Student Ministries Pastoral Letter | April 2026
As the weather is turning a little warmer – and a lot more pollen-y – I wanted to share some encouragement from a book I’ve been working on. Happy spring and Easter, y’all!
The world outside your door is an amazing gift. And perhaps the best news of all is that this wonder-filled world is not just our waiting room for an eternity in heaven. Contrary to the popular narrative, that heaven is our home, the Scriptures are clear that New Creation is the space we will inhabit in the age to come.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” (Rev. 21:1–5)
This is the hope of heaven coming to earth, God living among us, not the other way around. Those famous streets of gold are not in the skies, but here, on the new earth (v. 21). And all of this means that the beauty of our world today is yet another precursor to our future hope. In the world to come we will run and laugh and play and explore all new forests and mountains and rivers and caverns and waterfalls. And we will do so in new bodies that are made just right for our new world (1 Cor. 15:52-53).
So, every walk through the woods is a rehearsal for the world to come. And when we bring others with us on that walk, we have a wonderful opportunity to share this hope.
I can’t recommend highly enough going on regular walks or hikes with your kids. It’s such a fantastic way to get into great conversations about how things are going, what they are learning, where they are struggling, and everything in between. 90% of Jesus’ ministry to his disciples happened as they were walking together, and that estimate is probably low. Let’s lean into His model and ask the Lord to do something special in our families. See you out there!
for the Kingdom,
Ryan Carson
Pastor of Student Ministries
