The voices escaped from the room through the open windows. Even though temperatures were low this time of year, the room was warm and comfortable.

The dim lights in the back of the church accentuated the spotlight on the five-piece band on the stage like a straight ray of light shinning beyond the ceiling.

Boys and girls of high- and middle-school age jumped energetically, others sat or just stood and listen attentively to every word the young man in the front said.

Their arms extended like multiple tentacles, they sang of love, Jesus and salvation.

Pastor Corey Goetz, the 29-year old who could easily be mistaken for a high school student, stood on the stage and enthusiastically led the weekly reunion at Cornerstone Assembly of God Signet youth group that meets to worship, pray, teach, learn and relate.

"This is an opportunity for me to make a difference in someone's life," Goetz said.

He remembers the time during his parents' divorce and how his youth pastor stepped in and became his father figure.

"He made a difference in my life and I wanted be able to give that opportunity back to some other people," he said.

Working with teenagers is one of his priorities.

"They just want someone to be real. If there is anyone who can sniff out who you are it's a teenager," Goetz says as he excused himself to answer the phone.

He continued, "The underlying issue is that they all want to be accepted. Everyone's biggest need in to be loved and one of the biggest problems is that kids are not being loved."

Goetz and his wife, Angie, moved to Austin in the summer of 1998. Fresh out of North Central Bible College, the couple learned of the opportunity in Austin to serve as youth pastor. After two weeks in Austin, Corey Goetz said it felt as if he was coming home.

"It's been great. We've had a steady growth. When we first started there were only about 15 kids in the youth group and now have about 60," Angie Goetz said.

With their focus on working with teenagers, the Goetz's work at the high school as an assistant soccer coach and as an assistant dance team instructor, respectively.

"We do what we can to get into the community," Corey Goetz said.

Last year the Goetz's put together a community service project called Earthbeat. The youth group goes into the community and looks for projects.

The group seeks activities such as cleaning areas in the city and then found sponsors for the eight hours of work. The money helps to fund the group's activities during the year.

In the 350 hours of community service, the group raised more than $5,000.

"It shows the students that they need to be getting involved in the community because they are part of it just like everybody else is," Corey Goetz said.

"Corey has been a good mentor for me," said Paul Flynn, a youth group member.

Flynn said the youth group has gotten him through some tough times in his life, such as the separation of his parents and dealing with depression.

A member of the youth group for about six years, Flynn also plays in the band.

While working with Corey Goetz as a youth leader, Flynn said Goetz has made the group a place where members feel comfortable enough to go and talk to someone.

"The message kids get here is a message of hope that I can take with them when they leave. I think that's made all the difference for me," Flynn said.

David Jordan can attest to the same message. The 19-year-old is also a youth leader said he said he has had a great teacher who has influence him.

"Corey can act like any other teenager. We can talk to him just like we would talk to any other teenager. He is approachable and that's what makes him such an effective teacher," Jordan said.

Corey credits the rest of the adult leaders for their help and making his job much easier.

"I would be sunk without them because I can't do it all myself," Corey said. "One of our purposes and goals is to go out in the community and reach the friends, classmates neighborhoods of the students we have here and at least give them the opportunity of God really is and then let them decide for themselves and if that’s right for them

"I think

there is a huge misconception today of who God is. People thing God is some big old guy with lighting bolts and he zaps us whenever he gets mad. Corey feels that his own personal mission is to bring a true picture of God of who is to teenagers in Austin.

Without the church, the youth group, the community and my wife I would not have the opportunity to be a pastor. "It is not all one man show," Corey said, humbly.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com