all God's children
Story by Susan O'Connor

Passion for a cause is the key to perseverance. Lynn Suitt’s passion for CityYouth Ministries has kept her enthusiastic about working with kids for more than nine years.

Though Suitt’s first six years of service at CityYouth began as project work for Jonesboro Junior Auxiliary, she found it was something she was compelled to continue.

“I finished with JA and couldn’t give up going to CityYouth,” she said. “I was an empty nester and wanted to stay involved. My church, First United Methodist, worked with the kids on Thursday evenings. I talked to our mission coordinator and she said the church needed a volunteer coordinator for CityYouth. I stepped into that role.”

As Suitt described Thursday evenings with the junior high and high school kids, her eyes danced.

“I really enjoy teenagers — a lot of people don’t,” she said. “I had a fantastic time raising my two kids during junior high and high school. I was just really involved in their activities. There are so many kids who don’t have that involvement. And I enjoy being someone that those kids have to be accountable to. I think the more people a child has to be accountable to, the more responsible they will be.”

Suitt and her volunteers serve the kids pizza, and lead a devotional. They start each school year with about 40 kids, and the number grows to near 80. At first some of the kids showed a little attitude, she said, but the attitude turned to respect when they realized she was really going to be there for them.

“It took me a while. I thought, ‘What am I going to do with these big boys?’ I saw that they knew I was going to be there. They expected me, and I was there. And they just accepted me. I am not a Bible scholar or a trained counselor or an eloquent speaker. But I show up.”

She is very complimentary of the youth, citing their willingness to lift up prayer concerns, and thoughtfulness of others.

“We’ve done several small projects such as send cards to shut-ins at nursing homes and most recently victims of the tornados in Mena and I was amazed at their uplifting and thoughtful comments on the cards. They can minister as well as be ministered to.”

In her early years of service at CityYouth, Suitt tutored and mentored elementary-age children. Her respect for the staff was cemented immediately.

“That was my first introduction to Rennell Woods and the staff and how completely devoted they are to that cause. They are such unbelievable role models for those kids. My husband, Mike, says, ‘Kids just want to be wanted. I think CityYouth is that place where kids can walk in the door and feel wanted.”
A North Little Rock native, Suitt met her husband at Arkansas State University and they have never left Jonesboro. She was named to the board of CityYouth this year. “This takes my involvement to a whole new level.”

As she works to be a point of light for youth, her goal remains simple.
“Many teenagers are labeled. But I tell the kids, ‘The only label that matters is that you are a child of God.’”

You said you immediately knew CityYouth was where you wanted to concentrate your efforts with JA. What was it about the organization that drew you in so quickly? I could sense a very hopeful environment at CityYouth and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that offering. With as many children as come through their doors, they need a lot of volunteers!

In the beginning, what was your children’s reaction to your work at CityYouth? Not surprised! I was a regular at MacArthur Junior High and Jonesboro High School, probably more than they would have liked! And my son, Wesley’s, close friends call me Mama Lynn, so it is my nature to be around youth.

If you were trying to convince others to volunteer in a similar capacity, what would be the top reason you would cite for giving of your time? It is our responsibility to pay it forward. There were numerous church leaders and educators and neighbors who helped give my children guidance and direction. It is only right that we all help raise our community’s children up in the way they should go. They are our future.

What three words describe you best? I immediately thought “organized.” I asked my children and husband for the other two. They immediately said enthusiastic and nurturing. I think they hit the nail on the head with those two.

What is the last book you read? The Shack by William P. Young. It is probably not profound Christian theology, but absolutely a novel worth reading that forces you to think about what you believe. I love the heading of the last chapter, which is a quote from Oswald Chambers: Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading.”