Youth Ministry Update

Church Family,
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been challenged to develop a clearer identity for our youth ministry—one that draws students deeper into the mission of our church. As I’ve prayed and reflected, I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the purpose statement on our website: “Glorifying, Going, Gathering.” Pastor Keith’s sermon this week captured that perfectly—reminding us not only how we glorify God, but also why it matters so deeply and how glorifying Him naturally flows into our service.

Thinking about this brought to mind a friend from my college days. God bless him—he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket—but that never stopped him from worshiping at the top of his lungs every chance he got. His joy wasn’t about talent; it was about wholehearted devotion. Too often, we limit our service to God because of what we think we can’t do. Yet Scripture shows us again and again that God desires our willingness far more than our skill. I’ve seen this in my own life. As a shy kid whom God called into ministry, anything good that has come from my efforts has been Christ working through my weakness.

The essence of a church mirrors the essence of a family. Individually, God has entrusted each of us with unique gifts and abilities for His purpose. But when we come together—when we link arms, share the load, and combine our strengths—God multiplies what we can accomplish. In that unity, the light of Christ shines even brighter. Sara and I are truly grateful that God has led us to this family of faith, where we can invest our gifts alongside yours as we pursue His mission together.

And it’s that shared mission that brings us into this coming week. As we look ahead, please be in prayer as we prepare for Purpose Weekend. Pray that this weekend will bring real transformation in the lives of our students as they learn what it means to rest in Jesus. Ask God to move in a mighty way—that hearts would be stirred, faith deepened, and lives changed.

In Christ,
Cody Dowden