We’re living in a crazy time right now,” Angie, first time canvasser, said, “but the fact that we’re out there and books are going out, it just shows that people, despite the fear, have a longing for something greater and deeper.”
Andy Villanueva, Southern California Conference (SCC) literature ministries director, knows that every summer has its unique opportunities and challenges; however, this summer was unlike any other since the pandemic. As students went door to door, they faced the challenge of communities fearful of opening their doors due to ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles County.
“Yet, even in that, God opened new opportunities,” Villanueva said. “Many students offered prayer, and as people in the community accepted, they felt peace come upon them.”
Janice saw the power of prayer from a distance when she became a prayer warrior who remained in the van due to her hurt ankle. She saw one of her friends talking to a woman at her home and offered a quick prayer asking the Holy Spirit to touch this woman’s heart. After she finished praying, her friend called in to report on the books sold. Throughout the day, as soon as Janice finished praying, the other team members called in books. “There were situations where I thought that God didn’t listen to my prayers,” Janice shared. “I came to a realization that I don’t have to understand God’s timing; He’s going to work in the timing that’s right for me. It was a blessing to see God working on that day.”
“Beyond homes, students connected with even more people in parking lots, where many showed interest in the books,” Villanueva said. “These one-on-one conversations reminded us that literature evangelism is most powerful when it is personal—meeting people where they are, listening to their needs, and offering words of hope.”
Nina was having a slow morning of canvassing and decided to refocus on prayer. She prayed for God to send her someone to bless with books and someone to encourage her. In a Costco parking lot, she saw a man loading items into his truck. She started a conversation with him, in which he shared three books he was interested in. He gave Nina extra money for the books. When she told her leader, they both tried to give the man more books to make up for the cost. The man said he didn’t want to take more books, thereby preventing others from receiving them, but the leader reassured him they had plenty, to which the man responded by buying seven books in total. “God hears and answers prayers,” Nina said, “because not only was I able to bless that man, I was able to be blessed and encouraged by our conversation.”
“The impact of Youth Rush is two-fold,” Villanueva added. “It strengthens the character, spiritual growth, and leadership of young people while extending the reach of the gospel to communities that may never step foot inside a church.”
Answered Prayer
“That day, our whole team was energized—we had seen multiple answers to prayer and everyone was on fire. But Angie was having a hard time. She had faced rejection after rejection, and as the day was winding down, she began to wonder why she was even out there. Quietly, she prayed that God would show her some encouragement, some reminder of her purpose. With only five minutes left in the day, I decided to work alongside her for one last house. As we approached, I prayed, ‘God, You have to do something right now.’ At the door, we met a kind woman—a Christian, a mom, passionate about healthy living. We shared with her, and she was so open that she decided to support Angie and received all the books. Before we left, she affirmed Angie, telling her how important this work is and how much of a difference it makes. That simple interaction was exactly what Angie needed. God had answered her prayer in the final minutes of the day, reminding her that every effort matters and that He places us exactly where we need to be.” –Jonathan, Youth Rush leader
