"Cornerstone has been built on a legacy of loving kids unconditionally," said Jim Bush, executive director. "My goal is to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors. I don't take that legacy lightly."

Jim officially became the new executive director of Cornerstone Youth Center, 95 S. Wilson Ave., Elizabethtown, at the end of September, but he took over the position in an interim role earlier in the summer after the unexpected death of then-director Laurie Shepler.

Jim's wife, Michelle, was the board chair of Cornerstone at the time, and Jim has been a volunteer and teacher at the center. "I've always had a heart for reaching students, especially the ones on the fringes," he said, noting that one of the first things he did was meet with students at Cornerstone to help them process their grief over losing their well-loved director.

While Jim thought he'd fill the role temporarily, he soon realized he wanted to stick around. "I felt God was opening a door for me," he stated. "The longer I was here, the more I saw my skill set could help move the ministry forward." His wife stepped down from the board, and Jim applied for the permanent position.

Although he has a business background that includes working in the real estate industry, Jim also has more than 25 years of experience in youth ministry and serves as an associate pastor of Activ8 Church in Lancaster.

In his new role, he's been putting his background in strategic planning to use holding focus groups with volunteers, students who come to Cornerstone and students who don't, parents, community members and ministry partners. "We want to gather as much information as we can on what's going on in the community and how we can best serve everyone," he stated.

Cornerstone Youth Center offers programming for students in middle school through high school. Kids who come to the center can take advantage of everything from games to homework help, counseling, Bible lessons and a hot meal.

Jim said the youth center faces a few challenges that he plans to tackle head-on, including finding volunteers and raising funds for programming.

"I'm honored to work with the staff and volunteers we have here," he stated. "They are very committed. We're always looking for more help, for volunteers who believe in God and the Gospel and believe in helping and teaching students."

As for fundraising, Jim will spearhead the youth center's participation in the ExtraGive in November. "We're doing a lock-in for students, and then we have board members and volunteers who will be in 'jail' here at the center," he said. "They will have to raise enough money to be bailed out."

When he's not working, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, which includes Michelle and their five children. He's also an avid Eagles fan, and he loves to travel with his wife.

He's excited to see what the future brings for his role at Cornerstone. "I love being invested in the students' lives," he said. "I love helping them discover who they are and who they can be."

For more information on Cornerstone Youth Center or to volunteer, call the office at 717-367-0000.