VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Marla & Scot Mayfield

Marla and Scot Mayfield are volunteer leaders at Coronado High School focusing on freshmen gals and guys and seem to be having a blast doing so.  Scot, a native Lubbockite and Marla, orginally hailing from College Station, have made Lubbock their home for some time now with their boys, Barron, Milam & Preston.

Scot and Marla went to Frontier Ranch last summer as adult guests and got an up-close look at what Young Life is all about.  Upon their return home they were willing to do anything for Lubbock Young Life.  Come to find out, anything, meant giving their lives away to high school freshmen.

On a regular basis you can find both Scot and Marla filling their cars up with kids to take to lunch.  And most recently ended a run as the Spartan Cheerleaders at club on Monday nights.  Thanks Scot and Marla for believing in the mission of Young Life and being willing to befriend high school kids in Lubbock with the love of Christ.

Please pray for Marla and Scot's ministries with freshmen kids at Coronado as our summer camp trip is around the corner

Please pray for Leslie as she makes her way back to Lubbock for the fall, as she works to draw her girls in closer to the Lord and as she continues to see who she is in Christ.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Melissa and Travis Funk

Travis and Melissa Funk joined the Young Life leadership family in the fall of 2006.  In this college town, we're always glad to have career aged volunteers step up, heeding the call of ministry to teenagers.  Travis hails from Hobbs, NM and Melissa is a native of Amarillo.  They are both passionate about Christ, madly in love and enjoying the community of Lubbock.

Melissa has been teaching 4th grade kids at Bozeman Elementary for the last few years, but recently has taken a job at Preston Smith Elementary.  When he's not at Frenship High School or on the golf course, Travis can be found working at Wells Fargo downtown or picking up a graduate degree in the evenings from Texas Tech.

As team leaders at Frenship High, these two are working hard to breathe life again into our YL ministry at that school.  They have a solid young team of volunteers and kids are being impacted every day at FHS by the consistent friendship of YL volunteers at that school.

We're blessed to have the Funk's on board with Young Life.  Please be praying for them as they lead the charge of the Frenship volunteers.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Jeremy Smith 

Jeremy grew up in Coleman, Texas...home of the Blue Cats.  From there he went on to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene where he majored in Biology and Youth Ministry, while playing football for the HSU Cowboys.  He then transferred to OU and eventually wound up in Dallas for two years to work in a Dallas church as a youth minister while at the same time running a Young Life club.

But as we all know...there's something magical about the 806.  Jeremy arrived in Lubbock late in the summer of 2006 to take the job of youth minister at St. Luke's Methodist.  One of the first calls he made was to our office to see if he could also plug into the Young Life ministry here in Lubbock.  Given the fact that this wasn't his first YL rodeo and that he came highly recommended, we plugged him into student life at Monterey High, where he currently is knocking it out of the park with freshman boys.

Jeremy is one of our great "career aged leaders" who does a fantastic job in ministry to kids...be it in the church setting or with Young Life.  He's an avid hunter, great guitar player, and a solid athlete who walks with Christ.  We sure are glad that he's a part of the Young Life family in Lubbock.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Blake Braun

Blake Braun hails from Midland where he was involved in Young Life as a high school kid.  He's a civil engineering major and smart as a whip.  This is Blake's 3rd year as the team leader at Coronado High School.  A lover of the great outdoors, mountaineering, hunting and all other "MAN SPORTS"...Blake has spent the last 3 summers working at Young Life's Wilderness Ranch as a backpacking guide.

Blake's passion for Christ and his heart for kids is contagious.  He is a thinker, a strong self starter and a man of great integrity.  Blake currently serves on student staff with Young Life of Lubbock and is trying to discern the Lord's calling on his life after college comes to an end.  We secretly and shamelessly hope that full time Young Life staff is the direction he chooses...he is a natural fit in this ministry and one of the area's bright stars.

He is a big fan of large, American made SUV's and trucks.  He secretly wishes (as we all do) that he was a regular on Fox's 24.  Please pray for Blake as he leads the charge at Coronado High.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Jesse Leos

Our good friend Jesse calls Coppell, TX, home, but some may argue Lubbock is quickly becoming home now.  Jesse has seen plenty of leaders come and go, but he has stuck around.  He'll be starting his 7th year with Young Life at Monterey High School.

Jesse graduated in December of 2005 from Texas Tech University with a degree in Health, Excercise & Sports Sciences and is currently enrolled in graduate school while contemplating plans for medical school and the rest of his life. 

Two of Jesse's favorite movies are Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Back to the Future.  He also enjoys outdoor extreme sports like wake boarding, rock climbing, and paintball.  He is always up for a good time and frequents the movie theater often.

Jesse has served MHS for several years and having just come back from an incredible camp trip with some MHS boys, has a renewed passion for what YL leaders are really at schools for....to share Jesus with them.

Thank you Jesse for the way you have continued to serve and for the way you have honored your commitment to serve the Lord regardless of how life changes.  Your leadership is valued and we're excited to see how the Lord will use you this year.

Please pray for Jesse as the new school semester is on its way.  Pray for excitement and the encouragement to go and bring others along with him.  Thank you Jesse for all you do!

Volunteer Spotlight: Brett Gleason
Brett came on the Young Life scene last fall through Fast Track training and hasn't looked back since.  He counts himself lucky to be a Lubbock native and son to Bobby & Debbie Gleason, former Committee folks. 

Brett has a heart for junior high kids.  He will lead our WyldLife teams in the fall and is looking forward to seeing WL catch on like "wyldfire" at Irons and Evans junior highs.  But, probably more exciting than anything is that Brett will go with his friends to Carolina Creek in about 2 weeks and what a prime place to see relationships deepen. 

A common characteristic among our leaders, Brett is not afraid to make a fool of himself.  He is more interested in kids knowing Christ in a real way than he is about looking cool.  Brett will be going to work at Hidden Falls Ranch outside of Wayside, TX, on the Palo Duro Canyon.  Another opportunity for Brett to proclaim Christ in front of teenagers.

Thanks Brett for all you do for Young Life here in Lubbock.  We love seeing your excitement continue to grow.  Keep pouring into kids and pouring yourself into knowing Jesus.

Please pray for Brett and his camp time coming his way both at Carolina Creek and Hidden Falls, that his time may be rich with kids and Christ.

Volunteer Spotlight: Caitlin Carr

Caitlin hails from Shady Shores, TX, just outside of Dallas and is quickly coming to the close of her sophomore year at Texas Tech and her first full year of leadership at Coronado High.  Caitlin is studying to become an art teacher and can be found doing some random art projects here and there.

Caitlin was able to form quick friendships with Coronado high school girls while at Frontier Ranch last summer and she has been persistant and diligent in enriching those relationships with the love of Christ.  She is loyal and has a deep desire to give her life away, completely, so that her life is not her own. 

She enjoys spending time with friends, both highschool and those of her own age, laughing (Caitlin always has a funny story to share), and thrift store shopping.  Known by highschool kids as the "girl leader who will eat anything," Caitlin is not scared to go out on a limb, make a fool of herself, all the while showing highschool kids the attractiveness, passion, and love of Christ. 

Caitlin, thank you for caring about the ministry work and mission of Young Life at Coronado High school.  You are invested in our leadership and at CHS and we are grateful for the effort you've put forth for that to happen.  Thank you, Caitlin for accepting the grace of the Lord in your own life and for being willing to share that with others.

Please pray for Caitlin as the end of the school semester comes to a close.  Pray that she has peace as things get crazy, that she is a good steward of her time, and that she may be blessed in answering the call God placed on her heart.  Thanks for all you do, Caitlin!!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Meagan Crockett

Meagan is in the midst of her second year of being a leader at Lubbock High.  She hails from San Antonio and enjoyed Young Life as a high school student.  Meagan is an integral part of her team, as they work to rebuild Lubbock High Young Life.  She is always willing to give of her time in order to be at the high school and is also really good at making posters.  Meagan is working on her degree at Texas Tech in early childhood studies to become a teacher.  

Meagan is hilarious with a quiet quick wit.  She is willing to do whatever it takes to get a kid in front of Jesus, whether that is cooking hot dogs in the school parking lot while it's freezing cold outside, getting up extra early in the morning to hand out donuts, or wearing a crazy skit outfit to hand out fliers.  She'll hang out with any kid any time.  When, Meagan has some time to herself, she enjoys being with her friends, cooking and leading the Kappa Kappa Gammas to victory.  Meagan knows the weight of eternity and wants kids to know Christ.  

Meagan, thank you for what you do and give to Young Life and high school kids.  You are making a dent at Lubbock High.  It is hard work, but you're getting it done and you haven't given up.  Thank you for being persistent and for loving kids well.

Please be praying for Meagan as the new year begins.  Pray for Meagan, first to pursue the Lord in her own relationship and to then chase after kids.