Update | May 2016
As per our previous post, we mentioned that there are some big changes happening in the military ministry world. In our commitment to transparency in ministry, we would like to share with you the current situation of Club Beyond staff members around the world.
On March 1st, 2016, we participated in a mandatory staff-wide conference call. During this call we received news that in light of the MCYM/Club Beyond traditional view of marriage and until there is additional legal clarity from the Department of Defense in regards to SOGI (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity), MCYM/Club Beyond Board of Directors has decided we will not bid on new contracts and would not prefer to renew current contracts.
What this means: At the end of our contract term, we will not be renewing our current contracts. For us, the date is June 30th, 2016. Without the contract we will lose access to post, privileges on post (including our APO mailbox, car registration, etc.), and legal status within our host country (we automatically switch to a tourist visa, which gives us 90 days to leave the EU).
Our options: In order to continue to do youth ministry with military teens stationed overseas, we must have access to post and legal status within our host country. We can either get a job on post which would provide logistics (legal status & access to post) or pursue a host country visa.
Challenges: There are very limited job opportunities available in our community at USAG Brussels. Most of the jobs available with logistics are full-time and would mean sacrificing ministry. Applying for a host country visa would mean sacrificing any future job opportunities on post, and while it solves the legal status problem, it does not provide base access.
This situation sparked another deep, difficult transition within Club Beyond; after 35 years of partnership with Young Life, Youth for Christ has decided to step away from the mission of Club Beyond to pursue a different ministry focus. This has caused much pain within our organization as almost all of our Youth for Christ staff members have chosen to step away from Club Beyond.
Why now? Over the course of March and April, Club Beyond leadership sought legal guidance in how to proceed appropriately in this situation. During this time, Club Beyond leadership advised staff members not to share this information in order to protect our relationships within our communities, and until all Chaplains could be notified in the proper manner.
What’s next for Club Beyond? Moving forward, Club Beyond will be a non-federal, non-profit entity. This will allow us to continue to do youth ministry with military teens and give us the freedom to operate according to our ethos.
What’s next for us: Since we received that phone call at the beginning of March, God put three things on our heart:
- We are committed to continue doing youth ministry with military teens stationed overseas.
- We value the Young Life/Club Beyond model of ministry.
- Wait.
In choosing to stay with Club Beyond, we are looking for jobs that would provide logistics at posts in Belgium, Germany, Italy, or England. The job route is intended to be a short-term solution until Club Beyond is able to provide a more sustainable model. Both of us are hunting, and although we know having a job might mean sacrificing time with military kids, we feel this is the most appropriate short-term solution.
We know this is a LOT of information, and so if you have any questions, please contact us. We would love to hear from you and we would love to walk through this information with you.
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for Club Beyond leadership, specifically our Executive Director and International Director, as they continue to seek guidance and fight for military youth ministry.
- Please pray for Club Beyond staff members and their families as they work to discern God’s direction through this situation.
- Please pray for military teens to discover God’s presence through this transition.
- Please pray for us. For our health, for peace in God’s plan, for finishing the contract well, and for rest during the transition.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV)