Meet Riley Drew!

Riley (on the right) helping out at the  Mission Hills High School youth group

I met Riley Drew through Bryce. Bryce had asked me if one of his friends could come and check out WyldLife when we did the bigger or better event a few months ago. Little did I know I was about to meet such a rad person! Since Riley came that night, he has jumped right in. He came with us to winter camp only a week later, clearing his schedule so he could come, and has been at almost everything we have done since. Having him come be a part of the team has added so much. His heart for these kids, and hunger to grow closer to God is truly inspiring.

I am sad to say that Riley will be leaving us after the summer to attend the University of California at Santa Cruz, but we are so thankful for the time we have had with him. So, meet Riley: 

Riley is always down to surf

Meet Riley Drew:

Born: March 5, 1994 in San Clemente, CA.

How did you meet Jesus: I met Jesus about a year ago in Rock Harbor church. It was about a year and a half for how I was constantly going to church, and struggled with the idea of God. Growing up I never was able to get close with Jesus because my church shut down when I was young. I had all of these problems and questions and frustration in my head. I went into church this one night with all of these things in my head and that night somehow the pastor just checked off the list all of my questions and issues which freaked me out. He didn't necessarily answer them but he brought them up. That entire time I was going to church i was about 85% in with God, and this night I was fed up with everything I was dealing with and I went in 100% with God and told him everything I was feeling and brought up questions. I felt so much better letting everything out and the only thing I can remember was feeling this tingly feeling through my body and I knew it was him just like giving me a hug and holding me. It was an outer body experience and It was insane. I left church feeling so much better after that and I had this tingly feeling still even after like two hours after church.

Who is someone that has had a big impact on your relationship with Jesus: One really close person that has had a deep impact with my relationship with Jesus is my friend Billy Bohn. I constantly went to Rock Harbor with him and also did Bible Study here and there with him. He was right there with me when I gave myself up to Jesus and he was there when I met Jesus.

It was about 10ft and hollow that day… Riley wasn't scared!

Why are you a WyldLife leader: I am a Wyldlife Leader because I want to be a good role model for the kids we work with and I want to share Jesus's life with them.

Most embarrassing memory from middle school: Most embarrassing memory from middle school could have been the time when I wore a hoodie to school and older kids put trash in my hood during lunch. I felt so embarrassed because I had no idea they were doing that and when I dumped out all the trash I remember seeing everyone laughing at me. Pretty embarrassing but didn't really affect me.

Two amigos.

Why do you think WyldLife is important: Wyldlife is very important to me. I wish I could have had a youth group growing up to be around other kids and older leaders to look up to. My memories from middle school was hanging out with my one friend Dylan everyday, and I never had anyone older to really look up to. I kind of went through my school years all by myself and had some difficult experiences. I also wish I could have learned about Jesus earlier. I want to be there for the kids who were like me in middle school.

What is one thing you really want to share with kids: Be yourself, don't worry about what people with think of you because the ones who are important in your life will stay and your relationships will be that much better if you are yourself.

If you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be: Probably like malt ball ice cream with chocolate and marshmallows in it. I may look basic like chocolate ice cream, but the deeper ya go with me the sweeter and more surprises you find.

Riley is a total rockstar and we are so happy to have him as a part of the team!