Dan Hiben, middle school pastor

God has worked powerfully in the livesof middle school students this year

Students have grown in their understanding and passion for God, they have grown in their desire to pray, some have been baptized, and many have developed a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Here’s a quick overview of some ministry highlights from the past year.

SUNDAY FOUNDATIONS

We launched a new Sunday morning ministry this year called Sunday Foundations, with the goal of learning about the core aspects of the Christian faith. We’ve been using The New City Catechism as a guide to how we can find answers to the important questions of life in the Bible. We also have Fellowship Sunday each month, hearing testimonies about the Lord’s work in the lives of students, adult leaders and church missionaries—and, of course, enjoying lots of donuts!

KMs WEDNESDAY

KMs Wednesday continues to be our large group gathering each week. This year, we’ve played a lot of (often crazy!) group games, shared fellowship with each other, and enjoyed time studying the Bible and praying together. Each week we spend time in worship and prayer, large group teaching and small group discussion. Some of our teaching series include the Book of Philippians, the life of Abraham in Genesis, biblical worship and the Psalms of Ascent.

PROJECT DISCIPLESHIP

In addition to our weekly large group gatherings, some students have taken the opportunity to participate in an additional small group study each semester. Groups have met throughout the year for Bible study and prayer, studying through Hebrews and 1 Kings.

RETREATS

Retreats have been a highlight of this year. Our fall retreat was at Dickson Valley Camp in October, filled with goofy games, small group time, outdoor laser tag, and teaching from Tate Fritz about how a relationship with God brings true transformation in our lives. Our winter retreat was at Phantom Ranch Camp in March and was a great time of castle-building (ask a middle schooler!), broomball and learning a biblical understanding of identity from Emmanuel Tahear.

Of course, all this has taken place only through the dedicated team of ministry workers who have invested in students. Madi Cilley, who started working at the church in July, has excelled as our program coordinator. Jacki Berg, who began working here in August, is an amazing ministry associate. Sadie Rynbrandt and James Hensley served faithfully over the summer as interns. And at the core of this ministry, over 25 volunteer adult leaders have invested their time, energy, wisdom and prayers into the lives of this church’s students, teaching them to study the Bible, praying with and for them, being godly examples to them, and showing them the love of Jesus by their presence. If you know someone who has served this year in middle school ministry, thank them for their hard work and faithfulness!

On a personal note, thank you for your support of me and the middle school ministry. I’m grateful for the privilege of being able to serve at College Church as a pastor, and for the joy of working alongside so many of you in ministry. Thank you for praying for Amy and me as we married this past fall, and for your encouragement to us both. Let’s continue to pray that the year ahead may be filled with God’s blessing on our families, on our church and on our community.