Straight to the Point

I’m going to be very straightforward in this post. After spending 24 hours in silence at a Jesuit retreat house in Colorado, I have come to two very important conclusions:

          1)     I feel alone.

          2)    I need a team.

Feeling Alone

As a caveat, I know, in my heart of hearts, that I’m not alone. I know that God is with me. I don’t question his presence or his love. Furthermore, I know that my wife is with me. Tasha is one of the greatest and most enduring gifts of God in my life. Beyond that, I am blessed by both friends and fellow sojourners on “the Way.”

Notwithstanding, God has called me to a very unique role – to be a bridge-builder in an age of division, an ambassador of reconciliation in a climate of discord, a catalyst for renewal and a spark for the new evangelization. I believe that God has uniquely prepared me to foster reconciliation and launch a new era of collaboration between Protestants and Catholics, between the mission of Young Life and the Catholic Church worldwide. I love and cherish this calling. And there’s fruit in it. This work could translate into millions of kids knowing Jesus Christ and joyfully contributing their gifts to the kingdom.

Yet I feel like I’m on an island.

I office out of the home. I travel a lot. I speak to audiences. I come home. I follow up. I read. I reflect. I write. I’m encouraged by many people, don’t get me wrong – my wife and close friends, my colleagues in Young Life and the Church, my boss, over 3,000 readers per month. But I feel like a team of one. On a day-to-day basis, I have no one to work with, to pray and ponder with, to reflect and wrestle with, to discern and risk with. I feel alone.

Needing A Team

It was a wise and perceptive spiritual director who said it. “You need a team.” It hit me like a ton of bricks. It was God talking and I heard it loud in clear. What I need right now is a team – actually two teams:

1. Financial Benefactors

·      My work is completely funded by personal giving. 100%. For the last 18 months, my family and I have lived month-to-month (literally) and God has provided. It is scary at times but it has also confirmed this call.

·      I currently have less than 3 weeks of operating budget in the bank. That means in less than a month, I’ll be out. Now I don’t believe this work is over. I just need people to help.

Would you be one of 50 people who commit a monthly gift today? $50? $100?

The rest of my budget would be raised for the year! I need a team. Are you with me?

Giving is simple. Go to: giving.younglife.org and follow the directions below.[1] It’s so easy. Join the team today.[2]

2. Mission-driven Co-Laborers

I need a team of people – no actually I would be happy with just one person whose heart beats for this stuff. Young Life and the Catholic Church, evangelization and discipleship, bridging the gap and inaugurating a change of cultures. I just need someone who I can work with. I can’t do this alone. This has to be fleshed out in community. It would help if you lived in my hometown but I would settle for someone who could really give some time to this. I need a team.

Michael can be contacted by emailing mhavercamp@gmail.com.

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[1] Online giving is possible by visiting giving.younglife.org:

•  Check the circle for "A Young Life Staff Member's Ministry" (second left justified circle)

•  Click on the green "Search" tab right next to "A Young Life Staff Member's Ministry"

•  Insert my last name – “Havercamp”

•  My information should come up:

 Michael Havercamp (Training Associate I)

MD - Training Fund - 1515 Divisional Development

•  Click on the orange "Select"

•  Enter the gift amount and click "Make this a recurring donation"

•  Then click the blue "Add Gift" and you're all done!

[2] THANK YOU for those of you who already give so faithfully to this ministry! I’m so grateful for you and your friendship in the Gospel.