For the 12 young men and 26 staff at Salem4Youth, the viral pandemic and lockdown didn’t change their day-to-day life. Located on a 50-acre campus near Flanagan, Illinois, two hours southwest of Chicago, the residential program provides vocational training and counseling support along with academics. In contrast, the challenges that arose during the pandemic have sparked spiritual interest among the young men.
Since the students and some of the staff live and work on the property, they continued their activities unhindered. Terry Benge, the executive director, had been teaching from 1 Peter 2:13, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority,” when the lockdown occurred, and the young men saw the practical application of Scripture. During this time, the spiritual interest among the residents has been stirred and two young men have decided to follow Jesus Christ. One of them will be baptized this month.
Although the initial lockdown posed challenges to staff and residents, limiting family visits and cancelling their annual auction, their freezers and pantries stayed full because of the local food bank and donations. Since the residential facility provides room and board for the young men who live there, they use 90 eggs to prepare one breakfast.
To support Salem4Youth, visit their website at Salem4Youth.com or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Salem4Youth, to purchase honey harvested by the residents this summer.
