Cheyenne Koch

Adventure. Help people. Appreciate what you have. Friends. FOMO. Fun. Compassion. Obedience. For the glory of God.  These are all various reasons for why people go on short-term mission trips. What about you? Why do you do what you do? Our Father loves all of humanity created in His image and desires for all to enjoy a loving, familial relationship with Him. As we pursue His heart, He has moved our hearts to partner with other local churches in Eastern Kentucky to help them share with their communities the same grace and truth and love that we have come to know and enjoy in Christ.  In the Spring of 2018, we took a group of students on a new adventure to Owsley County, KY. Adam and Franny Stall had just reopened the Carpenter’s Village Retreat Center, and our goal was to minister to both them and our students, build a gaga ball pit for the camp, and build/deliver beds for children in the area. This was only a few short months after the January 23rd school shooting, s...

Youth ministry is all about being together and building relationships — with Jesus Christ, with peers, with parents, and with the local body of believers.  But what do you do when “together” is suddenly stripped away, and the whole country withdrawals in isolation to slow down the spread of sickness?  Quality time together, the very foundation of youth ministry is shaken to its core and we are forced to avoid contact with others, especially in groups of ten or more.  What can youth pastors and students do to remain connected and grow together in Christ? In a time of quarantine and social distancing, youth ministry can seem to have hit a brick wall. But this is the time for youth pastors to step up and lead.  As ministry leaders, we are probably more skilled in using the tools and social media necessary to connect with students in meaningful relationships.  In some ways it will be easier, but in many other ways it will require a ramp up of intentional efforts...

#LifeStory [ 12 ]  August 17, 2012 I am living proof that the Lord has a sense of humor!  He's calling me to full-time youth ministry!  Almost a year ago, at our church's last Global Outreach Celebration, Elyssa and I both felt that there was more to life than just teaching and serving in our church, but we didn't specifically know what.  I had never been on a mission  trip, but I found myself thinking it would be great if we could somehow plan a family mission trip.  We talked about going to Washington State for a week to help a young couple there plant a church, and started making plans and discussing travel. But in January of 2012, our church's youth pastor of 10 years announced that he was called to lead the youth ministry of a church in Tennessee.  Our hearts were heavy as we cancelled plans for Washington, and committed to help work with the youth and keep things going until our church found another youth pastor. Daniel, Micah, and I met wit...