By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

I met a remarkable young man this week in a little town outside Pittsburgh called Ambridge. The young man, whose name is Ian Rawn, has a warm handshake, an engaging smile, and a wonderful sense of humor. He is 17 years old, has an older sister who is 25 (studying this year in Italy) and a younger brother at home who is about 14.

His father, Jeff, who left a successful business in Arkansas, moved his family to Pennsylvania three years ago, recently graduated from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, and will be ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church on Saturday.

Ian and his family are eagerly anticipating the impressive service in downtown Pittsburgh. In December, Ian's father will be ordained to the priesthood. His mother, Cindy, is a lovely woman, a gracious host, and a wonderful gardener. Oh, she can flat cook, too!

In Ian's room, the thing that catches your attention is the huge poster picturing Ian holding the Olympic Torch high over his head just prior to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Ian carried the torch as one of the many runners who brought the torch from Greece, across America, and on to Atlanta. Ian's community honored the young man as a “local hero,” thereby giving his the honor of carrying the torch. His face beams with pride when he tells you the story of the torch.

Also found throughout Ian's bedroom are the typical signs and symbols of teen manhood. A team baseball picture here, a bowling trophy there, a baseball trophy over there ... it's the kind of room you would expect to find in a typical 17-year-old's domicile. He is understandably proud of his many accomplishments.

Like many boys his age, Ian has a summer job, serving as a “bag boy” as a local supermarket. I was a bag boy during college days, so Ian and I discussed the proper and improper ways to bag groceries, the pleasant surprise of getting a few bucks in tips, and the ordeal of having to deal with shoppers who are rude and abrupt.

Ian enjoys music and, last Tuesday evening, attended a Michael Card concert and brought home an autograph from the popular Christian singer. Ian would like to be part of a church music group sometime soon and even has visions of leading a music group someday. As for me, I wanted to be a rock star. But, an inability to either sing or play guitar hampered that goal. Perhaps Ian will do better than I.

Ian is a faithful member of the youth group at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church just a few miles down the road in a neighboring town. His dad is a staff member at the church, but Ian has always enjoyed church and it really wouldn't matter to him if his dad was on staff or not. Ian just loves the Lord and enjoys being with other people who do.

Last Tuesday evening, I received some news from home that caused me some deep concern. Ian saw the pain on my face and read the somberness in my eyes. The young man didn't know what to say to this older, gray-headed priest, but I will always remember his coming over quietly and laying his hand on my shoulder, in a demonstration of compassion and support.

You would think that everyone would fall in love with such a wonderful young man, and most do. But, sadly, young men like Ian are targets for the predators that prowl among us, looking for decent and gentle people to bully and torment. Cindy will not allow Ian to go by himself to the local school to shoot hoops in the afternoon anymore. The young thugs who have invaded the neighborhood have made Ian the object of their brutal natures.

In fact, the Rawns are moving soon and hope to relocate closer to St. Stephen's Church. They own a beautiful home, but, for Ian the neighborhood is too often unsafe these days. The next town down the road will provide a better environment and greater opportunities for Ian. Although home-schooled this past year, he is looking forward to enrolling in the public high school in his new town.

Ian is mentally retarded. But neither he nor his family have allowed that situation to hamper his enthusiasm, diminish his dreams, or curtail his goals. As he shared his thoughts and dreams recently, I had no doubt that the future would be good to this likable youth. The other night, his mom thanked me for spending about an hour just talking with him.

She needn't have done that, for the honor and pleasure were all mine. Ian Rawn is a great conversationalist and an all-round great kid. Besides, he's the only person I ever met who actually carried the torch for the 1996 Olympic Games.

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Church in the south metro Atlanta area. He may be contacted online at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or visit the website at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com.]

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