Eight months ago, ACC’s elders embarked on a journey to hire a full-time youth minister. We started by developing a list of what we were looking for in a youth minister (more specifics on that list to come soon). Experience in church youth ministry was considered desirable but not more important than traits, qualities, philosophy of ministry, reference checks, and personal interviews. A search committee of congregational members, elders, and ministers was formed to review resumes, check references, and conduct phone interviews with the top applicants. One rose to the top as the clear choice – Brian Nelson.
Brian currently lives in Arlington, TX, with his wife of 16 years, Cheri, and 4 children: Caleb, 13; Luke, 11; Trinity, 8; and Micah, 2. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hardin-Simmons University, a Christian university located in Abilene, TX, and is currently working on a Masters of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX. Brian attends a large church (2,000 attendance) and has taught an adult Bible study class for the past 11 years.
Currently teaching at Southwest Christian School in Ft. Worth, Brian has been teaching at the middle and high school levels for 16 years. He has vast experience in creating and teaching curriculum in Christian Apologetics, Biblical Interpretation, World Religions, and Christian Worldview. He knows how to relate to youth and can deliver information to them in a way that they will both learn and remember it. He has a passion for impacting young people with the Gospel.
Besides teaching in the classroom, he has 14 years’ experience coaching high school athletics, most of that time as a soccer coach. We believe these responsibilities as a head coach will translate well into the duties of leading a youth ministry.
In addition to serving as a Christian educator and coach, Brian has ministered to individuals of all ages as a Christian speaker at youth events, church services, camps, retreats, workshops, and school chapels.
So why does Brian want to leave Texas, his large church, and his teaching position to come to Anacortes? In his present teaching situation, he has only one year to be involved with a student. In the past year he has felt a call from the Lord to go deeper and disciple teens over a longer period. He and his family are excited to change the pace and grow with a smaller community. His wife’s brother and family live in Anacortes; Brian and his family have been here before and they love it. He is genuinely excited about the prospect of working with our team of elders and ministers here at ACC.
In short, Brian has way more time and experience around youth culture than most youth ministers. He is the right fit on many levels, having both the maturity and experience of someone who has been working a long time with teens, and the open enthusiasm of a young minister stepping into his first full-time ministry position.
** Brian, Cheri, Caleb and Trinity will be coming to Anacortes around the fifth of May so all of you can meet and get to know them a little better. Brian will preach, followed by a reception where you can visit with him and his family and ask him any questions you may have. After the reception, we will have a congregational meeting in his absence so you can ask more questions if you desire. We will then have a congregational vote affirming the elders’ decision to call Brian as our youth minister.
In Him, Kirk Ruddell, Elder chairman