If you have any connection to Children’s and Student Ministries, you probably know Katie Juranek, the middle school coordinator. But even if you have never stepped foot in the Junior High room or the Student Ministry offices, you’ve probably seen her around – she can often be spotted among the prayer team at the end of worship service. She has been part of the Lake Avenue family her whole life (her parents even met at Lake!), and she started volunteering with the middle school ministry in 2010, when she was in college, and has formally been working here since 2014.
I found myself in good company when I initially grieved the news that she was leaving her position – if you are one of those people who doesn’t know Katie, it’s important you understand what a crucial role she plays relationally and functionally in the middle school ministry. She announced in the Spring that after six years with the middle school ministry, she was being called to South Africa to spend two years with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) training students from all over the world how to live out their faith in their local and global communities. She previously spent six months in Hawaii and South Africa with YWAM, and during that time felt a desire to pursue further education to equip her for sustainable work in our local and global communities. While working at Lake, she has also been enrolled at Fuller Seminary earning a Masters in Global Leadership in Intercultural Contexts, which has included learning about how cross-cultural teams can run non-profits together. Her work with YWAM will allow her to put this new graduate training to work discipling the global Church’s rising leaders.
What makes Katie’s story perhaps more inspiring is her vision for Lake during her transition – for Katie, the chapters aren’t black and white. In the spirit of research like that of “Sticky Faith” (written by Lake’s own Kara Powell), Katie is interested in giving students a role in her transition and inviting them to partner with her. “What makes faith ‘stick’ with students,’” she explained to me, “is for them to be connected with the church now and in the future – they need to see that they have a role, that they are seen, heard, and loved. They need to see that the church is for them right now where they are, and not just for their parents.” Katie has been intentional in inviting the students she works with to partner with her by praying for YWAM and the work she is beginning with them. Even her fundraising has been geared towards inviting people of all means to partner with her “My dream,” she says, “is that the next generation of our church is able to see and engage with the larger picture of what God is doing in the world.” Katie has been clear about her desire to affirm students that they can be both sent ones and senders.
I had the opportunity to get lunch with Katie over the summer while I was interning at Lake, and I asked her about her upcoming transition. Her clear passion for the work God is doing through YWAM and her excitement to serve Him there made it hard for me to hold onto the sadness I felt about her leaving: when you’re convinced that something is God’s desire, it’s hard not to want it too. I encourage you, if you see Katie around, to ask her about her work and how you can support her (whatever your age) – her journey has encouraged my own walk with the Lord, and I’m excited to see what this chapter holds for her and what God accomplishes through her for our global Church!
If you want to hear more from Katie, you can get updates or commit to supporting her at www.katiejuranek.com