One of the brightest gifts of ministry is hearing children laugh. Through the benevolent ministry of the Tangent program, I have been blessed to witness the delight on the children’s faces when they receive the gift of new shoes. Through our youth program, I have been doubly blessed to see and hear the joy of the children working together for the Lord. At our last youth gathering, they painted pallets. Thank you to Valerie for leading the festivities and providing the supplies! The kids played music and spent time together painting, talking, and laughing. These pallets are now on display and ready to be purchased by anyone who would like to have the fruits of their labor. The proceeds will go to fund our next youth outing.
Last night, I witnessed more laughter. Not only from our youth group, but also from the young men and women who come to the Wesley Foundation Building at Tennessee Tech University on Sunday nights for dinner. The laughter also rang out from our adult volunteers who showed up to support and facilitate the meal. Thank you to Duck Pond Manor for helping provide spaghetti for thirty young people; Thank you to the adult volunteers for making the evening possible; and THANK YOU to our youth who showed up and engaged with college kids. I felt the presence of Christ and the hope for the future as I looked around the dining area of the Wesley Foundation. I heard the joy of the young people as they talked, laughed, and fellowshipped together. I heard God speaking through the members of Sparta First UMC as they were actively being the hands and feet at work in the world.
When we invest in the youth, we invest in the future. To all of you who help shape young minds, hearts, and souls – THANK YOU! I am looking forward to seeing what we can all do together to bring more joy, hope, and Christ to the youth and to the world. May God surround you all with the beauty of the Holy Spirit this week. May your soul be blessed.
Peace,
Pastor Amber
