YOUTH MINISTER'S UPDATE

Church Family,

We have some very exciting things coming up for our students, and I want to begin by thanking you for your continued prayers and support. From those who have helped cover event costs, to those who have provided fundraising opportunities, to those who faithfully lift our students up in prayer—you are making a real difference. I am deeply grateful for the many ways you have come alongside this ministry.

Hot Hearts is coming up quickly! This one-day conference will give our students an opportunity to step away from distractions and focus intentionally on God, His Word, and what He is doing in the world around them. My prayer is that this time will encourage them, strengthen their faith, and remind them that following Christ is worth pursuing wholeheartedly. Thank you for continuing to pray for our students and leaders as we prepare.

This week, our students will also begin a seven-week series on evangelism, designed specifically to speak to their generation. Emoji-vangelism is a tool that will help students learn how to share Christ in a way that is both clear and approachable. We would love for parents to be involved as well—encouraging conversations at home and helping students live out their faith beyond the walls of our church.

As we begin this focus on evangelism, it’s important to remember that sharing our faith must be grounded in a genuine walk with Christ. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The wise builder builds his house on the rock, and when storms come, it stands firm. Evangelism flows naturally from that kind of foundation. When our lives are rooted in Christ—when we trust Him, obey Him, and build on His Word—we are prepared to withstand challenges and point others to the same solid hope.

My prayer is that our students learn not only how to share their faith, but why—because their lives are firmly built on the Rock. Thank you for being a church that invests in building strong foundations for the next generation.

In Christ,
Cody Dowden