When it comes to volunteer ministry leaders, Jim was one of a kind. Jim started volunteering in 1992 after his teenage daughter tragically passed away during her basketball practice. The unexpected loss of his daughter at such a young age inspired Jim and his wife, Tammy, to start ministering to teens.
Jim chose to volunteer with Youth for Christ because he saw that YFC’s mission is to reach lost teens with the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ. “We might be the only people in their lives who will talk to them about Jesus, and He’s someone every kid needs to hear about, especially in this day and age,” Jim said during a conversation with one of our staff several years ago.
Jim was known by many as “Coach”, as he had coached multiple sports and teams over a span of more than 36 years. Jim was a lifelong mentor. Whether he was coaching or helping with a ministry, Jim went above and beyond to care for young people.
For 34 years, Jim faithfully volunteered for both the Ansonia and Mississinawa Valley Campus Life Clubs, being an encouragement to students and helping out wherever needed. Jim didn’t let difficult life circumstances, his age of 75, or even medical challenges keep him away. As soon as he healed up from a knee replacement surgery last year, he was back to volunteering.
The morning of November 13th this past year, Jim was at the Youth for Christ office completing his annual required volunteer training and then that afternoon passed away peacefully in his chair at home. Jim was the definition of a dedicated volunteer ministry leader.
Jim is deeply missed by the Youth for Christ family and the Campus Life students at Ansonia and Mississinawa Valley. We were thankful to have had the chance to know such an extraordinary man of God. Thank you, Jim, for your 34 years of service with YFC. Until we see you again!
