Tribute to Marko

Usually I try to post something that is church-planting related but I'm going to shift gears a little this week. As many of you know, before I began this church planting adventure I was in the youth ministry world. While I served as a youth pastor I was introduced to an organization called Youth Specialties, which served to resource and equip youth workers. One of the ways in which YS does this is through their annual National Youth Workers Convention. Imagine 6,000 youth pastors gathering together for 4 days. Insane, I know! YS was founded by Mike Yaconelli and shortly after his death several years ago the company was bought by Zondervan Publishing.

Since Yaconelli's passing YS has been led by Mark Oestricher (or "Marko" as he is more fondly referred). Yesterday I learned that Marko had just been laid off as the president of YS, which came as shock to myself and much of the youth ministry community.

I share all of this because YS, and specifically Marko, has greatly influenced me and my practice of ministry. What I have always appreciated about Marko is his honesty, transparency, his love for youth workers, and his love for Jesus. While I don't know Marko personally I feel as if I do. Each year as I would attend these conventions I would be encouraged, loved, and patted on the butt with an "attaboy" by Marko (not literally but more of a figurative butt-patting). In short, I have looked to Marko as one of the important voices in youth ministry, one who challenged the status-quo, loved on thousands of youth workers, and never forgot what youth ministry was all about, hanging out with young people and sharing the presence of Christ with then.

I don't know what led to this. My gut reaction is to be upset with Zondervan for making such a poor decision, but I just don't know the facts. What I do know is that Marko has faithfully served Jesus as a leader in the youth ministry community, has been a tremendous influence in my life and countless others as well. I look forward to seeing where he ends up and Zondervan's loss will certainly be someone else's gain.

Thanks a ton Marko for loving on us youth workers, encouraging us, and helping us find the strength to keep going when church boards, parents, sr. pastors, and our own expectations were dragging us down. I consider it a blessing to be in youth ministry during a time when you are a leading voice. Grace and Peace as you continue to run after God's calling upon you.