The beginning of October had arrived, the time that college students are struggling to survive midterms while anxiously waiting for the coveted fall break.
Most of the students I knew were excited to go on a mini-vacation with their friends or go home and have a relaxing, long weekend with their family.
I, on the other hand, was overwhelmingly excited to travel to South Carolina to spend my break volunteering with Eight Days of Hope.
Eight Days of Hope is a nonprofit, disaster relief organization that was founded in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. What was meant to be a one-time trip to repair a few houses turned into a huge ministry. God showed up, and He showed out. Since its beginning, Eight Days of Hope has completed 12 trips in 7 different states, rebuilding 1,717 homes and finishing 22.6 million dollars of work.
I was 9 years old when I went on my first Eight Days of Hope trip. I don’t remember much of my time in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi; however, I know my age didn’t hinder me from serving. I washed tables after we finished meals and swept the floors of the gymnasium where volunteers slept. I folded T-shirts and other simple tasks. I was young, but that didn’t matter.
As I grew older, I began serving in different capacities on Eight Days of Hope trips. I managed the Eight Days of Hope store, served in the food lines, and helped out with the morning announcements. I went with construction crews to houses, learning carpentry work, electrical work, insulation, and so much more.
During the event in La Place, Louisiana, I decided that Eight Days of Hope needed another capacity for young adult volunteers to serve: leadership. I distinctly remember telling my father, the president of the organization, Stephen Tybor III, that the executive leaders and ambassadors should consider adding young adults to their team.
The following year junior ambassadors were added to the Eight Days of Hope leadership team. I readily accepted the offer to join them.
I was passionate about serving, and I wanted to use that passion to help others discover the beauty of serving.
Since joining the leadership team, I have learned many aspects of the organization. I may be a junior ambassador, but I’m treated just as any other leader is. Eight Days of Hope understands that young adults are the future of the world and that training them to be godly, servant leaders is a key to creating a successful ministry.
At only 19 years old, I do interviews (and podcasts), run the morning announcements, and give orientation to volunteers. I work on job sites, preparing to be a future job leader. I visit homeowners, run social media networks, and help with communications. My age is not a hindrance, rather, it gives me an opportunity to share my passion about serving.
I’ve had numerous conversations about being a young leader in a huge organization. More often than not, people are shocked. I always seem to forget that it’s so novel for leaders to be my age. I don’t think this should be the case. More organizations need to begin preparing future generations for leadership. Young leaders shouldn’t be a rarity; they should be commonplace.
As young adults, we must not turn away from leadership roles because of our age. Someday soon, our world, our nation, our states, and our cities will need us to lead. We must begin preparing for the future roles we will play. In whatever capacity, whether business, politics, churches, or schools, we must embrace our identities as leaders and step up to serve.
I find so much encouragement in 1 Timothy 4:7-16:
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
These few verses contain so much encouragement; and yet, they fill me much conviction. I know that I’m called to serve God by using my gifts; however, after dwelling on these verses, I can’t help but wonder if I have more to give.
As young leaders, we are not supposed to hide behind our age. In fact, we’re called to step out in faith and set an example for those around us to follow. Perhaps more importantly, we’re called to use our gifts – whatever they may be – to advance to Kingdom. We’re meant to be a mirror, reflecting the light of God and causing others to draw closer to Him. When we live with the purpose of bringing glory to God rather than advancing our own desires, we become leaders, regardless of our ages.
We must put aside the doubts people harbor against us, or that we hold against ourselves, and show the those examining us that we can lead the world into a bright future.
Hannah Tybor is currently a public relations student at Middle Tennessee State University. When she isn’t spending her time studying, she enjoys writing, watching Netflix, and late night Taco Bell trips.
From a young age, Hannah began sharing her passion for Jesus through her two favorite avenues: adoption and disaster-relief work. Recently, she spoke at an adoption fundraiser, encouraging families to consider adoption. She has also published several articles about her own adoption experiences. Hannah is also on the leadership team for the nonprofit organization Eight Days of Hope which helps rebuild homes following natural disasters.
In the future, Hannah hopes to have a job that allows her further the Kingdom of God through one of these avenues.
