Change Leads to Creativity

In addition to virtual meetings, our team stayed connected with virtual team lunches during quarantine.

Like many of you, the YouthHOPE team entered 2020 with dreams and expectations, but a global pandemic was not part of our original plans. Our team had to reevaluate what was realistically possible and what was going to be best for our safety and the safety of our partners. When making these adjustments, two aspects of our culture code were evaluated. First, we embrace change. Were we ready to not just accept change, but embrace it? Secondly, we are creative, not just productive. It became harder to evaluate our productivity with virtual meetings and cancelled travels, but the team had to get creative. YouthHOPE’s culture code is weaved into the nature of what we do, so it’s no surprise that the team rose to the challenge!

Working towards our strategic goals amidst a global pandemic has required a bit of creativity and the team truly embraced the changes, making the most of the opportunities available. Each of our teammates have spent time working on different projects than originally anticipated, but everything we do continues to be centered around our desire for youth to think and live like Jesus.

So what has the YouthHOPE team been up to?

Programs & Regions

Before the global pandemic reached the United States, Rebekah attended a training on our teaching philosophy of Dialogue Education. When she came back to the team after the training, she had many new strategies and ideas to equip and empower our global youth partners. She and Jesse have been weaving these new ideas into our training curriculum and educating the team to be equipped with the best tools possible. 

Our team has been preparing to partner with global youth workers in Latin America. While we are unable to meet with these partners in person, YouthHOPE has been able to foster healthy relationships and introduce ourselves virtually. Rebekah & Jesse have spent this time laying the groundwork to ensure we are ready to train and equip once we are able to travel again.

Systems & Structures

Stepping into his new role as Director of Partnerships, Dale has been striving towards stronger relationships with our international and stateside partners. This time has allowed Dale to focus on this task without juggling travels and training at the same time. Dale has worked alongside Scott, our Director of Operations, to strengthen and strategically prioritize relational partnerships creating greater internal organization and an effective relational database. 

In addition to spreadsheets and databases, Scott has been working towards stronger Systems & Structures by working on our physical structure: our offices. Scott came to the YouthHOPE team after decades of experience in construction & carpentry. He is now able to use that experience to renovate the office space where we work for maximum efficiency. This extra time provided by the pandemic created a window of opportunity for Scott to be fully invested in the new project. Scott’s work will not only impact the way YouthHOPE is able to function, but it is serving the entire organization of New International.

Funding

Last August, Elisabeth (a YouthHOPE volunteer) presented an idea for a partnership program that would assist the team with stateside partnerships and fundraising. In the midst of completing the final segment of the School of Youth Ministry Trainers and transitioning roles in our leadership team, this program was put on hold. This time allowed the team to think creatively about this potential project. Christian was able to work with Elisabeth to create the framework and launch this program at the beginning of June. We have just begun recruiting our first Global Youth Advocates and creating a team that shares YouthHOPE’s desire for youth to think and live like Jesus and provide resources to global youth workers. This program will strengthen and empower the YouthHOPE team to take on new projects and expand our global partnerships.

YouthHOPE has spent this time positioning ourselves to be in the best place to partner with, equip and multiply global youth ministry efforts. While the team looks forward to traveling and meeting with our international partners in person, we are glad that we can serve global youth workers in these creative ways.

As we work towards meeting our strategic goals, would you consider partnering with our ministry to see holistic change in the lives of global youth?