Youth Service Fund has new logo
The Youth Service Fund, a unique youth-led ministry of the United Methodist Church, is using a newly designed logo to lead its charge into a new decade of raising money to support youth projects around the world.
Overseen by Young People's Ministries, a division of The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, YSF is completely led by youth. They contribute the money and decide what projects receive the money, and the projects supported are youth-designed, youth-led and benefit youth.
Money for the fund is raised at local youth events or by church youth groups in the U.S. annual conferences. Youth in West Michigan raise money through Love Links sold at Annual Conference. A portion of Ministry Shares also goes to the Youth Service Fund. The Annual Conference designates 70% of the money for projects and the rest is used to finance projects around the world. For example, in 2009 West Michigan youth granted $1000 of YSF monies to HAPI (Haitian Artists for Peace International) for a youth photography club, Developed. The funds were used to purchase digital cameras, memory sticks, and other supplies for ten children, ages 10-17.
"Young People's Ministries is eager to see excitement and growth in this ministry," says the Rev. Michael Ratliff, YPM's associate general secretary. "The Youth Service Fund is offered because people in the United Methodist Church understand the need for youth to give in order to help youth in mission and ministry."
In 2009, the YSF supported 21 United Methodist affiliated and non-affiliated projects. Ten were U.S.-based and 11 were international.
The new YSF logo was designed by Daniel Lee, 17, who attends Korean United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, N.M. His depiction of a modern dove with the unique flame of the United Methodist Church was selected from entries in an online contest in 2009.
"I had fun designing a logo for the United Methodist Youth Service Fund, and I might apply to a fine art school next year," says Lee, a senior at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque. "The fire represents the Holy Spirit, and the young dove represents the fruit of the Holy Spirit."