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June Mills’ life had once been filled with purpose, but her current season in life left her feeling a bit disengaged. She had talents. She was motivated. She simply lacked renewed direction.
While on an Alaskan cruise in 2014, June listened as workshop leaders Wes and Judy Wick spoke about serving the Lord in every stage of life. As they gave examples of worthwhile ministries, one particular opportunity jumped out at her: sewing dresses for young girls living in poverty. June enjoyed sewing, and the thought of helping others appealed to her. As soon as the cruise was over, she contacted the ministry and set to work.
About three years later, June reconnected with Wes and Judy. In the intervening months she had sewn 400 simple dresses that had been sent around the world. She happily told the Wicks how the opportunity to bless others had added a new dimension of vitality and purpose to her life.
After making 1,500 dresses, June put away her sewing machine for a new endeavor: crocheting caps for premature babies. Her enthusiasm remains high as she prays for God to use her gifts to bless others.
What makes June’s story even more impressive? When she started making those simple dresses, she was 90 years old!
People like June are the reason Wes and Judy Wick started YES! (Young Enough to Serve) in 2008. Now serving as chaplains with U.S. Missions, they network with churches and organizations across the country to help believers ages 55 and older find meaningful ways to serve the body of Christ.
All Generations
The Wicks were in their 50s when God called them to missions, but the preparation process began much earlier. Wes spent years as an administrator in four Christian colleges, and he and Judy actively served in local church ministry. During this time, they saw the ripple effects that come when multiple generations value one another and work together.
“We began to sense a particular calling to help churches go after the serving potential of adults in life’s ‘second half’ with intentionality and fervor,” says Wes. “Our passion is to inspire these adults to continue serving the Lord creatively, even when the culture or physical limitations suggest backing off, slowing down, or even withdrawing completely.”
In a culture that magnifies youthful energy and constant motion, older adults can be left feeling confused and overlooked. At the same time, younger adults miss the benefit of learning from someone who has successfully navigated many of life’s challenges. Sadly, mainstream stereotypes often carry over to the church and its approach to ministry.
“In today’s American church culture, over-emphasis of age segregation and generational subcultures short-circuits God’s broader design,” Wes observes. “We appreciate peer-to-peer ministry, but it limits the overall nurturing of healthy individuals and churches. Our understanding of 1 Corinthians 12 is that each part of the Body needs to concern itself with the whole, and the whole body needs to be concerned about each part.”
Crossing Borders
From the outset, the Wicks knew they needed to make YES! an example of generations working in harmony. They began by intentionally seeking advisors from a variety of age groups to serve on the ministry board. Today half the current YES! board members are under age 55 and represent an assortment of backgrounds and expertise. Their combined input brings both balance and freshness to the YES! mission.
“Churches often settle for the pattern of older adults only focusing on older adults,” Wes states. “Younger adults are rarely invited into the leadership mix. While older adults commonly lament the devaluing of their wisdom, they also need to acknowledge how desperately they need younger people in their lives. Living constantly inside a ‘peer bubble’ limits the church’s serving and disciple-making potential. On the other hand, creating fresh ways for older and younger adults to meaningfully connect is a biblically sound doorway to a healthy church.”
Over the years, the influence of YES! has grown as churches and ministries—including those from other denominations—seek help in involving older adults in purposeful ministry. As a result, the Wicks get to see firsthand how effective multiage ministry can be.
San Francisco Worship Center began regularly involving older adults in its outreach to the Tenderloin, labeled by some as the worst neighborhood in San Francisco. Such an undertaking involved crossing borders of both age and comfort level. While some seniors initially were reluctant to go, they mustered the courage when placed on a team with young adults. As a result, the combination of younger and older generations working together has blessed the church as well as the people to whom they minister.
“While ministry in foreboding settings is unrealistic for many older adults, we encourage senior adult leaders to take on some stretching, eye-opening opportunities where reliance on the Holy Spirit is put to the test and working intergenerationally is vital,” Wes says. “Every border crossing has the potential to activate deeper trust in the Holy Spirit.”
A Heart to Serve
According to the most recent census records, about 1 in 6 people in the United States is 65 and older, representing nearly 17 percent of the total population. This large segment of society is often an untapped resource for ministry.
Joe Capri had lived all over the world in his job as a foreign diplomat. Alcoholism took its toll, and his marriage was on the verge of collapse when God miraculously intervened. At age 59, Joe and his wife, Erica, retired and moved to the Spokane, Washington, area.
For the next 10 years, Joe and Erica were faithful in Bible study and church attendance, but Joe did little else outside his home. He seemed content to sit in his recliner, watching football on TV. He told himself he was making up for all the games he had missed during his years overseas.
Everything changed one evening when the Capris hosted a Bible study at their home. One of those attending was Deanne, a young evangelist. During the Bible study Deanne sensed a word from the Lord for Joe. At first, she was reluctant to share it because she was younger than Joe and a guest in the Capri home. But as the Holy Spirit continued to press her, she finally spoke these words:
“Joe, the Lord has impressed on my heart that you have made an idol of television and football. If you are unwilling to get out of your recliner and serve Him, He will take you home.”
Instead of reacting negatively to a word from a younger person, Joe took the message to heart. He went to the Spokane County jail and asked if he could volunteer in the chaplain’s office. Doors of ministry opened. At 70 years old, Joe discovered a new purpose in life.
For the next 20 years, Joe put his age and limitations aside and did what he could. Five days a week, he went to the county jail and shared Christ with anyone who would listen. Prisoners were drawn to his sincere, no-nonsense approach. Each time someone prayed to accept Christ, Joe noted it on a monthly log. When he died at age 90, the total number tallied just over 10,000.
Joe’s story is just one example of what God can do with a person who is willing to serve, no matter the age. Wes and Judy are committed to helping more older adults find their niche and let God work through them.
“Most of us want to continue living lives of purpose,” Wes declares. “We want meaningful relationships. We don’t want generational isolation. Every generation matters. We want YES! to continue being a voice that values the serving potential of all ages, including those in life’s second half.”
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