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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First-Ever Dodgeball Tournament

More Information Here

 

 
Visit the Registration Page to purchase your tickets.  It's super easy!  

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Family Camp 2013 - Crowning Moment

In August, Young Life Kingsport took thirteen families to Windy Gap in Weaverville, North Carolina for a weekend of family camp. Kids of all ages played hard, ate tasty food, made new friends and laughed and laughed and laughed- all in the name of Jesus Christ.

One of many crowning moments... check it...




Flour Bombed!

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22 Years of Success

After overcoming a three-year budget shortfall, staff and volunteers at Young Life Kingsport hope this year’s fundraising banquet will make up the difference in a big way.

 

Shawn Pace, the committee chairman for YL Kingsport, said the ministry’s goal is to build meaningful relationships with students. While the budget is tight, Pace feels the bottom line doesn’t overshadow 22 years of impacting young lives. Pace and his oversight committee are weighing budget strategies, hoping the banquet will foster new support- and celebrating more than two decades of proven success.

 

“This year’s fundraising banquet is critical to ensure the ongoing success of our ministry,” Pace said. “We’re optimistic that new donors and businesses will partner with us and help keep Young Life active and growing in our community.”

 

This year’s banquet will be held on September 23, 6:30 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Methodist Church. The free event will be catered dinner, and the program will include Young Life’s unique style of fun. The success depends solely on tax-deductible donations from the community.

 

Corporate sponsorships, beginning at $500, are available and come with special perks. Volunteers may also host a table to recruit coworkers, friends and family to attend. Individuals who simply wish to get a glimpse of Young Life may reply to the open invitation. For more information, call 423.246.2822. All proceeds will fund YL Kingsport.

Founded in 1941, the worldwide organization has more than 800 ministries in communities across the United States, with Kingsport added in 1991. The Christian group focuses on mentoring middle school, high school and college students. YL Kingsport is reaching students at Central, Dobyns Bennett, North and South high schools. More information can be found on Facebook.

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Young Life Kingsport - what we are all about

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Letter from Area Director

Area Director, Scottie Dancy, wrote to YL Kingsport's committee members today...

Hello friends,

 

I just got back from an incredible month at SharpTop. I had the great opportunity to lead 43 college students as they served high school campers. It was amazing to have a front row seat as kids from all over the world (there were kids from England and Norway come) hear and experience the gospel and be transformed by it. In Young Life, I am one of the first ones to say that it's not about the numbers, which I believe with all of my heart, but there were roughly 500 kids, that we know about, who began a relationship with Christ this summer!! That's just one month at one YL camp. There are three months at 20 YL camps where kids experienced the same week this summer! From that perspective, it's clear that God is using Young Life to change the world.

 

There are many highlights for me over the month, but I do have a favorite. I was asked to participate in Real Life, which is where 5 YL staff will tell their story from the perspective of when they were in high school. I was very reluctant to do it because I wasn't sure how kids would relate to my story. It seemed each week I had the opportunity to share the gospel through my story. Each week, kids would come up to those of us in Real Life and ask questions about our stories. The first week I met a kid named Nick, whom I called the 16 year old Scottie. It seemed that our stories were almost identical. That week I had a few conversations with Nick about life and trusting Christ. He gave his life to Christ. Another week, after the last Real Life, I was talking to a group of guys and a young lady was standing behind these guys and was very emotional. I thought she was waiting to talk to one of the girls in Real Life. When I got through talking to the guys, she approached me. She was so emotional that she couldn't speak. Her leader introduced her to me as Anna. She was from North Carolina. Anna asked me about my story and how I went from living for myself to living for God. I told her that it was allowing Christ to live in me. She said she wanted that. I was able to lead her to Christ right there! Glory to God that He chooses to use us in the lives of kids. Not just in Kingsport, but around the world!

 

As I come back from assignment, I am more energized and excited to be a part of this ministry and what God is doing through our efforts than ever before. I have heard of some of the incredible things happening here while I have been gone. Young Life participated for the first time ever in the Fun Fest parade- over 30 kids and leaders were involved! A Dodgeball tournament has been planned and kicked off! As of today, there are 37 table hosts that are confirmed for the banquet!!!! In the 10 years that I have been Area Director in Kingsport, we have never had that many. I don't want to seem greedy, but 50 is a realistic number for us to shoot for. Let's go after 50 table hosts! That's 13 more tables of people in our community that we can share our heart, story, and vision in reaching kids for Christ. That's also more kids that we can reach with the money that those tables will raise. Thank you for all of your hard work and your faithfulness to this ministry.

 

In Christ,

 

Scottie

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Fun Fest 2013

Fun Fest 2013 kicked off last Friday with the time-honored Mardi Gras bash followed by the Fun Fest Parade. There, amongst the procession of marching bands and floats, was Young Life Kingsport celebrating community and fellowship in the Parade. Before a street audience of smiling faces, Young Life Kingsport proudly journeyed the route through downtown Kingsport.

Many students and leaders traveled the parade route by foot, flaunting a Young Life banner and handing spectators fliers. The Young Life float was decked out with an enormous 'YL'- and was fully loaded with students from Sullivan North, Sullivan South, Dobyns-Bennett and Holston Middle schools. Without a doubt, Young Life Kingsport was represented in an awesome way.

Fun Fest is a major, region-wide event, and Young Life Kingsport hoped to draw attention to their mission. Staff and leaders feel participation in the Parade was a huge success, and plan to make involvement in the Fun Fest an annual event.

The Fun Fest ends in two days- on Saturday, July 20.

 

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Young Life Kingsport at Bristol Dragway

In June, Young Life Kingsport had a need for speed- and went to the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals to cheer on a YL Kingsport fan favorite, Mike Edwards.

Mike Edwards Motorsports, partnered with Young Life, has a "mission" to send youth to camp. YL Kingsport is thankful for Edwards' devotion to middle school and high school students! For more information, visit the Mike Edwards Motorsports website.

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Young Life Camp

Hiking, canoeing and campfires- the typical view of summer camp. Right? Now, imagine this- racing down a zip line, zooming down a monster waterslide, riding a gigantic swing, scaling a rock wall, and cycling on dusty trails! Could it get any better? You bet! High adventure, topnotch accommodations, yummy meals and the good message of God’s love- that’s SharpTop Cove. Far from “typical”, Young Life camp at SharpTop Cove is “the best week of your life”.

In June, 15 Kingsport-area high school students traveled over 200 miles to SharpTop Cove in Jasper, Georgia. Thanks to our donors, they experienced the fun, fellowship and learning that come with a week at SharpTop. Our campers enjoyed every moment of SharpTop Cove- while they grew in faith. If you've ever been to Young Life camp, you wouldn't be surprised to hear about their deep, life-changing experience.

If you've never been to Young Life camp, it’s not too late! Join Young Life Kingsport in August for a weekend of family camp at Windy Gap in Weaverville, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the facilities are unmatched. There, your family will take in a disc golf course, climbing tower, fully-loaded game room, giant swing, high ropes course, horses, mountain bikes and much, much more. If high adventure isn't high on your list, you may lounge by the pool or relax in the hot tub. There's plenty to do! Your family will play hard, eat tasty food, make new friends and laugh and laugh and laugh- all in the name of Jesus Christ. Space is limited- and, at the low-low price of $130 for adults and $70 for kiddos, the all-inclusive packages are quickly reserved. Visit us on Facebook to register!

Young Life Camp - 2013

Kingsport-area High School Students Traveled to SharpTop Cove

Pool Play

High Ropes Course

 

Monster Waterslide

  

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