2025 flew by faster than expected for me. During this first year as a youth pastor I have learned a lot, such as crowd control, teenage slang, and how much a teenager can eat. God has shown me many ways to be patient and to give mercy when needed.
But seriously, this next generation is such a blessing to me and this church family. I love their energy, their desire to know the truth, and their curiosity of the Gospel. Teaching these young adults about God's Word has blessed me in so many ways. Gathering their feedback on what matters in their lives and then searching Scripture to show them how much God loves them has been a powerful tool in this ministry.
God has certainly been patient with me, and His Spirit has led me to 2026. I'm looking forward to another amazing year in youth ministry.
A year of watering what God is growing with the help of amazing volunteer leaders.
A year of opportunities to plant seeds of The Good News.
Stay tuned for what God will do in The Kingdom of God through the lives of these students!
This year I have learned to trust my Savior and submit to His timing and will more than ever! Previous to the door opening in Kid's ministry, I was in a season of seeking Him for career guidance, as the photography career I had once loved and enjoyed had dwindled, and my desire to continue with it had faded. I knew I was being called to something else, but could not yet see what that 'something' was. So I waited in trust. Praying for revelation and guidance, knowing that my Father was at work! That was a hard lesson for me- waiting and trusting- instead of DOING! But what an incredible test of faith it was, and one that I needed.
When the opportunity arose for this incredible position I felt the pull instantly. However, I doubted my qualifications and convinced myself that I was not the best person for the position. My Father did not let it rest, however. And He kept drawing my heart and mind to the opening He had for prepared for me. I pondered, I prayed and I questioned deeply. One night during my quiet time with Him I said once more, "Lord, I am not qualified for this position- I don't want to let you or the church down. Deep in my heart, in God fashion I heard "I don't call the qualified, I qualify the called". I cried in humility before my savior! All of my fears seemed to melt into a puddle at His feet in that very moment. I needed that encouragement!
That has been the invisible stone I have been carrying in my pocket these past few months. One I still need reminded of, and take out often to remind myself that it is HE who prepares ME. All He has asked me to do is trust Him in obedience. I pray that this story, and these words He has given me are an encouragement to you as well! He is a GOOD GOOD Father! I felt like Jonah, running in fear of my own short comings- but my Father is greater than my fears, and He is greater than yours, too.
I look forward to loving on these children even more! I ask the Lord to fill my branches so full of His fruit that they hang low enough for these precious babies to take freely and often! That their little hearts FEEL the love of their savior each time they come!
I am so excited for the connections and friendships I have begun building with the volunteers, and I look forward to meeting even more new people whose hearts love Jesus too! I am so grateful for each and every person who God has placed in Kid's Ministry alongside me! We are a team, and I couldn't do it without them!
I am in the works of planning a fun volunteer training day to fellowship, ask questions, and learn more about the curriculum and hone in on our mission. I'm also excited to begin planning and coordinating my first Vacation Bible School week with the help of all the amazing and talented people who love to help!
Most of all, I look forward to seeing the Lord work and move through me, the ministry, and the church as a whole! I am encouraged by His goodness and His promises that are trustworthy and bring HOPE! His work is never finished, and I can't wait to see what He does next!
As I write my reflection from 2025, Chad’s sermon on preparing for the unknown comes to my mind. 2025 was a year of unknowns for me. From decisions that would affect our family and livelihood, to health and my job, I have been through the unknown several times.
One of the ways God helped me through these unknowns was by giving me peace no matter what situation I was in. This is not something I had before Jesus entered my life. This peace doesn’t mean that there are no tears or sadness. I had plenty of both, but the peace is knowing that God is good and it will be ok. 2025 definitely tested me in a variety of ways.
My encouragement to you is to keep trusting God in all circumstances, and He will give you peace. I have struggled with why bad things happen to good people. That has been and will be a hard thing to understand, but I do know that God is good and all things will work out according to His will. I may not understand it at the time but someday I will.
I’m looking forward to more opportunities to get to know our church family in 2026. We are going to start having a meal once a month to have an opportunity for you to get to know the staff and we can get to know you. I’m also looking forward to having more testimonies shared during service and having a page on our website filled with testimonies. They are so powerful. And finally, I would love to get people plugged in and serving where they are gifted. Serving has made such a difference in my family, and it is the best way to get to know people.
Love you all!
Church, every year needs a marker.
Not a trophy.
Not a headline.
But a stone.
In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel sets one up and names it Ebenezer — “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Not because life was easy.
But because God was faithful.
This year, that stone stands quietly among us.
Personally, God has met me in places I didn’t schedule or request—challenging seasons, difficult Scriptures, and moments that slowed me down whether I wanted them to or not. Instead of shrinking us, the Lord has been deepening us. He has been growing our church in biblical maturity and forging unity not by avoiding hard things, but by walking us through them together—with humility, repentance, and grace.
God’s Word has reminded us again: it isn’t a suggestion.
It’s bread. Daily bread.
And a church that feeds on the Word learns how to live together in love.
This year also brought a quieter lesson for me—one that came through loss.
Scripture tells us that the righteous care for the life of their animals. When we said goodbye to Jojo, God gently exposed something in me. Not condemnation—but clarity. I realized how easily I can be distracted from what’s right in front of me. My family. My presence. The gift of everyday moments. Even the simple faithfulness of a pet who never once checked a screen to see if something better was happening somewhere else.
Death hurts a lot! Because sin is real.
Our sin. Man’s sin. My sin.
It’s why we say goodbye to people and pets we love. It’s why Scripture reminds us that
our lives are like a vapor—here for a moment, then gone.
So why would we waste what is fragile and fleeting staring at a glowing rectangle, distracted from the very lives God has placed within arm’s reach?
Church, let’s make every moment count in 2026.
Men—please pray with your wives. Out loud. Even when it feels awkward.
Families—please put the phones down and turn off the TV’s. Set limits. Be present.
Look at each other’s faces. Laugh more. Talk longer. Play harder. Enjoy God’s creation and the people He’s entrusted to you.
I can’t help but wonder—if we slowed down long enough to truly see one another, perhaps we might be more forgiving. Less reactive. Less divided. We might stop seeing enemies and start recognizing the likeness we share as image-bearers of the same faithful God.
As I look ahead to 2026, my heart is hopeful and expectant. I’m prayerfully looking forward to:
- The continued expansion of our Men’s Ministry, with men walking in truth, humility, and accountability
- The growth of our Women’s Ministry, marked by wisdom, courage, and deep community
- Life Groups deepening, not just increasing—real discipleship, real prayer, real life together
- Building a multipurpose room to serve our youth and function as a space for community connection
- Ongoing growth in our Missions Team, with hearts set beyond ourselves
- Healthy, Christ-centered marriages, quietly proclaiming the gospel through faithfulness and forgiveness
We’re not chasing trends.
We’re not building platforms.
We’re setting stones.
And when we look back—years from now—I pray we’ll confidently and humbly say it again with confidence and gratitude:
Thus far, the Lord has helped us.