Meet Youth Ministry Assistant Aubrey Volpert: Evangelizing and Sharing God’s Love

For the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church who have been around for a while, our new Youth Ministry Assistant isn’t a new face. Aubrey Volpert grew up in our parish and was greatly influenced by his experiences in the youth ministry programs here. In fact, he was so impacted by them, that he greatly desired an opportunity to work in youth ministry as well. He prayed to God to provide him an opportunity to work in this ministry.

“While I was searching for my vocation and my calling, I started to pray for a position to open up where I could work in youth ministry," Aubrey says. "One day, while I was at church, Christie Powell approached me and said she was looking for an assistant."

Aubrey grew up going to Mass simply because his family was attending. But after being involved in several youth ministry programs, and then attending a couple of conferences and going on a mission trip, he embraced his own faith and found a deeper relationship with God.

“When I discovered youth ministry within the parish, I really discovered my own faith," he says. "I really felt God’s love for me and I took responsibility for my relationship with Him. I was always coming to Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) at the parish. I enjoyed helping with junior high and I discovered a passion for teaching the faith.”

It was during an Alive In You conference and service camp that Aubrey really felt the desire to spread God’s love through working with children and teens. There is a lot of pain and suffering in the world, but he realized that sharing the love of Christ was a very important way that he was able to help others.

“For the service part of the conference, we were helping in a daycare in a really rough part of the city in Mobile, Ala," he says. "It was very eye-opening to the experiences that a lot of these

kids have. I wanted to be able to have an impact on these children. It is so important to have a firm foundation in God. Having that foundation can really help you through whatever you are going through."

In high school, Aubrey transferred to the Catholic school and began to discern the priesthood. He went to the seminary for a year and a half before he discerned that God was calling him to a different vocation. He transferred to the University of Central Arkansas and received a degree in Communications. After graduation, he ended up back at the parish, and that is where Christie asked him if he was interested in this position.

“It was really cool for me to pray and discern where I wanted to end up in life in terms of a job and how to best serve God," Aubrey says. "It was such a profound message for me from God when I got a job here, coming home to Immaculate Conception. I am passionate and confident in my abilities to teach and serve."

Aubrey's new job requires him to do a little bit of everything. He helps with scheduling, attending meetings, picking up food and giving lectures. “It is really just an all-in-one kind of job!" he says. "I wear many tiny hats!”

John Paul II said, “Let yourselves be taken over by the light of Christ, and spread that light wherever you are.” This quote embodies the path that Aubrey has taken throughout his life. From growing in deeper relationship with Christ as a youth, to discerning God’s plan for his life through college and career, he has taken every moment to evangelize and share God’s love with those he encounters. His energy and passion for Christ will serve the youth of our parish well.

Aubrey Volpert