The future of our nation, our leaders, our ministries, and our tomorrow hinges on the youth of today. Mentoring the younger generation is critical for a successful future. If there is a lack of mentoring, perhaps it is because many people do not realize the value of investing their time or they cannot envision the impact made by pouring themselves into the younger generation. This is not the case, however, with Larry Dickens.

Larry has been involved with youth choirs for 40 years and has led several hundred students through YouthCUE.  Larry acknowledges that YouthCUE is not a program. It is a ministry which positively connects those in adolescence with life skills for their future. This positive connection is achieved through the gift of music, communicating to young people the life-giving hope of Christ. He does not view his role as simply a choir director, but as a worship coach who implements leadership and teamwork.

The life changing opportunities given to many of his students would be impossible without this organization. Larry senses students are looking for depth and beauty. They are creating their own fad and allowing youth choir to become a cool “counter cultural” thing to do. The students enjoy traveling. They thrill to the harmony their voices create and find solidarity as those same voices sing in perfect unison. Larry believes nothing can replace a great youth choir experience and certainly Facebook can never take the place of the “face time” students encounter together.

Larry not only values what YouthCUE brings to his students, but also what it brings to him personally. Whether it is crisis support during tragedy, nationwide festival experiences, round-table connections, mission trips or even mentoring other worship coaches, Larry cherishes the support of other leaders. Their friendship and comradery create a winning experience for both leaders and students.

When asked what his most significant YouthCUE experience has been, Larry says,

“One of my choirs had the privilege of serving as an honor choir at the Nation’s Capital Festival in 2011. It was a life changing event for our students. When our 110 choir members entered the National Cathedral to lead the first half of the concert, they were greeted by a group of 400 supporters from their hometown. Parents, grandparents & friends drove over six hours to be present at this incredible event. They premiered an anthem written by Dan Goeller, in honor of two youth choir members who had died. I still get goose bumps thinking about that evening. A true highlight of my many years of youth choir ministry. None of this would have been possible without YouthCUE and Randy Edwards.”

YouthCUE is the only organization in the country focused solely on the development and support of faith based youth choir ministry. Larry remains passionate about YouthCUE’s goal of instilling Scripture into the hearts and minds of young people through the power of music, friendship and a personal relationship with Christ. With forty years of experience behind him, Larry Dickens sees YouthCUE as an important piece of hope for a beautiful and better tomorrow.