DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120266

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS 

SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   80 lines

KEITH LOWRY AREA DIRECTOR, WESTERN TIDEWATER YOUNG LIFE

Keith Lowry believes you shouldn't just spend time but you should invest it wisely in the lives of others.

Lowry also has a deep love for God and a compassionate heart for young people. That's why his job as Area Director of Western Tidewater Young Life is a perfect combination of all the above.

Lowry, 30, has been involved in Young Life leadership since the early '90s. He took a few years off to do counseling full time, but his love for this ministry led him back to Young Life.

``I called the regional office to check about the possibility of starting Young Life in Suffolk,'' Lowry said. ``That same week in May 1996 some concerned parents in Suffolk called the regional office with the same request.''

During the summer of '96 Hunter Clement, a Suffolk resident and former Young Life member, held informational meetings in her home to introduce residents to this national youth program.

In October, a banquet held at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center gave community leaders, pastors and business leaders an opportunity to examine the Young Life ministry first-hand. As local support mounted, Lowry put together a 18-member committee and a visionary 20-member board.

In the spring, Lowry launched the first citywide Young Life Club Meeting in a conference room at Barton Ford. By the close of the school year, Young Life Club was averaging 50 teens per week. A Campaigners Bible Study in the summer averaged 25 participants and 18 young people attended a Young Life Camp.

``Our focus for this year is to continue to build connections,'' Lowry said. ``We want to invite all kids interested in hearing about Christ to come to Club and Campaigners.''

Weekly meetings are on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the building next to Barton Ford. Campaigners will meet every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the same location.

This year's Young Life Banquet is Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church, 237 N. Main St. Call 757-399-3664 for further information.

What brought you to Hampton Roads? I have lived here all my life with the exception of four years in college and one year with Young Life in Roanoke.

Birthday/Hometown: Aug. 30, 1967, in Chesapeake.

Fondest childhood memory: Visiting family during summer vacations in Washington State.

Pets: Two dogs: Topper, a Chinese shar-pei, and Chetney, a Yorkshire Terrier.

Marital status/children: I'm married to Noelle and we have one son, John Thomas, who turns one this month.

First job/Worst job: First job was a deck hand on the Elizabeth River Ferry; Worst job was a short-order cook at the Marlin Club.

Occupation: Area Director of Young Life of Western Tidewater and both in-home and private counselor

If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? Honestly, none. I believe investing in lives is so important.

What is your favorite hangout? The den with my wife and 1-year-old.

What's your favorite night out on the town? Dinner at Main Streets Restaurant, a movie at the Commodore and late night walks on the beach.

Favorite movie/TV show: ``Forrest Gump''/``Seinfeld''

Book you wish everyone would read: THE Book, specifically Psalms

Ideal vacation: Caribbean cruise

I can't resist . . . . Oysters and ice cream

Few people know that . . . I actually enjoy house decorating and my favorite magazine is ``Southern Living.''

Most embarrassing moment: When my wife met my ex-fiance!

What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? Two stand out. First, my wife's words, ``Lift the toilet seat!'' And second, my father's advice, ``The way you live life speaks much louder than the words you say.''

What is the best thing about yourself? I don't take myself too seriously.

If you could trade places with anyone, who would it be and why? Anyone who owns a nice sailboat so that I could go sailing for days at a time.

What achievements are you most proud of? Being a husband and father

Something you'd like to say but haven't: I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the youth in Suffolk and thankful for those of you who have made it possible. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

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