Jeremiah Lopez: Tucson, Arizona.

IO: Did you go to College? And, if so, when and where?

JL: ExCeLL through Texas Bible College, Leadership Training Center, and my Pastor’s “Conner’s Boot Camp”.

IO: Do you work a secular job outside of ministry? If so, where, and how does that affect your ministry?

JL: I drive a school bus. Though not the grandest of jobs, this helps out great with my schedule as a Youth Pastor and Youth President.

IO: Tell us about your family?

JL: My beautiful wife, Marie, is from Phoenix, AZ; we met at a youth convention here in Tucson. We have two handsome boys: Solomon (5), Jonathan (2), and one more boy (Paul Marcus) on the way, due August 4th.

IO: What is your favorite food?

JL: Carne Asada Tacos and Rib eye Steak

IO: If you could have dinner with one person that is alive today and that you have never met, who would it be?

JL: George W. Bush

IO: Who is your historical hero?

JL: Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Urshan

IO: Do you have a hobby?

JL: Basketball

IO: What is your favorite book?

JL: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

IO: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

JL: Hawaii

IO: If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would be the title?

JL: La Vida Loca, “The Crazy Life”, of Jeremiah Lopez

IO: Has there ever been a time when you felt like you didn’t know God’s will?

JL: Yes, many times. In one particular time of my life, all my peers were taking off in their ministry, and I was going nowhere with mine. I learned to let God in His perfect timing unfold His plans for my life.

IO: Today’s youth are dealing with issues that no other generation has had to face; what do they need to survive?

JL: A made-up mind to serve God no matter how many times you fail—to understand no matter how many times you fall short, all God asks for is repentance. Saul failed, but was not quick to repent when Samuel the Prophet pointed out his sin. David failed, but was quick to repent when Nathan the Prophet pointed his sin out.

IO: When did you first know you were called to preach?

JL: I was 17 and felt God tugging at my heart. As I was reading one day the first chapter of the book of Jeremiah I felt from God his confirmation to me for ministry.

IO: Is it what you imagined?

JL: No, I have learned preaching is only 20% of the ministry and 80% percent is work. Ministry is all about servant-hood.

IO: What do you think about your position as Arizona Youth President?

JL: Wow! Truly never thought I would be in such a position to serve in a million years. A huge responsibility, yet honored to be serving and wouldn’t trade my time as the AZ Youth President for anything.

IO: What would you say to a teenager that wants to become a district youth president?

JL: Serve! Learn to be a team player and always stay submitted to your pastor and elders.

IO: What makes Arizona special?

JL: Truly our young people, but definitely not the 100 degree weather! J

Pentecostal Herald: What is Hyphen?

Nathaniel Binion: Hyphen is the new young adult ministry of the General Youth Division. It is focused on the eighteen to thirty age demographic of the UPCI. The name embodies our mission: to bridge the gap between our student ministries (twelve to eighteen) and adult programming (thirty and up). We hope to connect eighteen to thirty year-olds to service with purpose through resources for a mission.

PH: How long has Hyphen been in existence?

NB: Hyphen was publicly unveiled at  the Youth Congress in 2009. But the General Youth committee ratified the initial proposal in January 2009 and Hyphen officially began operations July 1, 2009. We have built a brand identity, a national team, operating policies, and objectives. We are in a two-year launch sequence.

PH: What do you plan to do in the two-year launch sequence?

NB: Our goals are to: 1) raise national awareness within the UPC on young adult issues; 2) collect free resources for our website (www.hyphenonline.org); 3) challenge and equip districts, churches, and young adults to find and implement a local young adult strategy.

PH: What is the difference between Hyphen, CMI, and the Singles Ministry of the Sunday School Division?

NB: While each department leader can speak best for their initiative, it is really a matter of focus. The campus ministry focuses on college students, the singles ministry of the Sunday School Division focuses on a broader singles demographic, and Hyphen seeks to focus on a specific age demographic (eighteen to thirty). We will work cooperatively alongside each other to accomplish our mission similar to many of the other ministries of the UPCI.

PH: You mentioned that you have a national team. Please explain.

NB: Out national team consists of an administrative director, six regional directors, one marketing director, and a communications director. Their main goal is to facilitate and equip grassroots leadership to do young adult ministry. We meet via a conference call the first Monday night of every month. You can find out more about our structure and leaders by going to www.hyphenonline.org.

PH: What is the purpose of the Hyphen website?

NB: From the very beginning I believed that effective ministry is already happening on the local level. We just need to take the next few years to compile it and disseminate it. Already, our website provides starting checklists for pastors, district leaders, and young adults and over thirty-five resources that include small group lessons, structure ideas, and leadership resources. Our goal is to connect large and small churches through sharing resources. I always encourage people to check out our website and see that they will find at least one valuable resource to implement into their local vision.

PH: What is the Hyphen Tour?

NB: One of our objectives is to build a national awareness of the needs of young adults. One way we are accomplishing this is a conference called the Hyphen Tour. We e will allow only two hundred people at each location. The focus will be to bring speakers to address subjects that will help begin the process for young adults to take ownership of their twenties and that every decision matters for their future.

PH: So the Hyphen Tour is about inspiring young adults, not how to build a young adult ministry?

NB: Correct. We will give tips on what to do in the local church, but the main focus of the Hyphen Tour is to equip young adults about dreams, planting roots, using their pain for God’s glory, sexuality, their money, and their mission. I believe the Holy Spirit will lead each person to return home to better the local church.

PH: What are the locations of the Hyphen Tour?

NB The Hyphen Tour will be coming to Columbus, Ohio (August 20-21), Orlando, Florida (September 3-4), Houston, Texas (September 10-11), and Orange County, California (October 15-16). For registration information visit www.hyphenonline.org.

PH: A closing thought?

NB: Yes. It is important to remember that Hyphen’s mission is to serve, connect, and equip local churches and individuals. We are here to serve you. Do not hesitate to contact a regional director with ideas, resources, or questions. PH

Nathaniel Binion lives with his wife Regina in downtown Austin, Texas. He serves as pastor of Kerygma church and serves as director of Hyphen.

Chad Flowers: I discovered a calling to youth ministry while evangelizing. Doors would open for me to preach youth revivals or special-focused weekends for youth groups, and God would move! Eventually, the door opened for my wife, Mendy, and I to come back to my home church to take the position of youth pastor.

IO: What are some of the challenges of becoming a youth minister?

CF: The biggest challenge is making sure you possess a true burden for this age group rather than trying to just use the position as a stepping stone to something else. It helps to be in tune with what is happening in their worlds and possess an understanding of how they communicate and spend their free time, but more importantly than that is being able to genuinely “love” them. Whether you’re up-to-date with the times or not, showing godly love can conquer more than just being relevant.

IO: What would you say to a teenager that wants to work with youth?

CF: First, establish your own walk and relationship with God. Then take advantage of the fact that you are very much in your youth and can relate better to young people than even someone my age in their late twenties.

IO: Where were you born and raised?

CF: I’m a born and bred Dallasite (Dallas, TX).

IO: Did you go to Bible College? And, if so, when and where?

CF: I never attended Bible College, per se. I always tell people I attended the Bible school of Steve and Barbara Willoughby while serving on AIM under them in Singapore. They broke me into ministry like I had never experienced before—both at the Tabernacle of Joy in Singapore and while making frequent mission trips with them and their church into Southern Asia. For the last three years, I have served under my father at EPC, learning the lessons of patience and loving people of all ages, two key components of building a church. I would call all of this my “Bible college.”

IO: Did you go to secular college? And, if so, when and where?

CF: I did my basics at Eastfield Community College close to my parents’ home. I then transferred to Dallas Baptist University where I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2004 and a Master of Arts in Counseling in 2008. I’m currently working to be certified as an L.P.C. (licensed professional counselor).

IO: Tell us about your family?

CF: On November 12, 2005, I married my best friend, Mendy Chandler. She is the most incredible person God could have placed in my life. On December 20, 2008, God blessed us with a precious little girl, Jadyn McKenzie Flowers. I know I am a very blessed man!

IO: What is your favorite food?

CF: That’s easy—chicken fajitas . . . from just about any Mexican restaurant!

IO: If you could have dinner with one person that is alive today and that you have never met, who would it be?

CF: I would be interested in having dinner with former President George Bush. I would love to pick his brain and hear his take of the experience of being President of the United States for the first eight years of this century!

IO: Who is your historical hero?

CF: I have several, but perhaps my top two would be George Washington and Ronald Reagan.

IO: Do you have a hobby?

CF: If I could pick it back up someday, I used to scuba dive and loved it. I’m definitely a water-sports person—water skiing, tubing, knee boarding, and wake boarding. There’s also nothing better for me than taking my daughter to the park and watching her play and discover this world!

IO: What is your favorite book?

CF: I don’t have just one. To name a few, If You Want to Walk On Water, You Have to Get Out of The Boat by John Ortberg and The Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards. For fun reading, I enjoy books by John Grisham or Jeffrey Archer.

IO: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

CF: Singapore. Definitely Singapore. I spent three months on AIM there with the Willoughbys in 2005 working with the church and loved every minute of it! The people are awesome, the city is beautiful, and a part of my heart will always be there.

IO: If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would be the title?

CF: I have no idea. You tell me.

IO: Has there ever been a time where you felt like you didn’t know God’s will?

CF: Yes, there have been a few. When I find myself questioning whether I’m in God’s will, I take time to carefully pray about it. I go back to the last time I felt like I was in the will of God to check the path I’ve traveled. I counsel with mentors and leaders in my life to review everything that has led to my concerns. Thus far, I feel confident I am pursuing His will.

IO: Today’s youth are dealing with issues that no other generation has had to face; what do they need to survive?

CF: The short answer is, “an intimate relationship with God.” In order to do that, it’s going to take submission to authority, a desire to move away from the surface, not being easily swayed, and lots and lots of patience! Until they find their identity in Jesus Christ, today’s youth are going to grope for anything that seems appealing and satisfying, only to end up with regrets, frustration, and confusion.

IO: When did you first know you were called to preach?

CF: I was 18. I had been prophesied over two years before, in a revival, that God would start putting pieces of the puzzle together for me. I was sitting in the home of a missionary getting ready to preach my first Sunday sermon when the missionary began to tell me that God was putting pieces of the puzzle together for me now. I was looking down at my simple sermon and something inside me just “clicked” and I knew this (preaching) is what I was supposed to do.

IO: Is it what you imagined?

CF: Every bit and more so! Life in ministry has had ups and downs. I’ve experienced a few times with sweaty palms waiting for God to come through with a miracle for our survival, and then there have been times when I feel like I’m soaring on eagles’ wings! The most fulfilling part is knowing that I’m making a difference for the Kingdom!

Youth Group’s Name: FUSION

Church’s Name: Emmanuel Pentecostal Church

Where: Mesquite, TX (East of Dallas)

Inside Out: How many students are in your youth group?

Chad Flowers: Including Jr. High, Sr. High, and College & Career—about 90.

IO: What is their average age?

CF: 14-15 years

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

CF: “Night of FUSION S-energy” (pronounced like “synergy”), which means “Spiritual Energy.” We do it about 4-5 times a year. All we announce is the time and place to meet and if they need to bring any money. That is all the youth know. When they show up, we may do a prayer meeting and then a gym night, have a combined youth service with another youth group, or go on a prayer walk and then go bowling or to the rodeo. The important thing is, we mix some type of spiritual element with fun. We started it at the beginning of this year, and so far every time has been a success!

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

CF: Refer back to the “S-energy” event. In the past, we have put on services in nursing homes, and every Thanksgiving we take Thanksgiving dinners to families-in-need (names given to us by our city) who have nothing to do with our church. It has definitely taught our students to love and care for those in need.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

CF: Our church has a discipleship program called “Fresh Start” with classes that meet during Sunday school on Sundays. We encourage our new converts to go through the discipleship class as well as hook them up with a Bible study taught by another student.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

CF: Our weekly FUSION service on Wednesday nights is definitely the highlight of FUSION youth ministry. We have a youth room with a café, arcade games, air hockey, and a lounge for the kids and their guests to hang out in before service. Those who are involved in the worship come at 6:45 PM for practice. At 7:15 PM, we all gather in the chapel to pray before service begins. Our worship is becoming more and more anointed, and then either I preach or we have a guest speaker come in once a month.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

CF: Applebee’s

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

CF: Not anymore. We used to until about a year ago, and then we decided to make our services more evangelistic. For us, the crowd breakers just began to be time-fillers that we didn’t need anymore.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

CF: Every Wednesday for FUSION—our youth service.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

CF: We’re working toward building one at this time.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

CF: Our group is very diverse in their music preferences.

IO: If you could narrow it down to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

CF: As youth pastor, the song I would pick is “While I’m Waiting” by John Waller. The message of this song captures the intent my wife, youth staff, and I have for the students God has entrusted to us.

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

CF: Yes

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

CF: Many of them are in their schools’ bands and are now beginning to bring their instruments to FUSION. In our youth services, they usually play the contemporary praise and worship style of music.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

CF: I would say more evangelistic.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

CF: We meet every Wednesday night before FUSION for prayer, and we have special focused prayer on the nights of FUSION S-energy.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

CF: The staff that oversees our FUSION service on Wednesday nights, special events on weekends, and teach Sunday School classes on Sundays consists of 12 people, not including my wife and I.

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

CF: One of the many meanings of “FUSION” is “a pouring out.” Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (NIV). Our vision for FUSION youth ministry is a group of young people who are sensitive to the call of God on their lives and actively seeking His will through spiritual growth and service.

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed, and what would be the answer?

CF: At this point, I think you’ve pretty well covered it.

Youth Group’s Name: X7

Church’s Name: New Life Pentecostal Church

Where: Bridgeton, MO

Inside Out: How many students are in your youth group?

Aaron Batchelor: 50-60

IO: What is their average age?

AB: 12-21

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

AB: Our staff designs an incredible Youth Retreat every year.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

AB: Two young men started a Sunday school bus ministry several years ago. It is still in operation today. There are also several HOPE Sundays a year in which our church takes the night service and turns it into a community outreach event.  A couple of times we have taken our youth to help out a Home Missions church on a weekend. We also knock on doors and pass out flyers for Sunday events. Several of our youth have also been involved in Foreign Mission trips throughout the years.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

AB: Personal Home Bible Studies by an adult and a student.  Our church also has an awesome discipleship course designed for students and their families.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

AB: Hmmm….

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

AB: We have a small youth room, but there are other extra activities every month organized by our staff.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

AB: Yes.

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

AB: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in our gym.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

AB: Yes.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

AB: Christian Alternative, Rock and Contemporary

IO: If you could narrow it do to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

AB: “Crazy” by Deluge

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

AB: Yes. PWB—Pure Worship Band

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

AB: Christian Contemporary (along the lines of Deluge and Hillsong)

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

AB: Discipleship

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

AB: Yes; Monday nights at 7:30 PM.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

AB: Four youth and ten adults.

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

AB: We exist to help students know Jesus Christ and make Him known

Aaron Batchelor: Delightful Dupo, Illinois.

IO: Did you go to Bible College? If so, when and where?

AB: Yes; Gateway College of Evangelism, 2000-2004, in Saint Louis, Missouri.

IO: Did you go to secular college? And, if so, when and where?

AB: The School of Hard Knocks in Yo’ Mommasville, USA.

IO: Tell us about your family?

AB: There’s not enough room to elaborate on my beautiful and faithful wife, Breanna, and my two gorgeous princesses, Breleigh (3) and Reagan (6 months).

IO: What is your favorite food?

AB: HOT crab legs smothered in melted butter.

IO: If you could have dinner with one person that is alive today and that you have never met, who would it be?

AB: Jerry Lewis (the comedian).

IO: Who is your historical hero?

AB: Billy Cole and Benjamin Franklin

IO: Do you have a hobby?

AB: Reading.

IO: What is your favorite book?

AB: God’s Reach by Glenn Clark and Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.

IO: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

AB: On a wart on a frog on a duck on a log in a hole in the bottom of the sea.

IO: If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would be the title?

AB: Aaron Batchelor: An Invitation to the Endless Batchelor Party

IO: Has there ever been a time when you felt like you didn’t know God’s will?

AB: Yes; particularly, at the end of my Bible College experience. Others knew where they were going, and I was sent back to the “sheepfold” like David. I learned the will of God takes patience, counsel and faith.

IO: Today’s youth are dealing with issues that no other generation has had to face; what do they need to survive?

AB: Affirmation. Accountability. Anointing.

IO: When did you first know you were called to preach?

AB: In 1989, I had the same dream three nights in a row of me preaching. An Evangelist, Freddy Clark, prophesied in that same year that God had called me to preach.

IO: Is it what you imagined?

AB: No; it is better—more challenging and more rewarding.  I have learned that preaching is not the performance of the hour, but the overflow of a life.

Bruce Howell: Herrin, Illinois

IO: Did you go to Bible College?

Bruce Howell: Gateway College of Evangelism

IO: Tell us about your family?

Bruce Howell: My wife, Diane, is from Jackson, Mississippi; and we met at Bible college. My son, Jared, and his wife, Loida, serve as the Youth President of the Louisiana District and work in Christian Life Center in Monroe, Louisiana. They have two daughters, Zoe (8) and Bella (2). My daughter, Leah Arrowood, and her husband, Andrew, pastor the Pentecostal Lighthouse in Van Nuys, California. They have a son, Zion (3), and Lucia (1). My daughter, Amy, is my executive assistant here in St. Louis and is working on her Master’s degree.

IO: What is your favorite food?

Bruce Howell: Pupusas (that is a Salvadorian food).

IO: If you could have dinner with one person that is alive today and that you have never met, who would it be?

Bruce Howell: The most recent convert in China.

IO: Who is your historical hero?

Bruce Howell: Abraham Lincoln.

IO: Do you have a hobby?

Bruce Howell: Gardening.

Inside Out: What is your favorite book?

Bruce Howell: The Bible.

IO: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Bruce Howell: El Salvador

IO: If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would be the title?

Bruce Howell: The Joy of Being Missionary.

IO: Has there ever been a time when you felt like you didn’t know God’s will?

Bruce Howell: How many times do you want me to tell you about? I just took one step at a time.

IO: Today’s youth are dealing with issues that no other generation has had to face; what do they need to survive?

Bruce Howell: They need the power of the Holy Ghost and a made-up mind.

IO: When did you first know you were called to become a missionary?

Bruce Howell: After my first trip to the mission field in 1977.

IO: Is it what you imagined?

Bruce Howell: My life as a missionary is the greatest experience on the face of the earth. While I am honored to be the general director of Foreign Missions and able to travel around the world, it can never compare to being in an adobe church in the middle of the country in El Salvador and seeing a brand new person repent and receive the Holy Ghost. It’s more than I ever imagined.

Youth Group’s Name: Christian Life Center Student Ministry

Who: Christian Life Center

Where: Neenah, WI

InsideOut: How many students are in your youth group?

Joseph Waterman: 25

IO: What is their average age?

JW: 13

IO: What is your youth group’s favorite song?

JW: “Open Up the Sky” by Deluge

IO: Favorite genre of music?

JW: Anything that is contemporary and upbeat (i.e., TobyMac).

IO: Favorite place to hang out?

JW: My in-laws’ house, strangely enough. That is their favorite chill spot, mostly because of the food and an over-abundance of board games.

IO: What is the coolest event your youth group has done?

JW: Most recently, we had had an ice cream social (even though it’s the middle of March and still freezing outside). The only place that would beat us out for toppings available to choose from would be ColdStone. It was incredible.

IO: When does your youth group regularly meet?

JW: Every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night we have class, and every Friday we have some sort of social event. We’re also privileged to be part of a district that hosts a sectional youth rally once a month, called Ignite.

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your youth group more discipleship or evangelistic?

JW: Definitely discipleship. I believe that if you can grow strong young people, they will bleed evangelism. We are working towards hosting two large outreach events this summer (one at a local skate park and one via a community basketball tournament). We’re hoping that both events become a yearly staple of our youth group for community outreach.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

JW: No, but we do have all of those who are musically inclined actively involved either in the church choir, praise singing, or playing an instrument.

Youth Group’s Name: ALUPC Youth

Church’s Name: Apostolic Lighthouse

Where: Farmington, MO

InsideOut: How many students are in your youth group?

Nathaniel Molter: 12-15

IO: What is their average age?

NM: 14

IO: What is the coolest event that you have put together for your group?

NM: I guess you really would have to ask my youth, but my favorite things have been camping, boating, and going to amusement parks. We also have a paintball trip planned this spring that the girls seem to be the most excited about. Very Funny! Nothing like seventy-five pound, fourteen-year-old girls acting like Rambo.

IO: What does your group do for outreach?

NM: We have knocked doors and done the typical things, but our most effective means has been working hard to include non-church friends in everything we do.

IO: What do you do to disciple those that join your group?

NM: I try to be available for anything they may need or any questions they may have; and I have really enjoyed one-on-one and small group Bible studies.

IO: What is your group’s claim to fame?

NM: Hard to say; but since you’re asking me, I think it is the fact that my youth really work hard to be a group.

IO: Is there a “hangout” for your group outside of church?

NM: Definitely—a basement of one of our church members and the parents’ home of one of my youth seem to get frequent use.

IO: Do you do crowd breakers?

NM: Religiously!

IO: When does your group regularly meet?

NM: Besides getting together during the week, we have a youth service once a month, some kind of fun non-service event once a month, and a larger trip or special function every couple of months.

IO: Do you have a youth choir?

NM: Kind of—depends on how many of them I can talk into singing.

IO: What kind of music does your group like?

NM: My youth group is so diversified—I won’t even try to answer that other than saying they all like songs about God.

IO: If you could narrow it do to one song, what would be your group’s favorite anthem?

NM: Hard to pick just one, but I guess I would say “How Great is Our God.”

IO: Does your group have a worship band?

NM: No, but we’re working on it. I have a girl who is working on the guitar, and I am trying my best to get another youth interested in the drums.

IO: If so, what style of music do they play?

NM: At the moment, probably “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

IO: Is the ministry emphasis of your group more evangelistic or discipleship?

NM: I hope both.

IO: Do you have a prayer meeting for youth?

NM: Yes—one of the best things we do.

IO: How many people are on your youth leadership team?

NM: 3-5

IO: What is the vision for your student ministry?

NM: Get More of Us!

IO: What is the question that we’ve missed, and what would be the answer?

NM: The only thing that I haven’t said is that I consider myself to be extremely lucky to be able to work with such an amazing group that is filled with awesome young people. I really am!

Scotty Slaydon: Born in Lake Charles, LA and raised in Lafayette, LA.

IO: Did you go to Bible College?

Scotty Slaydon: Yes, Jackson College of Ministries, but I don’t sing. J

IO: Did you go to Secular College?

Scotty Slaydon: Some—when I was ten I did one semester at the University of Louisiana Lafayette in their special summer program.

IO: Tell us about your family?

Scotty Slaydon: My wife’s name is Krista, and she is from Elyria, OH. My wife is very creative and artistic with music, painting and drawing; she also likes to target shoot and go camping. My daughter’s name is Abigail, and she was born in Chicago, IL. We were blessed to adopt her at birth. She plays the piano and likes gymnastics, Super Mario (Wii), fishing and camping.

IO: What is your favorite food?

Scotty Slaydon: Gumbo.

IO: If you could have dinner with one person that is alive today and that you have never met, who would it be?

Scotty Slaydon: Rush Limbaugh.

IO: Who is your historical hero?

Scotty Slaydon: George Washington.

IO: Do you have a hobby?

Scotty Slaydon: Shooting and hunting.

IO: What is your favorite book?

Scotty Slaydon: White Guilt (Shelby Steele).

IO: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Scotty Slaydon: El Salvador.

IO: If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would be the title?

Scotty Slaydon: A Common Man.

IO: Has there ever been a time when you felt like you didn’t know God’s will?

Scotty Slaydon: There have been many times; and even when I was completely sure of God’s will, there were still moments of doubt. When you hold fast to what you know in God through those doubts it simply makes you stronger in Him.

IO: Today’s youth are dealing with issues that no other generation has had to face; what do they need to survive?

Scotty Slaydon: 1. Consistency—in their relationship with God, in their relationships with others. Developing consistent spiritual habits is key to living successfully for God. Be real with God and those around you and develop genuine friendships with people; don’t simply make acquaintances. 2. Confidence—in knowing who they are in Christ. This confidence will help them achieve whatever God has asked them to do and allow them to overcome any obstacles put in their way.

IO: When did you first know you were called to become a missionary?

Scotty Slaydon: When I was seventeen I felt God directing me to the mission field.

IO: Is it what you imagined?

Scotty Slaydon: It has been an incredible journey and is better than I ever imagined.