#YLTeamTuesday: Reflections from an Empty Club Room

Today we’re pleased to share with you a guest post written by Cristy Lindstrom. Cristy and her husband Erik are YL team leaders at Traverse City West Senior High School (TC West), part of the Grand Traverse Area.

There was no history of Young Life at TC West until this year. So far they’ve had eight clubs. But something happened at their 8th club which led Cristy to reflect upon the dedication of her team amidst disappointment and heartbreak. And how God is working in all things to teach and shape us. 

Young Life has a trending hashtag called #younglifeteamtuesday and today I am really proud of the team of leaders that have been called in this season to impact the lives of kids at TC West.  

TC West Leadership Team (L to R): Cristy and daughter Charis, Erik, Paul, Jordyn, Janelle

Last night was weird, confusing and unexpected. Or maybe it was just as it should have been.

Hours had been spent in preparation for our Birthday Club.

Erik spent hours diving into God’s Word, reflecting on the ways He meets us in the storm. How He is always with us, waiting for us to discover more and more of who He is, in all His glory. Erik spent hours intentionally choosing songs and practicing music for this club.

Janelle spent time baking cupcakes for club, picking up and spending time with her little sister Kailey who has been loving Young Life. Janelle was bold and had a success with going up to the school, being brave and getting a “Yes, see you next Monday!” from the student senate advisor to begin hanging out with this group every week.

Paul spent time praying for our club night, being a trooper with skit (and nailing it), duct-taping himself up as our “human piñata” and getting whacked with a pool noodle to no avail.  

Jordyn has been spending months dedicating her time as one of the coaches on the track team and spends hours with a group of freshmen girls at an after school club called “celebration nation.” (3 girls have said they are coming to club soon!) She spent time prepping for her raffle character and bringing balloons and party hats to club.

I have been challenged in a good way with meeting with a group of freshmen girls every Wednesday in a new context at West, as well as continuing to make time to grab coffee with girls where relationships have already been established. Inviting kids individually to club every Monday with reminders on social media and messages.  

TC West at “Ski Club”

So, club last night.

As we prayed, prepared, planned and set up, we realized it was 7:50 and we hadn’t had any kids arrive other than Kailey (Janelle’s sister), Brooke (club was at her house) and Grace.

We waited.

We realized this was it. No more kids were coming. And Brooke and Grace needed to leave at 8:10 for choir.  

We still wanted to have a bit of fun so we sang a song, danced, played one game, ate a few cupcakes and called it good.  

Hmm.

Last week the room was filled with 20. This week, nada.  

TC West at “PJ Club”

So we sat in an empty club room and prayed for kids by name. Then we encouraged one another to keep meeting with kids and keep showing up in their lives. It was good and maybe just as it should have been.

I have to believe those hours we all spent prepping were not in vain, but time we gave that God is using to help mold and shape us as leaders.

A reminder that we can’t hold Young Life club up higher than other parts of this ministry.  

I am thankful for all the prayer for this team, for each of us who are holding this ministry close to our hearts and for a God who has a bigger vision and heart for this ministry than we can imagine.

Written by: Cristy Lindstrom