Sparking faith
‘We have to find ways to keep kids wanting to come to church’
Text by Sharron R. Blezard Photos by Michelle Shirk
S
parks are flying at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Joy, Pa. Te congregation’s
youth are pairing their burning pas- sions with projects that serve the community, share the gospel, and help form and strengthen their faith. Te “Spark Team” effort is the
brainchild of Michelle Shirk, Trin- ity’s director of youth and family ministries, who got the idea at a conference where Derek Smith of GivingPoint, a nationwide youth development program, was a speaker. “His goal is to equip theological
leaders to help youth make connec- tions and see God working through them,” Shirk said. Back in Mount Joy, she chal-
lenged youth to develop Spark Team projects using their passions and interests to make a difference in as many lives as possible. “Initially I thought her expecta-
For more information, contact
michelle.r.shirk@
gmail.com or visit
www.trinityjoy.org.
tion of us [was] way too high,” said 16-year-old Zach Rago. But he and his Spark Team met the challenge. Along with Abby Johns, Justin Myers and Hannah Williams, Zach created a “Senior High End of Sum- mer Youth Retreat.” Te four friends met weekly to design curriculum, organize the activities and food,
Emily Ashly is one of three eighth- graders who organized a 5K walk/run to raise money for a school/hospital in Haiti. Their youth-led Spark Team is one of several at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Joy, Pa.
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www.thelutheran.org
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