Dave Urbanski, AS '88, '90M, always knew that he wanted to become a journalist. What he didn't know was that twists in his career path would land him in a position merging his journalism talents with his spiritual beliefs.

Four years ago, Urbanski became editor of a Christian trade magazine published bimonthly by Youth Specialties-a 30-year-old company widely considered the leader in providing resources and training to youth workers around the world. Youthworker: The Contemporary Journal for Youth Ministry seeks to provide in-depth articles that address the professional and personal issues of full-time youth workers.

Urbanski says he's found the perfect career niche for himself. "This is the best job I've ever had," he says. "It's easy to get excited about something you believe in. I get to do a little of everything: I edit youth pastors' stories; I write an editorial column as well as review music; and I plan the editorial calendar," he says. "It's fun and challenging."

Urbanski says he especially enjoys being involved with two Youth Specialties' conventions in two cities every fall.

"Both of these events bring in about 5,000 people each. They're huge productions," he says. "We all do whatever needs to be done while we're there. It's very exciting to see these people who are out there working in the field, so hungry for ideas and encouragement, find those things."

Born in Florida and reared mostly in California, Urbanski spent his junior high and high school years in the Philadelphia suburbs. At the University of Delaware, Urbanski became involved with InterVarsity, an interdenominational Christian fellowship group he says "greatly helped with my personal growth."

"It was a big part of my spiritual center at college," Urbanski recalls. "In fact, most of the Delaware friends I have today are people from InterVarsity."

He joined The Review staff as a sophomore and served as editor during his senior year. He also had a summer internship at The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in English and history, Urbanski pursued his master's degree in English and American literature at Delaware. While a graduate student, he was a residence hall director at Dickinson A/B.

By the time he finished the master's program, Urbanski says he felt "very comfortable with the idea of being a reporter in a city newsroom."

"I guess I could have looked into writing for a Christian publication, but I wasn't thinking along those lines," he says. "I viewed Christianity and reporting as very separate from each other."

Urbanski worked in the Philadelphia Inquirer's South Jersey bureau for nearly three years, where he struck up a friendship with another correspondent, Lou Carlozo, now a features writer at the Chicago Tribune. Initially drawn together by their shared love of music-both men played in local bands-their conversations eventually turned to more intense topics.

"I was not a Christian before I met Dave and, if not for Dave, I wouldn't be a Christian today," Carlozo says. "I went through some rough personal times while I was at the Inquirer, and Dave was a friend through all of it. I was just so impressed by his strength and his character that I had to see for myself what the source of it was. I started asking questions, and Dave gently led me to Christ. That was 1992 and I haven't looked back since."

Carlozo says that, in addition to being a "tenacious and talented" journalist, Urbanski also is a skilled musician. In fact, Carlozo produced Urbanski's first solo demo and offered a great deal of input for his next project, an album produced with fellow UD graduate Eric Hutts, AS '91.

Urbanski, Hutts and two other musicians who make up the band, Ragman, recently released a "hard rock, psychedelic, folk CD" called Niagara Falsetto. (To find out more, visit the band's web site at <www.semiauto.com/ragman>.)

"The name 'Ragman' is the title of a Christian allegory by Walter Wangerin Jr.," Urbanski explains. "While our music is informed and influenced by our faith, it's not like every lyric is a verse from the Bible."

In the summer of 1994, ready to act on his sense of adventure, Urbanski packed up his 1989 Toyota Tercel and began a four-month cross-country road trip.

"I drove 18,000 miles, all around the country. I interviewed at some papers along the way, and I slept in my car many nights, strictly for financial reasons," Urbanski says. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure."

Urbanski arrived at Carlozo's Chicago apartment the day after New Year's, 1995. Carlozo helped him get steady freelance work at the Tribune, but within a few months, "I was feeling pretty lost," Urbanski says.

"I thought Chicago was a great city but things weren't coming together for me there, in terms of my journalism career," he says.

On a whim, Urbanski decided to post his resume on InterChristo, a Christian job placement service. He was soon contacted by Youth Specialties, which flew Urbanski to San Diego to interview for a job as product development coordinator for books and videos geared toward youth workers.

Urbanski met with Youth Specialties' president, Tic Long, and the company's owner, Mike Yaconelli, who decided he would be better suited as editor of Youthworker. It was actually a decision Urbanski was hoping they'd make.

Urbanski says he's finally found the perfect career fit. Today, he says, "It's clear that I'm more interested in being a writer than a reporter." In addition to his editor's position, Urbanski also writes for CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) magazine and Mars Hill Review, a literary magazine influenced by Christianity.

Under Urbanski's guidance, Youthworker recently won two Evangelical Press Association Awards, including a merit award for overall editorial content.

"I'm very content where I am," he says. "Our magazine really reaches youth workers and provides them with information and inspiration. I feel it has a genuine and positive impact."

-Nicole Pensiero