Serving Jesus Is The Best - Zach's Story

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Zachary started coming to our Capernaum club in 2015 and loved it, but we realized quickly that he knew Jesus and needed a place to grow in his faith, something his family had not found anywhere! 

He started serving in club, was a prayer warrior and even lead another Capernaum friend to Christ in the backseat of the van after helping load him in his wheelchair en route to club. His first round on work crew in 2016 at Lost Canyon was life changing for him and gave new vision to all that Zach could do. Not only did he serve on work crew but he also lead work crew with his example of disciplined time in the Word daily. 

Zachary’s parents moved to Lithuania as missionaries and knew it would be very difficult for him to build a life or community and have ministry opportunities like he did at home. Zach moved in with his Young Life leaders’ family and became ‘uncle Zach’ just over a year ago.  

Zach continues to set an example by his time in the Word each morning and his heart to serve others. Zachary announced at his annual educational planning meeting that his goal is to be a pastor or leader and help kids, especially those with disabilities know Jesus. 

When he heard about the last minute need for more YoungLives childcare workers at Woodleaf, he prayed about it and came back with this “My parents are missionaries in Lithuania and I am too at Woodleaf. YLives moms need Jesus like my mom did before she met my (new) dad, when she was single it was hard." So Zach took off a week of work from his job as a bagger at the local grocery
store, paid his way (a month’s salary) and served with everything he had.

He’s had lots of practice with kids and babies are his specialty, so he was assigned a 13 month old, Giovanni. They spent 10-12 hours/day together. No complaints, just smiles, endless patience and encouraging words for the whole childcare team from Zach. If you ask Zach about the best part of his summer, its hard to choose between the fellowship and sharing he experienced at Lost Canyon on work crew again and the incredible experience of seeing Giovanni’s mom meet Christ, but the say-so topped it all.  

He knows that just like his life was forever changed by his mom’s courageous decision to follow Christ at all costs, this baby’s life will be too! Zach is saving money so he can pay his way and a YoungLives girls’ way next summer. “Serving Jesus is the best, helping others know him is my dream." In Young Life, discipleship happens in the beauty and diversity of all of us together.

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