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PROVIDING CHAPLAINCY TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS MARGINALIZED IN KING COUNTY A THESIS PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR IN MINISTRY BY JULIE LAMAY VAUGHN MAY 2017 Copyright © 2017 by Julie LaMay Vaughn. All Rights Reserved. To my mother, Lou Ethel Edison, who passed away May 7, 2016, and my father, Louis Edison, who passed March 13, 2001. Mom and Dad, I know you are smiling down from heaven and watching over me as I cross this milestone in life. I know that you both would be proud of me right now. I miss you both very much. CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS viii ABSTRACT ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1 The Problem and Its Setting 1 Definition of Terms 9 The Purpose of This Study 14 Project Design 15 Summary 17 2. THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK 19 3. LITERATURE REVIEW 51 What Is Marginalization? 51 What Characterizes Marginalized Youth? 51 How Many Youth Are Marginalized? 52 What Can Be Done to Address the Needs? 52 Maslow’s Hierarchy 57 Physiological Needs 59 Housing Needs 65 Educational Needs 67 Community Needs 68 iv Spiritual Care 70 Spiritual Needs of Children 71 Christian Hope 76 Where Is the Hope? 78 4. PROJECT RESEARCH AND SURVEY RESULTS 82 Survey 1: Emotional and Spiritual Needs of Marginalized Youth 83 Survey 2: Educational Needs of Marginalized Youth 94 Survey 3: Community Leaders’ Responses 103 to Needs of Marginalized Young People 5. INTERVIEWS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS 110 Interview Question 1 110 Interview Question 2 116 Interview Question 3 119 Interview Questions 4, 6, and 7 123 Interview Question 8 129 Interview Question 9 136 Interview Question 10 136 Interview Question 11 136 Interview Question 12 138 Interview Question 13 141 Interview Question 14 143 6. REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 147 Appendix 156 v A SURVEYS 156 B SURVEY 3: COMMUNITY LEADERS’ RESPONSES 157 TO QUESTIONS ON COMMUNITY NEEDS C INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 174 D RESOURCES 176 E LIST OF INTERVIEWEES 180 BIBLIOGRAPHY 181 VITA 186 vi ILLUSTRATIONS Tables Table 1: Question 3, What is your faith denomination? 67 Table 2: Question 5, What were your most favorite experiences in working with youth in the community? 68 vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS One day I began to ask God, How can I sharpen my pastoral skills in the twenty- first century, and how else can I serve you more emotionally, spiritually, and physically? The Holy Spirit led me to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I thank my mentor, Dr. Gordon Isaac, and Dr. David Currie, Dr. Ken Swetland, and Dr. Bryan Auday for your informing, transforming, and empowering teaching and guidance. A special thank you to DMin Assistant Director Bridget Erickson for keeping me on course, and Dr. Jacqueline Dyer for your spiritual encouragement. Thank you to all the Gordon-Conwell DMin students who have inspired me with your skill, passion, and friendship. I also had close friends who inspired me and wrote letters of recommendation on my behalf. My sincere thanks to my former pastor, Dr. Rev. Dwight Jones, Mrs. Janice Waddy, and Lydia Harper for your words of encouragement. Special friends Peju O. Babalola, and Theresa Bianchi came to Boston to visit me while I was attending the writers’ workshop. Thank you, Dr. Rev. Pamela Jones Lewis, for the recommendation letters and friendship along the way; you are genuine. A special thank you to my sisters, brothers, children and grandchildren. My sincere thanks to Pastor Aaron William at Mount Zion Baptist Church for spiritual support, Dr. Georgia McDade and Rev. Dr. Phyllis Beaumonte, and Pastor Darlene Bundage. I thank God for his unfailing grace and love towards me to share with others pastoral care through Hope Angels Ministry to seek and save those that are lost. viii ABSTRACT The thesis topic “Providing Spiritual Care to the Youth and Young Adults Marginalized in King County” was examined. Marginalization occurs when people are excluded systematically from meaningful participation and thus are denied the opportunity to fulfill themselves as human beings. This research writer studied marginalization. Research methodology consisted of qualitative and quantitative data of personal interviews and surveys. This research writer provided spiritual assessment of community leaders to determine the needs of the community. As a result of the findings this writer the founder of Hope Angels Ministry will continue to provide greater spiritual care to those marginalized. ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The Problem and Its Setting Many young people in King County, Washington, have weakened or severed family ties, are subject to marginalization,1 and are not connected to churches, schools, YWCA’s Boys & Girls Club, or a formal workplace. These youth are vulnerable; they live in poor housing, experience poverty, and lack education, skills, and spiritual care. They often lack access to community resources that are available. The faces of the marginalized were and are legion. Today, they can be seen as dropouts from school. Or they can be seen as homeless persons sleeping on business doorsteps, under trees, on sidewalks, in shelters, in abandoned buildings, or shelters. They can be seen sleeping under bridges in King County. Ministers of the gospel are to be concerned with their spiritual needs; this is a godly command to live out the Great Commission. Hope Angels Ministry In living out the Great Commission this writer saw a need to organize Hope Angels Ministry in December 2012 in Newport News, VA., and moved to Kent WA in 2014. This organization was founded on Christian values in concern with spiritual needs of the unfortunate individuals. Hope Angels Ministry is an organization with a mandate of serving, caring, and empowering the well-being of others through pastoral care. Hope Angels Ministry offers chaplain service that includes: part time and full time mentor assistance to work related issues. Bereavement care, staff crisis management, funeral 1 For a definition of terms used in this thesis-project, see the section “Definition of Terms” below. 1