Discovery Zone helps youths explore call to ministry

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
Since 2001 when he began Discovery Zone, an event designed to probe God’s calling, the Rev. Rusty Freeman has watched many youths grow into full-time ministry.
For example, Phil Hoeflinger and his new wife, Rocio, are both first-year students at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., on the road to ministry.
Walt Lengel, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Texas at Austin—who has attended Southwest Texas Conference youth summer camps and Midwinter retreats since he was 12—is working with the youth ministry at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista.
Missy Allen, who completed Duke University Divinity School, is now associate pastor of Lake Travis UMC, Lakeway.
“Discovery Zone showed me the various options and the various ministries I could pursue, that it wasn’t just standing at the pulpit,” Allen said. “There was a wide variety of things you could do. It helped me learn about my calling as a disciple of Christ.”
This year’s Discovery Zone is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Loft Coffeehouse, off U.S. 281 North in Bulverde. The event is free for youths 12 to 22 who are “exploring a call to ministry,” said Freeman, youth ministries director.
A lunch and ministry fair are included.
Allen said she remembers attending just about every summer camp the Southwest Texas Conference offered between her seventh and twelfth grade years.
“That’s when I realized that being a Christian was life-giving,” she said. “It was not a boring calling, a set of rules, but it was actually life-giving and a lot of fun.
“Having opportunities to fellowship with other Christians provided an awesome opportunity to grow in my faith. So it helped foster my calling into the ministry. These are wonderful opportunities to discover how much God loves you and the plan he has for your life.”
During Discovery Zone, Freeman said, students learn about topics ranging from youth ministry and ordained ministry to missions and selecting the right college.
“The purpose of Discovery Zone is to encourage and direct youths who feel called into ministry,” Freeman said. “It is an event that helps clarify what a ‘call’ means and ways in which a student can further explore that call from God in their lives.”
He said leaders create a “culture for call” during summer camps and Midwinter retreats sponsored by the Council on Youth Ministry. They set up events in a way “to encourage youths to consider full-time ministry opportunities.”
About 50 participants attend Discovery Zone every year, Freeman said.
Freeman said the event—and many other discipleship events throughout the year—have an important place in the future of The United Methodist Church.
“Nothing is more important than reaching youths with the message of the Gospel, equipping them for ministry and sending them forth to make disciples,” he said. “We must be pouring our time and resources into endeavors like Discovery Zone, which help develop future clergy of The United Methodist Church.”