5 & 1/2 Questions to Gabriel Mayer - Youth Minister

Grabriel Mayer recently sat down with the St. Matthew's Webmaster for an interview. Here are some of his remarks to the 5 & 1/2 questions.

1. Tell us about your walk with Christ.

I became a Christian at a FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools) camp in North Carolina the summer before my freshman year in high school. What did it for me was the bare-bone Gospels--a loving and just God, at the same time. That and realizing who I was and who Jesus is to me. I never recalled hearing that message before. But when I looked at the liturgy, I realized I had memorized, but it hadn't clicked, or it wasn't in my language.

In an earlier Christian growth experience I encountered my wants of belief and those of scripture. Through reading RC Sproul, I realized God owns your faith...He grabbed you from wherever you were. You can trust in His love for you, to rest in God's hold on you. God never fails.

2. You majored in math and here you are at St. Matthew's. How did God call you into youth ministry in general, and St. Matt's , in particular?

I don't feel like I got a general call. But God does dwell within his children, creating and reshaping our desires. Tim Ridolfi of St. Matthew's told me about the position and asked me to pray about it. It kept rattling around...having a desire and feeling affirmed to get to know each other better--the church and myself. Affirmation and desire led me to choose this path.

Math, though, actually prepared me to be here. Math does not take things for granted, no presumptions. You deal with things as they are stated. Language in math is the hand-hold and grip. You rest on the definitions and theorems of the giants of the past.

Theology is very much the same. But God has given us the definitions and the theorems. Like the free will/predestination thing--who has the trump card? God does. Scripture says I have freedom...but it affirms God is sovereign over human hearts and minds.

3. What can the youth and parents expect in the program?

Right now I don't have tons of expectations.

I want parents to know they have a youth minister who cares for their children, who loves Jesus and the Gospels, who will share this love with their children for encouragement, and that I am one who is striving to learn and be teachable.

4. Tell us about your family.

I attended St. Christopher's School kindergarten through 12th grade.

I’m the youngest of three; I’ve got an older brother and sister. They really are the best. My parents got divorced when I was about 10. So, I grew up mostly with my Mom here in Richmond. While families aren’t always the easiest to deal with, my brother and sister have been some of the greatest support. Oddly enough, we each became Christians in High School. The gospel kind of became the best hand-me-down you could ever get.

5. What are your interests and hobbies - other than scripture and theology?

I do enjoy talking about the Gospels!

I picked up guitar my junior year in high school and play it tons and tons. I really enjoy backpacking but haven't done much since spending a semester in New Zealand. I also enjoy spending time with people and watching old movies. And, I love the James River!

And now the 1/2 question. Gabriel, you went to Davidson. Is that near Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, or Charlottesville?

Blacksburg is the closest...Davidson is in fact across state lines.

But the fact is, we would have crushed any of those three teams in basketball! When was the last time any of those schools made the Elite Eight!! (NCAA Basketball Championship)