Former students speak out

Salem4Youth, a faith-based residential ministry in Flanagan, Illinois, has been hearing from former students lately, and they have an important message to share. Some of these students were successful in the program; others struggled. Some didn’t graduate. Yet all say the same thing: “Salem4Youth played a crucial role in my life.”

One former student, now married and the father of twin boys, is walking faithfully with God today. He recently reached out to Salem staff, saying how much he appreciated the men who spoke into his life while he was at Salem4Youth. Those relationships served as an anchor, helping him keep a steady course after graduation. He felt compelled to share how much Salem still means to him, even ten years after he graduated.

Other young men sometimes struggle when they leave the program, as was the case with a former student who was clearly headed in the wrong direction. Only when his friends ended up in prison did he recall what Salem staff had told him about Jesus. Those words began to resonate. Like the prodigal son, this young man remembered that God had something better for him. Thanks to Salem, he found the strength and courage he needed to make a change. Today, he’s walking with Jesus and ready to share that message with others. Please continue to pray that all Salem students—both current student and all alumni—have hearts to hear God’s truth.