Barry Beeler            bbeeler@hotmail.com         September 2007

This fall (‘07) marks the beginning of my fourth “full time” year working with YFC Comox Valley.  After high school I went to Prairie Bible College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry in Wilderness Leadership (‘05).  Following graduation I returned to be a part of the YFC Comox Valley team where I did an internship for my degree. 

At present together with the YFC Comox Valley team, we…:

·        lead a weekly discipleship team for our community youth night,

·        meet with teens one-on-one,

·        run monthly teen training overnighters, and

·        run a summer leadership training program. 

Specific weekly ministries I am responsible for (and enjoy) include:

·        an activity based drop-in for junior high and high school guys,

·        a morning floor hockey drop-in at a local junior high school

·        a floor hockey outreach night (elementary and high school) **

I anticipate discipling and equipping young men with the necessary skills to live out their faith and fulfill their role in the body of Christ more effectively.  I’m willing and prepared to do this at home in Canada, but look forward to pursuing this overseas.

**Thursday Night Floor Hockey is a longstanding ministry in Cumberland.  Young people here are passionate about floor hockey, and it shows.  There's some real talent - even in 5 yr. old players!  The first of two age groups that we run is 5 - 12/Kindergarten to Grade 7.  We divide into two teams and play for about an hour with a short half time.  During the half time we hand out licorice (a tradition) and have someone give a short 5-7 minute "God Talk.” 

Barrie’s reflections:

The ‘God-talk’ works best if it's short, concise and has a tangible illustration.  Not to mention relating the truth from a real life experience.  The larger the group, the more difficult it is for the children to focus.  The degree that they listen varies from week to week.  Everyone usually smartens up if you send out someone who is acting up.  Generally they are pretty good and really enjoy being there.