Youth
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Youth
Director Emeritus
1993 - 2001
Nick Popilchak died in February 1993. I had been a Sunday School
teacher in the Youth Department for several years (I can't remember how many).
Nick was also our Minister of Music. I was in the choir and special
groups, too. Most of the stuff that I did in church was with Nick. Nick
died on a Sunday morning and the church was in a state of shock. That morning I directed the Sunday School in the Youth
Department. That day, I led the music. That afternoon, I led the
choir in a practice of the Easter contata. Most people just walked around
in a funk. Just a few realized that we had to keep
moving and doing what we had been doing. As a result, many of the
responsibilities that Nick had kind of "fell" into my lap. Marty
Deroche and Dave Jones led the youth that summer. Soon, they moved on to other churches and I got the
responsibility of youth work. So basically, I was in charge of the youth
for nearly 8 years. 1993 to June 2001.
I think my favorite trip was to Wisconsin Dells. I remember that trip as
going extremely smooth. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The
drive didn't seem too bad, and the weather was beautiful and cool. I
cooked a number of meals on that trip and they were all good. It was our
first horse riding experience for the youth and everyone enjoyed it. The
water park was great. My daughter was saved on that trip, so it made that
trip extra special to me.
I can't remember too many bad trips. One bad one was to Nashville. It
was very hot, we had two vans, and the air conditioning worked in the OTHER van. I guess
that was my worst experience, so considering that, I guess I would have to say
that most of my experiences were very good. Occasionally we had to change
a flat tire, but that wasn't too bad. Nick always tried to go in church
vans and busses. They always broke down on him. So I always made
sure we took trips in RENTED vans that were AIR CONDITIONED. This made our
trips better.
My favorite thing to do with youth were six flags trips. I didn't have to
do much!
I think I really looked forward to Super Bowl halftimes very much. I knew
there would be many teens attending that didn't go to church and that would
create a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead them to Christ. When they
came forward, I knew all the trouble was worth it.
I will miss TEACHING the most. I enjoy hearing myself talk.
My favorite experiences were with Rusty (and Daniel Timko). Rusty always
put up a great front to all the teens and adults in the church. But
inside, I always knew that he was going to be something special. So far,
that has proven true because he is now a college graduate, the full time
Minister of Youth at Pontoon Baptist AND he will be getting married in a few
weeks.
The most helpful youth I ever encountered was Valerie Hankes. She was
BETTER than an adult in the department.
One final point: All of the success I have had as a youth director is
because of my wife Lisa. Any shortfalls I had as a youth director were
probably caused by not listening to her.......... Marv Stapleton
Sunday Early Worship 8:30am, Sunday School
9:30am, Worship 10:45am
Discipleship Training 6:00pm Worship
7:00pm
Wednesday: Recreation 6:00pm, Worship
Hour 6:55, Acteens/Reacteens 7:10pm
