Dear <<First Name>>,
At the start of 2016, God spoke to our church about increasing our ministry focus toward rising generations. We recognized that as stewards of God’s Kingdom, our investment into future generations is vital, as we eagerly anticipate a revival in the church and a great harvest within our culture. So this year, we started to re-establish foundations that we’ll continue to build upon for years to come.
Then, earlier this summer, I called us to prayer, encouraging you to ask God to identify new pastoral leadership for our teenagers. After many interviews and much prayer, the Lord led us to an unexpected, but important decision.
Originally, we planned to invite one youth pastor on staff to cover both of our youth ministries, but as we prayed, the Lord showed us that each of those groups — middle school and high school — need the focus of gifted, educated, and well-experienced pastors. Furthermore, we were compelled to look for pastoral couples, as our teenagers are looking for healthy, godly examples of marriage at work, especially in a culture where it's less and less evident.
Well, I'm writing to you today to say that our prayers have been answered!
For middle school students...
Beginning in September, Mike and Kristin Gentry will be our new middle school pastors, who'll also be charged with starting and shepherding a college ministry for our young adults.
 For the last nine years, Mike and Kristin have been serving as the youth pastors at Northgate Christian Church, a Foursquare church in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Before that, they were youth pastors at Westminster Foursquare Church, while attending Life Pacific College.
The Gentrys have impacted the lives of both early adolescents and young adults, and they have significant experience reaching and discipling churched and un-churched kids.
They also have a heart for Africa, having taken numerous missions trips to countries there. Mike (who grew up in the Northwest) and Kristin (who grew up in Las Vegas) have 2 children: Ki (age 5) and Isaiah (age 1).
If you'd like to connect with them on Facebook, can find Mike here and Kristin here.
For our high school students...
Also starting in September, Ben and Danielle McEntee will be our new high school pastors.
 Over the last four years, Ben and Danielle have been pastoring youth at Valley Christian Center, a Foursquare church in Fresno, California, reaching a neighborhood a lot like the one around our campus.
The McEntees have effectively ministered to teenagers from commuter families and urban youth, focusing on discipling young men and women to become godly adults who love and serve the Lord.
Ben (who grew up in Fresno) and Danielle (who grew up in Reseda and at The Church On The Way before moving to Fresno at age 9) have three children: Lucy (age 6), Jubilee (age 4), and Lavender (age 1).
To connect on Facebook, find Ben here and Danielle here.
What to Expect
Both couples have a deep love for Jesus, a strong history of personally discipling teenagers, and experience designing effective ministry systems that reach and equip a whole lot of kids.
To help you get acquainted with them, we’ll introduce them to the congregation on Sunday, September 4 (with our Youth joining us in our main worship services), and we'll hold an official meet-and-greet for youth and parents on Sunday, September 18.
As we focus on reaching and equipping rising generations, we’re filled with Spirit-led anticipation for these two couples to join our pastoral team and contribute their God-given gifts to the vision the Lord has given our congregation.
I'm looking forward to all God has for us this autumn season!
Pastor Tim
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