“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV
My wife Mary and I took our longest trip together in January 1973, flying from Evansville to Chicago, changing planes and going on to Portland, Oregon for the Youth for Christ International mid-winter convention.
There was a move on behind the scenes to prohibit local Youth for Christ rallies from owning property and buildings, implementing a concept requiring every YFC affiliate to look and operate the same.
Contacting Jim Harris from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, we met in his room and invited some other directors in attendance to pray together about God’s plan for our ministries.
We invited these directors to meet again with us in Evansville in February to continue praying and brainstorming, and we contacted others who were not with us in Portland, including Al and Vidy Metsker from Kansas City Youth for Christ.
As we discussed having another meeting in the East, hosted either by Dick Snavely in Bath, New York or Jim Harris in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Al Metsker suggested we alter that plan and meet again at TTT in Evansville.
The name “Youth Evangelism Association” was chosen at our third meeting in March, and Al Metsker recommended I serve as organizing chairman. Al then invited us to meet at Circle C Ranch near Kansas City on Memorial Day weekend.
Vic Eliason from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jim Harris from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Dick Snavely from Bath, New York; Al Metsker from Kansas City, and I from Evansville were named co-founders of YEA.
Vic invited us to meet again Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee, because he had a Christian attorney who could handle the legal filings necessary to have not-for-profit and tax-exempt status for the member ministries by the end of 1973.
We endeavored to have our first convention in Chicago in January 1974, but because of complications, the first Youth Evangelism Association convention was held in Evansville, and we had the privilege of hosting participants from across America.
The decision was made for the second Youth Evangelism Association convention to be in Orlando. Bob Bland, director of Teen Missions International, helped graciously, and Teen Missions soon affiliated with YEA. The third convention was in Kansas City, hosted by Al and Vidy Metsker.
The founders and participants of Youth Evangelism Association continued thinking on things noble, just, and pure, as the initial and new member ministries expanded and developed outreaches in communities across the country.
Al and Vidy Metsker were tremendous encouragers to many, many of us involved in youth evangelism ministries. To help train youth leaders, Al founded Christ Unlimited Bible Institute in 1975; bringing Dr. Dale Potratz to teach Bible, while Al and other members of Kansas City Youth for Christ staff taught methods. “On the job training” was a major part of the CUBI curriculum.
YEA’s purpose has continued from its founding – a fellowship of men, women, and organizations, helping each other fulfill Christ’s Great Commission among youth. My daughter Tami Dooms has served as YEA President since 2003.
Each YEA affiliate is locally governed, with the right to develop programs of evangelism as God directs, holding high standards of Bible teaching and victorious Christian living. Local churches and interdenominational ministries affiliated with YEA use a variety of ideas and methods in a constant endeavor to reach youth effectively.
Thinking on whatever things are lovely especially includes Mary. Another memorable flight together was to New York City and on to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a Saturday night rally with George Kell at the YEA affiliate there. Mary’s beauty and gracious spirit enhanced our ministry together until God chose to take her to heaven, October 12, 2014. I miss her loveliness seemingly more every day.
Think on whatever things are of good report. Utilizing Leading Youth Resource Information Connections, K.E.Y. – Keep Evangelizing Youth – is the constant and consistent objective.
Think on any virtue and anything praiseworthy. As we and Bible believing congregations pray and work together, providing God’s ABCs of salvation and inviting every youth, before turning 20, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the mission continues: Telling The TRUTH to / through teenagers … to win them to Christ and train them for Christ, teaching them how to share their faith through their local churches, on their campuses, throughout their communities, and into their world, wherever God leads them in their future … implementing the concept “Christ through you can change the world!”
How do you think in your heart? Are you going through every door God opens?
Think on these things.