As I look at these past few months, I really see how overly-blessed we are as a church, community and nation. Although at times, you would not recognize that from people, including myself, connected to those same entities. But God has not abandoned us, and He is still expecting us to serve, worship, pray and be active in His world. Things are not the same. We can choose to look for the worst, or we can choose to find ways to serve God in his way and image of us. For youth ministry, God has given us much to be excited about.
One is that we will confirm five youth into God’s church: Grace Westbrook, Maya Phares, Isaac Snook, Elliott Merten and Annabelle Merten. We will also baptize and confirm two youth: Grace Stark, and Mitzi Darmstetter, who have come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. During our Sunday, May 31, online worship you get to meet them and hear them as they profess their faith in God and be a witness to the baptisms.
On June 7, Grace honors our high school graduates: Audrey Farrell, Blake Ullmann, Kennedy Drake, Gracie Shelton, and all other graduates. Those listed along with their families join our Facebook Live online worship to celebrate their achievements. In addition, our arts team made yard signs for each of them that are now on display at their houses.
Zoom has been a huge blessing. While it by no means replaces in person activities and connections, we are still able to stay connected, to see a face and check in. Our Wednesday nights are still filled with fun, conversation, a message with God leading, and a time for prayer, which may be the most important time for all on Wednesday night. Going forward we look forward to meeting outdoors where we can enjoy what God has created for us.
We are still planning our annual IGNITE High School Mission Week. This year, we are not traveling, but we are staying local and serving. We know that we do not have to travel miles to find God, that he is here, right now and always. So, we serve, proclaim, worship, pray and have amazing fellowship right here in our own backyard. Look for ways that you can support this amazing week in the coming weeks.
Our INSPIRE (Middle high) youth have been joining our high school youth for Fellowship on Wednesday nights. They get their own small group time to discuss the week that was and the message that was given for that evening. Charlene Randle has done a great job of keeping in touch with these youth, and we look forward to some group summer plans.
There are still ample ways to support our youth. Summer brings some normality but also many unknowns. Continue to pray for our youth, who are now walking an unintended path, but one that still teaches them and gives them lessons for a life to be fully lived. Pray for our Wichita Mission week. Pray that they see God in the chaos, pray they see God where they are.
There are many ways we can look at these past few months. For me, I want to see us and the world in all its God given glory and beauty.
~Kirk Anderson, Director of Youth Ministry
