I have become the constant greeter during Vacation Bible School for the last few years and help in various other areas that week.


I was asked to become a member of the Children’s Ministry team about four years ago. Trough our productive meetings, we were able to lay a foundation for a Children’s Ministry that speaks to the old ways of the church and can adhere to the new. Te friendships I developed with this team are priceless.


First Presbyterian Church members are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. One of them is Sara Lakatosh, 37, who has three small children and has been an active volunteer in FPCA’s preschool, Vacation Bible School, Church School, as well as part of the Faith Formation team. Here’s her story, in her own words.


I was born and raised in this church. My parents, Ray and Lynette Atiyeh, were married here in 1977.


When I got married in the church in 2006, I knew we would raise our children here. My husband, Chris Lakatosh, and I have three children: Braxton, age 9; Bella, 6; and Christian, 4.


When Braxton began preschool at FPCA, I became involved as a volunteer. I started by organizing the Preschool Fun Day and was asked to be on the Preschool Committee. Tis coming school year will be my seventh with a child in the preschool program and my sixth year organizing Fun Day.


It will also be my last, which is bittersweet in some ways. I will remain on the committee and have told preschool director Barb Culp that I would substitute teach in the preschool if she found herself in a bind.


When I was a teenager, I used to volunteer at Vacation Bible School and as a Church School teachers’ aide. So as my children became involved in Church School, it was only natural for me to begin taking an interest in Children’s Ministry.


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As Spiritual Formation at church evolved, specific ministry teams dissolved and the Faith Formation team emerged. Now I serve on Faith Formation with a group of wonderful volunteers and staff.


I also substitute in Church School. I am feeling a call toward the Middle School class in the coming school year. I was a high school history teacher for eight years at Allen High School, so I enjoy the older grades.


As I have become involved in the church, I have gained a new respect for how the behind-the-scenes wheels turn and how an idea becomes a reality because a group of passionate people makes it so. Tere are so many people who care very deeply.


I feel as a parent that growing up in the church will help my children learn about the Christian faith and believe in something special that will guide them through life.


As I become more involved, I am starting to see that our job at the church is to help these children and people in general to become not only followers of Christ but also disciples of Christ. Te church gives everyone the knowledge and tools to live their lives the way Jesus would want us to. Tat is a beautiful thing here at First Presbyterian.


Te hardest part of today’s society is that families are busy. Missing church or Sunday school has become OK because there are other things going on. I am guilty of this as well. Church should become a priority because our children need the foundation of Christian beliefs to become positive members of society.


Most importantly, they need a church family. First Pres is where you can feel safe always and have a home away from home, because there’s a family that will never judge you and will always love you no matter what. Tis to me is what makes our church so special.


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