By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 18, 2003

"Cast all your worries on Jesus, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Reflecting on that Scripture verse, people of faith realize that - Jesus invites everyone to "Lean on Me."

"Lean on Me" is the theme of the Diocese of Sioux City's Youth Rally '03 slated for Oct. 26 at Kuemper High School in Carroll. The theme was selected by the Diocesan Core Group.

Facilitated by the core group, the youth rally will once again kick off with the presentation of the Youth Ministry Awards.

The keynote speaker of the day is Vince Nims, the "Roamin' Catholic" message and music minister known as "The Banana Guy." He is based out of San Jose, Calif.

Dr. Stephan Davis, director of youth and intergenerational ministry for the diocese, pointed out that last year was his first youth rally. He was impressed with the keynote in 2002 and wanted to offer a similar music/message mixture this year.

"I asked other directors about possible speakers. Vince did Davenport's version of the youth rally last year," noted Davis, who then spoke with the presenter in person. After listening to his music, the diocesan youth minister knew he had found this year's keynote.

Nims serves the church through music, workshops, keynotes, community building and more. Nims appeared at World Youth Day in Paris, national youth conferences in the United States and he travels full-time across the country sharing his unique ministry. He gets the job done with the help of his Religious Studies degree, fatherhood, over ten years of parish and diocesan youth ministry experience, and astute pizza connoisseur skills.

The presenter's mission is to move people towards Christ, captivating them with God's plan with a Christ-centered, biblically-based ministry. Nims proclaims, "We are ready as we'll never be to embrace God!"

According to reports about his presentations, Nims' real-life messages bring crowds to an attentive, softhearted, silly place.

Helping to set the tone for the keynote address will be Jim Doyle, a member of St. Joseph Church in Salix, who will lead the music at the rally.

"I am looking forward to my role as music leader for the rally. I really enjoy leading worship music and my prayer is that through the music the students will draw close to the God who has brought them there. This in turn will help open them to the speakers of the day," said Doyle, who has been a choir member and cantor in Salix and previously at Cathedral for about 24 years.

For the last three years he has been music leader for camp CAYOCA. In Salix, he is also helping to organize student-led Mass once a month. He will help in directing the music and playing guitar for that liturgy. Doyle will also lead the music at the two youth rally Masses along with a few teens rather than a large youth choir. Organizers hope this better encourages the congregation of youth to join in the singing.

Davis pointed out that as in the past few years, the group will be split once again for Mass and workshops due to the numbers. Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo will celebrate both Masses.

"Once again there will be a variety of workshops," said Davis. "There will be a choice of about 15 workshops."

Tying in with the theme of Camp CAYOCA and Catechetical Sunday, one workshop will be centered on peace. Paul Kreier will offer a workshop titled "Christian Music 101." The band Level Headed, a Christian rock band from Boone, will perform prior to the closing dance. One workshop will focus on the chastity program True Love Waits and another will explore movies in relation to teen faith.

"I heard Level Headed play in Ames at Iowa State," noted Davis. "I thought they were just great and I couldn't wait to get them to play at our youth rally."

The Diocese of Sioux City hosts the largest youth rally in the state, generally drawing more than 1,500 high school students.

Davis expressed gratitude to the volunteers from the Kuemper community that help make the rally a success.

Youth interested in attending the rally are asked to sign up through their parish youth group or school. All registrations are to be returned to the diocesan office by Oct. 15. Cost to attend the rally is $15 per person, youth or adult.

For more information contact Davis via e-mail at stephand@scdiocese.org or Judy Forrest at (712) 233-7520.