Our Elders were asked five questions. Below is each of their answers.
Senior Pastor Fred Butcher
1. Tell us about who you are.
I am Pastor Fred. I am 60 years old, was born again on July 14th 1968 and am privileged to have been married to Martie for 40 years. We have 6 children and are expecting grandchildren numbers 13 and 14. I have been Senior Pastor at YCF for 13 years.
2. Why do you attend YCF?
I answered God’s call to become the Senior Pastor at Yankton in 1996.
3. How would you describe our church?
It is difficult to put a handle on YCF such as “Conservative” or “Charismatic” etc. We are “Yankton Community Fellowship” and we are made up of people from a variety of church backgrounds and those having no previous church affiliation.
We have strong convictions that the Bible is the Word of God and the sole authority for defining who we are and what we do, so we strive to conform to that. There is freedom here to worship the Lord as God leads each individual bearing in mind that His pattern of worship always reflects order and reverence.
YCF loves and reveres God which in turn causes us to love and values every person regardless of background or race. We count it as an honor from God that He has brought people to Yankton from many ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
YCF is a recovery ministry. We are all recovering from the effects of our fallen nature by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and are called to take that message to all.
4. Define your role as an elder at YCF.
I am one of 7 elders at YCF. As Senior Pastor I have been assigned the task of the primary pastor/teacher elder. I oversee the staff and along with the other elders “watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Hebrews 13:17)
5. Describe the mission of YCF
The mission of YCF is to fulfill God’s “Great Commandment” and “Great Commission” with a:
1.Great commitment to learning, teaching, and applying the Word of God.
2.Great commitment to prayer and worship.
3.Great commitment to partnering together in a fellowship in order to accomplish all that God calls us to.
4.Great commitment to ministering to physical and spiritual needs of Christians and Non-Christians.
5.Great commitment to giving to support ministry and urgent needs.
Associate Pastor Rick Worlitz
1. Tell us about who you are.
My folks moved to St. Helens when I was in 1st grade. I have been a part of this community ever since, attending McBride Grade School, Jr. High School and High School right here. During those days there were several thriving saw mills, ply wood mills, the paper mill, and log and chip trucks everywhere! I really love the smell of fresh cut wood. It brings back wonderful memories of special times and sights of growing up in a thriving lumber community.
During my high school days I participated in sports and worked at various local businesses. After graduating high school in 1976, I became employed at a local auto repair shop which began a 20 plus year stretch of working in the auto service industry for a variety of companies.
I began dating my wife Paula in the spring of my senior year of high school and we married after she graduated high school in September of 1977. After 32 years together we have been blessed to date with three sons, one grandson and seven grand daughters.
Over the years I have been able to give back to the community by serving in the church in a variety of areas and by volunteering with various community groups.
I have come to greatly love the various communities of Columbia County, each one so very unique with a special story to tell about our history, as well as their contribution to our future.
2. Why do you attend YCF?
Paula & I started attending Yankton 22 years ago. We had been involved in another local church, teaching Sunday school and mid week classes to Jr. High students, and participating on the worship team. We felt that God was leading us in a new direction and to be honest, at the time I was very surprised that it was here. But there was no question that this was where God wanted us to be.
3. How would you describe our church?
Yankton is more than a church, it's family. The type of family everyone longs for. People who accept you right where you’re at in life, but love you so much that they are willing to challenge you to become all that you can be in Christ. The heart of YCF is to see everyone who desires it, experience the greater fullness of life that comes from an open heart to the Lord’s leading for you as an individual.
You won’t find any cookie cutter programs here. Everyone grows in Christ at their own pace. Encouragement – yes, challenges – yes, pressure to become something you’re not – No.
At YCF you will find love and acceptance regardless of your station in life, history or issues. The real challenge is whether or not you want to be loved like this and if you are willing to receive it.
This is a truly unique place to worship. There is a freedom here which is welcoming to people from all different religious backgrounds. An uncommon blending which holds not to a structure of religious activity or set programs, but rather provides an atmosphere in which each individual, regardless of background, can experience the opportunity to worship the living God.
At times it can be challenging to keep everything in balance, but I’ve never seen it carried out so well as here in the Yankton family. Maybe you’re looking for a family like this? Give it a try, I do believe that you’ll be very pleasantly surprised! When you’re here…you really are family…..
4. Define your role as an elder at YCF.
The role of an Elder at YCF is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I’ve ever been in. We take this level of accountability to the Lord and the congregation very seriously, holding those who attend here as well as the members of the board up in prayer, challenging them to move forward in their relationship with God, and helping them through the various struggles of life in this crazy world.
Our desire is to see each individual become all that they can be in Christ. To see evidence of growth in relationship with God both in the life of each person as well as the life of the collective body.
Being an Elder in any church body is a demanding role, but this particular board has learned the secret of meeting those demands in such a way that it truly is a joy to serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters at YCF.
As Elders at YCF, we strive to see that each attendee at YCF gets the opportunity to experience the difference between the fullness of a life of hope in Christ, and life in this world. Come check it out, the difference will really surprise you.
5. Describe the mission of YCF
At YCF our mission can be summed up in two simple statements:
To obey the Great Commandment: 29Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength.' 31The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."
Mk 12:29-31 NLT
To work diligently to fulfill the Great Commission; 15"And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Mk 16:15 NLT
Rodney Mills
1. Tell us about who you are.
Born a sinner in the fertile farmlands of Iowa, I left at the tender age of 18 to serve this wonderful Country of ours with the US Navy. Seven years later I landed in Denver, Colorado and then the Great Northwest. Along my travels, the Lord has gently guided and drawn me to himself as only He can do. The journey hasn't ended even though my feet have finally come to a halt. He continues to stretch and mold me into His image. Although my heart sometimes yearns for that pitch black soil of my youth, nothing can compare to the richness of His love when you let Him in. Yes, farming is in my blood!!
2. Why do you attend YCF?
As God guided me along my journey, I met and married a wonderfully loving and caring woman in Janice. Two daughters and one son later we found ourselves seeking a place to serve, grow and feel at home. YCF fits the bill perfectly. We have all been welcomed and challenged in our walk along the way.
3. How would you describe our church?
As Christ came for the sick and hurting, YCF meets you where you are in life as well. YCF is a bible believing church that applies the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. The church body is one of a very diverse background that anyone can call home.
4. Define your role as an elder at YCF.
Since I am fairly new in the role, I still feel blessed every week to be a part of individuals' lives and making a difference. As an elder I serve where there is need.
5. Describe the mission of YCF.
The mission on the surface is very clear, saving souls. But each individual has different needs while on their own journey through life. Each person in the body of YCF is empowered to fulfill His mission through relationships and outreach. God is clearly using YCF to meet those needs.
Mike Griffin
1. Tell us about who you are.
Michael Griffin a saint, servant and son of God the Almighty, saved by Grace, redeemed and blessed by His Son Jesus Christ. A joint heir to the throne.
Husband to one Sallie, my lifelong mate, mother of our children and my closest friend, truly a gift of God. Driving desire early in life, was to live and raise a family well, over time this has transformed into pleasing and honoring our great Creator. Parenting and the steady hand of a loving God will do that to a man, even a moderately stubborn, somewhat driven fellow. I am blessed of God to have sired two, Justin and Jennifer, and to be grandfather of one (and counting) Caleb Michael...more to follow, praise God! Both of our children are grown and married, which is how we came to be blessed with our daughter Jamie Lynn and Son in law Zach. I am a businessman. Have traveled far and wide enough to know, that traveling far and wide ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Have lead enough to know that leadership is a calling, a joy and a burden; who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? I enjoy outdoor work activity, time with my family doing anything (I'll even go shopping once in a while, sorry men), reading and studying the Word of God.
2. Why do you attend YCF?
God called our family to YCF, it felt right, we (I) resisted and left, God called us back, again we left. God called us again and we stayed.... it’s been quite some time ago now. We have found fellowship and see God's love manifest here. Hallelujah.
3. How would you describe our church?
A Bible believing, Gospel teaching, Holy Spirit filled body committed to seeking and serving God's will. May it always be so.
4. Define your role as an elder at YCF.
Shepherd, teacher, mentor and defender of the flock
5. Describe the mission of YCF.
The mission of YCF is the same mission God has called all of His people to... seeking and saving the lost, discipleship and growth in Christ Jesus.
Jeff Reinan
1. Tell us about who you are.
I was born in Portland Ore in 1953, moved to Scappoose in 1962, and graduated from there in 1971. I had two wonderful parents, of which my mother is still with us, and my father has gone ahead to be with the Lord. I was raised with three sisters and two brothers. I was married in 1980 to Karen Brooks, which has been a blessed marriage. We have three children; Erik who is attending college in Texas, Britta is in college at Oregon State and Gretchen attends St Helens High School.
2. Why do you attend YCF?
I ran from God while in college, and really lost my way. Through the love of the people of Yankton, and the grace of God, I came to my senses and have been indebted to the church, and to God ever since.
3. How would you describe our church?
The church is made up of people from a very diverse background. We are committed to ministering to one another, and to the lost. We believe in the literal interpretation of the bible, and to living a daily life of obedience to Jesus our Lord, and Rock.
4. Define your role as an elder at YCF.
I am actively involved in the Recovery Ministry, Missions Team, Prayerful Partnerships, mentoring, Careaway Street, and New Members Class. I have been involved with teaching and missions.
5. Describe the mission of YCF.
The mission of our church is to teach the good news of the gospel of Jesus. We believe the world needs deliverance from bondage, and corruption in a dying world. If people knew how much Jesus loved them, and the good plans he has for them, they would flock to him the way they did when he walked the earth. The Mission is to reach out to all who God has put in our path.
