God orchestrates many things in the lives of those who follow him. As our lives are not our own, it is key that we follow His leading. In Young Life, we recognize that this ministry is not ours, but His. We, too, need to follow His leading as He directs Sitka Young Life. This fall there will be some staffing transitions for Sitka Young Life.
As I first began working as Young Life ministry coordinator for rural Alaska, my supervisor and I weren’t really sure how the new position would evolve. We wanted to learn an effective strategy for starting a youth ministry in a native rural village. Over these last six years, I have learned a ton, and I have had the chance to meet and talk with many people from around the state. There have been opportunities to travel and work with elders and with youth. I have partnered with leaders of organizations who have been ministering to youth in rural AK for generations. I have connected and talked with people in Young Life about effective strategies for new startups. Since I began, we have hired two other people to start ministries in the villages where they live. These past six years we have learned what Young Life in rural Alaska can look like, and we have learned some strategic priorities that will help ministry flourish. This past year I have been increasingly aware that the next progression for Young Life in Rural Alaska would require more oversight and travel than I am able to commit to. Sitka is a great spot, but far from the rest of the state, and with the arrival of our third baby this summer, traveling will be increasingly difficult. I still have as much passion and interest in the people from villages, but my position will need to transfer to a team.
Sincerely,
Aaron Routon.
As I first began working as Young Life ministry coordinator for rural Alaska, my supervisor and I weren’t really sure how the new position would evolve. We wanted to learn an effective strategy for starting a youth ministry in a native rural village. Over these last six years, I have learned a ton, and I have had the chance to meet and talk with many people from around the state. There have been opportunities to travel and work with elders and with youth. I have partnered with leaders of organizations who have been ministering to youth in rural AK for generations. I have connected and talked with people in Young Life about effective strategies for new startups. Since I began, we have hired two other people to start ministries in the villages where they live. These past six years we have learned what Young Life in rural Alaska can look like, and we have learned some strategic priorities that will help ministry flourish. This past year I have been increasingly aware that the next progression for Young Life in Rural Alaska would require more oversight and travel than I am able to commit to. Sitka is a great spot, but far from the rest of the state, and with the arrival of our third baby this summer, traveling will be increasingly difficult. I still have as much passion and interest in the people from villages, but my position will need to transfer to a team.
Simultaneously, God had been moving in Chris’s heart about the upcoming year. In early Spring, the Sitka School District asked Chris to consider applying for the position of Director of Special Education. Through a lot of prayers, both Natalie and Chris felt led that Chris should take the position. Chris’ calling and his passion for the kids of Sitka have not changed, but his hours will shift. Over the past 5 years, Chris has worked full time for Young Life and part-time for the school district. He will now work full time for the district and part-time for Young Life. He will still work with high school and middle school kids. Some of the behind the scenes work will now need to be done by someone else.
Over the past 2 years, my work with the local Sitka area ministry has grown to include working with many more adults. I have worked in the background more and have developed a growing interest in how SYL could adapt to become more effective. Through prayer and conversations with my wife, we felt that I should apply for the Sitka Young Life Area director position.
Last month the job position was opened, and I applied. I went through the interview process and was hired. I feel God has prepared and called me to serve in this place, at this time. I have worked and volunteered in both school districts in Sitka for the past 16 years and have been able to build some great relationships. As our committee chairperson said, “It has been awesome to see God has moved and orchestrated in ways we could not have predicted.”
We have had an excellent summer with 30 kids experiencing Young Life camp and watching them grow closer to God through the experience. We had 26 go to camp and 4 serve for a month on the camp work crew. Through the summer months, Young Life leaders have also been preparing for the upcoming school year in planning events to build memories, thinking of ways to connect with kids, and creating opportunities for sharing about Jesus. The focus for our teams this year will be growing deeper in Christ and experiencing his fullness.
Thank you for all of your faithful prayers and support as we look forward this year to seeing God move in Sitka and around the state.
Aaron Routon.
