Youth Workers

Dianne Young has been a youth counselor at Conway for a long time.  She is one experienced counselor that has helped provide youth with life changing opportunities to learn, be spiritually challenged, and to support them along the way.  God has definitely called her to work with youth and she does it whole heartedly.  She is a committed individual who will greet any new visitor with a warm smile and is always looking to get to know the youth a little better.  Dianne is a late-nighter so she is always up late at Lock-ins and up for a game of cards.  Dianne is a staple of Conway UMC youth ministry.  She has been a teacher, friend, ride home, and so much more that only the word "youth counselor" can sum up.

Steve Marshall came on board in 2006 after a youth Sunday entitled "I Believe..."  Steve does too!  He got involved with Conway UMC youth ministry as a sign of appreciation and to repay the amazing youth counselors he had when he was in a youth group.  Steve is instrumental when we go camping and is always punctual and dependable.  Steve is splitting his time between being a facilitator to a Sunday evening divorce recovery group and a counselor in our youth group.  Steve is around to visit  at dinner and special events. He continues to serve the relationships he has built through IMPACT.

Chris Ballentine, is our newest addition as a counselor.  However, since he served as a youth counselor for many years, youth ministry is NOT new to him.  Chris' help and the contribution of other volunteers and his good leadership made a very successful program.  My personal favorite and most well-known lesson... "The Mustard Seed."  His son, David Ballentine, is in our youth group.  Chris teaches an adult Sunday School class at Conway as well.

 

Ken Camp, a former counselor for IMPACT, switched to work with T.N.T., "The Next Thing", for those tweens who are preparing for the transition to the youth group and middle school.  Ken knew T.N.T. is where God was leading him since he had experience at his home church in New York working with this EXACT age group.  He loves to led games and loves that T.N.T. hasn't outgrown a good game of tag!  You'll find Ken starting, during any free moment he can find, a game of tag or some other fun activity that teaches group building .  He treats all of the kids like they are his own brothers and sisters.

Alison Whitney leads T.N.T.  What an amazing ministry that came to Alison!  She thought that some kids feel too "old" for Adventure Club, but aren't quiet ready for the social challenges of being a teen.  T.N.T. is full of fun activities that not only create brief interactions with some of our youth through organized games and sharing in dinner time but it gives them a place all their own to be with their peers.  Alison is suited perfectly with her spunky personality.