Early this morning, Thursday, October 30, we lost a friend, a father, an inspiration. Co-founder and owner of Youth Specialties (YS), Mike Yaconelli, was in a fatal car accident in northern California late Wednesday evening.
The number of lives touched by Mike is beyond what we could even estimate. He is the father of modern youth ministry in many minds. Through his books, speaking engagements, and YS events, he has ministered to untold thousands all over the world.
Mike dedicated his life to what God had called him to do. He believed in youth ministry, and did all he could to equip youth workers to change the lives of students. He lived with a passion that was unmatched. He was the incarnation of his book titles, Dangerous Wonder and Messy Spirituality; he lived a life of wonder and amazement at God’s grace. He never claimed to be perfect; he just lived as he was – man after God’s own heart.
I borrowed this title from my friend Lilly –I don’t know that we’ll ever understand death — nor will we ever fully understand the immense blessing life really is.
I was blessed to hear Mike speak at the 2002 YS Convention in Sacramento, and at the 2003 Emergent Convention in San Diego. His brutal honesty and humility was incredibly inspiring to me. I emailed him once, sharing some frustrations/hopes for summer camping ministry, and he responded quickly:
Adam,
Man, what you are saying totally resonates. Although I do think that camps have always been a place of beginning, a place where we finally say yes to God, yes to following Him, yes to his calling. Of course when we leave camp it gets very complicated, so it seems to me, we should keep the decision opportunities and then find ways to deal with the complications and mystery of real life, the surprises, and how quickly it all changes. Certainly camping should do more than just talk to kids, it should engage them in long term serious discussions about the real world we live in.
Mike
I know that death is not the end. I know that Mike is dancing in Heaven with his Creator – and loving every minute of it. I know that his family will need our prayers and support. I know we all need to strive to live lives that are true. Lives that are brutally honest. Lives where we don’t try and hide our messiness – but lay it all out and say, “Here I am Lord. I’m screwed up. I doubt. I stumble and fall – but I want to love you and follow you.”
Mike will be missed, no doubt. He left a legacy. Just another great encouragement for us all to live our lives fully — fully for Christ — and to strive to leave a legacy, as Mike has.