God has greatly blessed Mt. Zion UMC in a lot of ways and one of those ways is that he has given us a good number of children and youth. I truly believe that the children and youth ministries must be a priority and I am glad that I am not alone in that belief. it is obvious that all of yo feel this way as well, because you have taken the big step of hiring a part-time Youth Director. Stephen Poindexter will begin his duties here at Mt. Zion on April 1st. I am truly excited hat Stephen will be coming to lead our Junior and Senior Youth.
Stephen graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management in 2006 and now works with Enterprise Car Rentals as a Car Salesman. He and his wife, Melissa, who is a 5th grade teacher, reside in Roxboro.
Stephen has been involved with the Methodist youth all of his life, first as a participant, then as a counselor, and then as the Youth Director at Oak Grove UMC where he was raised. Stephen is 31 years old and has led that youth group for several years, building it into a vital ministry. he has also been involved with Conference Youth events, serving as a youth counselor at ACS for Methodist Youth from 2001–2006. He and the Oak Grove Youth have participated in Pilgrimage for the last several years. He has proven that he has the ability to lead a youth group that is well organized. he has also proven that he can connect with youth and lead the into a vital and personal relationship with Christ.
As I sai, I am excited to have Stephen coming to lead your youth group, because we share the same goals. We want our children and youth to experience Jesus Christ in a way that shapes and molds their lives and we want them to enjoy their relationship with Christ. We want them to be happy and joyful persons who lead productive lives for the Lord and bring glory to his name. We want them to understand where they fit into God’s plan and to see that they are an important part of the church. Another reason I am excited that Stephen is coming to Mt. Zion is that Melissa will be assisting him in the youth ministry. We will not be paying her, but they do work as a team. They are a happy and vibrant couple and I know you are all going to love them.
Stephen does have family connections to Mt. Zion. He is Mrs Sara Poindexter’s grandson. Stephen and Melissa have both told me and the SPPRC that they are not just coming to fulfill a job opening; they are looking for a long term commitment with this church and they want to be involved in the life of Mt. Zion UMC.
Friends, I truly believe that Stephen and Melissa are going to be a great blessing to this church and I trust ath we will be a great blessing to them. I know you will all welcome then with open and loving arms. I urge us all to allow Stephen to be the Youth Director. Allow him to do his job. Give him the authority he needs to do it and trust him to his job well and give him and Melissa all the support they need.
Like I said to being this article, God has greatly blessed Mt. Zion and I believe that God has even greater blessings in store for this church in the future.
Peace and Joy
Pastor Donald