This is a pretty big week for the church; school started back yesterday for many of our families, our college freshmen are moving into their dorms for the first time, and it’s Dane Martin’s last week as our youth minister. I actually find it very fitting that I am writing today’s blog because today is my college move-in day, or in other words, the start of a new phase in my life where everything as I know it is about to change. This week is a time of transition, not only for me, but for the whole church, and for Dane.

Dane has been Ardmore’s youth minister for the past nine years. Which, as I have recently been informed, is pretty unusual considering youth ministers on average only last about two years. But let me tell you, we are very lucky to be unusual in this regard. When Tyler initially reached out to me about writing this week’s blog, about Dane’s impact on the youth, I was intimidated. Because how do you accurately sum up the impact of someone who has done so much?

The youth group that I know and love would not exist without Dane. He provided us with a space to talk about the hard things, to be heard, to be curious, to be ourselves. And because of the space he built for us, we became more than a youth group; we became a family. I am confident that I have left this youth group with some lifelong friends, and I owe that to Dane. I and many others also owe our relationship with God to Dane. He encouraged us to question things and taught us that it’s okay to doubt sometimes. He taught us to care about others even if they’re not like us because that’s what Jesus would do. He guided us through our chaotic world and led us to our loving God, where everyone has a seat at the table. And because of all those things and many others that I don’t have time to list out, I couldn’t be more thankful that Dane was placed into our lives.

So during this time of transition, I encourage you to think about change. Because our youth group that Dane built is going to change, my life is going to change, Dane’s life is going to change. But that’s okay. Because God can use change to bring about the most beautiful opportunities.

So to our youth:

Hang in there. Keep building the family that Dane worked so hard to build for us. But also welcome change with open arms.

To our congregation:

Watch after our youth and Dane as they enter into this new, exciting phase.

And Dane:

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us, and I wish you luck in everything yet to come.

Kaitlyn Nelson