In Loving Memory of Jenna and Daniel :
-A Personal Article by Danielle Hendricks (close friend of Jenna and Daniel)
On the morning of August 5, 2001, New Hope Church of God experienced what I believe to have been one of the most spectacular services. Shortly after morning service, the afternoon seemed just like another ordinary Sunday. As usual, our youth group headed out to get a bite to eat before going to the mall, but what happened that day was more than I ever expected. I remember the sound of panic as Jenna's mother, Mrs. Sharon Cockrell, heard the news of the accident. The only thing rushing through my mind was, "I need to get to Jenna. I do not want to lose my best friend."

I arrived at the accident scene got as fast as I could, only to find that Daniel, the driver of the car, had died on impact and that only by the grace of God would Jenna survive. God had a plan that day, but not one that I wanted to accept. Yet, ultimately, I know it will bring Him glory. The day of the accident seemed like one of the longest days of my life. I kept repeating over and over in my head, "Please let her be okay." Immediately, I felt God tell me she would be okay. As soon as Mrs. Sharon told us that Jenna was in the presence of the Lord, I fell to my knees and questioned God because He had told me she would be okay. Later, I came to realize that God was right. She was more than okay.

Every Sunday, Jenna was one of the first people to stand, raise her hands, and praise God at the top of her lungs. I can see her now, but there's one thing that is different, she and God are face to face. Jenna has a very outgoing and loving personality. No matter what the time was, if I needed advice, a shoulder to cry on, or just a listening ear, she was there. She has a very big heart, one so big that sometimes I felt like she could feel my pain. I guess one of the benefits of being a pastor's daughter is having the ability to make others feel that everything is going to be all right, and always having a scripture for every one of my situations. If Jenna wasn't helping me with my problems, I was helping her with hers. It was either about school, athletics, or boys. One boy in particular, Daniel, meant a great deal to Jenna.

Regardless of what they went through in their friendship, Jenna had her heart set on him. Something about Jenna and Daniel's friendship just clicked. Jenna always said she loved to watch him worship. Daniel had one of those personalities that everyone had to love. There was never a dull moment in the youth group with Daniel being our entertainment. He always had a smile on his face, a song in his heart, and a groove to his beat. A story that I've heard time and time again is that Daniel rededicated his life Thursday night before the accident on a youth trip.

Though Jenna and Daniel lived short but full lives, they showed me what it means to be really on fire for God. I know that they would want me, their friends, and their families to carry on their flames. They have shown us that earth is just a waiting place, and that we are mortal. We need to show others that heaven and hell are real and not a game to fool with. Though I grieve over them being gone from here, I know that one day I'll see them again.


A Trial of Youth Ministry
-Scott Franklin, Youth Pastor, New Hope Church of God
Over the past ten years, while I have labored for the Lord with Alpha Youth Ministries at New Hope Church of God, the Lord has revealed the depth of true youth ministry. My training throughout the years has included many different seminars and courses on crisis intervention, and many "crisis" issues have come to my door. Some situations involve a parent pleading for assistance in getting their teen "under control." Other times, it has involved a teenager stressing out over the expectations of their parents. The issues over ten years have varied. Teen pregnancy, suicidal tendencies, physical abuse, confusion over sexual identity, drug abuse, and simple teenage rebellion have all been issues I have faced at different points along the way. Fortunately, though, we never had to deal with the death of one of our core youth group members. I remember telling someone in May of this year, "You know what my worst nightmare in youth ministry is?" They responded, "What is that?" And I explained, "The death of one of our key kids." Little did I know, but the statement was seemingly prophetic.

On Sunday, August 5, 2001 my worst nightmare in youth ministry came true. That Sunday morning immediately following the morning worship service, two of our teens died in a car accident. While the Lord received their souls, we relinquished the souls of two "core" kids that were at the heart of our youth ministry. They were not fringe teens who just pop in and pop out of the group. Daniel Jones and Jenna Cockrell knew the heart of God. These were "our" kids. This ministry was "our" youth ministry. I had seen the pain in the eyes of other youth ministers who had been through this type of situation, and I sympathized with them. But this situation was different because I was now the one who was grieving the ministry relationship with each of these kids.

Daniel was heavily involved in the youth ministry. At the drop of a hat, Daniel could be depended on to assist in whatever was needed. From filling in as a member of the security team at outreach concerts to loading luggage on the church bus, Daniel gave his all. On the Thursday night before the accident, Daniel rededicated his life to God while on a youth retreat. He knew that he had been struggling, but he knew that God was worthy of his complete service.

Jenna was involved in many areas of ministry as well. She was committed to developing her voice for service to God. With her heart set on service, Jenna spent a week with us in the ghetto of Chicago with Jesus People USA. This past year, I watched Jenna grow more passionate for Christ. She determined that nothing would get between her and Christ. She passionately served God on this side of heaven, and her commitment to serve him was genuine.

The hospitals were flooded with hundreds of people who had been impacted. At the viewing there were over two thousand people and the funerals attracted over three thousand five hundred people. We had all had a common experience. This experience was the loss of earthly contact with people that we loved so much. These teens had more relationships than we could imagine, and because of these relationships, over forty people committed their hearts to the Lord at the funerals. Each day we hear new reports of salvations connected to these two teenagers. Youth pastors across the area are confirming rededications to Christ in their ministries, a result of Jenna's and Daniel's witnesses.

As believers, we do not grieve like the world (I Thess. 4:13). Today Daniel and Jenna are in the presence of God. They are happier now than they ever have been. All the seeds that were sown in these two lives have come to full fruition, seeds sown by their parents, their friends, their pastors, and their camp counselors. Bringing stability to Jenna's and Daniel's lives, these seeds were sown through relationships. Ministry is not a task to be accomplished. It is a part of who we are as believers. We invest in people for the eternal good.

Our pain is so deep and the anticipated "nightmare" seemed so dark some moments because we grieve the earthly loss of these two teens. After all, relationships are the keys to our hearts. Ministry is about one facet. That one facet is "Relationship." When distance occurs in a relationship, there is grief. Where there is no grief, there is no relationship. Jesus understood this when He predicted his departure to His disciples (John 16:20-22). In their "time of grief," Jesus promised joy when He returned to be in their presence, and He promised them that their joy would never be taken from them. One day we will see our friends face to face again eternally. Then the joy found in our relationship in Christ will never again depart us. Until that time, we rest in the knowledge that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" (Rom. 8:28).

Our purpose, as the student ministry of New Hope Worship Center, is to reach church and community teenagers boldly with the transforming love of Christ. Understanding that "it is a sin to bore a kid with the gospel" we are committed to remaining relevant to a rapidly changing world of teenagers. It's time to connect!
Accepting all young people with God's unconditional love
(I Sam.16:7)
Leading teenagers into the loving arms of Christ
(John 12:32)
Preparing teenagers to be committed disciples of Christ
(I Tim.4:12-16)
Helping teenagers to become "Salt and Light"
(Matt.5:13-16)
Annointing with the Holy Spirit and boldly reaching others.
(Acts 4:31)

http://www.alphayouth.com/common/content.asp?PAGE=160

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Teen-age girl dies from crash injuries
A 15-year-old Martinez girl died Sunday night from injuries she received in a car accident that afternoon.

Jenna Cockrell died about 10 p.m. at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, said Columbia County Coroner Tommy King Sr.

Jenna was riding in a car with 17-year-old Daniel Jones, of Augusta, about 1:30 p.m. when their vehicle crossed a median on Interstate 20 in Columbia County and was hit by another vehicle. Daniel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three others involved in the accident were taken to MCG Hospital. Their injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.