We are very excited to introduce Mr. Kevan Hanson as our new Director of Youth Ministry. We feel truly blessed that God has led Kevan to our church family! We offer prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord!
A native of Salem, Oregon, Kevan earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies (Biblical languages emphasis) at Azusa Pacific University and he is just finishing up an M.A. in Theological Studies (Old Testament Emphasis) from APU right now. He has served as Youth Director of Village Presbyterian Church in Arcadia since 2008. In 2009 he took five months to live and work in Jerusalem, Israel, teaching English to high school aged, Arabic speaking, Gypsies. In his time there, he developed a deep appreciation for the country of Israel and for other cultures.
Kevan has also been involved in various volunteer capacities. He has been a worship leader, a deacon and an orientation leader for APU. For the last three years, he has participated as a team member of a Mexico outreach that travels to a community center in Mexicali once a month and volunteers with children who have Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Because he has commitments through June, Kevan will not be able to start as Director of Youth Ministry until July 1st. But he will be in church on Sunday, June 13th, to meet our church members. He is excited to meet our youth and get to know them.
How might you support Kevan and FPCSA's youth ministry? First recognize the incredible importance of youth ministry. Most Christians (estimated 80%) no matter their age, say they committed their lives to Jesus Christ when they were in their youth. Over and over again, a phrase is repeated in scripture, "since my youth." We must recognize that the years of youth are a pivotal point in a person's life. And we must seek to fulfill the Proverb to train young people in the right way.
Secondly, if you have a relationship with a young person in Middle or High School, invite them to come meet Kevan. I think they will really like him. He is the total package: a nice balance of theological knowledge, playful enthusiasm and hip coolness. Just don't tell your young person that the pastor said "hip coolness" or that will negate everything else I've said about him!
Thirdly, WE NEED SOME HELP. Kevan is taking a huge step of faith here. He's leaving the familiar area of Azusa, he's not returning to his home in Salem, and he's moving to Orange County for a part-time (20 hours a week) job with a part-time salary. In the past, we have provided housing for our seminary interns. I wonder if anyone would be willing to give Kevan housing during the summer months, or until he figures out different accomodations.
Also, Kevan needs a second job. So if you know of anything for an energetic, well-educated, trustworthy young man inhis mid-twenties, we would be very appreciative of the information. He will obviously need Sundays to work here at the church, but the rest of the week is pretty flexible.
Finally, pray. E.M. Bounds wrote, "God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. They outlive the lives of those who utter them." Pray for our young people. Pray that God will bless them, help them grow and help them become all that He has designed them to be. Pray for Kevan that his relationships with the young people would develop quickly and deeply. Pray that the other areas of his life would fall into place. Pray for our youth ministry. Pray that it would flourish, that new young people would be drawn to it and families would follow. Pray that they would grow in faith. And pray for our church, that we would continue to follow God's leading in every area of ministry.
May God richly bless us even as He blesses others through us!
Lance
