“ Our mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith , and our method is friendship ,” he says . “ We are a team of adults who have been loved by Jesus and are compelled to share that by praying for kids , going where they are and developing genuine , lifelong friendships . Leading Young Life here includes spending a lot of time at school events and around town with kids , leading weekly Bible studies and outreach events and hosting high-impact resort camping during the summer and fall . Every kid matters , and we want to be where they are . Our dream is that adolescents in every West Virginia county will have the opportunity to be involved with Young Life where they live .”
McDowell County ’ s Young Life arm has seen tremendous growth under Dick ’ s direction .
“ Five years ago , we began with 20 campers ages 14 to 18 years old ,” he says . “ Now we expect to utilize 225 spots for camping in the 2022 calendar year and impact kids from age 11 to age 22 . With that growth , our camping budget has increased over $ 20,000 in the last five years as we help subsidize more and more kids to attend weekend and week-long camps . We are trying to come up with new and innovative ways to raise the funds we need to sustain our growth and continue to expand our reach throughout the county because we believe that every kid in and around McDowell deserves a chance to hear the gospel .”
In 2019 , the Young Life Appalachia Internship was created . Designed for college graduates with at least an associate degree , interns in the 12-month program serve alongside Dick and his team as a part-time staffer and learn to support teams behind the scenes . Interns also engage in formal training with Young Life while working part time as a substitute teacher at a local middle or high school .
“ It ’ s a great way for a college graduate to meet the community , spend time with students and grow in their faith at the same time ,” he says . “ We hope the interns will fall in love with the area and stay — because that kind of thing happens here .”
Since 2019 , two interns have completed the program , and both have chosen to remain in West Virginia .
“ The first intern got married , started a ministry in Welch , bought a house next to the high school and is expecting their first child in April ,” says Dick . “ The
second is renting an apartment , working at the mines by day and being — in my opinion — a hero and true friend to a group of high school boys who will not forget that he stayed put because he cared so deeply for them and their friends .”
While the coronavirus pandemic has certainly affected Young Life — as it has every organization — Dick believes it has created an even greater need for the ministry and its purpose .
“ The last two years have brought heartache and confusion for young people all over the country ,” he says . “ Anxiety and depression among adolescents are rampant due to isolation . A study by FAIR Health , Inc ., from March 2021 , uncovered a substantial rise in mental health issues among young people ages 13 to 18 . The study revealed a drastic rise in depression , anxiety disorders , self-harm and overdoses when compared with the year prior . Kids are longing for connection and real , meaningful relationships now more than ever . Young Life continues to meet challenges head on by adapting strategies to reach every kid through the fog of uncertainty that seems , at times , overwhelming . The countless hours leaders devoted to the kids before the era of social distancing are continuing to prove fruitful as leaders engage kids in deep conversations about life and about Jesus .”
Moving forward , Dick hopes to see a continued increase in local leadership for Young Life .
“ Jim Rayburn , the founder of Young Life , had a great quote saying , ‘ Within a mile of every school , there are enough adults to reach those kids for Jesus Christ if they would just go and do it .’ I agree with that simple sentiment . God has his people in place to make an impact , and
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE