September 13, 2004
by Jordana Voth
Michele Hershberger of Hesston
College is in the middle of a dream coming true. "Sometimes I
still can't believe I can sit here in my office, type in YMROADTRIP.ORG
on my computer, and there it is--our website!" she says. "Then
I click on those different buttons and go to the different sections--it's
so exciting!"
Michele acknowledges that some
of her excitement stems from being 43, and part of a generation that
didn’t grow up with the Internet. But even more, she’s
enthused about what people will find on YMROADTRIP.ORG--resources
for youth leaders that she has dreamed about making available for
the past two years.
“My Hesston College youth
ministry students create lessons based on Bible stories, and I had
a total of almost 40 lessons on the Old Testament--just sitting here
on disks--and it seemed like there should be a way to share those
with youth Sunday school teachers and youth group leaders,”
she said. “A website seemed like a wonderful contemporary way
to do that.”
Michele’s dreams were fueled
during monthly lunches with Carol Duerksen, editor of WITH Magazine
and a Director of Youth Ministries at Tabor Mennonite Church. “Carol
knew from personal experience that there was a need for new, creative,
theologically solid curriculum for high school kids,“ Michele
continued. “She was also looking for a way to make WITH Magazine
more accessible and user-friendly, and a website could do that.”
The two women put together a proposal,
presented it to Hesston College administrators, and shared it with
youth ministers from across the United States and Canada at the annual
Youth Ministry Council last May. They talked with Eleanor Snyder,
Faith and Life Resources Director, about the involvement and implications
for FLR.
"Until plans are underway
for a new denominational youth curriculum, this will provide interim
resources," Michele said. "The word from everyone was 'Go
for it!'"
Kevin Cook, the new WITH Magazine
designer from Kitchener, Ontario, was contracted to design the website
which would be called YMROADTRIP.ORG. "Finding the right name
was a trip in itself," Michele recalled. "Just when we had
something we liked, it was taken already or had implications that
we didn't want to be a part of. This name clicked for both of us,
it was available, and it describes what we are about. We are all on
a faith road trip together, and this website seeks to provide youth
ministry resources for that journey."
The hands-on resources available
at this point consist of four Old Testament lessons, one or two lessons
related to WITH Magazine, and four devotionals every month. The plan
is to make 40 Old Testament lessons and 45 New Testament lessons available
in the next two years. "Youth leaders can take their high school
kids through the Bible in two years with these lessons," Michele
said. "In addition, there are creative, yet thought-provoking
lessons using WITH Magazine, and there are devotions--spiritual musings
you might say--for youth leaders to use alone or with a group."
Another important element of the
website is links to other Mennonite Colleges and high schools. "We
want to strengthen the ties between youth leaders, youth, and all
Mennonite Education Agency institutions," Michele said. "They
may start on this website but end up checking out another college.
That's great--we just want to get kids in the doors of Mennonite institutions."
Several aspects that Michele and
Carol hope to add to the website in the near future are a chat room
or bulletin board for youth and youth leaders to connect, exchange
ideas, respond to issues, etc; and short articles and tips that address
practical strategies for youth ministry. They also plan to have some
fun with the site. "I want to scan a picture of Carol's head
on top of a motorcycle--now there's a road trip!" Michele said.
"But who knows what she plans to do with me!"