Faith in a teen leader, teen leader in faithChurch Impacts Many Young Lives. Here’s one storyRyan Motter's youth minister, Gabe Combs, minister of youth and
young adults at Shawnee Park Christian Church, Kansas City, Kansas,
had his Ryan stayed, brought his family and began to bring friends. Gabe and youth workers like Kristie Smith worked with Ryan as he became one of the real leaders in the youth group and in the church. Ryan became involved in Greater Kansas City regional camps and retreats at Tall Oaks Conference Center. In 2001, while part of the Greater Kansas City Regional Youth Council team assisting the Disciples' General Youth Council (GYC) and their UCC counterparts with youth activities for the 2000 youth at the Kansas City General Synod and Assembly, Ryan applied and was elected to the GYC. Following the Kansas City event, the GYC, the DHM-sponsored planning team for General Church youth events, set it's sights on providing anti-racism/pro-reconciliation training for regional and constituency youth council teams at YME 2002. Ryan helped make that happen. Now 18 and co-moderator of the GYC, Ryan Motter is working with the rest of the council and the Disciples Home Missions' ICYF Team on plans for ICYF 2003. ICYF will bring 1500 Disciples youth to Atlanta, Georgia, July 9-13 for a life-changing, spirit-filling, church-building Disciples event for high school youth! Ryan and the rest of the GYC are also hard at work on the youth activities for the Charlotte General Assembly. Following ICYF Ryan plans to attend Texas Christian University and follow up with seminary. Local, Regional and General youth ministries shaped and nurtured Ryan Motter in his faith and growth as a leader. Ryan has poured his leadership back into the church he loves and will continue to do so. Disciples Home Missions sponsors and provides staff support for the General Youth Council and all General Church youth events, resources the Association of Disciples in Outdoor Ministries, helping to strengthen outdoor ministries like those that nurtured Ryan at Tall Oaks, and resources regional and congregational youth ministries. The Rev. Randy Kuss, director of Youth Ministries, DHM, is a native of Memphis, Tenn. and is a member of Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. |
doubts
about him. As Gabe put it, he thought Ryan would be there a week
or so and then disappear when the relationship with that girl in
the group faded. But that was six years ago. Gabe was wrong and
is now glad to admit it. |
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