H15’s increase in numbers creates need for volunteers
After the pandemic slowed down the growth of H15 Teen Center Ministries in Millersburg, it has recently experienced a big uptick in visiting teens, meaning there is a need for more volunteers.
When H15 Teen Center Ministries first opened in 2019, the ministry began with about six teens. However, through word-of-mouth growth, the Millersburg facility echoed with the sound of fellowship.
Then life happened, and the pandemic came along, putting a halt to everything including H15’s gatherings.
However, Directors Andy and Tammy Schafer remained committed and connected with that initial core group of teens throughout that time, and Andy Schafer said God did some amazing things in their personal growth. However, after reopening things were different.
“What we came to notice was the kids who were preteens and young teens during that year withdrew into themselves and were really hard to reach,” Schafer said. “We struggled to connect and build meaningful relationships with them. Most of the teens that came in just wanted to stay to themselves, and for a while it was pretty discouraging, but we kept trusting God.”
Then came what Schafer said was a disturbing time of several young people bringing drugs into the ministry, which initiated contacting the police. He said that was a trying time, but even through it, they saw a couple of salvations through the Tuesday Bible study. But at the end of last year, 10 teens of the core group aged out in a matter of six months. Thursday evenings became much quieter. There was talk of lifting the 16-plus age restriction on Thursdays, but the Schafers decided against that idea.
Then in April Schafer said they saw God’s hand at work.
“Saturdays have always been our quietest days with it not being uncommon to only have three or four teens show up,” he said. “However, we began to see a few new teens — nothing dramatic, just a couple — but we were getting a little bigger.”
The numbers climbed, and on May 11 the Schafers were there for the evening and saw God opened the floodgates.
“We had 17 teens show up,” Schafer said. “We were blown away. I thought it might have just been a fluke, but the trend has continued. There have been a few slower Saturdays, but we have seen new teens coming in consistently, and I believe we have hit 20 now on one evening.”
It was the identical thing that happened at the end of 2021 when the rough crowd came in, but there has been one huge difference. Schafer said then, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t connect with any of them.
This time was the opposite.
“They almost all have come in eager to connect and interact with us,” Schafer said. “I get pulled in so many directions by different teens wanting to play games that the one evening I didn’t even remember to eat.”
The growth has spilled into Tuesday, and Schafer said they’ve enjoyed seeing God opening doors to new relationships.
“We have already been able to have some impact helping some teens to work through struggles they were facing and being a listening ear for several who just want to talk about life,” Schafer said. “My heart is so full of joy at what I am seeing God do.”
Through the experience Schafer said it has been a reminder God works on his timetable, and the job of he, Tammy, and the board and volunteers is to be patience and diligent in serving.
“I keep thinking about how Jesus told his disciples that the harvest is plentiful,” Schafer said. “We’re experiencing such a deep hunger for love and connection.”
Schafer said Jesus also told his disciples to pray God would send workers into the harvest, noting this growth is wonderful, but it means an additional need for more volunteers to help on Saturdays.
“Even if it would just be one Saturday every couple months, it would be helpful,” he said.
Schafer said he extends a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come for a visit one Saturday evening to experience this joy firsthand.
If interested in becoming a volunteer, call Schafer at 330-231-7147.