Joyful. Patient. Prayerful. Powerful.
Student Ministries Pastoral Letter | July 2025
My good friend, Eric Ryan, recently reminded me that God’s Word needs little help from us (1 Thessalonians 2:13, among many other passages). It’s a truth I first experienced as a high school student, when my mom took a small step of faith in my direction.
At 15-years old, I got a ‘B’ in physics, didn’t make the varsity baseball team, and the girl I liked was giving me the cold shoulder. In short, my world had come to an end. Most nights I hid in my room, lights off, headphones on, listening to sad songs by James Taylor. Classic sad-boying.
And then came a gentle knock on my door. My mom came in, sat with me, and told me that she went through something similar when she was in high school. She opened her Living Bible to Romans 12 and read to me: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and prayerful always” (v. 12). She explained that God used these words to sustain her through a difficult season of life, and she believed He could do the same for me.
There was no sermon, no gospel presentation, no clever advice—only God’s Word read aloud to me in faith. Yet, in the mysterious kindness and power of our God, that’s all it took to change the course of my entire life.
Parenting is hard. Discipling others is often slow and messy. But God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Take a small step of faith toward your children today by reading Scripture together. Not sure where to start? How about one of the passages in this letter? No need to overthink it. I’m praying for you even now, that the Holy Spirit will give you courage and faith as you minister to your family.
For the kingdom,
Ryan Carson
Interim Pastor of Student Ministries
