Seven years ago . . .

Seven years ago in late March 2001, I came to PCLG for a second job interview.

Steve Fainer

The interview was leading youth group for the evening. Before activities commenced I was introduced to a young man whose accent was thick and whose name I caught as “Tub.”

“Tub?” I questioned him,and he seemed to say yes. My plans and lesson go off well enough and as kids await rides home, this boy named Tub is playing foosball with a volunteer named Chris.

Eventually, Chris calls me out and asks, “Did you just call him ‘Tub ’?”
“Well, I thought that was what he said!?!”
“It’s ‘Tom ’.”
“Ooooh,Tom! That makes way more sense.”

Through high school, Tom Gadd co-led the first two L.O.G. retreats and went to Mexico all four years. He also caught the garter at my wedding while sporting a green mohawk. Through college he has volunteered with the Middle School youth group all four years, and when given the opportunity to graduate to high school ministry, he said, “No, I like junior highers!”

In April 2008, Tom will take charge of Middle School and High School youth groups while Jane and I attempt our big hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. I am so proud of him and so grateful to him for stepping in and letting us fulfill a dream. But I’ll let him introduce himself a little more...

THE FAMOUS WEDDING Left to right: Tom, Steve, Jane, MacKenzie (now going into 6th grade) and Eli (now a graduating Senior), lurking in the upper left hand corner.

Meet TOM GADD

Hi, I’m Tom! First, Steve just said he was proud of me, and grateful for my being willing to step in. If anyone deserves the credit for my being willing to do this now, it is Steve. Steve has been an amazing youth pastor to me, and is an amazing friend now. It is absolutely my honor to help him and Jane go on this adventure!

I know that the last time I was offered the chance to work with the high schoolers, I said that I liked the junior high kids. I am very happy, though, to move on up and get to work with both age groups. I ’ve got a lot of cool activities planned for both sets of kids, both fun stuff, and serious stuff. I’m particularly looking forward to Mexico this year. I went all four years in high school, and haven’t been since, so it should be a great trip. Mexico is one of the parts of the youth program that is more intimately connected with the life of the church as a whole.

Firstly, I (and all the kids, and everyone else involved!) owe you, the congregation, a whole boatload of thanks for your support. And secondly, thanks to the mission trip service, I can look forward to getting to know some of the members of the church I haven’t yet met.

“Super size those fries?”

If anyone has any questions for me, or wants to contact me, feel free to. Here is my phone number:(408) 458-0461 and e-mail address:

YOUTH MINISTRY NOTE:

After the Mexico Mission Trip, SNiFF for Middle School resumes on Sunday, April 20, @5 p.m. SHED for High School resumes on Wednesday, April 16, @7:30 p.m.

published in the SPIRE - April 2008

ARCHIVE: From the Youth Director - March 2008