Aaron Evenson

Aaron Evenson is a man on a mission. He wants a building he can use as a youth center.

Evenson and his wife, Angie, moved to Blue Earth on Aug. 1 from the Twin Cities area. He is the new director of the local Youth for Christ chapter.

“I am here to get a Christian youth center started for the Blue Earth area,” Evenson says. “That would include the Elmore and Winnebago areas also.”

Evenson says Youth for Christ is a non-profit, non-denominational youth evangelism group.

“We have chapters in 90 countries,” he says. “Blue Earth is part of the South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ area, which includes Albert Lea and Austin.”

Evenson’s is a full-time position. He spends his days doing some fundraising activities, organizing youth events, and searching for a building.

“I am currently looking at a lot of buildings and praying hard to find the right one for our mission,” he says.

The youth center would be open at least five days a week and be a fun and safe haven for youth to drop in.

Evenson says there has been a Youth for Christ chapter here for a while, but added not a lot has been done lately.

“I do have a support group already in place that is made up of church leaders, KJLY Radio people, parents and other persons interested in formulating a youth center in Blue Earth,” Evenson explains.

He was hired by Youth for Christ to come and resurrect their Blue Earth group.

Evenson graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul with a business degree.

The last two years he worked for the Minnesota Teen Challenge, a Christian faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center for youth.

“Now I am excited to start the new Youth for Christ Youth Center here in Blue Earth,” Evenson says.

Fundraising is a major part of his job description. He says he has to raise the funds to keep the local program operating, as well as money to cover all the expenses involved in operating a building.

“We have some money already raised,” Evenson says. “We also have some donated equipment for the youth center.”

Evenson is also speaking at churches and local groups, telling people about Youth for Christ and their hopes of opening a youth center in Blue Earth.

“I have heard a lot of enthusiasm and support for the plan, so I hope we can proceed with it real soon,” he concludes.