( Youth Group- YOUTH from Four United Methodist Churches)

God has led us in the direction of joining the youth of four United Methodist Churches. As the number of youth declined at Independence UMC, our prayers for guidance were answered.  Youth from Independence, Temple Hill, Coles Campground and Dexter- Hardin United Methodist Churches have joined forces as ambassadors for Christ.  The  youth alternate meeting at Independence UMC and Dexter- Hardin UMC at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.  The meeting site changes monthly.  When at Independence UMC, the youth participate in intense Bible studies. We have just completed KING DAVID ( Trials, Temptations, and Triumphs).  Meetings at Dexter- Hardin include devotionals, Bible Trivia, and practice on contemporary music. The youth often sing at the local 5th Sunday Rally, revival services, or the 5th Sunday Youth Services which alternate at one of the participating churches.

We presently have 10 active youth participants and often the youth invite friends to our youth meetings and activities. The youth sponsored a chili supper, a car wash and a candy sale to raise money to attended the June, 2012 ICHTHUS MUSIC FESTIVAL in Wilmore, KY. This was an awesome experience for the young people and their leaders.  During the month of July, 4 of our youth will attend a Summer Youth Camp in Hardin, KY. This will be a time of intense Bible study, worship and fellowship, and mission work. 

Since joining together,  our youth group has also  decorated bags and made a donation  for the Methodist Conference Mission Trip,  visited nursing homes and shut-ins at their homes,  collected items for Reelfoot Rural Ministries, joined as a choir to sing at various services,  delivered fruit baskets to the elderly and collected eye glasses for a special ministry . The group enjoys the fellowship of one another as they become Christ's ambassadors in this world. They are a wonderful group of young people and though small in number they can accomplished much with God's help.

The theme for ICHTHUS 2012 was LIVE LOVE and our small group of youth from these four rural churches seek to be " IMITATORS OF GOD".... as is recorded in Ephesians 5: 1-2.  When Jesus walked the earth, He showed us what love looks like. He was our example. He lived love.  Our youth group wants to serve God and others  through God's life- changing love and in some small way help to bring that LOVE to the world.

Submitted by Patricia Lassiter

C0- Youth Leaders : Rev. Richard Burkeen and Carla Hudson- Dexer- Hardin UMC  & Patricia Lassiter - Independence UMC