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What
is FYC?
| Youth ministry is not new to the
Church. A magazine, Gospel Call to Youth, was published before 1950.
Rudolph Haffner (OR) served as an early director of the youth work
(1935). After merger of the Stanberry and Salem branches (1949),
Spurgeon Tedrow (OH) was appointed church youth leader. Later, Roy
Marrs (MO) served a stint as youth director for the
Conference. Robert Coulter (WI) chaired the youth department
(1957-59). He wrote a youth manual, started AIM magazine (Donna
Faubion, first editor), initiated Mark of Merit, and pioneered
full-time youth programs at camp meetings, chartering buses for
youth to tour the Denver Mint. Nelson Caswell and Elden Fischer (MO;
OR) built on that foundation during their years as National FYC
chairman (1959-65). Elden and his wife Cecyl planned, wrote letters,
recruited helpers, and cranked out materials for rallies, socials,
and projects. FYC programs became household words in many homes: AIM
(later edited by Hope Dais), Mark of Merit, 2T4G, Minuteman, etc. A
Youth Missions team toured most of the U.S. and Canada 1965-66. Led
by Vernon and Mary Patchen, the team visited nearly every church
with an inspiring program. Other groups, featuring singers like the
Challengers Quartet, continued touring through 1972. Dale Lawson was
National FYC chairman 1965-71. A popular youth speaker, Dale
preached earnestly for the Lord and touched the hearts of many.
Others took a turn as national youth director in the 1970's and
80's: Calvin Burrell, Ken Knoll, Loren Stacy, Jim Fischer, Steve
Kurtright, Jerry Moldenhauer, and Vernon Caswell. For a few years,
the Youth Agency had a Denver office and secretary, Gail Rincker,
and one district employed a youth worker. John and Ruth Tivald
brought new vision to the agency in 1990. Youth Reach newspaper
began and QUIP newsletter to youth workers. Other programs begun
this decade were the local delegate plan, Worth Waiting For, Sharing
Your Faith, Youth Week, National FYC camps, Youth Workers Seminars,
and Youth Officers Team. When the Tivalds moved to Spring Vale
Academy in 1996, Kurt Lang became director of the National FYC
ministry. Many other un-named persons have been active in this good
work for many years. We honor them all! |
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