Real kids of genius ... ms never have a bad hair day

Teacher Iris Coleman AKA BJ (Becky Jo), giving the kids a life lesson about about planting seeds at PHCA

Real kids of genius ... mr dining room condiment chugger man

Club 904 at Raines High School

Raines High School Club "904" Guys and Girls getting hyped on a Monday night.

Sergeant Dreads, Freddie and Andrea ... at Butler Middle School

Do you know these characters at Butler Middle School WyldLife club? Why, it's ... Sergeant Dreads who is "dreadful" giving orders to high school Wyldlife leader Freddie at Butler Middle School. He's hated by the kids who he threatens to run out of his mess hall (the cafeteria). Wyldlife team leader Andrea taunts him behind his back.

Meet Christa ... leading at Paxon High School

Christa, leader at Paxon, with her husband, Buster

I was born in Charleston, SC and grew up in a church there. I became a Christian at a young age.

Throughout the summers during college, I worked at Ridge Haven Camp in NC. I served there as a counselor for 4 summers and then went back as a camp director. I thoroughly love working with kids especially in the camp setting. Throughout my time there, I met other counselors that had at one point or another been involved with YL.

My husband and I lived in Virginia for a few years where I taught school, and he served as a transportation officer in the US Army. We also helped out with the youth group at church. In 2001 we moved to the Atlanta area, and we both started working for a small Christian school. Many of our students were involved in YL, and I had met a few die hard YL volunteers at church.

Last year, my husband decided to join the Navy as a chaplain. Before leaving Atlanta, I inquired about YL opportunities here in Jacksonville, and that's when I came in contact with Danna. I am now a volunteer with the Paxon team where we hope to get a club started soon.

Here are a few more interesting facts that Christa shared too!

During 10 years of teaching, I've taught K-3rd special ed (various disabilities), 2nd grade, K-6th music, high school drama and choir, and middle school Bible, Christian Living, choir, and music history. I took calligraphy in college and still enjoy it as a hobby. I originally started out as a piano major and switched my junior year to Special Ed. I love reading theology/philosophy books. As a child, I made more hospital visits than both of my older brothers combined. I love critters, and I currently have two cats named Jeb and George and two dogs named Fred and Barney.

Saranac Camp Tour

You know you want to go ... to Sarinac

Sarinac Village ... upstate new york

An interview with ... Jean Tanzler-Donahue, olympic speedwalker

Supporting Stanton YL Club

Rose S and Janell M at Stanton YL Club last Monday night. Aren't they beautiful!!

Stanton Boy’s Soccer Team Wins Regional Final… and heads to the State semi-final Final Four!

What a thrilling night! Last Friday night (the 13th no less), the Stanton boy’s soccer team beat rival Gulf Breeze 3-1 in the Regional Final game. Gulf Breeze had beaten Stanton in the Regional Final the past two years, ending their quest for the State Championship. Ten minutes into the first half, one of Young Life’s own campaigners, Andrew Heaney drew first blood to put the Blue Devils up 1-0. Gulf Breeze came back and tied the game going into the second half. But the night belonged to Stanton, with Will Cobb scoring two goals to wrap up the game with a 3-1 victory.

We congratulate Stanton Young Life members Andrew, Mike, Dylan, Ryan, Dorian, and Emma (team manager) on a successful season. Stanton plays Nease in the State semi-finals game Thursday night in Tampa. Good luck, Blue Devils!

Celebrity night at Stanton

Yes, it is the Jonas Brothers!

So okay… Janell here. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into last Monday when I showed up at Stanton Young Life Celebrity club night. First of all, the music was awesome. What other club can boast having a WORLD RENOWNED ROCK STAR/OLYMPIAN (see previous blog on Dale Batman, Olympian) as the lead musician, speaker, and general all around good guy leader? Yes… Dan McLintock of Inspection 12/John Carver Band/Dale Batman fame leads this totally wonderful, totally wacky club.

Where else can you go on a Monday night to see the Jonas Brothers, Mary Poppins, and Rosa Parks all on the same stage? The enthusiasm was contagious. The evening started out with a very “grown up” version of musical chairs. I must say, those Stanton students are quite competitive - bodies were flying everywhere! This was followed by a most unusual game of, for lack of a better name, what we will call ‘Blended Concoctions.” Rosa Parks (a.k.a. Rose Shabaya) and the lovely Liz Kanning of the Class of 2000 hosted this lively, yet highly unusual event.

The evening rounded out with great music, including selections from Cold Play, The Foundations, and Bill Withers. Again… where can you go to hear ‘Lean on Me’ mixed with ‘Build Me Up Buttercup,’ ‘Viva La Vida,’ and Christian worship songs all in one venue? The music was followed by a very inspirational talk by Dan on Luke 9:46-48 and the love Jesus had for the children. His point being that the lowliest among us – as Dan put it, the masses, the bourgeois, the peons – are the ones most loved by Jesus. “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.” I was most touched by Dan’s comment that he’d rather be there - hanging out with high school kids, than on a stage playing music concert style. How’s that for priority setting!

I really never thought of myself as normal… until Monday night. Thanks, Stanton Young Life! Seriously… thanks to Dan, Eric, Mary, Rose, Marcie, Davis, Stephanie, Travis, and the Stanton students for making me feel welcome. You guys ROCK!

Stanton YL club meets every other Monday night at Grace Church of Avondale. Everyone is welcome!

Meet Janell and Mike, JAX Young Life Committee Members

Hi. My name is Janell, and I LOVE Young Life! I am married to Mike, and this year we celebrate our 26 anniversary. We have two awesome kids (Lauren and Michael), two sponsored kids (one in Peru - Antonella, and one in Albania – Brunilda), two cats, one dog, and a granddog. I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and yes… I AM A PITTSBURGH STEELERS FAN!

I have an incredibly difficult time saying ‘no’. I am addicted to sugar, Young Life, God, Access Church, my middle school girls small group, my marriage, our kids, dogs, cats, horses, alpacas, our couples small group, friends, books, Andy Stanley, and BSF... certainly not in that order! I value humility, loyalty, friendship, and truth. In these uncertain times, one of my favorite scripture passages is:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I wish I had known of Young Life when I was a teenager, but didn’t hear of this amazing ministry until our daughter was a freshman in high school. Since then, we have jumped on board and are rabid (or maybe the word is avid) supporters of Young Life. (I think both rabid and avid are applicable!) I have had the opportunity to serve as a campaigner leader, prayer and parent support partner, adult guest, and now as a committee member with a focus on leader care. Keep in mind, leaders… I have a difficult time saying, ‘no,’ so let me know how I can help make your job easier! Bring it on!

Hi. I’m Mike (Janell’s husband). As you may have guessed, we share the multiple children, but the pets are all hers (especially the “granddog”). The pets and I occupy the same living space and tolerate one another (easier for them, since I provide the food, shelter, and medical care), but have no real “relationship” that I can discern.

Janell and I “discovered” Young Life at the same time, back when Lauren indicated a desire to go to Windy Gap. Since then, both Lauren and Michael have gone to camp and been on Work Crew (Lauren also has been on Summer Staff), Janell and I have been Adult Guests at both Windy Gap and Crooked Creek), and Janell has served as a leader. We’ve continued to stay involved after our children graduated from high school, and now both serve on the Jacksonville Committee. We were honored to be asked, and look forward to helping out in any way(s) possible.

To any adults out there who haven’t been and/or are contemplating being adult guests: First, DO IT! You’ll come back encouraged about the next generation of teenagers, energized by the experience, and renewed in faith when you see the amazing Young Life volunteers and staff at work in teenagers’ lives. Second, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the adult guest experience; it’s the most affordable yet meaningful and memorable “vacation” you’ll ever have.

I can get a bit wordy when I’m armed with a keyboard, so I’ll stop now before I bore you (any further). Oh, and in closing: “How about those STEELERS!?!”

Gummy worms and clothes pins

The contest: who can get the most gummy worms out of a bin filled with freezing cold ice cubes?

The contest: who can put the most clothespins on their partner's face? ow. double-ow.

All brought to you by the Terry Parker YL leadership team, left to right: Gwen Farley, Michael Renstrom, Liz Shults, Elizabeth Etherton and Joe McKenzie.

Happy valentine's day

For God so loVed the world,

that He GAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life.

John 3:16

9 out of 10 new YL leaders say contact work is the hardest part initially (based on a really lame survey that didn’t really happen)

Calling all experienced leaders. We are looking for ideas on how to make contact work easier, especially for newer leaders. Rose Shabaya from the Stanton team shared a great idea with us.

Each week, Rose has one of her campaigner girls pick a dessert she most loves, then Rose makes (or buys) it, and brings it to lunch at school. She is sure to bring plenty, because she has found that dessert is a HUGE icebreaker, and attracts lots of kids. She has met many new students this way, and of course, her campaigner girls LOVE it! The most unusual pick? Ice pops on a day when the temperature never rose above 40 degrees!

One bit of advice… you don’t want to be late bringing dessert to school. Rose found out the hard way. She was running late last week, and her cell phone never stopped ringing - the whole way to school. All her girls were calling to make sure she was still coming!

Thank you, Rose for sharing such a great idea with us! Anyone else with a great contact work idea? Email Edith (katzgang@aol.com) or Janell (janell@pediastaff.com). We’d love to hear from you!

Meet Danna ... Young Life staff ... recruits and trains new volunteer leaders

Danna, 'the silver fox', second from left

My name is Danna and I am on the Jacksonville Young Life staff. I have been with Young Life forever … seriously! ... Well, it seems like it. (It's in my blood.)

I came to faith at a Young Life property in Colorado after my senior year in high school. (1966…see what I mean?) Though I have served in direct ministry for the last 14 years with Stanton Young Life (and various other Jacksonville high schools prior to that time), my role right now is primarily area leadership development and adult guest program recruitment both of which are things I have a passion for and have fun doing.

While serving at Stanton in the mid 90's, kids dubbed me "The Silver Fox" which I thought was a pretty cool nickname until I found out it is also the name of a strip bar on the Northside … but whatever the reason, people still call me this. I've also been called "the pit bull" b/c of my determination (shall we say "stubbornness"?) when I'm serious about something.

I have been married for close to 37 years to a Renaissance man who is brilliant and principled and looks like Sean Connery (especially now that he has a beard!). Our son Dan is a musical and comedic genius who makes me laugh. I am crazy about both of these men! (… how did I get so lucky?!)

I also love this ministry and these are the reasons why:

• the absolutely incredibly wonderful and diverse people (leaders, staff, kids, committee, parents) that Young Life attracts and that I get to work with (...see attached photos)
• the humor in YL (I need it b/c I take myself way too seriously!)
• it strengthens my faith. I get to watch (and sometimes even be a part of) the amazing and always surprising way God works in peoples' lives (especially kids and leaders). Seeing them "get it" and want to give their faith away to others makes me believe in God all over again!

Getting to know Marcie ... leader at Stanton College Prep High School

Hi, I'm Marcie, and I have been involved with Young Life for about 6 years. I first attended club in 10th grade. It wasn't until my senior year in high school that I became a WyldLife leader. Following a month at Windy Gap I became a Young Life leader. I stopped leading a few months later and wasn't directly involved with Young Life for almost 2 years. At the time, I was just very busy with college and other commitments. I transferred to the University of North Florida for the last 2 years of college and began to lead again for Stanton College Prep High School in January of 2008. I'm in love with the Lord and am excited for what He will do in and through me in the next few months.

On a different note, I am engaged! I met my fiancé in May of 2008. In July, after much prayer, tons of questions and lots of advice, we started dating. I had never seriously dated anyone before this point as I am a very picky person and have a written list of qualities that must be met (mind you I wrote these qualities 2 years ago). Before Michael and I made things "official" I found my list and reread everything. I almost cried when I discovered that Michael has every quality on my list....and then some!! But most importantly he loves the Lord.

The week after Thanksgiving, Michael drove 12 hrs (from north Georgia to Southwest Florida) to ask my parents for their blessing. My dad gave him a hard time but eventually said yes :) My mom was elated, never once second-guessing her decision.

Three weeks later on December 27th, Michael surprised me with a very romantic and thoughtful proposal on Bonita Beach during sunset. He had laboriously constructed a pathway toward "I <3>

We plan to marry March 2010 after we are both graduated.

God is good; his faithful love really does endure forever. I am blessed and it really is only by the grace of God.

Getting to know Dave ... leading at Butler Middle School

Hi my name is Dave and I am leader for Eugene Butler Middle School and helper @Raines High School. I've been doing WyldLife for about 5 years. In the photo above, I'm the one in the green shirt!

I learned about Young Life through Sam Coleman who is a great leader and minister to all ages, young and old. The most rewarding thing(s) about Young Life are:

• there is no other organization that is as great as this one!
• watching God do a great work in the lives of the hopeless and hearing them speak about the changes in their lives.

I look forward to many years involved in this ministry.

An interview with ... Dale Batman, olympic door opener

Meet Leanna ... YL staff and leader of Bolles/Episcopal Clubs

I'm originally from Kansas City, MO. I got involved in YL when I was a freshman in high school, went to a girls sleepover and then to club that next week and never missed after that. I went to camp that summer at Windy Gap (good ole 1998) and gave my life to Christ sitting next to the rock climbing wall. I stayed involved throughout high school; I absolutely adored my YL leaders and have still kept in touch with them to this day. Became a leader my freshman year at KU – rock chalk jayhawk…and the rest is history!

Other random facts I'm sure you are dying to know…

I love Florida, but I miss the colors of Fall.

I have an obsession with stationary and pens.

I was on the Rowing team at KU.

I love to eat.

I got my two front teeth knocked out at Southwind two summers ago when I was a work crew boss.

Two of my driving pet peeves are people that don't use their blinker and people that turn really slow.

I love to travel and I'm planning to go to Europe with YL staff friends in 2012.

I love fantasy league games on espn.com.

Who is your role model?

Try it without looking at the answers down below:

1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9
2) Multiply by 3 then
3) Add 3, and then multiply again by 3
4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number...
5) Add the digits together

Now Scroll down..............

Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:

1. Albert Einstein
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. Ronald Reagan
5. Bill Gates
6. Gandhi
7. Michael Jordan
8. Sarah Palin
9. Sam Coleman/David Bast
10. Barak Obama

Meet our Jacksonville Area Directors

Hi, my name is Sam, and I am the Urban/Multicultural Area Director for Young Life Jacksonville. I've been on staff for 5 1/2 years. Often referred to as the "old guy" by my cohorts in the office, I guess I have to confess, seeing that I've been around for awhile and have done youth ministry for over 25 years (I know, I don't look that old).

Raised here in Jacksonville (though born in Georgia), I've had the opportunity to grow deep roots in the community and know my way around a bit. Prior to being on staff with Young Life, I've worked in the corporate and educational arena as an insurance advisor, account executive and school dean. Having become a Christian at the age of 18, I've been plugged into some aspect of ministry for a few years; with the majority of time committed to youth ministry.

Next to the Lord, my greatest delight in life is my family that consist of my wife of 28 years, Valerie, daughters, (all grown up now....one even married), Sherell and Valisa, and my beautiful grand kids....yes, I said grand kids, Serenity and Tahrell.

I can truly say that I'm one of the happiest men alive and wouldn't trade what the Lord has called me to do for the world!

Hey, Dave here. Suburban Area Director for Jacksonville.

I love to cook things over fire. I am not shy behind a microphone. I like wearing good costumes...with fake mustaches, wigs, and hats. I really love my family. And most of all, I love telling people about Jesus.

Nothing could be better than for me to do program at Young Life's Trail West ...where I can do all five. That's me, a.k.a. Juan Carlos, in the picture serving Buffalo burgers to one of the guests. If you haven't been to Trail West (a camp for families), do it before you die. Well, actually if you don't do it before you die, then hopefully you will already be there - it is as close to heaven as any place on earth. (If you aren't sure you are going to heaven... give me a call, 904-652-7947. I'll buy you a cup of coffee and I'll tell you about this incredible thing that happened about 2000 years ago.)

I will be the program director this summer at Trail West, 2nd Session with Dan McLintock, Stanton Team Leader and LeAnna Kemp, JAX YL Staff. I have done 11 summer assignments as a program director. So, in my 17 years on staff, you could say I have been pigeonholed as a "program guy".

I was born and raised in New Orleans... I can peal and eat (including sucking the heads) of no less than a dozen crawfish a minute. I went to the University of Texas and was an English major - poetry and grammar were my specialities, ...seriously!

I met my wife, Angela, in Young Life leadership. We moved back to New Orleans for 14 years where I was the Area Director. We have 2 children, Allison is 11 and Will is 9. They are all amazing co-ministers with me. Allie wants to act or be a teacher, Will wants to go on Young Life staff or be a missionary in China. Angela is the Extended Day director at St. Mark's Episcopal Day School. She has a very dry, self-deprecating sense of humor that I love. She is also very pretty. I married up. I think the vast majority of Christian men marry up. It is a true definition of grace... we get what we don't deserve.

After Katrina hit New Orleans, we lived in Dallas for a few months and then I started interviewing for jobs that would fit for both YL and our family. Jacksonville won out over Houston and Hilton Head.

My hope and prayer for the teenagers of our city is that they would have an opportunity to hear what Jesus has done for them and His Promise to give them Eternal Life. My challenge to the believing adults in our city is to use their gifts to build the Kingdom and reach people with the Gospel - to be bold for Jesus!

Terry Parker club, small but spirited

So, I went to visit the Terry Parker club last Monday night. A dreary rainy night did not stop these leaders and kids from coming to the Arlington YMCA where they meet every Monday. This club started in the fall of last year and has a core group of about 15 kids that come regularly.

One of the things that Joe, the team leader, is hoping to do, is to get some of the Terry Parker YL alumni from 'back in the day' to reconnect and help support this group. Anybody out there know any folks who are Terry Parker YL alumni? Or know anybody who might know anybody who might know some people who are Terry Parker YL alumni? Just have your people call my people, if you do.

So guess what song they sang that makes me well up with happy tears every time? Yep, it was 'Light the Fire'. It gets me EVERY time.

What's your favorite Young Life song? Right below this post, you can click 'Comment' and share yours!

Getting to know ... Francis, leading on the Butler Middle School team

I am Francis and I am a WyldLife Leader at Butler Middle School. I am 24 yrs old and will be 25 on April 2nd. I have been leading for seven months.

I found out about YL/WL from Elder Coleman or Mr. C for some of you. He was my youth leader a long, long, long time ago. I have known him since I was 5 years old --- he is like another spiritual father.

Volunteering with YL/WL has been so rewarding to me because it has allowed me to reach out and be there for youth. I know that children need others besides their parent/s and/or guardians to spend time and be there for them. We are their Adult Friends and God has given me this gift and I want to make sure that I exercise what He has given me, to the best of my ability through His power and strength.

Jesus says it no better than in Matthew 19:14 “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children”.

I have an 11 month daughter Kharizima Alexandra who is the joy of my life and I love just being around children and being their positive role model, showing them that you can love God and have great fun doing just that!!!

Thank you, all, for just accepting me and allowing me to be apart of a wonderful organization. It’s a true blessing in disguise!

Getting to know ... Dan, team leader at Stanton

My name is Dan and I am a Jacksonville native. Born October 10th, 1980 at Baptist Medical Center, I was delivered C-section because the doctors said my head was too big. Although this could be called a "setback", I used it to my advantage and with my slightly larger-than-average brain I managed to graduate from Stanton College Preparatory School in 1999. I now lead Young Life there and have since 2006.

I was introduced to Young Life early on because both of my folks were involved. Camp at Windy Gap and Southwind were awesome as a staff kid. I got to see relational ministry in action before I knew what relational ministry was. I also sat through a ton of team meetings and staff parties most of which I didn't understand - but I do now and, surprisingly, they do serve a purpose.

For me, the most valuable part of leading is the joy that comes from taking part in God's economy: the more I share Christ, the more I receive. Plus, my kids are awesome.

One of my favorite things to do is program at weekend and/or month long camps. I was a theatre major at Flagler College and it has been a gift to be able to continue creating characters and stories that both make people laugh and communicate the Gospel.

I was also hit by a car when I was twelve and fractured my huge skull. But I fractured their windshield too so I see it as a tie.

One more lovely photo from the weekend ...

After I closed up the last post, I kept thinking about this beautiful picture ... and how I couldn't wait to post it too. So here it is ... look at these lovely ladies with their gorgeous smiles. All having a great time at Southwind, God's country.

Ah! Weekend camping at Southwind

This past weekend, Charles, Donald, Francis, Darrell, Michelitta, Sam and Valerie took these kids to Urban High School weekend at Southwind.

I'm gonna bet this photo was taken on Sunday morning since everyone looks like they have had a fabulous weekend. Southwind is only a two hour drive away, but when you are there, you feel like you are worlds apart from the real world and everything that goes with it.

How fortunate these kids are to have dedicated Young Life leaders that spent the entire weekend with them. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm and love for kids.

Getting to know ... Ben, team leader at Fletcher High School

I was born on February 29, 1980 in Lexington KY...that makes me kind of 28 years old, but with only 7 birthdays. This is my 5th year as team leader of Fletcher High YoungLife. I was doing some outreach with the Beaches Vineyard Church and had taken some kids to Southwind as I became very good friends with Herb W. He, in many ways, introduced me to the ministry of YoungLife. The Fletcher Club at the time was meeting in Vineyard facilities and was about to lose their team leader. I was approached by the Beaches YoungLife Area Director and we decided that I would take over as team leader and that YoungLife and WyldLife would be the vehicle for outreach for me and the leaders that were with me at the Vineyard.

My first time at a YoungLife club, I was the team leader and giving the talk. The learning curve has been steep, but there is nothing more that I would rather do.

I am a Mechanical Engineering grad student at the University of Florida and we win a lot of national championships.

I get a haircut every two years and give my hair to locks of love.

I have a beard in the winter and it comes in quite red.

I have a mustache for cinco de mayo, as should everyone that truly appreciates Mexican holidays.

Growing hair and sweating are some of my more noticeable gifts.

I have given Jesus my life...and now I am trying to discover what it means to give Him my heart.

Sarinac Village --- it will be the best week of your life this summer!

So, this is a photo of the boathouse at Sarinac Village in upstate New York ... and this is where a bunch of Jax Young Life kids, leaders, and, maybe even some committee members will be going ... THIS summer. Here's the listing of activities they have there: wakeboarding, waterskiing, sailing, basketball, canoeing, kayaking, ropes course, tubing, and waterslide. I want to go!