Youth pastors want to help redefine their charges

Ahwahnee Chapel makes a commitment to its young people

Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Thursday, December 11, 2008, 2:19 PM)

Who is Jesus Christ?

Why do we need Him?

What is salvation?

Those are some of the questions Jason and Trish Enger are trying to help the youth group at Ahwahnee Chapel figure out.

"I feel God called me to be a servant. What's in it for me is spreading the good news," Jason, 29, said.

Trish, 28, said, "There is joy in our hearts when we can help to witness the joy and peace that comes when they get to know the Lord. We want to deepen their understanding ... they don't comprehend their salvation."

The Engers have a daughter, Kayla, who is in second grade. Together the family has gone through some trials in recent years.

Jason fell from a second-story balcony and spent months in rehab and was, as he said, really messed up. Surgeries have repaired much of the damage, but one of his eyes still droops.

"I have experienced God's work in healing physically and emotionally," Jason said.

The family was also in crisis and separated for a time, but has come back together, they say stronger than ever.

"Coming out of all that, I know God has my back," Jason said.

They are new to Ahwahnee Chapel and just getting the youth group started. They previously led a group in Mariposa.

Trish said they made friends with the kids in the group and the kids responded. She said there were many times the kids called night or day with problems and often came to the Engers' house when they needed help.

The group in Ahwahnee is called Redefined.

"God wants to redefine our lives. To be redefined, you have to be transformed," said Trish. "To be transformed is a choice. What brings us joy is the change."

The mission statement for the group reads, "To create an environment where young people can not only relax, listen to music and have a good time, but a place where they can learn about the greatness of God, salvation through Jesus Christ and real-life biblical applications that will have a lasting effect by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit."

The group meets during church time and also on Thursdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Thursday meeting is, said Jason, just "hanging out, having some fellowship, playing music and games" for the first hour then some teaching and prayer.

When the meetings first started in November, the Engers said, they started out with the basics of their Christian faith.

"We need to know what their needs are," said Trish. The couple are building on those basics and those needs.

They said it is hard for a kid to know what to do, how to live without those basics. They compared it to swimming lessons. When kids grow up without guidance, they said, then are thrown into adult waters, they don't know how to swim.

"We want to bring youth to a place where they can receive their spiritual heritage and bring elders to receive from youth," Jason said. "Each person serves a different function, like your body. We all fit into the body of Christ."

Trish said, "They are our future. It is a precious investment but it needs help to happen."

"We want real, true growth, kids with faith founded on the rock," said Jason. "We explain they need a personal relationship with the Lord.

"They can't ride through he gates of heaven on Jesus' coattails."

Ahwahnee Chapel Youth Ministry

Jason and Trish Enger

(209) 966-8376; e-mail acy_redefined@yahoo.com.

Ahwahnee Chapel, Pastor Dave Stinson, 42461 Highway 49, Ahwahnee, (559) 683-7911

Services 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays