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11/04/2012 11:00 PMBranford's Judi Wallace directs the largest multi-denominational youth ministry program on the shoreline, Pilgrim Fellowship (PF), which this year is filled to capacity with well more than 150 teen members.
Judi was recently hired by First Congregational Church of Guilford to lead PF, but also remains closely connected to her Branford church, First Baptist, at which she began working with young people as a church volunteer several years ago. Judi and her family continue to be active members at First Baptist as she also takes on this exciting new role.
As a former youth group leader and mission trip leader with First Baptist Church, Judi knows the value young people receive from working together, raising funds, and then providing mission service to communities in need. For First Baptist, Judi initiated youth mission trips to New Orleans and the Appalachian region of Tennessee in the past few years.
"I think that the kids that go are so moved and changed," Judi says, adding that being a part of a group is important to teenagers. "It makes teenagers feel not alone, it makes them feel what they have to give is important, and it makes them part of a group."
Judi credits her husband, Jeff, and their children, Jason (now a sophomore in college) and James (grade 7), for helping her first get involved with assisting Branford-based church youth and community programs.
"I taught Sunday School for a lot of years for children and as my own children got involved in programs, so did I," says Judi.
With First Baptist, Judi served as youth group leader, mission leader, and Sunday school teacher. She led an American Baptist Churches of Connecticut (ABCCONN) Young Emerging Leaders program and currently serves as an active member of ABCCONN's Department of Educational Ministries. Through Branford's First Congregational Church, she was a day camp counselor at Killam's Point Vacation Bible Camp, as well as camp director. Judi's an active member of Branford's Coalition for the Prevention of Underage Drinking as well as the Branford School-Age Mentoring Program and is an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop Pack 428 based in Branford.
A talented costume technician (including her creative work with Yale School of Drama, Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Opera House, and New York Broadway theaters), Judi says she enjoys her chosen profession, but being hired as PF executive director is "a job that I have prayed for, for years!"
She's delighted to work with a dedicated group of adults, from the motivated PF board to the talented and caring community members assisting on annual mission trips.
It's evident to those who know of PF that it's one of most successful and active youth mission groups on the shoreline. In September, Judi saw that evidence firsthand, at her very first meeting with the entire group.
"There were 154 members attending the opening picnic, and some 70 of them were new members," recalls Judi. "It's the word of mouth, it's the kids, that make Pilgrim Fellowship what it is."
Judi adds she works with an exceptional group of more than 30 youth leaders to help manage PF members and programs.
"These are high school juniors and seniors who have been in the program, have been on the mission trips, and show such leadership qualities. One of the neatest things about the opening picnic was seeing the youth leaders step up and play games with 154 kids. The younger members look up to them. One of the goals of this leadership group is really wanting to make sure the new members feel welcome," she says.
PF members fundraise, provide community service, meet weekly, and cap off each year by traveling to complete a major service project in an impoverished American community.