Young Life celebrates 20 years with Paint Wars
Published 6:19 pm Monday, September 10, 2018
- A scene from the Young Life Mid County 20th annual Paint War at Port Neches Park on Sunday. Courtesy photo
PORT NECHES — Stormy weather didn’t stop upwards of 150 local students from Young Life Mid County 20th Annual Paint War at Port Neches Park this past Sunday.
Chris Iwasko, staff associate/team leader, said that Young Life is committed to being involved in kids’ lives, from supporting them at their sporting events to listening to them talk about what’s important to them. Their leaders are college students, business people, teachers and more who are dedicated to helping kids consider the direction of their lives and offer hope for their future.
Volunteer leader, Jolee Spencer, left, with Nederland High School senior Corley Pompa pose for a photo after the Young Life Mid County 20th annual Paint War at Port Neches Park on Sunday.
Courtesy photo
Iwasko said earlier this year the group held a couch-o-rama, which was basically a big scavenger hunt.
“We wanted to do something fun and exciting and maybe something out of left field that says let’s enjoy life and be silly,” he said. “We went around with our adult drivers with sofas in the backs of the trucks and drove around and took scavenger photos with the kids on the couch.”
Carsen Arline, a Nederland senior, has paint applied to his face prior to the Young Life Mid County 20th annual Paint War at Port Neches Park on Sunday.
Courtesy photo
Young Life provides a fun — sometimes crazy — but always safe place for high school students, he added.
The group meets every Monday night during the school semesters. Monday night “Club” is the party with a purpose where they have the opportunity and privilege “to share the love of Jesus with our high school friends.” The group is for Nederland and Port Neches-Groves high school students and the clubroom is located at 1406 Port Neches Ave. in downtown Port Neches. On Thursday nights, small groups, also known as Campaigners, meet to hang out and share what’s going on in their lives. In the summer, the group travels to camps in places such as Colorado, New Mexico, Georgia and North Carolina.
Iwasko, who was in the first class to come through the Young Life program, has now come full circle as a team leader. He said the program may reach some young people that a church can’t.
Port Neches-Groves High School sophomores Kaitlyn Abshire, left, Abby Reeves, Keagan Derouen, and Josie Iyles pose for a photo after the Young Life Mid County 20th annual Paint War at Port Neches Park on Sunday.
Courtesy photo
“It may not always be through crusades or grand style stuff,” he said. “It can sometimes be with paint and couches with a truck.”
For more information on Young Life contact Iwasko at 214-315-9114 or email to chris.iwasko.ylmc@gmail.com
