Youth Encounter's Alumni Advisory Board is pleased to announce Lyn (Thiel) Benger as the recipient of the 2002 Alumni Service Award.  This award was announced at the 2002 Team Commissioning Service held on September 13, 2002, and will be awarded to her by the New Vision team as they travel in Australia this spring.
 
Lyn (Thiel) Benger received both her primary teaching degree and Diploma of Lutheran Education in her homeland of Australia.  She spent about seven years teaching in Lutheran schools in Australia, and was then called to serve on Youth Encounter's Covenant team for the 1987-1988 team year.  Following her time on team, Lyn first worked as a teacher and translator at Areyonga State School in Australia developing learning programs for Aboriginal students. She then moved to Sacramento, California, where she served as a youth advocate for Youth Encounter and also taught at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School.
 
Lyn then returned to Australia and assumed the position of National Youth Ministries Coordinator for the Lutheran Church of Australia, which she held until February of 1999.  In this position, she developed and implemented youth ministry training for the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand and coordinated various organizations and people to provide support to youth workers across Australia and New Zealand.  Lyn now works as the Director of Pastoral Care and Fellowship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Para Vista Lutheran Church).
 
Lyn continues to serve Youth Encounter.  She has helped promote Youth Encounter, has recruited team members and has coordinated their sponsorship funds.  She has also helped with visiting teams and their itineraries, and has been a great resource to Youth Encounter.
 
Lyn married Geoff Benger in 1996, and has two stepchildren, Mandy and Craig.  She received her graduate diploma of theology in education from the Lutheran Teachers College, North Adelaide, South Australia.
 
Lyn recently answered some questions about her life and ministry.
 
When and how did you first find out about Youth Encounter?
 
I found out about YE in January 1986, from a former vice president of YE who was in Australia attending a wedding I was in.
 
What impact did your experience have on your life?
 
My involvement with the team was a life-changing experience. Living and working in ministry with six other people I had never met was the most challenging, stretching and exhilarating time for me. I learned a lot about my identity being in Christ, his unconditional love and the amazing gifts of his grace, forgiveness and mercy that we have in relationship with Jesus. Seeing how God gifts each Christian with his gifts and being used to build up and encourage the body of Christ was incredible in team life and the many places we served in .
 
Did you plan on your career taking this direction?
 
I thought I would teach children all my life. Time on team gave me a chance to reflect, pray and seek the Lord on where he was leading me.  I was challenged to consider youth ministry and the desire to be more experienced in this area grew.  That led me to saving up to return to the United States to be involved in the youth advocate training program with Youth Encounter.
 
Is your family involved in ministry as well?  How do they feel about your ministry?
 
My family has always been involved in ministry within their church communities and totally supported me in all the ministries I have been led to serve in.  My older brother is a trained parish worker and over the last 18 years has worked in aboriginal ministries within the Lutheran Church of Australia. Since being married, my husband Geoff and children Mandy, 20, and Craig, 17, have strongly supported and prayed for me and taken an active interest in what I am involved with.
 
What do you think is most important about what you have learned about youth ministry and Christian service?
 
I continue to learn and grow in my knowledge, understanding and experience of Christian service. Youth and family ministry will always be a passion of mine. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing people of all ages come to know and love Jesus. To be equipped, empowered and encouraged to use the gifts God has given them to serve those around them and share with others in words and the way they live their lives so many more will be disciples of Jesus. Ministry with people needs to be relational, with a servant attitude, and intentional - grounded in the love of Jesus and empowered through his Holy Spirit.
 
Do you have any advice or thoughts you would like to share with other alumni working in ministry?
 
To all alumni involved in ministry: stay flexible, keep a sense of humor and constantly seek Jesus and his will for you and your ministry.
 
 
Hey, Alumni!! Get in touch with your fellow alumni by logging on to www.youthencounter.org/alumni/! Be sure to sign the guestbook while you’re there!