By Curt Williams, Founder & Executive Director
Unless you live under a rock you’ve heard the old phrase, “When it rains, it pours”. It did not become one of the best-known and oft-repeated axioms without some serious relevance. Well, here at Youth-Reach Houston, it is pouring.
Hurricane Recovery Report
In actuality, it began with the pouring rains and the fierce winds of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage to our buildings and campus. Then it was the revelation that, though fully insured, the overall insurance deductible would be $94,000. Yet, what appeared daunting to us was a simple task for the Lord. Thanks to the incredible generosity several individuals, churches and our local Rotary Club, this need has been met! We are grateful to all who prayed and all who gave.
Staff Transition
As most of you know, in early 2017 we began a 10-year succession plan here at Youth-Reach. Before we officially kicked this off, it was clear to all concerned that we needed to plan for the future. Another axiom is, “To fail to plan is to plan to fail” so it was with intentionality that we set out on a journey that would set the stage and prepare the players for the next generation of Youth-Reach. We made the decision to retain Dr. Dave Robinson who has guided many programs and churches through successful succession plans, and that choice has proven to be incredibly beneficial.
In the early stages, it became clear to all involved that the successor to Curt Williams would be David Williams (no relation). David has been very innovative, effective, and fruitful as the Director of our Alabama campus, and his leadership skills, integrity and character have made it easy for us to discern the Lord’s leading. David has assembled a phenomenal staff at Youth-Reach Gulf Coast, and over the last five months, he has begun to assert his leadership here on our Houston campus.
Dr. Robinson warned us years ago that with most succession plans come staff transitions. We are witnessing this now, as in the next month or so three staff members will be departing Youth-Reach. This will certainly spur some emotions, as these are not employees, but friends and family. Our prayers are with them, and our respect and love will go with them into their next season.
This means that we will again be seeking godly, passionate, seasoned and called servants of God who are being led here by the Holy Spirit. We never look for hirelings or those seeking a spotlight. Serving at Youth-Reach is a lifestyle and not an occupation. Finding and connecting with these people most often is due to targeted prayer, so that is what I am asking of you. Would you specifically pray that our Father would lead the right people whom He has prepared to Youth-Reach? We are deeply grateful to those who will commit to pray for this need.
The Good News
There is one thing that all of us can agree on, which is the fact that we have one of the best groups of boys we have had in a long time. From the “veterans” who have been with us for years, to the newest boy to enter our doors, we have a great group of young men. The raw potential that we have seen is quite beautiful, and the promise stored up in these boys has us very excited. There is not one of them that has a foot out the door, but each of them is teachable and willing to put in the hard work to see his lost future restored.
We have boys from all over the country and around the world, and all are here because they convinced us they were worth the Lord’s money and our time. The vetting process is not easy, and life at Youth-Reach is not always easy, but these guys are a joy to be around, and we are excited to see what is next in all of these lives.
