Appropriately for St. Patrick’s Day, a potato bar fundraiser is being held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, at Peace Lutheran Church, located at 105 Svenson St. in Holbrook–and the community is invited! Baked potatoes will be available to “load” with a plethora of toppings from traditional butter and sour cream to hearty bacon, beef and cheese. Dessert and drink suitable to the day are also part of the fare. “No one will go away hungry,” said organizer John May of the congregation, “if they do, it’ll be their own fault!” The charge for this all-you-can-eat potato bar is $8 per person, or $5 per person for a family of four or more. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward the support of a new community youth ministry undertaking. “For nearly two years now seven of Holbrook’s evangelical congregations have been meeting, talking and praying about the possibility of pooling our resources and hiring a youth director to work with us to develop a viable youth program both amongst our constituent congregations, as well as outreaching to the many non-Christian youth at Holbrook High School,” explained Pastor Jeff Johnson of the Peace Lutheran congregation. “It’s been a gratifying experience, seeing our evangelical faith communities come together around the common purpose of reaching more of our youth, and reaching them more effectively, with the Gospel.” Several months ago, a joint Youth Ministry Advisory Board decided to affiliate with an internationally known youth ministry organization called Youth For Christ, begun in the 1940s by the evangelist Billy Graham. “This was a very good decision,” stated Rod Gish, pastor of First Assembly of God, whose congregation is a participant in this effort. “We learned early on that we don’t need to deal with a variety of issues that Youth For Christ has dealt with–and dealt with effectively–for years, insurance for example.” “Why reinvent the wheel?” Johnson added. “We decided to take advantage of the expertise Youth For Christ provides both in terms of ministry and administration.” Youth For Christ recommended a couple who came to Holbrook last October to interview for the position, Jerad and Carrie Burgess. The Burgesses, both recent graduates of a reputable seminary in Louisville, Ky., have long desired to live in the West, and particularly to minister with and among Native American people. “Their considerable experience in cross-cultural ministry, plus their heart to share the Gospel, made them a clear choice,” explained Pastor Dean Ceccarelli of Calvary Chapel, another partner in this faith-coalition. The Burgesses accepted the unanimous call of the Youth Ministry Advisory Board, and plan to move to Holbrook and begin their ministry here on May 1. “How exactly this ministry will take shape in this unique situation among a variety of cultures remains to be seen,” explained Johnson, who also chairs the advisory board. “We know we want an effective youth ministry program among our participating congregations, but we know we also want to be a part of the mix at Holbrook High School. We look forward to figuring out the particulars.” Holbrook School Superintendent Robbie Koerperich and Holbrook High School Principal Lance Phaturos, as well as the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Latter-day Saints communities, have been a part of the conversation and have been very supportive, Johnson reported. The St. Patrick’s Day potato bar fundraiser is just one of several fundraising efforts currently underway in order to finance this ministry. A monthly yard sale on the first Friday and Saturday of each month (the next being April 1 and 2) takes place at the corner of Florida and Fourth Avenue, with all proceeds going to the cause. Additionally, donations can be made directly to Youth For Christ, P.O. Box 4478, Englewood, Colo. 80155 and reference Holbrook No. 31045. Questions concerning Youth For Christ and any of its related activities can be directed to Pastor Jeff Johnson by phone at (928) 524-2718 or by email to peace.lutheran.holbrook@gmail.com. The Youth For Christ website is www.yfc.org.