Youth Stuff question - As a teen,
what was your favorite youth
ministry memory?
From Krista Young, Director of Christian
Education and Youth Ministry at Hope
Lutheran Church in Wake Forest, NC.
She shares this story of being influenced
more by the “blue-hairs” than the barelyfunctioning youth group. “I attended a
church that had been around for 100
years. It was in a changing neighborhood
and did not do any outreach to the diverse
community around it. Needless to say, it
was filled with “blue haired” older women.
We did not have much of a youth group.
A couple who never had children took a
few of us under their wings. We would
go to their house once a month or so
and hang out. I remember sitting on the
floor of Jo and Joanie’s house talking to
them about boys, cheerleading, and what
I wanted to be when I grew up. Their
unconditional love for me was profound. I
often got dirty looks from the older ladies
if we wore jeans or tennis shoes to church,
but Jo and Joanie always accepted me. “
Lesa Bowman, a volunteer with Manheim
Brethren in Christ in Manheim, PA,
strongest memory is also connected with a
relationship with a church family member.
“My favorite youth ministry memory
would actually be my Sunday School class
18
WildFrontier.org
when I started attending church with my
best friend at the age of about 14. Her
mother was the teacher and it was truly
the first time anyone talked to me about
relationship vs. religion. I remember her
saying, ‘many people have “fire insurance”
but very few people choose to truly follow
Jesus.’”
Parent Stuff question - What
was the instigator that led you
to include parents more into
your youth ministry plans?
For Krista Young this was when she
became a parent herself aided with a
workshop she attended by Vibrant Faith
Ministry titled “The Child in Our Hands. ”
Lesa, who herself is a parent of teens, said
that “we can only do so much with the
kids once or twice a week; we really need
to try to connect with the parents too.
When we can get a better picture of what
life is like from both perspectives (parent/
youth) we can better help guide the kids.”
Church Family Stuff question Tell us about that one church
family member who blesses
your youth ministry and how?
Krista mentioned the many
people who are generous and sponsor
camps and other scholarships as well
as the people who hold her and the