger, interpreting the future with lessons of the past and present, and inspiring generations following after us to develop their own stories.
Sometimes we hear younger-year stories of redemption and wonder how things worked out in the long run. We love how Jerry and his wife have lived such fruitful lives for Jesus, and live to tell others of His redeeming grace.
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?
The Bergstroms spread the message of hope and purpose to Boomers and others transitioning to life beyond career development and, for many, beyond raising a family. Their book and message are pertinent to anyone wanting to align their lives with His calling.
In his first year of retirement God slapped John on the side of the head with this revelation: "I did not bless you with an early retirement just so you could sit on your duff and stare at your feet." A few days later John and Sherry received an invitation to serve as hospitality hosts at national Royal Family Kids training events, a role in which they've served faithfully and joyfully for over a decade.
Dick and Elnora Dresselhaus see the need for stronger blending and bridging of the generations. They yearn for more older adults to join them in saying to younger generations, “Don’t leave us. And don’t let us leave you.” Similar to racial segregation, they recognize that generational segregation can also have tragic consequences.
In this interview, Wes shares some of the inspiration leading to the writing of Half Two: The Quest for a God-Honoring Encore. God is not wanting us to fade into the sunset. He wants us to steward our life experiences and other significant God-given resources to continue spreading His love to others.
People with special needs are not on the radar of most pastors. They represent an unreached people group right here in the United States. Bill & Lynette Mathews are now embarking on an ambitious, unexpected adventure: Establishing a new ministry, Safe Harbor Homes and Services---Christ-centered homes for people with special needs.
If you live near a university, chances are good that an incredible opportunity to touch nations is just around the corner. We invite you to prayerfully consider becoming involved with International Students Inc., a Christian ministry reaching out to college students and visiting scholars from other countries.
We must go beyond simply acknowledging the existence of younger people. We must engage with them, invest in them and help them thrive.
Royal Family KIDS has been impacting kids in the foster care system since 1990 through annual one-week camps scattered across our nation and internationally as well. Hear directly the continuing passion from the co-founder, Wayne Tesch, planting seeds of hope and healing in the lives of children and in the adults who serve them.
Operation Christmas Child focuses on evangelism, discipleship and multiplication. The gift boxes are a "tangible expression of God's love through a gift that points them to the Greatest Gift - which is Jesus."
"Feeling awkward is normal!"---one good lesson of many Linda learned through cross-cultural ministry. Feeling awkward? So what! It's normal. Accept it and move on! :)
Look at what that initial obedient 'YES' can lead to!
Ken & Anita encourage you to take that first step. Don't concentrate on what you can't do but on what you can do.
At the ages of 74 and 65, Al and Norma are joyfully "working for Jesus until He takes us home."
Fritz & Cindy have seen firsthand the life-changing impact of the body of Christ coming together to make a difference in the lives of others. God shows up in powerful, meaningful ways when we hunger for His righteousness and respond tangibly to the needs of the hungry.
Christina's message to older adults: Don't assume younger generations don't need you! And she challenges her peers: Get involved in a mentoring relationship with someone you respect who is older.
It’s time to focus less on our perceived differences and more on what unites us.