Youth Leader: Kelly and Steve

I want to praise God for His work in their lives as a couple, specifically in three ways:

First, their faithful service. This is the sixth year that they have served in the middle school group. Many of us have trouble committing to even small things for six months, much less six years. Especially something as challenging and as demanding as Middle School ministry. Yet, they continue to serve. And not just serve in a well-they’re-a-warm-body kind of service, but they serve in a way that shows they see each child as one of God’s children. They could have checked out when they had a child. They could have checked out when they had a second child. They could have checked out when they had a third child. And they didn’t. They didn’t because they have their priorities right. They see that eternity is much more valuable then they’re comfort. And even though the easy road would be to find a less demanding ministry, they don’t. I look forward one day to standing before God as He shows Steve and Kelly the overwhelming treasure they will have in heaven because they served God with their lives.

Secondly, their discipleship. Jesus’ last words in the book of Matthew, before He went up to heaven, were this: “Go and make disciples”. Jesus’ last words weren’t: “Go and get a good job” or “Go, and find a ministry you like,” but “Go and make disciples”. Steve and Kelly live as if these words were spoken by Jesus—because they were. They are fiercely committed to discipleship. Discipleship can sound like a nice sounding church word, unless you’ve done it before. Then you realize that discipleship means loving those that are hard to love, serving when you don’t feel like it, bearing with folks who sin and need repentance, daily self-denial, and much, much prayer. Steve and Kelly know this, cause they do it. All the time. And they are phenomenal at this. And this is with the additional challenge that they’re pool of students changes 50% every year. The 8^th graders move up to high school, the 5^th graders move in, and yet Steve and Kelly pour themselves 100% into the students. Another quick thing, some people think that to reach young people you have to know their language, their “cool” culture, and be their buddy. Steve and Kelly don’t believe this lie. They model Christianity and pull students up to their level. This is real discipleship.

Thirdly, their others-focus. This ties into the last one, but bears its own 122 words worth of God-ward praise. Let me explain this about them by explaining what Steve and Kelly are not. Have you ever met someone who only wants to talk about themselves? They brag about accomplishments, regal you with boring personal stories, and jump all over questions you ask them about themselves. This is NOT Steve and Kelly. They are others-focused. They are so secure in God’s love for them, that it frees them to be totally about ministering to others. They are deeply interested in the person standing directly across from them and truly love others. When you talk with them, you feel cared for and ministered to and loved.

I could go on. Trust me. I could tell you how they do family-centered ministry at its finest. I could tell you about one of my favorite parts of their ministry—their ministry to the young adults of this church. I could tell you about the hundreds of little fun times I’ve had with them. I could tell you about how the church should have hired them instead of me. I could tell you about the special connection I will always share with them because of the car accident the three of us were in. But I won’t. You’ve already got more then enough to praise God for.

But I am grateful for them. Deeply grateful. And I look forward to, Lord-willing, continuing to serve with them and be friends with them for years to come.

Youth Leader: Steve and Kelly

Name: Steve and Kelly Schulz

Nickname: Stonewall, Kellsabells

Time in Youth Ministry: 5.5 years

Gifts: Leadership, Teaching, Administration, Encouragment, Wii Skills

Evidences of Grace: Steve and Kelly head up the middle school ministry here at the church. If you haven’t met them yet, you are missing out. If you have met them, you know they are a godly couple and that no one more capable could be heading up such an important ministry in the church.

Now I could go on and on about the individual ways that God’s grace is evident in their life. I could go on about how we are so blessed to have such a gifted couple here. I could tell you that Steve is a godly man, a perfect example for our young men to imitate. Sometimes, Bible characters can seem a long way off from a young man's reality. Steve provides a real life example for our 12-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and 16-year-olds to follow. I could tell you that God has supremely gifted him in teaching and Steve exercises this gift well. He teaches at a Middle School level with the teaching depth of a Pacesetter. I could tell you that God has given Steve the gift of administration, to lead and manage and organize a group while pulling everyone together. I could tell you how Steve is a gifted leader, someone who sees where the middle school group needs to be and is someone who takes the steps to bring them there.

I could tell you about Kelly. I could tell you how godly Kelly is, how she is soft to the Holy Spirit and quick to act in obedience to Him. I could tell you how she leads with kindness and care. I could tell you that she is hospitable and welcomes ministry into her home because her life is about Christ. I could tell you the tremendous welcome new students have when coming to the group for the first time. I could tell you how she reaches out with love and builds meaningful and spiritually-effective relationships with the students. I could tell you about all the women that go to her for counseling, help, prayer, support, fellowship, requests, words of affirmation, and the like. I could tell you how my future wife will have to be Kelly-approved.

But I won’t. I won’t tell you about those things. I want to praise God for His work in their lives as a couple, specifically in three ways. I'll tell you about them tomorrow.

Youth Leader: Amy

Name: Amy DeBurgh

Nickname: Amy DeBlog, Dummie

Time in Youth Ministry: 18 months

Gifts: Discipleship, Wisdom, Joy, Exhortation, Making Slideshows, Making Christmas Party Signs

Evidences of Grace: Amy has recently left the youth ministry to serve more with this guy she likes in the church who preaches every Sunday. I know that God will bless her in her new ministry. How do I know? Because He greatly blessed us while she served in youth ministry.

Five quick evidences of God's grace in Amy:

1. Discipleship--From Day 1, she consistently challenged the girls to a deeper walk with God. She didn't beat girls over the head with her Bible (that I know of), but she loved the girls--showing them that God is greater, bigger, and more wonderful than they had thought before.

2. Investment--She jumped right into the ministry and became a valuable leader. Serving isn't something she does half-heartedly or as an afterthought to her "life." Caring for girls souls quickly became her life.

3. Example--She is a fantastic model of what it means to be a godly wife, a godly mother, and a godly woman. Her character is above reproach and her holy conduct is a perfect example for the young women to follow.

4. Joy--Amy is always joyful, because she recognizes where her joy comes from--her sins being forgiven and her name being written in the Lamb's book of life. Her joy is contagious and she excites others to follow God with joy.

5. Grace and Truth--John says that Jesus is full of grace and truth. Amy is too. She comes strong with God's Word, repentance of sin, and the need to be a disciple of Jesus. But, every step of the way, she encourages with grace. She loves people and oozes grace to them in every conversation. Because she also has received grace.

I'm blessed to be a friend of Amy and to have served with her. She came to girls who were freezing and she left them burning up. Thanks for serving, you will be missed.

Youth Leader: Luann

Name: Luann Purdy

Nickname: Epaphroditus (see Philippians 2.25-30 for why)

Years in RBC Youth Ministry: 1 year

Gifts: Baking, serving, cooking, leading choir, grilling, discipling, and she's good at making food

Evidences of Grace: It was harder for me to come up with cooking synonyms than with evidences of grace in Luann.

She serves and serves and serves. When Jesus talks about what discipleship is all about, He talks about denying yourself. He talks about not coming to be served, but to serve. He talks about following His example and counting others as more significant than yourself (see Phil. 2 again). These are things Luann knows, because she regularly puts these truths into practice.

When you see Luann at church (or maybe you don't see her, because while you are filling up your coffee and talking to your friends, she is serving), you see that she is denying herself and serving Jesus. You do not see her expecting to be served, waiting to be served, merely talking about serving, whining about other people who are not serving--no, you see her actually serving. You see her esteeming others as better than herself.

(Don't ask the question.)

(Seriously, don't ask the question.)

(You still want to ask the question?)

(Fine, but you were warned...)

How does Luann serve?

(cue: the floodgates)

Serving week in and week out in the youth ministry, caring for girls, loving girls, talking to girls about how their week was, encouraging them with the love of Jesus. Being a caring wife to one and a caring mom to four (actually, like a dozen, because there are always a lot of random kids at their house). Leading and ministering to the kids in Vertical Devotion. Making meals for families in the church. Caring for other couples in their small group. Thoughtfully putting together meals suggestions and buying groceries for youth leaders whose blood pressure runs high. Giving up nights and weekends to rest (which she's earned) to spend time building relationships and building up the body of Jesus. A dozen other ways which I don't know about because Luann is humble and doesn't brag.

In Luann, God's grace shines through in her humility and service to her Lord.

Youth Leader: Ace

Name: Ace

Nickname: David Westcomb

Years in RBC Youth Ministry: 13 years

Role: High School Guys Leader

Gifts: Encouraging, Listening, Leading, Cooking, Dancing, has a really good impression of a southern accent

Evidences of Grace: There's a lot. Trust me. Here are a few...

Experience: Even in his 60s, he is serving the Lord, with a joyful heart. While many folks in their 60s are looking to retire and move to Florida to collect sea shells, Ace isn’t. His focus is on eternity. He is being used by God to make a difference in student’s lives. He isn’t living for himself, but for his Creator.

Love: He loves the students. He gets involved with their life. He genuinely loves people, maybe more than anyone I know. He deeply cares about each student and where they are at with the Lord.

Respect: The students love Ace. Many of them see him as a second father. Some see him as the father they never had. Ace always has a listening ear, ready to hear and care. They wrestle with him, compare biceps with him, and enjoy being around him.

Teachability: He aspires to keep growing. He always wants to be a better teacher, a better leader, a better friend. He excels in many ways already, but wants to do better. He wants to keep growing. He won’t hide his struggles, but uses them to encourage and minister to others.

Service: He serves. He does audio ministry. He has been an elder. He goes to Tuesday Night Bible Study. He makes food in the Ripley Kitchen. He makes the small group hot dogs on his grill.

Humility: He is humble. Here's an example: Let's say its a random Saturday afternoon. You just got done with a long day of lawn work and just sat down inside to relax. Then, you get called out of your house and then hosed down by some punks. What would you do? Sinfully, I would either A) pull an angel of the Lord vs. the Assyrians (see Isaiah 37.36) or B) Go outside and weep bitterly (a la Peter in Matthew 26.75). Ace? He gets hosed down, then invites the guys in for food and a movie. (I won’t say who the punks are, but their names rhyme with Mandy, Mete, and Mars).

Wisdom: He is wise. I trust Ace. I trust his wisdom and his guidance. He assisted me big time with this summer’s mission trip to make the trip possible. He has helped me and steadied me as I’ve learned how to do youth ministry. He sees youth ministry from both sides—he has been through high school and has had kids go through high school—and is wiser for it.

I am grateful to have Ace as a youth leader. He is an asset. Even better (and maybe a little mushier), I am glad to have Ace as a friend. I love him (ok, it was a lot mushier, but its true).

Youth Leader: Tim

Name: Tim Haumersen

Nickname: Timmy Hums

Years in RBC Youth Ministry: 3.5 years

Roles: 7th Grade Boys Leader

Gifts: Administration, Service, Organization, making microwavable popcorn, and, oh yeah, he's ok at piano

Evidences of Grace: He (has/is) (poured/is pouring) his life into serving Jesus. That's a pretty good evidence of grace, but it goes further. He will serve when

-he is counted on

-he is "supposed to"

-called on at the last minute

-its not fun

-he needs to use up almost all of his vacation days at work to help middle school and high school kids fall more in love with Jesus

- by giving up weekends to stay up late spending time with youths at fall retreats

- others dump issues on him and he has to listen and give counsel

-spending his free time making food for (mostly) thankless youths and their (mostly) thankless youth pastor

- by doing whatever it takes to help others grow

Tim is a good friend and RBC is blessed to have him. He doesn't collect a check from the church (even though he probably should) and may not even be recognized for the behind-the-scenes work he does. He daily spends time with the Lord and it shows. He is a model of discipline and it shows. He is humble and, so, Christ shows.

Youth Leader: TK

Name: Todd Kellner

Nickname: TK

Years in RBC Youth Ministry: 24 years

Roles: High School Guys Leader

Gifts: Teaching, Confrontation, Driving (on long trips), Driving (with his Ping G10)

Evidences of Grace: He is a youth leader whom I’ve have become good friends with. He loves the Lord and loves the youth group. He’s gone through a difficult last year being unemployed, but was a great model of what someone should do when they are unemployed. He gave himself to three things:

1. Looking for a job

2. His family (his folks—who have had significant health issues)

3. The local church

Todd has been my right hand man, giving constantly of time and effort to the youth group. He’s been on every trip we’ve done, served in the nursery and children’s ministry (with the youth who serve in those areas), and wrote a 15-week study on sin for the youths to grow from. As he endured unemployment, he kept looking to God for dependence.

God provided him a job last week.