Nick Ketterman
YFC Juvenile Justice Ministry Site Director
.jpeg)
Nick Ketterman
Juvenile Justice Ministry Site Director
About Nick
I was born and raised in Southwest, Missouri. I married my high school sweet heart, Courtney, in 2014 and we have been blessed with three children: Faith, Everest, and Justice. Some of our favorite things to do as a family are to play board games, go to amusement parks, and go on bike rides. Courtney really enjoys homeschooling our children, gardening, and studying natural medicine. In my free time I enjoy basketball, drag racing, and canoeing.
Testimony
Even with growing up in church most of my life, l had a very broken and sinful childhood, especially during my teenage years. During this time, I pursued all sorts of wickedness like drunkenness, drugs, and sexual sin. However, after the things I had tried to find my identity in (basketball & friends) left me broken, my life was radically changed my Senior year of high school by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. At the age of 21, I received my calling into missions. I worked two years as a campus missionary with the Missouri State Baptist Student Union. During that time, I was connected with a ministry that did outreach at low income apartments and the Lord started stirring my heart toward the at-risk and vulnerable population. That passion and calling for sharing the gospel with at-risk youth has continued to grow, working in different group homes and for the Juvenile Justice system in Missouri.
Family
My wife, Courtney, grew up in Sparta, Missouri. We met through some mutual friends while we were juniors in high school. Even though we weren’t following Jesus when we first started dating, it is incredible how the Lord has redeemed and brought us together. We were married on May 24, 2014 and have three children Faith, Everest, and Justice.
YFC Ministry
In August of 2022 I have joined the ministry team at Youth for Christ of Polk County. At YFC, the ministry team firmly believes that the salvation of Jesus Christ can reach and change the lives of teenagers no matter their troubled circumstances. YFC ministry teams are actively sharing the word of God in neighborhood groups, wilderness camps, and detention centers throughout Polk County. My specific role on the team is to serve as the Juvenile Justice Site Director at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Bartow, FL. This facility houses males and female juvenile offenders between the ages of 10-18. I will be providing chaplaincy services to around 40 to 50 youth through a team of staff and volunteers. Programs will include weekly chapel services, one-on-one faith conversations, community outreach, and more.
How You Can Help
As much as I and the rest of the staff team enjoy sharing the Gospel and our life’s with hurting youth, there is no way we can do this on our own. We need volunteers in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Lake Wales, and surrounding areas who will serve directly with students. Also, with your financial and prayerful support, you can help missionaries like myself reach these teenagers with the Gospel. Perhaps you can give a one time gift or set-up monthly reoccurring support. From our ministry team and I, thank you so much for considering supporting this ministry. God Bless!