Meet theEDGE Leaders (Eric and Jordan)

Meet theEDGE Leaders is an opportunity for you as parents to get to know the other adults in your students lives. This week, meet Eric and Jordan, two of our 8th grade guys small group leaders.

My name is Eric Smugala.  I live in Eau Claire and I work in the IT department at Sacred Heart Hospital.  This has been my first year working with the youth at Jacobs Well and it has been a blast so far!  In my spare time I enjoy a large variety of hobbies.  I enjoy cooking, motorcycles, mechanic work, home audio/video and just having a good time with friends.  I was raised in a Christian home and ever since going to theEDGE once to check it out I've been hooked.

I love serving at theEDGE for many reasons.  One of the main reasons is I went to a youth group similar to theEDGE when I was in middle school and it helped me in more ways than I can count.  theEDGE is a place where the middle schoolers can be safe and have good genuine fun and learn about the Lord at the same time.  I see the kids come back week after week and I am just thrilled seeing their faces.  theEDGE is an absolutely awesome program for the youth in the area.

theEDGE  is one of the best things your children can be involved with.  Just working with the guys for a short time, it's a place that they can feel safe and a place that they can be genuine with the students and the leaders.  They come and have great conversation and can take a little breather from their busy weeks.  I absolutely love working with the 8th grade guys and I'm excited for them to take what they've learned from theEDGE and bring it up to highschool with them.  Thank you for letting your children come here, it is an absolute blessing having them here.

My name is Jordan Hurlburt, I live in Durand, WI and I am an assistant manager of the customer service department for Citizens Community Federal Bank in Eau Claire, WI. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. I was born and raised in a Christian home and I have been a born again believer for 17 years. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 10 years and with God's grace I have been able to live a healthy life and plan to continue to. I love singing and playing guitar. I co-lead worship at theEDGE and I am privileged to lead worship for the students. To hear them sing worship songs to the Lord gives me goosebumps.

I love serving at theEDGE because I love seeing young people on fire for the Lord. To see young men and women interested in growing in their faith and growing in relationships with other young people is so encouraging to me. To see the kids get a foundation this early in life to build their spiritual lives on is so awesome. I absolutely love the opportunity I have as a leader to walk with these guys and learn from them and hopefully teach them things that I've learned throughout my life.

A word of encouragement for you as parents, your boys love theEDGE. I love seeing them every Wednesday. I look forward to hearing how their weeks have gone and what is going on in their lives. I love hearing their stories about sports they play, concerts they are in, or school events they have going on. I enjoy having your boys in my small group and I wish them the best as they are transitioning from middle school into high school. There are no doubts in my mind that they will succeed in whatever they set their minds on doing. Thank you for allowing me to share my life with your sons' lives.

Ask your student who their small group leaders are and what they think of them. Do you have any stories about how a small group leader has impacted your child's life? Share it in the comment section below.