By Rick Wolcott*

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
– Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

The Connectional Ministries team is expanding to better resource and equip local churches in their ministries to and with the youth and young people of their respective congregations and the communities they serve. Pastor Christy Suffecool of Mt. Tabor UMC (Tuscarawas District) in East Canton and Tim Beck of Wadsworth UMC (Canal District) will officially join the Connectional Ministries office team as co-directors of Young People’s Ministries on July 1.

Executive Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. Ed Fashbaugh said that the decision to move from one full-time to two part-time staff members is the result of reimagining the role of the Young People’s Ministries director to better serve churches that are challenged with reaching more younger and diverse people.

“What is exciting about this shift is that God has brought us two people who love Jesus and are passionate about young people’s ministries but are wonderfully diverse in their own rights. Between the two of them they have experienced youth ministry in many different settings and contexts, and together they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. I am excited to have Christy and Tim join our team!” he said.

“I want to help churches and leaders connect with young people in meaningful ways. This is an opportunity for Christy and me to be change agents in the East Ohio Conference,” Beck said. “Together, I believe we will facilitate organic, relational connections between churches and young people, empowering leaders to walk alongside students as they discover their God-given purpose in life.” 

“I am looking forward to helping churches find the barriers that are holding them back from having the youth ministries they want to support,” Suffecool shared. “Sometimes it takes an outside view to give us a fresh perspective on how we are doing things. I’m excited to bring an encouraging energy to the ministry of young people in our local churches.” 

Fashbaugh stated that the primary mission of the Young People’s Ministries co-directors will be to resource and assist local churches, districts, and the East Ohio Conference in assessing and removing the barriers to the full inclusion of young people in the life and ministry of the Church. They will also assist in developing strategies and resources for leadership development training, continue building upon existing Young People’s Ministries networks and teams, and ensure the resources of Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), Young Adult Ministry, and the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry align with the shared vision of the East Ohio Conference and the mission of The United Methodist Church.

In addition to their service to local churches, Suffecool will resource the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries and Beck will resource the East Ohio Conference Young Adult Council. Beck, a current regional youth coordinator on the Young People’s Ministries team, and Suffecool will work with the current regional coordinators to re-vision and reimagine their ministry and service to churches throughout East Ohio and determine how many regional coordinators will be needed in the year ahead. A third new person will soon join the Connectional Ministries team to serve as a resource for CCYM, assisting its members in fulfilling the mandate described in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. 

“In developing this team approach East Ohio Conference leadership is reasserting its commitment to young people’s ministries while being good stewards of apportioned resources,” said Fashbaugh, who noted that the compensation package for the three new staff members will not increase the Connectional Ministries budget. 

“Christy and Tim will bring their passion, gifts, and years of experience to help resource and equip local churches for reaching diverse, younger people, and forming them as disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone.

Meet Pastor Christy Suffecool

Bishop Malone and the Cabinet expanded Suffecool’s appointment to include serving both as part-time pastor of Mt. Tabor UMC and as a part-time Young People’s Ministries director in the Connectional Ministries office. Since being appointed to the church in 2020, Suffecool has launched several new ministries, including Burger and Bible nights, a lunch program through the Foodbank, a lending library, and a Blessing Box for food and various supplies, created connections with the school to begin supportive relationships, and engaged the community in the church’s vacation Bible school.

She has a certification in Project Management from Kent State University, earned a Business Management associate degree from Stark State College, and completed the Course of Study at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She is the proud mother of two daughters.

What attracted you to the position of Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries director?
I was attracted to the position when it was posted because it seemed to be well aligned with my calling in ministry. I have always had a passion for reaching young people and helping them to grow in their faith while providing them a safe space to do that. In the past I have been approached by other clergy and youth leaders asking me about various projects or methods I was using in my youth ministry. I love to share what has worked for me and encourage other leaders to try new things. There is such synergy that is created when we work together instead of having silos of ministry.

What are you looking forward to in your new position?
I am most excited to be a resource for our churches. So often we can begin to feel isolated in ministry and feel like we have to invent everything all ourselves. I feel that this position will allow Tim and me to connect many churches together where we can encourage one another and help share gifts, abilities, and resources. Sometimes the greatest encouragement is knowing that you aren’t facing something alone.

What do you want the clergy and laity of the East Ohio Conference to know about the youth and young people of the Conference?
Our youth are one of the greatest assets we can have as a body of Christ. They bring fresh ideas, new viewpoints, and freedom to dream big. They aren’t held back by the way things have always been done and they aren’t afraid to ask questions. I have found that questioning is a great way to grow deeper in our faith, and to help us realize the things that we value most. I encourage all churches to look around at all the ministries of their church and ask themselves if there are youth participating in it. Not just youth groups, but your administrative boards, your United Women in Faith and United Methodist Men, mission teams, food pantries, and any other ministries. While they may not have the experience, they will bring an energy and passion that can be contagious if we would only make space for them alongside us. I am excited to help our local churches make this happen. 

Meet Tim Beck

While serving part-time as Young People’s Ministries co-director in the Connectional Ministries office, Beck will continue to be director of Student Ministries at Wadsworth United Methodist Church. In that position, which he has held since 2014, he coordinates programming and care for students in sixth through 12^th grade helping them develop a deeper faith, walking beside them as they move from learning information about Jesus to imitating Jesus to forming an innovative presence in their context.

He earned a Bachelor of Media Communications degree from Asbury University. He and his wife Jen are the proud parents of three sons.

What attracted you to the position of Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries director?
I was drawn to the opportunity to reshape our collective approach to youth ministry. My goal is to help the local church capture a renewed vision for youth ministry, resourcing them as they implement a practical framework for the future. I hope to use my 30 years of youth ministry experience leading, encouraging, and equipping youth workers along the way. I look forward to working with others to bridge the gap so that young people can thrive in our congregations and communities. 

What are you looking forward to in your new position?
I believe building relationships with leaders, pastors and volunteers can build trust. Trust leads to vulnerability which is a catalyst for change. Like streams in the desert, God is doing a new thing in East Ohio and collaboration will be the key to our success moving forward. Together, we can reimagine youth ministry in the post-COVID age.

What do you want the clergy and laity of the East Ohio Conference to know about the youth and young people of the Conference?
At the end of the day, teens just want to be cared for. They long to be valued just as they are. I challenge churches to ask: “How well are we caring for young people?” “Are we open, receptive, grace-full and grace-filled?” 

Every congregation wants young people to fill their churches yet the stress of reaching them can feel overwhelming. Sometimes the simplest act is the best next step. Don’t always wait for them to come to you. Meet them on their turf. Be present. Give them a voice and listen to them. Every adult in every church was a teenager once. Draw upon shared experiences to connect meaningfully with them. Remember, this is an opportunity to empower young people and recognize they have a fresh perspective that can help churches grow in unique ways. Love them like Jesus and model for them Christ-centered community. Nurture them and watch them grow.

*Rick Wolcott is executive director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.