Youth Ministry Leader
maxcritchfield@newharborchurch.com

Biography

Max began to follow Jesus on a weekend retreat in Tahoe when he was a junior in high school. He had the experience of being in a joyful and Christ-centered youth ministry, which is why he is so passionate about youth ministry’s place in the life of the Church. His high school youth ministry was also the place where he met his wife-to-be, Monica, whom he is oh-so-excited to wed in September. He spent a year and a half as the Youth Director of a small rural church in Esparto, California, and is looking forward to graduating at the end of this Spring with a double major in Religious Studies and Music Performance from the University of California, Davis. He is passionate about growing in his love for both Jesus and his bride-to-be, and for the chance to guide the students of NHCC into loving and abiding relationships with Jesus Christ.

Favorite Things

Music has been an integral part of my life since I wanted to play the saxophone in the fourth grade. I love listening to music of all kinds, and I love to rock out on the drums or the guitar.

I love to read! It started with science fiction when I was in Junior High and now has spread to the classics of literature (like the stuff that they make you read in High School) and things by godly authors who illuminate the Christian life in ways that I could never have thought of. My favorite authors include A.W. Tozer, C.S. Lewis, Piers Anthony, Clive Cussler, Richard Foster, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

As far as movies go, I can say that I appreciate everything except horror movies. My dad forced me to watch Alien when I was eleven years old, and I’ve been traumatized ever since. (He had to sleep in my bed for three nights in a row because I thought the Alien guy was going to pop out of my closet.)

My other hobbies include doing crossword puzzles, riding my road bike, organizing things, playing ultimate frisbee, and going to the beach.

Life Scriptures

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8