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Tanner Pursley was born and raised in Thatcher, Arizona. He served his mission in Recife, Brasil, and graduated from BYU-Idaho where he married his sweetheart Nicole. He got his Masters Degree in School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Tanner has over six years of EFY experience and another five working as a wrangler for troubled teenagers at Arivaca Boys Ranch. He currently is serving as the bishop in his ward in Morenci, Arizona, where he developed a youth program called “I Can Do Hard Things” to help drive kids off the couch and into living life and preparing for the temple/mission. Tanner’s passions include rock climbing, scuba diving, playing Jenga with kids, losing to his bros in fantasy football, and cuddling his little daughter Cedar.
Links
I Can Do Hard Things Challenge (Packet)
I Can Do Hard Things Challenge (Printable Booklet)
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Highlights
Tanner shares insights from his recent initiative called the “I Can Do Hard Things Challenge.” This program, developed while he served as a counselor in the bishopric, aims to provide youth with structured goals across the four quadrants in the Children and Youth program: spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical. Tanner explains how he drew inspiration from scouting and other youth programs to create a comprehensive list of activities that encourage youth to step outside their comfort zones and engage in meaningful experiences.
Throughout the conversation, Tanner discusses the importance of parental buy-in and how the challenge has positively impacted the culture of his small ward, which previously struggled with youth engagement and missionary work. He highlights the success of the program, noting that it has led to increased participation among the youth and has even inspired similar initiatives in other organizations within the ward. The episode emphasizes the significance of celebrating achievements, as Tanner describes the award ceremony where participants receive recognition for their hard work, fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Leadership is about empowering others to reach their potential, and Tanner’s approach serves as a practical example for other leaders looking to inspire and uplift the youth in their wards.
05:48 – Tanner’s Background and New Calling
06:59 – The “I Can Do Hard Things” Challenge
09:47 – Overview of the Youth Program and Goals
10:44 – Changing the Culture in the Ward
12:01 – Structure of the Challenge
20:49 – Breakdown of the Challenge Areas
25:07 – Physical Challenge Activities
27:51 – Social Challenge Activities
29:38 – Spiritual Challenge Activities
30:49 – Intellectual Challenge Activities
32:04 – Importance of Accountability
33:01 – Reward Ceremony and Recognition
34:27 – Encouraging Participation and Buy-In
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