07/17/2026
Youth-in-Action 2026
For three incredible days, Core Student Ministries had the privilege of partnering with Diboll Methodist Church for Youth-in-Action. Together, we rolled up our sleeves, got our hands dirty, and served our community with everything we had. More than anything, we watched our students live out their faith and become the hands and feet of Jesus.
Great Beginnings Preschool:
We began the week by cleaning and sanitizing hundreds of cubbies at Great Beginnings Preschool. It was an opportunity to serve behind the scenes and help lighten the load for those who invest in our children and youth every single day.
S.A.A.F.E. House:
From there, we headed to one of the S.A.A.F.E. House homes, where we tackled an overgrown yard that hadn't been touched in months. The work was hot, dirty, and exhausting, but our students never hesitated to grab a rake, pick up debris, and do whatever was needed. The students’ hearts were transformed when they learned about and prayed over the family we were helping. Just ask them.
Center of Hope:
At the Center of Hope, our students completed projects that staff estimated would normally take more than 35 volunteers days to complete.
Matthews Park:
After serving, we traded work gloves for hiking shoes and sandy britches, and took on one of the toughest geocaching hikes we've ever experienced at Matthews Park. Mrs. Margaret kept us fueled with amazing sandwiches as always, and somewhere between playing Jorge of the Jungle in the not-so-existent trails and the picnic tables, more memories were made.
MannaFest:
At MannaFest, we moved stacks of heavy food pallets so their warehouse pallets could be lifted, reorganized, and restocked. They were blown away at the amount of labor that we saved the people who volunteer at MannaFest, allowing them to continue serving families throughout our community.
An Evening of Fun:
After a full day of serving, we partied together with a giant waterslide, a mountain of foam bubbles, kickball, swingsets, hot dogs, ice pops, and plenty of laughter. Those moments reminded us that serving together doesn't just build stronger ministries - it builds stronger friendships. It creates a family.
Cemetery Ministry:
We wrapped up the week serving at a local cemetery, cleaning headstones and gravesites by removing debris, old flowers, and overgrowth. It was one of toughest projects we've ever done, but it also became the most emotional.
As we worked, we couldn't help but notice the stories surrounding us. There were headstones of infants and young children decorated with little toys, Legos, stuffed animals, and tiny trains. Those simple reminders of lives cut short brought many of us to tears.
What started as a work project became a lesson in compassion, gratitude, and the sacredness of remembering those who have gone before us. It reminded us that even something as simple as cleaning a headstone can be an act of love and respect for families we've never met.
When I think back on this week, I won't remember the number of cubbies we cleaned or the pallets we moved.
I'll remember the laughter around the meals we shared.
The laughs and screeches on the hiking trail.
The worship.
The long days of hard work.
The tears we cried together.
The people we had the privilege of serving.
And the way God melted our hearts together through every moment.
I couldn't be more proud of every student and adult who said "yes" to serving. Thank you to Diboll Methodist Church for partnering with us. Your friendship, your servant hearts, and your willingness to jump into every project made this week unforgettable.
"Here I am. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8 ❤️
