ECCAK
March/April 2013
the Sinew From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16 NIV)
High Octane Outreach Uses “Rigs” To Connect With Youth By Kristi Ivanoff Connecting with youth can be a challenge, but Ben The group has faced several challenges along the Harvey, a middle/high school science teacher in way including delays in getting needed parts to vandalMountain Village has discovered that when you bring ism to one of their projects, but they have continued to “rigs” into the picture, interest skyrockets! look for creative solutions to keep the group going. They High Octane is the are currently working name of Ben’s outon a snow machine reach that has teens that was purchased for and young adults $500 and is nearing gathering to do completion. something enjoyBen, who was inable and educavolved at Excelsior tional with an eterCovenant Church in nal perspective. Minnesota, got the The group meets idea for this ministry weekly to work on from a college mentor old or broken-down and fellow Covensnow machines or anter, Greg Bednar four-wheelers to get from Mankato, MN, them restored and who had been doing running. They have something similar snacks together, there. Initially, Kevin Ben shares a short Gwinn, another devotional, and High Octane club members in Mountain Village pose with their project teacher also helped students can share rig, fondly referred to as “The Green Hornet”. The group meets weekly Ben with group before needs or prayer to work on rigs and connect with God and each other. moving to another requests. High Ocschool district, and tane participation ranges in size each week but has had Matt Groen now assists the group. as many as 12 young people involved at a time. Ben, who had been going on mission trips since he was “Octane refers to the level of gas used in an engine-11-years-old, had desired to teach on the Pine Ridge resthe higher the octane level, the higher the performervation in South Dakota. However, after attending a job ance,” Ben explained. His desire is that God’s highfair in the Twin Cities, he chose to accept a teaching job octane love will be experienced by the students in his in Mountain Village noting many similarities between group. (Continued on page 11)