the    sides

This may be one of the coolest pictures around. Last week I spoke at Oasis which was being hosted at my old church, 12th Avenue Baptist Church.

Every youth pastor in the history of 12th Avenue was there - minus interims.

Here’s the lineup from right to left…

Phil Brown (1984-1993) - currently the Adult Education Pastor at 12th Avenue.
Russ Bauck (1994-1996) - on furlough, currently a missionary in the Philippines.
Grant English (1997-2002) - currently student pastor in Parker, Colorado
Reg Hamilton (2002-2006) - currently student pastor in Gardner, Kansas.
Danny Payne (2006-present)- current student pastor at 12th Avenue.

Here’s the coolest thing about the picture. I met every one of these men in the same year - 1997.

Phil came back to Emporia to perform a wedding, we grabbed some face time and it was one of those instant - “I like this guy and I don’t really know why” moments. When I got there in 1997, he still was remembered and spoken highly of. He made Russ’ and my life easy by creating a culture where student ministry was valued and fun.

Russ and Etta were raising money to go on the mission field when I first met them. They were in Emporia right before they left for the Philippines. We had dinner and again - instant “I love these people and I don’t know why” moments. Every year they come back for furlough, we manage to hook up and pick up right where we left off.

Reg was a youth pastor at another local church in 1997. His church, mine, and the Assembly church pulled off retreats, lock-ins, WOW Week and 5th quarters together all the time. It was the start of 3 great, deep friendships - Tony, Reg, and I - that still continue to this day.

When Reg resigned at his church across town, he came to heal up with us at 12th by serving on our youth team for the next year. 12th ended up hiring him after I left.

Danny Payne and I met at In Depth in 1997. Another instant click. We ended up serving time in Topeka together. Charges were later dismissed. Seriously, we served on the State Convention youth ministry board for 3 years together. Many a late night we have spent.

When Reg left, I recommended Danny to 12th.

So the picture is just more than the youth pastors of 12th Avenue but 5 deep friendships that are centered around our love for Jesus and teenagers.