My name is Blair and I am a YOKE Kid at South Doyle Middle School. My dad used to work for YOKE and would always take me to visit clubs and camps with him. I had such a great time being around the “big kids.” The way they and the YOKE Folk accepted me made me feel like the most important person alive. They always told me that I was going to be an awesome YOKE Kid someday.

When I started my 6th grade year, I couldn’t wait for YOKE! At the first club that year, I was the only kid, though, so the YOKE Folk and I got to work. Last month, barely a year later, we took 36 kids and YOKE Folk to camp, and we have 82 students on our roster – more than 10% of our school!

My secret to getting kids to YOKE is honestly just inviting them. I tell them, “Hey! YOKE is awesome. You should totally come.” If they’re interested, I’ll share more and sometimes we offer them a ride. Most of the time I don’t even have to tell my friends about YOKE because they’ve already heard about it and are planning to attend.

My favorite part of YOKE is just hanging out at the beginning of club. Everyone is cracking jokes, playing games, and just being themselves. I also really enjoy the more vulnerable parts of club that bring us all together. We share things that people don’t often talk about, and it makes my YOKE community that much more special to me.

I 110% want to be a YOKE Folk someday. My YOKE Folk have always been there for me, especially Maddie. Maddie gives me such valuable advice, but it’s the kind of advice that makes me want to seek the Lord and look to him for guidance as well. Because of her, my time in middle school has been so different. I love her so much and want to be a YOKE Folk just like her. Someday I want to be able to share the love and the insight I’ve received from her and all of my YOKE Folk.

All these great things would not be possible without your help and this month you can double your impact. A group of donors have generously offered to match all gifts to YOKE through the end of the year, up to a total of $30,000. Every dollar you invest in this ministry will be doubled! $50 becomes $100, $500 becomes $1,000, $5,000 becomes $10,000, and an investment of $30,000 becomes $60,000 toward the life-changing ministry of YOKE. This kind of year-end investment will launch YOKE’s ministry into the new year, at South Doyle and every school where YOKE is working to impact kids like me.

Would you prayerfully consider how you might help us reach that goal this month? Mail your check to YOKE at P.O. Box 3492, Knoxville, TN 37927. Or make a secure gift online anytime before the end of the year.

Gratefully,

 

Blair Cockrum