My friend Paul Sailhamer unearthed an old photograph that he took at a YFC gathering at Hume Lake in 1962 and sent me a copy last week. I was 17 years old in this photo, a senior in high school (in the plaid shirt with the cool flat top). To my left (or right in the photo, with the glasses) is the YFC director from Ventura Don Goehner who gave me my first youth ministry job. In front of me (in the blue shirt) is Sam McCreery, who was my YFC club director at Camarillo High School and a hero of mine (notice that he had a flat top too.)

Don and Sam both left youth ministry (Don became a fund raiser and consultant for colleges and churches and Sam went into the concrete pumping business) but I somehow managed to find a career in youth ministry that has lasted five decades.

Just today I turned in to the publisher a book manuscript which tells the story of my YFC days and the founding of Youth Specialties, along with thoughts on how youth ministry has changed and where it needs to go in the future. I’ve written a bunch of books over the years, but this one was definitely the most challenging. I’m not sure when it will be published, but hopefully sometime next year.

This has been a nostalgic year for me. Besides writing a book full of memories, I’ve also attended several reunions of various kinds which have brought old friends and colleagues together and they have been great reminders of what God has done in my life through people like Don and Sam. I’ll always be grateful.

The Rice Kryspies: Wayne, Joe, Jim and Marci

I began my youth ministry career as a club director for Ventura County (California) Youth for Christ in 1963.  Folk music was getting real popular about that time (Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio,  Bob Dylan, the New Christy Ministrels) so we formed our own folk groups as a way to be “relevant” with teenagers.  The first group I had was a trio patterned after Peter, Paul and Mary called “The Accidents.”  I played the upright bass in that group.  Then, after hearing the Dillards (who were playing folk clubs around Southern California and appearing on the Andy Griffith TV show), I learned to play banjo and formed a bluegrass group with my brothers called “The Rice Kryspies.”  My wife Marci played the bass.

Harry White, who was Ventura YFC’s sound engineer,  recently unearthed some old tape recordings of early YFC rallies, several of which featured The Rice Kryspies.  The recording below was made on May 10, 1969–exactly 40 years ago.  The introduction is by Ventura YFC director Roger Cross (who later became the president of Youth for Christ/USA).  The song you’ll probably recognize.  Just keep in mind that the Beatles were still together in 1969.  This was very cutting edge stuff back then!