35 Under 35 is a 2007 initiative whose purpose was to identify promising Canadian Christian leaders under 35, to encourage and help them in their ministries. It was sponsored by Arrow Leadership, ChristianWeek, Canadian Council of Christian Charities and Bridgeway Foundation. The finalists were chosen from more than 200 nominations. Two of them are from Victoria.

Andrew Renton

Why was the youth pastor at Lambrick Park Church selected? Is Andrew Renton a charismatic personality? Does he have penetrating insights into the problems of contemporary youth? Does he offer a new approach to ministry?

The surprising answer was: none of the above. Renton is unusual precisely because he is a young man who believes in traditional values.

Older Christians are, to him, not fuddy-duddies, but experienced disciples whom he respects and wants to learn from. Young people, in his view, are not to be segregated from the adult Christian community.

No wonder his church loves him – especially the leadership, and the parents of teenagers. Renton’s very background breathes steadiness and solidity.

“I went to Lambrick all my life,” he says. “I still live close by the church, and I patronize the local grocery store. I get to know the people there, and hope to influence them for Christ. I play baseball at the park here – and I am sort of a pastor to those kids.”

For post-secondary education, he majored in history and physical education, aiming to become a high school teacher. What impelled him to enter the ministry instead was not a ‘Damascus Road’ experience – but, rather, sanctified good sense.

“I had always really enjoyed working with youth . . . So I decided to get some formal theological education, and maybe head for the youth ministry.” He went to ACTS Seminary and Regent College, and then was asked to become youth minister at Lambrick.

Renton believes teenagers are not to be ‘liberated’ from the parental yoke, and that parents need to demonstrate their interest in what teens are going through.

“Parents have much more influence in their kids’ lives than I ever could, and I encourage them to stay involved, to keep asking questions. Teenagers often say, ‘Back away. Give me my space.’ It’s important to give them a little space to spread their wings, to make their own mistakes – but keep showing them love, whether they want it or not.”

How does he see the role of youth in the life of the church?

“Make them part of the whole. Adults serving youth, but also youth serving adults . . . Youth are not the church of tomorrow – they’re the church of today.”

Finally: what does he see as unique in his approach?

“If you do church youth ministry, you need to be involved in camping as well. In a camp setting, you get to know each other like you never do just going to church. You see each other’s puffy faces when you wake up in the morning; you really become ‘the family of God.’

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“Also, it is the strategic time for evangelism. I believe in the ‘belong to believe’ principle. Many youth that are invited by their friends to the youth group may spend a year participating and belonging. They hear we love Jesus, but we save it for camp to make the bigger plea, to challenge them to make a commitment to Christ.”

– Jack Krayenhoff

Loren Hagerty

Most youth leaders would love to have Loren Hagerty’s problem: He just can’t fit all the kids in. 

Within hours of opening registrations for trips with Victoria-based S.A.L.T.S. (Sail and Life Training Society), Hagerty often has twice as many applicants as he has berths in his tall ships. “There’s a line-up out the door,” he says.

The leadership skills which won Hagerty recognition by ‘35 Under 35’ showed up early at Briercrest Schools in Saskatchewan, where he supervised 40 staff members as vice president of advancement.

But Hagerty's heart was on the west coast; he grew up in Gold River. His search for a senior administration position – in a healthy ministry poised for growth and development –  matched S.A.L.T.S.’ needs perfectly. He’s been leading the tall ship program since May, 2006 – and he is now 31 years old. 

And how does Hagerty plan to solve S.A.L.T.S.’ capacity problems?

“We are working on four steps,” he says. “First, we’ll renovate the shipyard, creating a space to welcome the public. Volunteer architect Stephen Duff is no stranger to S.A.L.T.S., and is creating plans for the renovation.” 

“In that space, we can then build small boats and create programs for youth. That will also help us to follow up on our trainees. We want the program in the shipyard itself to fulfill our mission. We’re all about helping young people to develop spiritually, physically and relationally.”

“Third, when the shipyard is ready, we’ll build another tall ship to join the ‘Pacific Grace’ and the ‘Pacific Swift.’ We’re working on preliminary designs for a 95-foot North Sea pilot schooner.

“We’d like the process of building it to engage young people and the public. We’ll have a viewing gallery and an interpretive centre, and people can participate in the building.”

“Finally, to support the program and sail the new ship, we will double our crews.

“We’ve already received a grant for recruiting and training crew members. A second crew will give us the option of running from March to October, and provide a break for the staff between trips.

“We hire people who are skilled in sailing and passionate about their Christian faith – and know how to relate to young people. We’re not preachy or pushy when it comes to our program, but people know we are Christians.”

How did Hagerty react to being chosen as one of the ‘35 under 35’?

“I was most excited to be part of this, because I’d like to inspire other young people with a gifting in leadership to consider Christian leadership.”

– Adele Wickett

February 2008