Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Thank you so much for your warm welcome of me into the community here at Christ Lutheran Church. This church was an important part of my childhood, and it is great to be back. I look forward to continuing to get to know you, both the familiar and unfamiliar faces.
Being the new director of youth and family ministries comes with just a few expectations. This new position was created with the hope that the youth program here would flourish, and that intergenerational ties in the congregation would strengthen, breaking down the barriers of age and maturity which often separate us. That is why I am here. That is what I intend to do. I am very excited to work with youth of all ages and get them active and interested in exploring their faiths and building relationships inspired by the selfless, accepting love of Christ. I believe that when youth see the church not as an organization with rules and judgment, but a place filled with friends, acceptance, and the desire to inspire great change and love in the world, then they stick around and are eager to be a part of the church’s mission of selfless, loving service to all people.
With the intergenerational side of things, I can only do so much. I will do my best to plan activities that are attractive to members of all ages and that encourage interaction between different age groups, but much of the work also falls on you. I challenge you to get to know the youth of this church. Engage them in conversation and build relationships. I guarantee that their views on faith and life in general will surprise and inspire you. Let them know that they are a vital part of this community.
I see myself as working with you, the congregation, in living out our mission statement. Please feel free to talk to me about how I’m doing, or if you can think of something you would like to see happen with youth and family ministry at the church. Feel free to stop by my office anytime during the week. I look forward to great conversations and doing my best to help this congregation grow. Go play in the snow!
Peace, Luke Stappler
This page updated 11/30/11
