The end of the school year is an excellent time to catch up with what is happening in Grace Youth Ministry. It has been a great year for youth ministry in many aspects. We experienced baptism and confirmations, a fantastic talent show, saw our youth lead worship, and supported children’s ministry.
Our Seniors have been great leaders, and we celebrate as nine of them graduated and are taking the next steps in their life journeys.
I truly enjoyed the Confirmation class this year. Pastor Catherine, Pastor Martin, Pastor Scott Randle, and I worked with our students to look at a snapshot of their faith timeline and what it means to be a part of Christ’s church and Grace.
Youth Fellowship and Sunday school have been such a growth experience not only for the youth but for the leaders as well. From breaking bread to deep discussions about life, scripture, faith, God, Jesus, and everything in between, we have walked together to become hopefully better people and, more importantly, better followers of Christ.
WYLDlife was a great success this year. We had the biggest group of volunteer leaders I have ever been privileged to work with, and they poured out their hearts and souls into the middle-high youth from Robinson and Curtis schools. The volunteers came from our youth group, East High, Trinity, WSU, and of course, YoungLIFE. We ministered to 30-plus youths over the last two semesters.
WYlDlife is a focus for next year as we look to connect kids from WYLDlife to our Grace youth ministries and, more importantly, our church community and God’s Kingdom. I cannot express how important this partnership has been for kids and Grace youth ministry these past 13 years. We have met so many outstanding youths through this partnership, and it has made us a better church for it.
We look forward to our Mission trip this year, which many of you heard about from our Talent show this past March. Seeing the gifts God has given so many youths and adults in our church is such a blessing. I don’t know how long this show will continue, but for now, it is a great way to support our many talents in this church and to come together as a church community.
Our next big Youth event is the Mission trip to Chicago in July. The youth are excited and ready to go, as are all volunteers. Speaking of volunteers, so many of you support our Grace youth ministry through your time and talents. These kids will remember how Grace changed their lives and walked with them in their faith journey, much like I do as I look back to my time in youth ministry and those who were such great mentors. Many of you have similar memories as well.
The coming year is challenging in many ways, but Grace and its youth have always met the challenge with the faith that God is with us.
- Kirk Anderson, Director of Student Ministries
MAY