July 25, 2026
Dear Central Church,
What a joy it has been to see our church investing in the next generation this summer.
This week, our youth ministry departs for Nazarene Youth Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. NYC is one of the most significant spiritual experiences available to Nazarene students, bringing together thousands of teenagers from around the world for worship, discipleship, service, and fellowship. Please join me in praying that God would use this week to draw our students closer to Him and help them discover His purposes for their lives. Pray also for safe travel and for the leaders who are generously giving their time and energy to accompany them.
At the same time, construction has officially begun on the downstairs preschool area in preparation for the launch of KidCentral Preschool on August 17. Throughout July, you'll notice significant improvements taking place as we create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for children and families. This project represents much more than a facility upgrade—it is an investment in young lives and an opportunity to serve families in our community with the love of Christ. None of this would be possible without your prayers and faithful financial support. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the mission of Central Church.
These two developments—sending students to NYC and preparing to open KidCentral Preschool—have something important in common. They are both investments in helping people encounter Jesus. Whether we are ministering to preschoolers, children, teenagers, or adults, we believe God is at work drawing people to Himself and shaping them into His image. Few investments yield greater eternal impact than those we make in the lives of the next generation.
This Sunday, we will continue our Holy God...Holy People series as we journey through 1 Peter. In 1 Peter 4, Peter reminds believers that our world is filled with competing visions of the "good life." We are constantly encouraged to pursue comfort, pleasure, status, or the latest trend. Yet Peter challenges us to live with our eyes open to God's vision for who we are and what He has called us to do.
Life is too short to spend our days chasing temporary pleasures or living for whatever captures the culture's attention in the moment. Instead, Peter points us toward a life centered on prayer. Prayer connects us to our Creator, aligns our hearts with His purposes, and opens our eyes to what truly matters. It helps us see ourselves, our neighbors, and our world through God's perspective.
As we gather this Sunday, I encourage you to come ready to worship, to pray, and to listen for God's voice. My prayer is that together we would become the holy people God is calling us to be—fully awake to His presence and fully engaged in His mission.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we worship the Lord together.
With Resurrection Hope,
Pastor Mark