2020 Young Life Young Professional Award — Sean and Emily Rorden

By Jonathan Schultz

jan. 13, 2021

When someone mentions “dynamic duo,” who do you think of? I think of Sean and Emily Rorden, recipients of our 2020 Young Professional Award. Unlike some of the duos that may have come to your mind, both Sean and Emily are fine being “sidekicks,” following Jesus as their leader and serving with seemingly superhero-like energy.

Sean and Emily met at the University of California, Santa Barbara — neither having been involved with Young Life in middle school or high school. It wasn’t until after they were married and Sean was teaching in New Orleans, while Emily attended Louisiana State University (LSU) to be a registered nurse, that Sean was given the opportunity to take 13 boys from his Christian high school to Young Life’s SharpTop Cove in Georgia. In Sean’s words, “That was my first true experience with Young Life. I was blown away by the mission, the intentionality and it really sparked an interest to get more involved.”

A few years later, following a move back to California in 2007, Sean was no longer teaching, but now a firefighter. Meanwhile, Emily was working at Cedars-Sinai as a nurse. It was here, in West Hollywood that Sean got in touch with Desiree Singleton, Young Life team leader at West Hollywood Community Day School, and started to lead. Sean led for three years; helping with their weekly lunch club, teaching math and supporting kids in various ways. Meanwhile, Emily helped with special events and supported Sean’s efforts while working towards her nurse practitioner credentials.

Then, in 2010, after Emily got a job in Santa Barbara and the Rordens again relocated, the two contacted then Area Director, Rob Crawford, who introduced the Rordens to Felipe Contreras and the Young Life Santa Barbara East Side ministry. Sean jumped right in, doing contact work, tutoring and helping with club, all while still serving as a firefighter in Los Angeles. At the same time, Emily began hosting dinners, serving on the banquet committee and meeting with women in the Young Life community, while also giving birth to their first child in 2011. The Rordens were just hitting their stride!

Five years later, in 2015, as the Rordens were welcoming their second son, they moved to Pasadena, California, allowing Emily a job that would function better with the needs of their growing family, and reducing the distance to Sean’s work as well. According to Sean and Emily, immediately upon moving, Felipe texted Dave Avramovich, Los Angeles regional director, who lived right down the road and greeted the Rordens only three days later! With a successful connection complete, Sean joined a brand new Young Life ministry at John Muir High School, tutoring and leading club. Though he wasn’t able to give as much as he could in the past, Sean continued to offer what he could; however, while his involvement was declining, Emily’s was actually growing! When the Rordens moved to Pasadena, there was no YoungLives ministry, though there was a desire to see it develop. Emily joined the effort and successfully launched YoungLives in 2018. About this season of ministry, Dave Avramovich said, "When the Rordens moved to Pasadena, we were thrilled to get such high-quality, mature and experienced people into our Young Life community. We had no idea that Sean would lead a high school Young Life team and Emily would start a dynamic YoungLives club." Today, the area has hired a person to oversee the established YoungLives ministry, allowing Emily to focus on her three sons and be involved to the degree she is able.

When asked why they choose to continue to serve through Young Life while juggling the demands of being first responders and parents, Sean is quick to point out, “Once you get involved and are aware of the need, you can’t let go. We believe that God is faithful and will provide in all of the necessary areas. Sometimes I am really tired, but when I show up and see those kids … it’s always redeeming and life-giving.” In Emily’s words, “It’s pretty simple. We just allow God to use us and the resources He has given us. It’s also really rewarding to have those relationships in our life. There’s a lot given back to us as we serve.” The Rordens are also quick to point out that “one of the best ways for our kids to experience the gospel is by seeing it lived out. They are a part of this. It’s important for them to see how resources are used, and it’s an easy way for them to interact with people who are different than them.”

When asked if they might have any encouragement for other Alumni and Friends of Young Life who are considering involvement, Sean and Emily simply said, “Show up. Kids need, Young Life needs … people to show up. A lot of good can from that!”

Sean and Emily, thank you for choosing to “show up” and be a dynamic duo committed to Jesus and others. We are delighted to be able to honor you with our 2020 Young Professional Award, and couldn’t agree more with your friend and regional director when he says, "Juggling full-time jobs (firefighter and neurosurgery nurse practitioner) and three kids of your own, it’s amazing how you make space for kids, leaders, staff and people in the community. The Spirit speaks to you and through you in your words and lifestyle." Thank you!