narcissus
(nar sis' es) [L< Gr "Narkisso"] Gr. Myth. a beautiful youth who, after Echo's death, is made to pine way for love of his own reflection in a spring and changes into the narcissus--n.
bio
Welcome to the café. Morgan Young is a writer, musician and epigrammatist who is a full-time staff person at OakBrook Community Church in Kokomo, IN.
Morgan has played the drums since the age of four, growing up in a home that firmly embraced jazz(Dizzy, Miles, Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, Mingus--you get the idea. Actually, nearly all other musical styles were entertained as well, "sans" country and rock.) He took formal drum lessons beginning at age 8. Probably more so than anything else, he has been a drummer most of his life---trying to hone the skills of the skins. The most influential teachers were Jeff Milam and Lee Baxter (chronologically) both of Kokomo. He also studied briefly with Ball State University's Dr. Erwin Mueller.
Although he has had no formal instruction other than that of public schools and a week at journalism camp at Indiana University, Morgan has enjoyed the process of putting words into sentences and forming the occasional coherent thought since fourth grade. The last several years of his adult life, he has tried to become more disciplined when it comes to journaling. Some excerpts are posted in the library. He cites Mrs. Rita Sale, his fourth grade teacher, as the first inspiring person in this area.
Since 1998, Morgan has been on staff at OakBrook Church. In all respects, this has been the most rewarding and creative career possible. A friend once referred to him as a "very strange animal, comprised 50% of logical, management oriented thought processes and 50% artsy-fartsy temperament." "He's a musician that shows up on time," someone else said.
His current position...is well..."interim". Prior to that he was the iStudent Ministery Director; an altogether rich experience that has marked his life in ways hard to define with words. Before that he was the director of operations. (Every 3 years or so seems to bring a new assignment.)
He's currently the iProgram Director responsible for overseeing all the artistic & technical "hoo-haw" that encompasses weekend services. In a given week he may: lead a creative meeting to plan a 3-week-out Sun. am service, work with and oversee staff, meet with the management team, play drums, do welcome spots or teach in weekend services. Who knows what the next "i" position will be?
Teaching nearly weekly in student ministry and filling in on Sun. morning teaching has allowed him to use and stretch his writing abilities in a new and challenging direction. It also allows him to engage in public speaking, which he has enjoyed since Mrs. Sales's class. It has also been an unbelievable faith-stretcher!
Teaching involves the private spiritual practice of seeking God and studying, discerning what and how. And it involves the public; sharing those things, challenging, motivating, convicting, and enlightening people to find their potential in Christ. The combination of this process, time away from people and time with people is a great fit for him. It is a humbling and energizing thing to be able to do.
Spiritually, Ray Porter and his mother, Kelly and step father, Jim, are responsible for getting him in touch with the Man upstairs. Close friend and senior pastor, Mark Malin, arguably has done more to shape his adult life than anyone. He took the seeds planted by the Porters and fertilized it with encouragement and a picture of what could be. He has helped God shape his life in powerful and eternal ways.
The opportunity to have a career that allows him the opportunity to use his management and creative arts abilities at the same time has been an unbelievable blessing. To then be able to use those gifts for the purpose of God's design has been beyond words. God is good. There is no greater good than that.
