As we wrap up the school year this month, I want to pause and thank God for all the education opportunities both young and old had here at Mount Olive this past year.

It’s probably no surprise by my position or degree that I’m extremely passionate about Christian Education! While we planted seeds of faith in the littlest of members, our members who have been studying God’s Word for decades still were taught new things they had never learned before. God calls us to be lifelong learners and one of the very best things about a church family is that we can learn from each other.

I’m extremely grateful that in this year of vacancy, we were able to consistently have a vibrant and engaging Cana Hall Adult Bible Study thanks to Russ and Connie Benson, Harold and Linda Matson, Phil and Sandy Pippo, and Denny Lutter. This group faithfully met together to plan and lead our Adult Bible Studies! Thank you to Sandy Peterson for leading our parenting study, Paulette Lenz for leading a virtual morning class, Jim Rootes for his Exploration and Discovery Study, Janet Orrick’s First Place for Health Class, and many other adult studies that happened.

For our younger learners, we had a year of fun and engaging learning! I’d especially like to thank Randy Palmer for leading our Wednesday Sr. High Youth Bible Study, Travis and Jen Busch and Tony and Jerusha Davis for leading our Sunday Sr. High Bible Study, Dawn Anderson for leading our Jr. High Bible Study, and Allyson Linden, Lanea Elgersma, and Sheena Valley for helping me with Sunday School. Ministry is never meant to be done alone and I am so grateful that many of our members have stepped up to help in Children, Youth, and Adult Ministry!

I had the great privilege of teaching Confirmation this year and was inspired by our junior youth diving deep into Luther’s Small Catechism and coming with great questions every week. My great joy was getting to teach Sunday School to our kids and continue to create relationships with our incredible families.

Even in a year of so much change and uncertainty, I’m extremely humbled by the commitment of our members to regularly attend worship and Education Hour. As a church family, we celebrated five youth receive their First Communion, three children receive their own Bibles, and four youth will be confirming their faith on May 3.

As we prepare for Summer and sunny days to arrive, we look ahead to VBS! I want to express my thankfulness for all the donations, prayers, volunteers, and support VBS has already received. We already have over 100 kids signed up! VBS is an incredible opportunity to get families into our doors and potentially introduce them to Jesus’ love for the very first time. Pray that hearts will be opened and that we may provide a safe place for these children to ask questions and learn more about our loving Savior! There are more opportunities to support VBS, keep checking out the table in the Welcome Center.

May you all be reminded of how grateful I am to serve here at Mount Olive! To get to do what I love in a place I love with people I love is truly a gift! Together, let’s continue living to love people to Christ!

Martha Harkins, DCE    

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