“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices
are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
Dear LifeQuest Change Makers,
As we enter this holiday season, I am reminded that the greatest gift we could ever
give someone is to point them to faith in Jesus. Everything we do, every care kit,
every meal, and every act of kindness, flows from this truth. It is only when our
hearts are aligned with Christ that generosity becomes the natural response, and
it is out of that overflow that we give, serve, and love others in the way Jesus
modeled.
Yet, here in New Mexico, nearly one in four children live in poverty. That means
more than 100,000 kids across our state may wake up this Christmas morning
without a single gift or message of hope. Here in Albuquerque, that equates to
roughly 20,000 children facing that same reality. Looking back to when I was a
young kid, I remember my mother driving to generous organizations—just like
LifeQuest—so that she could give us presents on Christmas morning. I am forever
grateful for those moments of grace.
This holiday season, with the help of our “Change Makers”, LifeQuest will be
launching our year-end efforts with several meaningful initiatives. This year’s
Christmas Care Kits bless the incarcerated youth in 9 different facilities, and
we are also helping the youth and families in our Journey Program. These small
gifts remind each youth that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten. That they
have a good Father who loves them and wants a relationship with them.
Last year we had a youth say that “This is the first Christmas present I have ever
been given,” and that moment captures the heart of what we do. We offer
“A Hope and a Future’ to those who are lost.
It is only with your support that any of this is possible. Every prayer, every dollar,
and every moment you invest helps us point someone closer to Jesus. It is only
when we are united together, with the common goal of meeting the physical needs
of these youth, that we can earn the right to share the “Living Water” we know
so well. These youth are thirsty and together we can build a legacy of faith, purpose,
and hope that will echo for generations.
Humbly,
Ryan C. Butts
President, LifeQuestUSA
“Stories From The Youth”
At the Grand Canyon we did some hard things. One of those hard things was hiking. This time we did not do as much because we could only hike 16 miles because of the flooding and fires, instead of the 20 miles I hiked when I was eight years old. We still had a great time. Ate great food. And spent a lot of time having fellowship and trying new things. We ate dinner in the hallway, talked, and had lots of fun. We also saw a beautiful sunset and sunrise; it was amazing to see what God can do! The Grand Canyon was a perfect example of how much friends matter. The hike was hard for all of us. But it just shows how much you can do if you don’t give up. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Harleigh
Getting to Know You
Fall is my favorite season! I love watching the leaves change and taking time to reflect on another year of growth. It’s such a wonderful season for investing in and serving others. As a parent, I know how easy it can be to jump straight into preparing for Christmas, but this year I want to be intentional about focusing on Thanksgiving first. We truly have so much to be grateful for! Growing programs, continued relationships, and a new LifeQuest office location are just a few of the things at the top of mind.
In that same spirit of gratitude, we’re looking forward to partnering with KCM to bring Christmas to their volunteers in the Philippines who have been deeply affected by devastating fires and then flooding. We invite you to join us in embracing opportunities for generosity this season—through our efforts with KCM, annual Christmas Care Kits, and year end donations. There is still so much we can accomplish before the end of the year. Thank you for being a part of the excitement with us. – Tiffany
The Community Column
4:13 Journey / 4:14 Continuing Journey
Grateful Greetings this November!
As we step into a season of gratitude and reflection, I’m reminded how thankful I am for the incredible young people we have the privilege of serving. Their resilience, courage, and potential never cease to inspire me. Each day, we get to walk alongside them as God shapes their stories, guiding them through moments that build both their future and the legacy He’s calling them to live out.
This month at LifeQuest, our focus is on serving and investing. Our mission has always been Christ-centered and youth-focused. We believe every young person is fearfully and wonderfully made, created with a unique purpose and calling. Yet for many, life’s challenges can make it hard to see God’s plan clearly.
Service is more than something we do it’s who we’re called to be. Jesus modeled a life of service, showing us that true greatness is found in humility, compassion, and putting others first. When we serve, we don’t just meet needs; we build relationships, restore hope, and remind people that they matter.
Investing in others isn’t always about resources; it’s about presence. It’s about showing up, staying consistent, and believing in what God is doing even when the progress is slow. Every encouraging conversation, every prayer, every act of kindness is an investment that pays eternal dividends.
As we move through this month of thanksgiving, I’m reminded that serving others is one of the purest ways we can show gratitude to God. He’s given us so much grace, forgiveness, and purpose, and we get to share those same gifts with the young people we serve.
Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we’re investing in what matters most: people. And when we invest in people, we partner with God in changing lives, shaping futures, and building a legacy of faith and love that will endure for generations.
Thank you for believing in our mission, investing in these young lives, and walking with us on this journey of faith and purpose.
What’s Happening in 4:13 & 4:14?
The month of October was a busy month; we took over 26 people to the Grand Canyon. The hike was hard, but everyone was filled with Gratitude. I was personally inspired by everyone’s gratitude for what they accomplished!
There were praises to be heard! The 4:13 also did a field day and it was an absolute blast, if you ask me The Dragons won the tournament just based off the banner alone!
4:14 is always awesome we had a costume party yesterday, the 5th of November and we are planning on a Thanksgiving potluck the 25th! The 4:13 is quickly coming to a close for this semester we have only one adventure left and then graduation. Getting to spend time with these groups is one of my highlights of the week. We have had so many meaningful conversations where we get to share the hope and love of Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jim Bayne
Program Director
Volunteer of the Month
Franchesca & Katie
Full disclosure, I’m a bit partial to these two amazing ladies, but they truly are an
essential part of the LifeQuest team. From serving on the board of directors to keeping Chance and me in line to caring for our children, and a countless array of other responsibilities, their dedication is unmatched. They’ve led hikes in the Grand Canyon, planned and prepared meals, and helped ensure everything runs smoothly. Both are actively involved in our Education Collective, where we are designing an 18-week program to be offered as an
elective at Calvary Christian Academy after the Christmas break. What stands out most is how their love for Jesus is reflected in everything they do, their thoughtfulness, selflessness, and heart for serving the youth at LifeQuest shine through in every interaction. Thank you, Franchesca and Katie, for your incredible commitment and example.
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