When Elizabeth Sherwood’s husband took the position of area director in Yamhill County, Ore., she felt called to begin a YoungLives ministry — an outreach for teen moms and their kids. Sherwood would later see God do much more than reach young mothers with the Gospel — He would create an avenue to celebrate and strengthen young families.
Laying a Foundation
The local high school, Newberg Senior High, had a great platform already in place. "The school offered daycare for student parents right on campus," Sherwood said. In exchange for working one hour, teens could drop off their kids and head to class for the day. Sherwood immediately started volunteering at the daycare and began building relationships with mothers.
The daycare was also open to other parents within the community and provided a base for finding leaders for club. Over time, the Lord built a strong team of ladies to minister to the student moms.
Hearing the Call
But God wasn’t finished molding His ministry. As time went on, Sherwood and her team saw boyfriends and fathers dropping moms off at club and driving away. It broke their hearts. "Something just didn’t feel right," Sherwood said. The team of leaders began praying about reaching these young dads and boyfriends. Was this what God wanted? How would it work? Where would male role models and leaders come from?
It wasn't long before God answered their prayers. Sherwood was soon approached by several men who had been helping at the daycare on campus. They desired to be involved and reach out to young dads. As Sherwood explained what had been on her team’s heart, excitement grew. God had paired the ministry's need with the men's great desire to serve and the timing was perfect. "The need and workers for the harvest were matched," Sherwood said.
Family Time
The leaders, along with their kids, now meet with parents bi-weekly and begin by sharing a family-style meal provided by committee or others in the community. Occasionally, parents and leaders prepare meals together, creating a fun, messy time. You could say it opens the door for "kitchen table talk" — conversations that dig below the surface and center on things that really matter.
Club has all the usual elements — humor, fun and the proclamation. But it also allows time for family activities and opportunities for moms and dads to break out with their respective leaders to talk about parenting and relationship issues.
Ben Kulpa, one of the YoungLives leaders, has been amazed to see guys open up and talk about their own childhood, their fathers and what kind of fathers they want to be. "Many of the dads have shared that they want to be different. They want to 'be there' for their kids," Kulpa said. "In our time together, I have seen guys go from more tired than ever to more hopeful than ever. They are really open to the Gospel because of where they are in life."
Kulpa and his wife, Ashley, have been blessed by leading together. "We have learned a lot about ourselves and our relationship. We have grown together in serving together," Kulpa said. "One of the ways we now see our lives intertwined is by modeling what a healthy marriage can be."
The Bigger Plan
Over the last two years, Yamhill County YoungLives "Family style" has had a deep impact on many. Families of both the leaders and teens have benefited from meaningful relationships. It’s through these relationships and hearing the Gospel, that the young adults have been given hope to lean on while they navigate life as teenagers and parents.
Elizabeth Sherwood felt called to reach out to teen moms, and God had something even bigger in mind. And now, because of how God is working through YoungLives, young parents are getting the help they need to lay a solid foundation for their families that will support them for years to come.