Many of you may recognize John Yany as an alumnus of last year’s internship class. John has joined the staff at Parkside Church: Green Campus as a pastoral assistant who will be working on music and youth programs. “I’ll be selecting music, working with musicians and media people, and helping with services on Sunday morning and evening,” explains John. “Aso, I will be coordinating the youth program which includes teaching students, leading small groups, planning events, and spending some time trying to create mentor/mentee relationships in the youth program.”

John’s background in music started when he was 14 years old and stepped in to assist with worship at a conference. “I think the worship leader had missed his flight and was running late, so I helped at a small prayer meeting,” says John, who had only been playing guitar for about a year or so. John eventually led music for his youth group, and then the main service at his church. While in college at Moody Bible Institute, John joined a choir and spent four years traveling with them around the United States and abroad ministering through music. “I remember distinctly a chapel service at Moody when I was assisting people in worship,” John recalls. “The Lord moved in a tangible way. Not that results are everything, but it was fuel for the journey in a good sense. Looking back, I see that this is something I'm called to do.”

As a pastoral assistant, John will also hone his skills at preaching and teaching. “I had my first preaching experience in high school when one of my teachers asked me to preach for a Christmas service in church. I preached a few more times before I came to Parkside, but it wasn't until April of 2012, when I was praying about my future, that the Lord showed me the priority of the ministry of the Word and prayer through the example of the apostles in Acts,” John notes. “That was all it took. When I came to Parkside, I knew I was at the right place.”

How You Can Pray

John asks that you please pray for humility, clarity, decisiveness, and love. Also, please pray for his native country, Egypt, as it continues to experience turmoil -- that the Lord will have mercy on the suffering church and that Christians will extend love towards all.