Faces of ThereforeGo – Planning Team Member Edition
Kandace Brands
Q. Serving and volunteering on a ThereforeGo planning team is a huge commitment, why do you do it?
A. For the lives being touched for Christ! I know this is the obvious answer, but truly it is our heart of the planning team. It is not about the work that we accomplish through the week. It is about relationships. It is about seeing people in their humanness. It is about reaching out to the needs of people right here around us. It is about just being with others and learning from each other, growing together in life.
Q. If your fellow planning team members described you in five words or less, what would they say?
A. Organized, committed, timely, planner, willing
Q. Why should a youth worker take students to your event?
A. We truly believe that our event has nothing to do with us as a planning team, organizing the event, but about what God wants to do through us at our event. This last year, we thought we had the best event planned, and then God just completely changed it. It turned out better than what we could ever imagine! We were so blessed and blown away by our meager offering. We felt like the little boy who offered two small fish and five loaves and bread and it fed the multitudes. So if your group would like to join some humble people who are hoping to serve others in our community with the help of the Holy Spirit, come on out to Prairie Serve 2015!
Q. What’s your favorite part of the event?
A. Hands down, my favorite part of Prairie Serve is the last night worship time. It was such a blessing to hear the student’s and leader’s testimonies from the week. So many lives were touched and blessed through our week. It was so great to hear the end result of all the work put into planning, and it was so worth all the time and effort!
Q. What is one website that you visit every day?
A. I know my answer should be something about youth ministry, but honestly it is probably Facebook.
Barry Foster
Q. What does a typical weekday look like when you’re not leading or planning for a YU event?
A. Weekends are packed with outreach Saturday events and three worship services on Sunday. Although I don’t preach on a regular basis I do take part in worship leadership. A big part of what I do on weekends is make sure all our “systems” are functioning well for our many community guests. From greeters in the parking lot to the time people leave worship and head home we strive to make their worship experience as memorable, meaningful and God-honoring as possible.
Q. What’s your favorite part of a Serve experience?
A. I love the testimonies – hearing what God is doing in the lives of the students as they venture into experiences out of their comfort zone. So often they come to Serve somewhat reserved and afraid to jump in. By Wednesday, you start hearing stories of what God is doing in their lives.
Q. Serving and volunteering on a ThereforeGo planning team is a huge commitment, why do you do it?
A. I do it because it’s through events like Serve that God can touch the lives of students and impact their lives for eternity.
Q. Why should a youth worker take students to your event?
A. Roselawn Serve will be ready to maximize your student’s mission trip experience. Our team focuses on helping students grow their faith while serving others. We strive to find work projects that our meaningful and allow the students to connect with local residents.
Q. Where would you like to travel someday?
A. Nature and animal photography is my thing so I love the national parks. Hope to visit Alaska on a photography adventure some day.
Dawn Klein
Q. What does a typical weekday look like when you’re not leading or planning for a YU event?
A. Well, I am up early to get my kids off to school. Then I make a cup of coffee and spend some time in Gods word & in prayer. As a youth group leader this is also the time that I organize bible lessons and events for our church youth group. Next are house chores & errands. Then, once the kids are home from school and settled it’s off to work for me. I am a dance teacher & choreographer. I teach & choreograph for children from the age of 2-18. I am very blessed to be able to use my God given talents and make a living doing something I love to do!
Q. Why should a youth worker take students to your event?
A. Live It is a powerful, life-changing event. Your youth groupers will grow in their relationship with God. They will learn to use their talents to serve him. They will make lasting friendships with fellow Christians from across the United States. Their hearts and souls will be filled with the love of Christ. Their lights will burn brighter than ever before!
Q. What’s your favorite part of the event?
A. When all of the teens and their leaders are together for worship. It is an awesome experience. You can feel the holy spirits presence just washing over them. It is so powerful and real that it has brought me to tears in the past.
Q. I’m never without __________________ while the event is happening?
A. My Bible, my phone, a cup of coffee, a smile and a hug to share.
Q. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for the sake of youth or youth ministry?
A. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that though I enjoy singing, I am not very good at it! I have never let the quality of my voice hold me back. I sing loud and proud with joy in my heart, all for the glory of our Lord. It is also not unusual to see me break out into a little dance while singing every now and then. Some may think I am being foolish, but I want our youth groupers to know that you don’t need an angelic voice to worship our Lord with song. He knows what’s in our heart and simply wants us to worship him. I believe that ff they can see (and hear) me singing then maybe they will loose their inhibitions and worship our Lord and Savior with that same joy!
