VisionQuest Missions Ministry

VisionQuest started in 1973 as a privately held organization offering an alternative to state and county incarceration for troubled, disadvantaged, and minority youth who were increasingly bogging down the Arizona correctional system.  Today VisionQuest is an employee-owned national youth services organization that offers the legal system a contract service for a fee alternative to incarceration for youth ages 12-18. Vision Quest now operates in 6 states with 7 locations in Pennsylvania.  The Franklin, PA, Sandycreek Township Guided Centering Program, previously referred to as ‘Camp Charles Young’, provides a short term residential program for troubled males ages 12-18.  Residential occupancy is for either 3 or 6 month terms.

In 2003, national VisionQuest Chaplain Jim Shoemaker recruited volunteers from several local churches to assist with weekly Bible Study, counseling, prayer, and financial support.  Several members of Galloway United Methodist Church began assisting as teachers, counselors, and prayer warriors.  Small groups of supervised VisionQuest youth were also welcomed to join Sunday morning services.

Today, the VisionQuest Bible study in Sandycreek Twp. is facilitated by Dave Seyler and Bob Joyce.  Dave is an active member of Galloway, while Bob attends Emlenton’s Chapel on the Hill.  Bob is also a licensed chaplain and retired schoolteacher.

Galloway currently provides financial support for Bibles which are used and freely given to youth.  Bible study is held year round on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.  The ‘informal’ mission statement is:  ‘To present the Gospel to the VisionQuest youth subculture in a contemporary, non-threatening format which they can understand, and to assure them that God loves them and has a special plan for their life’.  The core underlying scriptures for this ministry are Jeremiah 29:11 and John 8:32.

During his 6 years as volunteer, Dave has seen dozens of youth come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as well as many others who have made recommitments to a faith they did not fully understand as little children.  Dave has seen both emotional and physical healing take place and a rebirth of hope within many of the youth.  A few of the youth, previously professing a Muslim faith, have been convinced that the only true hope is in Christ.  Dave is fully convinced that the VisionQuest ministry was birthed in the heart of God.

Note from Galloway:

We can support this work with our prayers.

Also, Dave would like to see a renewed interest and commitment to teach, counsel, and pray by other Galloway servants.