What do people say about Seventh-day Adventist students coming to their door? Several people from the community have recently let us know how they feel about their encounters with California Youth Rush students.
“We are reminded of the beautiful, wholesome young lady that God sent to our doorstep, almost daily as we sit down and have our devotions out of the wonderful books we purchased from you,” wrote one Bakersfield woman in a letter to student Emily Gibson. “We were discussing how absolutely inspiring these books have been and how powerfully descriptive the author is. … I normally discourage ‘door-to-door’ people, but there was something so different about you that I found very refreshing. Your quiet, gentle spirit spoke volumes and set you apart from the typical ‘sales people’ that often come around. I know others can sense that as well, and I can see how God can use you in a powerful way to draw people to Him.”
When Youth Rush student Heather Bullock visited a businesswoman in San Jose, she replied with a phone call. “I was amazed at her,” she said. “She was very, very knowledgeable. You should congratulate her; she presented herself so positively. Everything we had to say, she had answers for.”
Youth Rush students not only impact community folks, but they also come home changed. “I really had a blast canvassing,” says Jared, a first-time student. “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it helped me grow a lot.”
A parent writes: “Thank you for having the Youth Rush program. I cannot think of a better way for her [the student] to mature in so many ways, gain experience ‘in the world but not of the world,’ earn money for school and spread the wonderful message of Jesus all at the same time.”
“This life-transforming experience ties together nurture, Adventist education and evangelistic outreach,” say Jerry Page, president of the Central California Conference. “I believe this is one of the most dynamic training opportunities for our youth—the future leaders of the church.”
The Youth Rush programs run every summer for 10 weeks. For more information on how to join, visit ccc.adventist.org/rush.
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[FACT BOX 1—]
Pacific Union Youth Rush
Summer 2003
Student Workers 172
Books Distributed 94,592
Homes Visited 605,000
Total Received $657,009
Scholarship Earnings $446,766
Bible Study Interests 822
[FACT BOX 2—]
Central California Conference Youth Rush
Five Year Report 1999-2003
Student Workers 317
Books Distributed 191,490
Homes Visited 951,000
Total Received $1,439,775
Scholarship Earnings $935,854
Bible Study Interests 3,177
