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The Ongoing Connection of Young Life
Anita Blough Smith's Journey
By Jonathan Schultz
Sep. 13, 2021
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV
In the summer of 1969, Anita Blough Smith was a rising high school senior from Rockford, Illinois, enjoying what truly was in her words, “The best week of my life!” at Young Life’s Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado. It was there that Anita began trusting and following Jesus, a decision that would serve to launch an incredible journey. One year later, following high school graduation, Anita was again in Colorado, but this time attending College Prep Camp at Star Ranch. Then, again, following a year in college, she was back in Colorado for a week, serving as a Young Life leader at Frontier Ranch with the Rockford group at the request of area director, Jack Fortin, who recognized Anita’s gifts, and wondered what her plans were for the future.
Upon returning home, Anita went to work for a “temp” agency, during which she worked for an upper manager at Boise/Cascade. Based on her clear administrative giftedness, Anita was offered a well-paying, full-time administrative job in this fast-growing business. Returning home with this offer in mind, Anita was greeted by a letter from Young Life, offering her an interview for a cashier’s position in income processing. What would Anita do? Accept the high-paying job with a solid business where she lived, or the lower-paying position with a nonprofit organization several states away? In a significant act of trust, given she had no transportation to Colorado Springs and little money, Anita declined the more lucrative job in Chicago. Immediately upon making this decision, Anita received a phone call from one of her girlfriends who just happened to be driving to Fort Collins, Colorado, in a few days to visit her sister, and she invited Anita to come along. So, with $20 in her purse, Anita road-tripped to Fort Collins. From there, she caught a $5 bus to Colorado Springs, and walked into the Young Life “headquarters” job interview offer in hand, but without an appointment! Incredibly, an interview ensued and Jim Galvin offered Anita her first job with Young Life; however, there were a few boxes still left unchecked. Where would Anita stay that night? How would she get home? What would her parents’ reaction be? How would she get back to Colorado Springs, and where would she live? Well, as Proverbs 3:6 says, “he will make your paths straight.”
Following her job interview, Anita struck up a conversation with the front office receptionist, who offered her a place to stay for that night. Through that connection, Anita was introduced to an elderly Christian widow who rented her extra bedroom for $50 a month and secured a place to live that her parents would approve of! The following morning, returning to Young Life HQ, a casual conversation with a female employee led to the discovery that they would be living near each other and she offered to give Anita a ride to and from work each day, which was another answer to an unspoken prayer! At this point, Mary Stam became curious about Anita’s presence in the lobby and asked her what was going on. After hearing her story, Mary revealed that she happened to be driving to Chicago the very next day! Mary didn’t just drop Anita off in Chicago; rather, she took her home to Rockford and joined Anita and her parents for lunch, thereby validating the organization and Anita’s decision to her parents. As a result, Anita’s parents drove her to Colorado Springs two weeks later, and she began her new job in September 1971.
Over the course of the next 50 years, Anita’s connection to Young Life was always there, though her involvement changed with the twists and turns of life. In the early months, she was a cashier, but also served as a Young Life leader at Manitou Springs High School. During that time she was involved in weekend camps at Silver Cliff, with Bob Mitchell and others. It was also during these early days that she forged a lasting friendship with Millie Carter, and ended up working as John Carter’s secretary in January 1972, at the age of 19. Anita worked for John until 1975 when she was married; and again from 1977 to 1979 when her daughter was born. For the next decade, Anita was focused on raising a young family; however, in the early ’90s, recognizing the lack of Young Life she voluntarily began the work in Castle Rock, Colorado, forming a committee and serving as the chair, fundraising, sending the very first group to Castaway Club and growing the local mission from 1994 to 1998.
Then, following a move back to Colorado Springs, Anita rejoined the Young Life Income Processing team. Around the same time, the Young Life RTD (Recruiting, Training, Deploying) office was growing, and Anita was given the opportunity to join the team. Anita worked closely with staff and seminary partners during these two years.
Yet again, in 2000 the Lord had a different assignment for Anita outside of Young Life. At that time, friend of Young Life and attorney, John Wylie, had need for a legal secretary and Anita had the skills. For the next seven years, Anita served at the law firm until a move took her temporarily out of town for several months. By early 2008 she was working once again at Young Life part time. Then, based on a call from Richard Kaiser to a mutual friend, Anita began a 12-year role as executive assistant to the CEO for the PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association).
Through all of this, Anita has kept her connection to Young Life alive, stating, “God just kept allowing me to come back … Young Life was home.” Today, if you were to visit the Young Life Service Center, you might find Anita sitting at the front desk, covering the base as a volunteer, greeting people as they enter. In Anita’s words, “Back in 1971 I was a clueless kid. In fact, throughout my life God has picked me up and created a way. In the midst of all the jobs and moves, I never actually applied for any of them! My entire life I have prayed, ‘Just use me.’ As I look back, even to 1969 and that moment on a rock at Frontier Ranch, I can say ‘He heard me!’”
Anita, thank you for your over 50 years of ongoing service to, and impact through, Young Life. Your courage, obedience and trust in the Lord is an inspiration to us all and has made an eternal impact on many.
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