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New Youth Pastor Absent From His Church Today

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN Hernando Today correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

SPRING HILL - Locating to this area in May, the youthful youth pastor at Family First Assembly will be absent for awhile. But it's not for health problems, tragedy, a business conference or even a vacation.

Youth Pastor Eric Danner says his favorite pastime is talking on the phone to Jackie, his fiancee. That indulgence may remain, but this is the last day for talking to his fiancee per se because they are getting married today. Congratulations!

Eric Danner counts his father, Barry Danner, as a main mentor in his life. Today, Eric's father is a minister who will officiate for the Alabama nuptials at First Assembly of God in Phenix City, Ala. The elder Danner is also Eric's best man.

"My father helped grow that church from 150 to 1,100. He gave me some good family-oriented advice, going back to a time when he was excusing himself from a church board meeting to attend a high school basketball game I was in. He told the board 'I'm not just going to make sure your children are saved and lose mine!' He says to put your family first, then your ministry. I vow to follow his advice."

Eric met Jackie at the church where she has been working with youth. He likes the fact that she is disciplined and committed to her faith. After their honeymoon, Jackie will help the student ministry here by leading the young girls and accompanying her husband on many of the youth mission trips, rallies and retreats.

How did you happen to come to Sprig Hill?

"Destiny. God's plan," Eric Danner replied. "A guest evangelist, David Raley, was speaking here last January and our senior pastor Tim Coats asked if he knew of any good candidates for serving as the youth pastor. He suggested me and through quick communications I sent in my resume. I was applying in some other states and this just came through like Florida lightning. When I asked Jackie how she felt about living in Florida she was happy. Me too. The whole church and the students here are great and we're off and running according to our Mission Statement. Our youth group theme for this year is 'Expect the Unexpected.'"

Describe the youth group's purpose.

"The group name is 'Third Degree Student Ministry,' as in being so afire for God that we passionately serve Him. So our Mission Statement is simply: 'To see a generation saved for Christ. To start a revival that sweeps across America.'

"Our purpose statement: Connect to God, Connect to others.' Our gauges are Prayer, Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship and Missions. The Third Degree Student Ministry exists to: WIN the Lost, build all students through discipleship, and send them out to do God's Work ...We want to see every student in this ministry devote his/her talents, time and energy to serving the Lord. My life is about this ..."

Give some examples of youth gatherings and resource information?

"To evangelize locally, we'll go out in the community maybe at parks and give out free bottles of cold water and just love on the people. Or join in a circle or big youth rally and mission outreach. We'll stage car washes and help raise money to attend youth rallies and charity events tailored for youth outreach.

"Recently we had a Friday evening 'back-to-school bash' with the popular band Providence. Some 100 students in the area attended the event. It was a great night, as I like to say, 'God showed up and showed out.'

"Pastor Coats is again riding his bicycle some 500 miles next month in the world missions charity drive 'Speed the Light.' Our congregation hopes to donate $10,000 to present to the drive. On Sept. 20 some of our youth and adults rode 25 miles locally and raised sponsored donations.

"There are seminary classes tailored for being in youth ministry. My bachelor's degree is in that field from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. In my personal library of some 500 books - mostly theological - I enjoy taking some scripture and comparing commentaries from various theologians. Prayer informs and directs my reflections and messages of course. I admire Joshua as a biblical hero for being an 'intern' under Moses and then becoming a leader ... It's so rewarding working with youth, helping them to help win others to Christ, building them up in their faith through discipleship, and sending them out to do God's work.

"Three excellent books I would recommend regarding youth: 'Counseling Youth' by Josh McDowell; 'When God Writes Your Love Story' by Eric and Leslie Ludy; and 'Boundaries in Teens' by Dr. John Townsend.

"Our weekly youth gatherings include student-led praise and worship, as well as videos referring to my sermon that night. As a focus I'll give a message that is relevant and challenging. If there is a need for anyone to linger in the altars and worship there is no hurry. We're on God's timeless time here."

Two pastoral affirmations.

Family First Assembly Senior Pastor Timothy Coats wrote: "It is such an answer to prayer to have a young man like Eric join our Pastoral team. In the interview process I told him I was looking for a young man whom I could pour my heart and vision into, and one who would look to me as a spiritual father and mentor.

"I remember that moment in my family room when tears filled in both of our eyes and we knew God had put us together. Having grown up on the minister myself, I am well acquainted with its pitfalls and challenges. As a spiritual father I am pledged to always treat him as a spiritual son. It was also a very moving moment for me when I spoke to Eric's own father and reaffirmed that commitment to guard and care for the well-being of his son as my own."

Youth Pastor Donnie Lewis, of Grace World Outreach Ministries (Dome) in Brooksville said he is "glad to have Danner and his enthusiasms on board in the youth ministers association locally, a newly formed ecumenical outreach that will gather large groups of youth for rallies, concerts, fellowship and evangelizing."

When asked about other personal interests, Danner admitted to following the football seasons of University of Alabama, even by daily Web site checks. He played running back and cornerback on his high school team. "We stunk though being as we had only a few team mates in the small Christian private school I attended," he sighed. "However, we finished. In the midst of adversity and a losing season, we finished. I'm calling all teenagers, if you feel like you're having a 'losing season,' come be with me and let's finish strong, together!"

When do they meet?

Sunday morning worship: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Cafe: 9 a.m.

Sunday spiritual growth groups: 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday family night:

7 p.m.

Student ministry Third Degree: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Spanish service: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Family First Assembly is located at 12435 Spring Hill Drive (east of Mariner Boulevard) Spring Hill. Phone: 683-2030. Web site: www.1agsh.org.

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