Open up!

"Uhhh Mrs. Coach do you know if they're doing random drug testing for Powderpuff girls?"

That question helped lead us to where we are now... missionaries trying to reach the public middle schools and high schools in this state. But what got us to that question???

Substitute Teaching!!

Since the beginning of youth pastoring, Josh applied at the local high school as a substitute teacher. He quickly found himself on campus at least once a week subbing and fell in love with the students...lots and lots of non church kids. His eyes were opened as he noticed his own youth group blend right in...they were acting no different than the rest of the students at that high school.

Relationships were built with not only students but teachers, principals, even secretaries! He became a familiar face around the school and word spread that he was a youth pastor...although he'd not told a single person besides the person who interviewed him at the school board office. Through those relationships he was asked to coach the sophomore powderpuff team...that dominated! I was asked to be his side kick... I basically taught the defense how to be mean and knock girls over (aka tackle) and filled their bellies with brownies and cookies and muffins after practice!!! They called me Mrs. Coach...Josh was...Coach. We were in heaven! A girl asked me the question who started this whole post and I knew I was where we were needed...at a public school. Not our youth room scouting out the best you tube videos to show at our next youth service!

I grew up as a swimmer, and I still eat sleep and breath swimming I think. Timers were needed at the high school for some swim meets... so we went and I drug Josh with. We had a blast timing 2 different meets and even received 2 All Sports Passes for free for volunteering. Students saw us...we saw students...met new ones and got into any other sporting event we wanted for the year FOR FREE!! We did it all through he athletic director's office.

Those are our stories, bits and pieces at least. There is no closed school. Never. No where. There are no excuses. Ever. Get.on.your.school.