Be Kind, Be Curious, Seek to Understand
For this month’s Difference Maker, we interviewed Mountain Youth’s newest board member, Aaron Strietzel, Pastor at United Methodist Church in Eagle. Aaron, originally from Wisconsin and with ties to Durango, CO, moved with his family to Eagle in June 2023 to share his passion for spiritual growth and community involvement. A pastor since 2016, he focuses on building a supportive and welcoming environment, especially for youth.
Aaron looks for ways to understand and help people who might not feel like they originally belong to find a place of connection and support. He is driven by a mission to serve the larger community and exemplifies this through the programming offered at United Methodist Church.
Aaron and the church offer after-school programs, a free community dinner, and a breakfast club for local kids and families. His work creates a strong community bond and supports youth who may feel isolated, especially in a tech-driven world. He emphasizes the importance of kindness, curiosity, and building relationships.
When asked what the strengths of youth in our community are, Aaron reflected on the strong community feel of Eagle County where youth can create meaningful connections, the availability of outdoor activities, and supportive organizations, like Mountain Youth and Mountain Pride.
Aaron’s approach provides a protective factor for youth and families, helping them connect and grow. “Just showing up, being there and developing a relationship over time is one of the most important things you can do”, says Aaron. His sage advice for youth is to be kind and be curious, seek to understand people who might think or look or behave differently from you. Words of advice we all can incorporate into our lives.
You can find more about United Methodist Church and their programs at https://www.umcofeaglevalley.org/about-us.
We’re excited for the positive impact Aaron will bring to our community and Mountain Youth’s work!