Jack Crabtree, Former Executive Director, Long Island Youth For Christ
Joined Long Island Youth For Christ on July 1, 1971. Currently involved with Long Island staff and continuing with his relationships on an advisory basis. Shelter Rock Church, Syosset, NY (where I am a teaching pastor) Married to Becky (June 1971) – Son Andy (b.1974) married to Andrea Chin with grand-daughter, Marin Grace (b. 2006) living on Long Island. Son Ben (b.1978) living in Denver. M.A. in Communications, Wheaton Graduate School B.S. in English Education, Taylor University I try to live by the historic motto of Youth For Christ – “Anchored to the Rock, geared to the times." I want the life-changing message of Jesus to be fresh and real to everyone I meet. Favorite Bible Passages: “This is how we know what real love is—Jesus Christ came into this world and laid down his life for us; so now we should lay down our life for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16 “Prepare your mind for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 Favorite Quotes: God is more interested in developing your character than in providing your comfort. – Bill Muir People listen to people who listen. – 3Story Training No good deed goes unpunished. – Charlene Cosman You get what you get and you don't get upset. -- Marin Grace Crabtree Men never remember, women never forget. It doesn’t matter how many times you go through the Bible; what matters is how many times the Bible goes through you. Hearing something a 100 times isn’t as powerful as seeing it once. Everything is within walking distance as long as you have the time. –Steven Wright Time is the currency of the Kingdom of God. Without forgiveness there is no peace. Keeping a grudge is like letting a person live inside your head rent free. Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair. - GK Chesterton Best experiences in YFC: (I’ve had a lot) 20+ Summer Bike Trips Florida Trips on February Break Listening to young men and women ask Jesus Christ to come into their life Hiking in the Catskills with a special crew of CL young men Learning to snow ski as a CL leader – it only took me 3 years Campus Life National and Regional R&D Committee Writing Study Notes for the Life Application Bible Working with Team I’Themba and South Africa YFC for 10 years Helping start Long Island Youth Guidance, Prodigal House and the Student Led Ministry (Christian Clubs in public schools) Serving as Chair of the 1990 Long Island Billy Graham Crusade Leading a weekly Bible Study for NY Jets for 7 years and speaking for Baseball Chapel with Mets and Yankees Speaking at retreats and conferences at numerous camps for every denomination and church imaginable Mid-Atlantic Coordinator for National Network of Youth Ministries for 10 years Working in Networks with youth pastors and youth leaders Speaking and serving with a wide variety of churches and youth programs Developing and encouraging young leaders Through My Numerous Years with YFC Here Are Some of the Surprising Opportunities I Have Had to Write and Contribute to Youth Ministry Books: The Complete New Testament Resource for Youth Workers, Volume 1, Youth Specialties Better Safe Than Sued, Youth Specialties/Zondervan Search For Significance Youth Edition, Thomas Nelson Wounded Spirit Study Guide, Thomas Nelson 365 Bible Characters, Tyndale Moments With God, Baker Books Parents and Teenagers edited by Jay Kesler, Tyndale Life Application Bible (Study Notes), Tyndale Play It Safe, Victor Books Flex Sessions, Victor Books Videos Worth Watching, Baker Books Lesson Maker, Navigator Press Conversations with Jesus, Youth Specialties Live the Story, Crossway Publishing 500 Bible Questions and Answers, Tyndale What I do for fun: I love sports, travel, reading, music, people and unfortunately eating more than exercising. Who has greatly influenced my life: my parents (Glenn and Betty Crabtree), Becky (my wife), John Hanson, Lee Whiston, Billy Graham, Bill Eakin, Jay Kesler, Dean Yoder, Jack Collipp, Charlene Cosman, Bill Muir, Dave Veerman, Ron Hutchcraft, Rick Merrell, Carey Jackson, Ken Goss, Al Siebert, Steve Iseman, Dan Southern, Al Busching, Warren Christie, Phil Riggs and many more including all the people I have worked with at YFC. My strengths: 1. Responsibility; 2. Ideas; 3. Harmony; 4. Analysis and 5. Arranging (according to Marcus Buckingham’s “Know Your Strengths” Test). These have been invaluable to any success I have had as a leader in YFC. My weaknesses: Too many to list; talk to my wife. My favorite websites: Facebook, Drudge, ESPN, Bible Gateway, Pandora Radio, Most Important… I am most thankful to God for giving me Becky (the most tremendous wife) who has shown me true love in the realities of each day. She is the most Christ-like person I know. I could never make it in YFC or any ministry without her love and support. I am also most thankful for hundreds of friends who give so generously to YFC so I can devote my whole life to bringing the gospel to young people and their families. I do nothing by myself. These wonderful people are with me daily by prayer, support and encouragement. Whatever challenge I face I know I am not alone. Jesus is always there and the Body of Christ stands beside me and behind me. |  Jack Crabtree and his wife Becky |
