On Saturday, April 24^th, 2010, we loaded a church van full of 25 or so eager young people and made the two-hour journey to Florida’s Mount Dora Christian Academy. We spent the day doing yardwork, sharing lunch, having a devotional, and hanging out with the residents of the children’s homes and their house parents. At the conclusion of our annual pilgrimage, we said farewell and loaded the bus for the journey home. As I took my place on the front right seat, across from bus driver Jim Adair, I reflected on a tiring but productive youth outing.

At approximately 4 p.m., while traveling southbound on Florida State Road 33 in Polk County, I was chatting with Jim about our favorite college football team, the Tennessee Volunteers. Suddenly, a car in the northbound lane lost control, swerved to the right, then careened counterclockwise into our lane. I yelled something and extended my arms to brace for impact. Our alert driver swerved to the right to avoid the car but hit it broadside and drove it several yards off the road, narrowly avoiding a tree. 

With adrenalin pulsing through my veins, I swung my head around to check on our young people. Though shaken and in various stages of shock, there didn’t appear to be any life-threatening injuries. I yelled, “Is everyone okay?” and they responded with head nods. Our bus driver was also intact, despite the deployed airbags and the front end of our church van being completely crushed. 

I told everyone to stay put—that I was going to go check on the other vehicle. Austin Clouse, a high school student in the back of the bus, replied, “Shouldn’t we pray?” His instinct blew me away! Still does to this day. Here we are in the middle of a horrific accident scene and a high school sophomore has the presence of mind and faith to suggest that before we do anything else, we touch base with God. I nodded and Austin led us in a brief prayer, asking for God’s help as we dealt with this terrible situation.

I exited the bus and made my way over to the passenger side of the crushed Volkswagen. The driver, 47-year-old Becky Barner of Groveland, Florida, was deceased. Her passenger and best friend, Irma Rosario, was banged up but alive. Irma asked, “Is she okay?” I patted her shoulder and replied something along the lines of, “Ambulances are on the way, ma’am. Just take a deep breath and try to remain calm. I’ll stay here with you.”

By that time, a couple of neighbors had exited their homes and our young people were departing the bus on account of the dust particles from the deployed airbags. They were separated into two groups: those that were uninjured and those that were banged up and would need medical attention. The neighbors were kind enough to let us use their restrooms and stayed on the scene until the ambulances, EMT, and various parents arrived. 

The memory from that day left an emotional scar—some scenes can’t be unseen. From that point forward, loading a church van full of young people took on added significance. Seatbelt reminders became visual seatbelt checks. The incident reinforced the notion that a youth minister’s concern for his youth group involves more than just their spiritual condition. It also served as a reminder that life comes at you fast and none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. The time to be ready to meet God is now—at this very moment.

As with most tragedies, blessings emerged. I’m grateful for our alert bus driver, Jim, whose quick action to avoid the tree prevented an even worst catastrophe. I’m thankful Miss Irma recovered from her injuries. I’m grateful for the neighbors who comforted and attended to our shaken young people. These neighbors were so impressed with the composure of our youth that they came to worship with us the following two Sundays. That’s a blessing. And whenever I read “a little child shall lead them” from Isaiah 11:6, I’m reminded of a high school sophomore who, in the heat of the moment, taught us all a valuable lesson on prayer.