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2022 Distinguished Alumni Award – John and Kris Colston
By Jonathan Schultz
According to dictionary.com, the first definition of “distinguished” is “to be made conspicuous by excellence.” Our 2022 Distinguished Young Life Alumni award recipients are truly marked by “conspicuous excellence” in all facets of life, including family, friendships, business and service to and through the Young Life mission. It is with gratitude and great honor that we recognize John and Kris Colston as our 2022 award recipients.
As president and owners of a fourth-generation company (Virginia Imports, LTD), John and Kris understand the value and impact of excellence over a long period of time. Whether leading the 140 employees of what they refer to as their “first” family business (Virginia Imports, LTD), investing in the abundance of relationships in their family and community (Oakton, Virginia) or serving through what they refer to as the “other” family business (Young Life), John and Kris are not only committed to “conspicuous excellence,” but conspicuous love, service and generosity.
Before they were “the Colstons,” Kris remembers growing up in Young Life with a father who was a high school principal, her parents serving on the local committee and club hosted in their home. While in college at George Mason University, Kris met with area director, Rick Beckwith, and began leading at Oakton High School. The year was 1986 and Kris continued to lead until 2002.
John, on the other hand, did not grow up in Young Life; however, he did grow up with Rick Beckwith! John and Rick attended junior high and high school together and Rick invited John to his first Young Life club in 1974. The two went to Saranac in 1975 where John met the Lord and then returned on work crew a year later. Following high school graduation, John headed to LaFayette College in Pennsylvania, where he served as a volunteer leader for three years. After college, John moved to New Jersey for his first job and drove Young Life buses to and from Frontier Ranch for one summer. Three years later, as his old friend Rick was starting a new Young Life area in Northern Virginia, John moved back home to join the family business and moved in with him. It was in this season, as John and Kris were leading at Oakton, that the two met, got to know each other, fell in love and were eventually wed in 1989. All these years later, having raised two boys (Mitch and his wife, Jess, are currently on property staff at Carolina Point!) and serving in many different Young Life roles, John and Kris are still in Oakton.
In the words of long-time friend and Young Life divisional discipleship coordinator, Rick Beckwith, “John and Kris have together, as a beautifully dedicated team, provided inspiration, leadership and the investment of resources to grow Young Life in the U.S. and around the world. They served as leaders on a high school team for a decade and continue to walk with scores of former club kids. They have served on camp development boards, regional boards, and provide wise counsel for many mission leaders in executive positions. They embody the Christ-centered relational DNA that marks this mission!”
As you can see, the Colstons have quite a Young Life resume — including all that is in the quote above — and currently serving on the Capital Region board and The Wild Ridge Executive Campaign Committee.
When asked how their involvement with Young Life has impacted their approach to the rest of life, the Colstons are quick to say, “Whether with work or neighbors, we’ve learned it’s all about relationships! Whenever we gather with people, we can’t do so without thinking of a mixer, a ‘cabin time’ question or activities that will help people relax and connect.”
As long-time contributors to the mission of Young Life, John and Kris want to encourage both staff and volunteers to “keep going. This is a worthy cause. It’s hard, but so important.” For those considering involvement, the Colstons are quick to point out that their marriage and family are stronger because of their involvement. “We have experienced the most amazing adventures and the most incredible community as we have served in and through Young Life.” Continuing to reflect on why they have given so much of themselves to ministry through Young Life for so long, John says, “Young Life does an amazing job presenting Jesus to kids. This is what we know to be true and want to support — it is amazing to see a kid go from death to life!”
John and Kris, to quote you, “this is what WE know to be true,” that we are grateful for you and deeply honored to recognize you as our 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients!
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