YOUTH MINISTER'S UPDATE

Church Family,
One of the greatest responsibilities God entrusts to the church is caring for those who will come after us. Whether we realize it or not, every word we speak, every decision we make, and every act of faith we live out is helping to shape the spiritual framework of the next generation. Our children and youth are watching—not just how we worship on Sundays, but how we live out our faith Monday through Saturday.

Providing a model worth following means more than good intentions. It means intentionally leading with humility, consistency, and trust in Christ. Our students don’t need perfect examples, but they do need faithful ones—men and women who are willing to admit their dependence on God and show what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life. When we lead as Christians in our homes, our workplaces, and our community, we give our children a clear picture of a faith that is real, resilient, and worth holding onto.

Scripture reminds us of this calling in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This verse is not about guaranteeing outcomes, but about faithfully investing in direction. Training implies intentionality, patience, and relationship. It means walking alongside our children and youth, pointing them toward Christ not only with our words, but with our lives.

As a church family, may we continue to take seriously the privilege we have to build bridges of faith for the generations to come. Let us be mindful that the path we walk today is helping shape the path they will walk tomorrow—and may we do so in a way that honors Christ and leads others to Him.

In Christ,
Cody Dowden