Press On Youth Center in Kearney, Nebraska Presses On

Press On Youth Center opened May 1999 on Central Ave in Kearney, Nebraska as a safe place for youth to hang-out, do homework and have fun. Less than a year later, the non-denominational Press On Youth Center was out of room. When Press On Youth Center had too many kids coming to comfortably handle them, Jim and Teri Wilson, who began and operated the Press On Youth Center, realized they needed to look for other facilities in southeast Kearney, Nebraska. Only there wasn't anything available.

They looked for land in Southeast Kearney, Nebraska and while several individuals stepped forward to assist financially, the Press On Youth Center didn't have the financial resources for land much less for constructing a building.

Jim said, (eventually) "We had 60 grand in the bank, but I'd been told we needed $150, 000 to start. I needed to make a decision. Do we start or no?"

The committee prayed about the decision and went ahead. By the time the new Press On Youth Center formally opened its doors May 2006, the building was completely paid for. The need for the new Press On Youth Center was evident just a few years after Jim and Teri felt the call to provide a safe place for the youth of the Kearney community to do homework, "hang," and have both structure and fun. They understood the need.

Jim and Teri grew up in the Kearney, Nebraska area. Jim knows first hand what it means to get off track into drugs and alcohol. He said that both were a factor in his quitting high school before graduating. He worked several different jobs gaining experience in each.

While working for the railroad, two men began telling him about a God who could meet his needs and help him deal with his very real problems. Eventually he and Teri began going to church and made a decision to follow Christ. The decision had a profound effect on both their lives. For Jim, while he expected it would be difficult to give up his habits, he found deliverance came quickly and completely. He has never looked back.

When Jim became part of a railway layoff he moved into other situations, including farming operations, learning to manage not only land and stock, but also finances. As Jim and Teri grew in their faith walk, the desire grew to reach out to Kearney kids before they made the decisions Jim made that got him far off track.

Jim said once he got his life straightened around he still had to deal with baggage from his bad choices. He wanted to help kids make good choices so they wouldn't end up with all that baggage. In that vein, Jim began working with Prison Fellowship at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, the state facility just outside Kearney, Nebraska for male teenagers in trouble with the law.

But Jim wanted to reach young people before they were in trouble. He explored opening a youth camp, but costs were prohibitive. Eventually, the idea of a youth center began to take shape. He and Teri applied to American Missionary Fellowship and were accepted.

With an organization in the background, they began raising support. Others in and around Kearney, Nebraska caught the vision and, as they said, with prayer and lots of support from others, they rented the facility in Southeast Kearney, Nebraska on Central Avenue across from Faith United Methodist Church. A year later the Press On Youth Center was not large enough to handle the young people who wanted to use the Youth Center, which offered after school help, recreation and non-denominational Bible studies with caring volunteers. Press On Youth Center also planned other events for the young people, including camping in the summer time.

Today a little over a year after moving into the new center, Press On Youth Center in Southeast Kearney, Nebraska is going strong with the support of their board, volunteers, many financial supporters as well as parents who see the needs of their children being met. The Press On Youth Center works with an average of 25 young people daily, over 100 overall as well as around 40 adults in Bible Studies, exercise and other programs.

Where does Press On Youth Center go from here? Jim said, "We work with what God has given us and see where He leads." In its new location, Press On Youth Center is pressing on as a safe and caring place for young people.