Student Story: Ben

It's so easy to go about our busy lives and not realize that hurting people, hurting kids, are all around us here in Kingsport.  Young Life seeks out those hurting kids.  Here's another one of our Student Stories.

Ben’s Story

"My parents got divorced when I was seven years old. My dad was never around. My mom met a guy that I didn’t get along with very well. I got in a lot of trouble acting out because I wanted to get kicked out. Growing up, I went to church a lot, but never really understood what it means until 8th grade. Then, I went so I wasn’t at home. In high school, I was emotionally and spiritually disengaged. I wanted to “fit in” more than anything else. I was willing to do just about anything to do that. I began hanging out with friends who did drugs. When I was with them, I was getting high and getting into trouble. I was trying to fill the emptiness and brokenness that I felt.

I wanted to “fit in” more than anything else. I was willing to do just about anything to do that.

At the end of my sophomore year, I went to Young Life camp. It was good, but it didn’t seem to register. I used Young Life as an excuse my junior year to get our of the house, and then skipped Young Life to get high. I went to the last Young Life Club of the year. That night I heard about the parable of the soil. I was broken because I knew the soil of my heart was rocky.

I was broken because I knew the soil of my heart was rocky. 

Scottie told me that I needed to go to camp that summer. I worked my tail off raising money to go to camp. I heard the gospel and listened this time with not only my ears, but my heart as well. I realized that my life wasn’t right. I couldn’t change myself, but I realized that God could change me. I gave my life to Christ. I knew that He had redeemed me.

I couldn’t change myself, but I realized that God could change me.

After camp that year, I stayed involved with Young Life because they were my family. After I graduated, I had the chance to serve for a month at Southwind, a Young Life camp for middle school students. It was a great leaning experience where I learned a lot about myself. It was also a great opportunity to mentor people who were younger than me that were going through some of the same things that I had gone through in my life. It was amazing to see middle school students experience God’s love in a similar that I had experienced a year before. "

After camp that year, I stayed involved with Young Life because they were my family. 

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Leader Spotlight - Sandra Reese

We recently brought you a monthly feature of our Student Story Monday.  Another new monthly feature we want to share is our Volunteer Leader Spotlight.  We'd like to introduce you to all of our leaders and let you get a glimpse into why they give of themselves for Young Life.

We'll start with Sandra Reese.  Sandra has been a Young Life Kingsport leader for four years.  She was born in Wisconsin, spent a little bit of time in southern California, but claims Atlanta as where she's from.  She was raised in the Lutheran church and was so fortunate to grow up in a family of four kids with parents who worked diligently to instill Christian values in their home and children. She found her way to the Tricities in 2001 for graduate school, thinking she'd only be here for a short time.  Twelve years later, and she's still here!  Sandra is a registered dietician and currently works for Health Fitness, the provided wellness programming to Eastman Chemical Company.  Sandra enjoys hiking, traveling, gardening, snow skiing, cooking and baking, reading, and horseback riding (which provides excellent opportunities for contact work, since her horse lives in Johnson City - a long drive away!).

Sandra not only serves as a YL Leader, but she also contributes toward Grace Fellowship Church Sunday morning operations, she's on the Creation Kingdom Zoo Board of Directors, and recently accepted the Meals on Wheels Board Position to be their volunteer RD and Nutrition Consultant.  Wow, Sandra!  You ROCK!

Young Life Kingsport Leader Sandra Reese

1.  What was your introduction to Young Life?

My brother was actually involved in Young Life in high school… funny thing, I never knew it was at our school in Atlanta!  I attend the same church as Scottie Dancy, our Area Director, and I have a good friend, Julie Roberson, who took the challenge of becoming a Young Life leader in Bristol a few years before I did.

2.  How have you seen God work through Young Life? Do you have any stories?

It’s been really special to see my high school friends grow through the past 4 years.  I’ve enjoyed seeing one young lady,in particular, grow into the beautiful heart she was made with as she’s been loved on and encouraged as she came to terms with what Jesus did for her and that he made her and has a special purpose for her.  From a shy, introverted, timid girl who struggled to make eye contact to a more confident, outgoing, high school senior who loves to make sure everyone feels welcome, it’s amazing to look back at how much she has gained from an identity in Christ.

Young Life Kingsport Leader Sandra Reese

 3.  How do you balance your commitment with the rest of your life’s responsibilities?

This is a struggle… to manage volunteer responsibilities (YL and others), church commitments, a full time job, professional development, home maintenance, health concerns, and still make time to be grounded and fed in my own spiritual life… time management is a daily effort.  Lisa Cross [Mission Staff and Leader] and I have tried to incorporate strategies to encourage our girls in healthy habits – walking, hiking, horseback riding, cooking, playing board games, doing crafts and celebrating holidays and life with girls.  Doing those things with the girls rather than trying to do all of that in addition to my life helps.  I appreciated Julie Roberson’s role model for sharing life, and so sometimes we go to Walmart, put gas in the car, do homework together depending on the day and the need.   

Financial management is another challenge to balance.  I choose to cut my household budget to be able to provide craft supplies for Christmas ornaments, food for brunch, provide taxi service to and from events, or treat a student as part of contact work.

Leader Sandra Reese with one of her Young Life girls

4.  What is challenging about being a Leader?

So many things… We have some really phenomenal leaders, and I often struggle with feeling awkward, completely uncreative, not funny, too old, not very cool… I have no problem speaking in front of people in a professional setting, but that’s a COMPLETELY different ball game than playing goofy characters and improv.  Time and finances are also challenges as mentioned previously.

5.  What is rewarding?

Seeing kids find identity in Christ and the confidence they gain from that is incredible.  We also have so many kids with really hard family situations, dealing with poverty, difficult relationships, absent parents, have lost parents… when you see them claim Young Life as their family and a safe place to be themselves, it’s absolutely clear that this ministry can change lives.

Leader Sandra Reese with one of her Young Life girls

Leave Sandra a comment below and encourage her in her awesome service of God and Young Life Kingsport!

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Student Story Monday: Courtney's Story

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.  Pslam 107:2

We with Young Life are all about stories, as you heard if you were able to come to our Banquet in September.  All of us... every single one of us... has a story to tell.  Our Young Life kids are no exception.  So every month, we'll be bringing you Student Story Mondays.  Keep an eye out so you can be touched and encouraged by the stories our Young Life kids have shared.

Here is Courtney's Story.

"When I got baptized at Young Life camp 4 years ago, it was the best feeling ever!  And now I know that I live my life through Jesus Christ my Savior! One day I wanna step in the front of my congregation at my church and get re-baptized.  Things that have happened the past few weeks have shown me that God really does answer prayers and gives you blessings, and I wanna live my life in Him! And be a light to others around me!"

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Deck the Halls with Kingsport Young Life!!! Fa La La La LA, La La La La

(Admit it. You just sang it in your head, didn't you? ) It may feel a little early to be thinking about Christmas.... Honestly, IT IS!!!

BUT!  Have we got a deal for YOU!!!

There are only a limited number of days left to get yourself a gorgeous REAL pine wreath at a great price and benefit Young Life Kingsport. Purchase your wreath, complete with a big red bow, for your Christmas decor through us this year! Fantastic for your own house, as a gift for a friend, or an awesome Corporate gift.  The wreaths are made from live Fraser Firs from the mountains of North Carolina and should last through the holidays! These are comparable to the live wreaths you see offered through outfitters such as L.L. Bean.

Just imagine that fresh, pine scented holiday goodness you'll smell every day you walk through your door this Christmas season!!!

All of the proceeds go to benefit Young Life Kingsport. We are taking orders until November 5th.  (Folks, that's not too far in the future. Just a few days past Halloween). Wreaths will be delivered to your door the week of December 1st.

Even better?  Order ONLINE this year! Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  

Just visit our order page at http://www.fraserwreaths.com/ylkpt



Seriously, young life peeps.  Can you do any better?  It's a win-win-WIN!

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Kingsport Life - Feature Story

Young Life's Method for Success: Solid Leadership, page 14

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