Now that one leader has officially passed the baton to the next, we checked in with former Tacoma YFC Executive Director, Bobby Arkills, and new Executive Director, Chad Isenhart. They shared highlights and lessons from the past, as well as their hopes and direction for the future.
Bobby, when you look back on your 20 years of serving as Executive Director of Tacoma Area Youth for Christ, what are some of your biggest highlights over the past 20 years?
My top memories are always when I’ve been able to see those “Aha” moments that kids have – either when they give their lives to Christ, or just realizing how much God loves them. I’ve gotten to see these moments firsthand so many times at our different camps and when I’m visiting different clubs.
One of my most memorable camp experiences was our first year at Canyons Camp in Central Oregon. YFC did two separate middle school and high school camps simultaneously at Washington Family Ranch, with over 600 kids from the PNW. We rolled up to camp with about 200 kids on five different buses. On the second to last night of camp, the speaker shared the gospel with the kids, and they had the opportunity to be alone outside with God for about 30 minutes. At the end, kids had the opportunity to give their lives to Christ on their own if they wanted to – no pressure, no altar call…just them and God. I’ll never forget the sound of hundreds of voices crying out in the wilderness, “Yes, God!” as kids committed their lives to Jesus.
My other highlight is the incredible people that I’ve been able to work with. I’ve worked with such a wide variety of people from different walks of life, a wide variety of how they got called to ministry, and a wide variety of leadership styles. God made me a better leader through them.
What are some of the ways that you’ve seen God doing things that we thought were impossible?
The type of kids that we’ve focused on – and God has opened ministry doors for – are the kids who have often been overlooked, forgotten, and often don’t think they have anything to live for. They’ve had messy families of origin stories and have experienced a lot of trauma. These are the kids that we’ve been called to. Over and over again, we’ve had the privilege of seeing the radical change in their lives when the gospel of Jesus becomes real to them.
What are some ways that God has changed you through the ministries of YFC?
I didn’t fully understand the power of working on a team when I got here. As the leader of a team, I’ve learned what it means to be a good teammate, exhibit humility, and learn from different viewpoints. I’m a driven, “only child,” and those are people that are not typically drawn to working on teams. Working with a great team has taught me to see the value of working with others and learning from others.
Kids today are so much busier than they were 20 years ago. Is there even a need for evangelistic youth ministry today? Are YFC ministries still relevant to this generation of youth?
Our ministries are more relevant than ever! We are relational ministries that pursue 11-19 year-olds. This is a generation that longs for authentic relationships, and they want caring adults who will go into their worlds and engage them in relationships. Trust has to be earned, and our teams want to mobilize leaders to earn that trust.
You’re passing the baton of leadership to Chad Isenhart, the next Executive Director. What are some words of advice you’d give him?
You’re not stepping into anyone’s shoes or replacing me. God has called you, with your unique skills and vision for this right time. Lean into that.
As often as you can, get out to see God at work in the ministries. You’ll be so encouraged by seeing what God is doing in kids’ lives through these amazing leaders. This year I started volunteering at Orting MS Campus Life. It’s been so great to understand what it’s like for our leaders. A couple of weeks ago I had to de-escalate a kid during games so he would be able to hear the message. We’ve had some kids who are experiencing some really traumatic things in life – and now I personally know these kids, and it becomes much more real.
I was at Claudia Thomas Middle School Campus Life recently. There were kids who were so guarded. One kid had his hood over his head the entire time, and then he was called by name during the message, and his whole countenance changed. After the message, he approached our leader and asked Joey, “Will you pray for my family?”
Chad, why are you excited about serving as Executive Director of YFC?
I’ve served in ministry over the past 15 years with Foursquare Disaster Relief, and I have seen the hand of God at work in some incredible ways. This has led me to where I am today: praying for a place and a ministry that we could sew into in my hometown of Tacoma, where I have grown up. I love Tacoma, but ironically most of my ministry experience has been abroad. So the combination of partnering up with a ministry that has a long history in Tacoma, reaching kids with the gospel, plus being able to minister in my hometown, is what really drew me to this opportunity.
Now as a father of three kids, I see the things kids are experiencing, and what they are bringing home from school: the cultural challenges, the post-COVID dynamics, the stress and impact of the internet and social media, and so much more. Kids are in a crisis, and we have a mission to show up and share with them that they are seen, heard, and loved. There is a God that loves them so much and has sent men and women from all around this region to meet with them right where they are. Incarnational ministry is so needed, and Tacoma YFC is all about that. That is why I am excited about serving with this incredible team.
What do you think about this generation?
The generation of young people that we are ministering to need Jesus; there is no doubt about it. They have to deal with so many things that we never had to when we were their age. The challenges they face in school in a post-COVID world, along with the impact of the internet and social media, are just a few examples of things youth navigate that make Jesus necessary.
At the same time, this generation is excited about new things. They are doing new things, engaging in things other generations haven’t, and have skills and abilities that God gave each and every one of them. Jesus has incredible plans for them. He wants to know them, He loves them, cares deeply about everything they are going through, and we have the mandate to “Go into all the world” and share the tangible message of the gospel. This generation is special, and so many are waiting for someone to share the Gospel message with them.
How can we build off the foundation of the past, and look at the future?
It is an honor to take over leadership from Bobby, and follow in the footsteps of the leaders throughout Tacoma Youth for Christ serving here. The legacy that has been built and the foundation we are building on is incredible. We have so much to thank God for in what He has done here. While we celebrate and appreciate the past, I am extremely excited for the future and what God has in store for Tacoma Area Youth For Christ, Pierce County, and the kids that need to be introduced to a relationship with Jesus. God has a Jeremiah 29:11 plan for us and this region we’re stepping into.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you, Chad and Bobby! We’re grateful for the wisdom, lessons, and strong foundation of the past and excited about the hope and promise of the future.
Looking for a way to impact your local community? Now is a great time to partner with Tacoma YFC in bringing healthy, caring relationships into the lives of local youth. Click below to learn more!
