Blog

Robert Garner, President

Greetings,

I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy. It seems as though the circle of Covid19 is drawing closer to all of us. I pray that we all continue to exercise social responsibility in order to keep the Wichita Community safe. At Youth Horizons, we will continue to follow the recommended guidelines by our governing bodies and medical experts. We are doing our best to social distance within our work environment, we have a routine cleaning schedule, and we have posted guidelines for you to follow should you visit us.

Last month, I introduced to you our Vice President of Strategic Communications and Partnerships Mr. Van Williams. He is doing a wonderful job in his transition and has already been a huge blessing to us. It is my pleasure now to introduce Mr. Justin Moody as the Executive Director of Residential Programs and Church Relations. Justin has been a friend and work colleague of mine for over 25 years. His faith in God is strong and commitment to serve Youth is unwavering. We are honored to have Justin join our team.

Introducing Justin Moody

Justin Moody, Executive Director

Hey there! I am Justin Moody, Executive Director of Residential Programming and Church Relations. I started on August 3rd, and am motivated as well as honored to join the Youth Horizons team. My wife, Lesley, and I have been married 18 years. I am so grateful for her endless supply of compassion for the Gospel and people and not to mention her constant support for me over the years. We have three children; two daughters Jordan (12), Rylie (11) and one boy, Boaz (8).

Chris Tomlin sings a song, “God of this City.” The main chorus sings, “For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.” This is the chorus of my heart! I believe God has called me to be a part of investing Christ into the lives of our youth here in Wichita. Working with youth is one vehicle through which I desire to drive to be a part of what God is doing in our city.

Prior to my time here at Youth Horizons, I spent the past eight years at West Ridge Community Church serving as its youth pastor. I am incredibly grateful to Dave Mitchell and WRCC for giving me an opportunity to start and lead the youth group. Additionally, I invested eight years as a middle school teacher in the Wichita Public School District and seven years as an assistant principal both within USD 259. In addition to my career in public education and youth ministry, I have spent 19 years in the Kansas Air National Guard serving as a Chaplain where I continue to serve today conducting crisis intervention, counseling sessions, suicide prevention and intervention, wedding ceremonies, funerals and morale events.

FUN FACT: I will just add that my passion for working with youth originated in working with Youth Horizons in 1997 while working on my education degree when I accepted a position to be a House Parent at the first residential house, the Martin House, located in downtown Wichita.