Video of the Week: NYWC 2011 | Verna Kline (81 y/o Volunteer)
By Chris Davis on December 13 2011
What does it look like for someone to be a youth ministry volunteer for 63 years? Verna Kline from Pennsylvania has been working with the “kids” in her church since 1948. Listen as Tic Long interviews her about what she's learned over the years.
Comments
From Annette on December 15, 2011
This is amazing. . .but I am pretty sure there are a TON of people out there who are older who LOVE youth ministry. We so often assume young people are the only ones who can connect with kids, but all you need is love for KIDS and God does the rest! Keep going all you older folks. . .kids NEED YOU!
From Jed on December 15, 2011
How awesome! Our youth have so much to gain and learn from a generation we often leave out of youth ministry. How can we share this need and blessing with our congregation and get our seniors involved?
From Jay on December 28, 2011
Just when I was feeling like I was too old to be in student ministry, along comes Verna. Thanks everyone for posting/recording this! In a world stereotypical student leaders who are 50% jock, 45% student, 5% Bible teacher, it becomes intimidating and makes us question who we are and why we’re haven’t “grown up” to do “real ministry.”
As an “over-the-hill” youth leader who hurts, cracks and creaks, wears progressive lenses, and views all-nighters as the blessing of NOT having to get out of bed to go to the bathroom the night before (Doug Fields), I was beginning to feel intimidated. Verna has given me renewed focus and life. While the all-nighter thing remains the same, I at least feel comfortable with my call to student ministry….not as a step to something bigger, but lifting students up to the One who is bigger.
From Jack Schmitt on January 07, 2012
Three huge cheers for Verna!!! I’m 64-years old and have been involved as a youth pastor and volunteer for nearly 40 years, now, and she blows ME away! Thank God for youth workers (servants), both paid and volunteers, who commit to serving God in this critical, eternally significant arena for the long haul.
