by Dr. Troy Doucet

There is a saying that "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  It is a truth I witness each day in working with students in both ministry and collegiate settings.  For us at Kessler Park UMC, it is safe to say that STUDENT MINISTRY AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE!!  Students today have an amalgam of activities and programs bidding for their time and consideration-- we are but one of those activities.  Soccer, cheer, and the must maligned "homework" are all important and essential aspects to their growth and development.  But so is church and the community we are offering each and every Sunday night here at KPUMC.  I have made a commitment to these amazing students and their parents that I will be here consistently, willing and ready to love and lead this program-- and whoever comes!  The response from students and their parents has been incredible.

Our Sunday Night Live is averaging about 10 students each evening, and while I know there is room for improvement,  I also know that just being here prepared and ready is HUGE for these guys.  It can and will only grow from here!

We held our very first ever parent information meeting a few weeks ago!  We had 9 families represented and many who (from his own words) Eric had not met yet!  They showed enthusiasm for our church's commitment to investing in the youth program and offered to help in any way possible.  It was really inspiring to hear from them about their concerns, their ideas and their love for their kids' spiritual formation!  

As you might have heard, we hosted an all-night lock-in for our students in January.  And OH MY!! What a turn out!!  We had 28 students attend-- many kids from our neighborhood came to church for the very first time.  We had a BLAST, but boy were we all tired the next morning!!  We had Karaoke contest, played hide and seek in the church, had some amazing pizza and wings and a Harry Potter marathon movie showing!  All in all (in spite of a few hickups in clean-up) it was an enormous success!  Our parent contact list grew from 17 contacts to over 30 from that event, and many were excited about upcoming events that would involve and include their kids!!  

It is an honor to serve here as the student minister.  I am excited and encouraged by the resources the church has committed to our youth program for 2020!  And it will definitely be a year to remember.  

Grace and Peace,

Troy