In the Fall of 1993, I was at a National March for Jesus conference in Austin, TX. We were beginning our final session and as we normally lead off with 2 or 3 worship songs, I remember feeling the Lord's very near presence. On my knees, I cried to the Lord, "Lord I need more of this personal intimacy in worship!" I had not felt that closeness with God for 4-5 years since leaving a Youth With A Mission school in Tyler, TX. I had been very involved with a mega church in the Tacoma area where worship had become more of a 'big stage' performance and celebration week after week, yet I needed more. On my knees in Austin, the Lord reminded me of a little sandwich shop sign I noticed one day in Federal Way distributing flyers for the March for Jesus! earlier that year. When I finally found the fellowship meeting the next and entered into the room, a music pastor and a single worship song for ten minutes, and then everybody stood in silence for another ten minutes, and I realized I was home.

Since first becoming a Christian in 1983, I have always been involved with youth in some fashion of ministry or another. I have taught all ages throughout the years in several church Sunday Schools and lead several activity groups for young adults. In the Fall of 1997, I was asked by a friend to help with an inner city youth program. Our Vineyard church prayed for me, and afterwards I immediately joined with the inner city work of Rev. Ivory Crittendon. Initially I was to volunteer for a year, but ended up serving there until the Spring of 2000. Additionally, since 1993 until 2006, I mentored over a dozen inner city youth without fathers. In the Fall of 2006, Pastors Gary & Lori asked me to consider leading the youth ministry and I have been in the process of doing so until the present. I am passionate about helping youth know God and from that use their talents, creativity, and ability to minister to others as He leads.

For more information about the youth ministry, go here.