Fall 2013
As a kid, I always expected that I would
grow up to be anyone but a preacher.
At a very young age, I came home from
school where we had been discussing
our future careers. When my mother
asked me what I wanted to be, I said, “I
don’t know, but I do know that I’ll never
be a preacher.” I guess a youth pastor is
close enough that we can say God has
to have a sense of humor. I was in the
eleventh grade when I felt a calling to
fulltime ministry and I thank God for the
opportunity he has given me. When I finally do grow up though, I think I would
like to be like my grandfather: retire and
start farming.
My last iTunes purchase was the game
“Heads Up” after being introduced to
it on the Youth Counselor Retreat by
Jennifer Ray.
When I first met Libby, she probably
thought that I was the man she would
marry. Seriously … she was working at
summer camp and her friends there said
five minutes after we met that we would
get married. I wasn’t there for the conversation, but she tells me that her response
was, “I don’t know if I’ll marry him, but I’d
like to marry someone like him.”
You would be really surprised to learn
this about me: I’m a total science fiction
geek. When it comes to movies, I love
anything “Star”: Wars, Trek, Gate, etc. I
think it all started with the Disney version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
From Captain Nemo to Captain Kirk,
Jabba the Hut to Darth Vader, Aliens vs.
Predators … I love sci-fi. Throw in the
rebirth of so many superheroes and I
couldn’t be happier than to sit-down in
front of the silver screen and watch a
movie in a galaxy far, far away.
Mountains, coast or in between?
Mountains, Mountains,
and umm … wait for it …
Mountains!!!
My hobbies include
anything outside: hunting, fishing, canoeing,
biking, golfing, snow skiing, etc. Libby
says I’m just a “Good Ole Boy” from the
mountains, so pretty much that stereotypical picture encompasses most of my
hobbies.
Chris Luper
The youth at St. Stephen are ready to
change the world. I see their passion for
mission and their eagerness to live out
their faith as the hands, feet, and heart of
Jesus Christ and I am sure that they are
ready to change the world.
My greatest strength has to be my
ability to connect with just about anyone. Libby tells me that I’ve never met
a stranger, and well, I think she’s right.
God definitely blessed me with the
ability to talk and listen to people and
in turn, connect with them. There’s no
doubt that that’s why He brought me
into youth ministry.
I am most grateful for friends and family. Libby and I have a great support system of friends from school and churches
that I have previously served at. We also
have an amazing family that always takes
care of us. We truly were blessed with
one of those iconic southern families
that come together to celebrate everything and I’m talking both sides of our
family. And now, we find ourselves grateful for new friends in our church family
at St. Stephen. The church staff has been
amazing to help us get adjusted and
everyone has welcomed us with open
arms. We truly feel blessed to be a part
of this church family.
by Barry Roach
In each issue of Windows,
we learn about a different
staff or church member.
This month, we hear from
Chris Luper, Director of
Student and Social Media
Ministries.
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