Having been a part of Harvest since 1989, I am no stranger to the vision of Youth America. I have served in many areas within Youth America, but this past year I focused on serving in the area of security. Now, this covers a lot – indoor, outdoor and gate security – but it is all very important to the safety of our campers, volunteers and staff! Being a local Public School teacher, I know a thing or two about managing, working with people and helping to get them from A to Z. One of our Core Values at Harvest is that “we are others focused.” This statement really helped to motivate and inspire me to give my all – more than I ever had in years past. Just as my students in the classroom are entrusted to me – to teach, guide and direct – the same is true for all of our campers. Although my role was just one of many, it was important that I do it with excellence and with others in mind. Loving people is a huge part of my life and I can do that simply by serving my local church and keeping my focus on helping and serving others!

Serving has changed my life because it connected me to the church and a purpose bigger than myself. When I first started coming to church I simply showed up and didn’t have very many friends. After attending for a while I started serving on the media team, which in turn gave me people I could talk with and helped me feel like I belonged.  This made the church not just a building, but a home.  By continuing to serve it stretched me beyond myself and gave me the opportunity to grow into a better leader and set my feet on a clear path to my future. I completed the Next Generation Internship and by investing a year of my life into ministry I found my specific calling as a teacher.  There is no way I would change anything I have done because of the joy and fulfillment it has brought me. For me, it is life changing to teach a preschool class and help them understand a promise from God as well as lead a youth small group and lead them to accept Christ, changing their whole family. My life has been changed and I am continuing to become the man God has called me to be. When you give up your time to God, you get more back than you could have ever achieved on your own.

I have served during Youth America for over ten years and I am committed to serving no matter where I am needed. Because of some big life events taking place in my life this year, it was challenging, but I know God was showing me that I can find His peace in the midst of what seemed to be chaos. It was a reminder of what Paul spoke about when he said we must “die to our flesh” and basically live in humility and servant hood. There is nothing I would rather be doing than serving my local church. I believe it sets us up to be a success in our lives – both in the church and outside of the church. In that, God also brings incredible friendships that can help push you in your destiny – in good times and not so good times. I really do not know what I would do if I were not plugged into and serving my local church. They are an extension of my family. Here is the bottom line: if there is a need to be met, we all should do everything we can to help meet that need.

Last December, Sherry & I made the decision to leave our church of over 25 years to join the Norman Campus of Church Of The Harvest. There were some amazing things we noticed immediately. Of special note to us was the soundness of teaching and the integrity of function as church work was done. Additionally we noticed the number of volunteers that filled jobs and functions. Coming from another church of the same conviction it was easy to know that ‘step up’ was needed and appreciated. Volunteering for two full weeks at Youth America might seem commendable to some, but not when compared with what we had already seen, especially by interns. One such intern started her workday at 4:30 AM and closed up at midnight.
There is no hesitancy to get dirty or just to meet the needs of another individual or group, and that without expecting any reward. There is special commendation in the Bible for that: “Well Done You Good and Faithful Servant”.

This year at Youth America, I got to be involved in: altar ministry, hospitality for the band & singers, after-service parties for the leaders & students, refereeing volleyball tournaments and the YA store. We've been a part of Harvest for upwards of 21 years now. For many years I camped in the dorms as a youth leader...I was so fortunate to have been at every evening service all four weeks. If we could somehow require every person at Harvest to serve in some capacity for YA, undoubtedly they would thank us! I simply cannot fathom not being heavily involved in this invigorating, life-giving ministry we have at our fingertips. With all my heart I consider it one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve this mission. I wonder if we truly grasp the enormity of the opportunity we have been afforded with our Pastors leading this charge? I am humbled, honored and eternally grateful for this GIFT we affectionately call YA that God has entrusted this house with, as well as the countless servants and leaders who make it happen! There is no place this side of heaven I'd rather be! Come on July 2013!

It all began with my family and I driving down north Western and my wife, Ellana, saying maybe we should try that church. We started going the next week, and for the first couple of weeks we were in our shells, not really talking to anybody. Then one Sunday Pastor Andrew came up to us and started asking questions to get to know us better. We felt a true connection and let our guards down. From that point on we were plugged into our new church. I have been a counselor for Harvest Foster Kids Camp for 3 years. This last summer I had the pleasure of teaching one of my campers how to swim. He was scared of the deep end and I assured him that I would be there to help him swim. We began in the shallow end where he could touch and I taught him that he could just float by holding his breath. He thought that was so cool! The next time at the pool he wanted to learn more so I taught him how to freestyle swim. On the last day of camp he came up to me and said, "Mr. Matt, thanks for teaching me how to swim." I hid my tears with a big smile and a hug. That has been my fondest memory so far! God has blessed my family with Harvest and we wouldn't have it any other way.