Tell The Story: FCC Born-and-Raised
If you have been around FCC long, you know that Serving on the Team is a big part of our culture. We believe that everyone needs to experience the missional synergy of serving on an effective team where peoples' gifts are meaningfully used and appreciated for their unique contributions.
David Bowlin has been a part of FCC for over 17 years and refers to himself as “FCC-born-and-raised." He experienced every part of our Next-Gen Ministry (minus the nursery). While eating goldfish with his preschool peers, he was taught about Jesus and His great love every Sunday by faithful Kids Team workers. David fondly recalls “everyday boring faithful” leaders pouring into him in small group time and showing how much they cared for him. By the end of elementary school, he had memorized scripture, had an overall understanding of God’s Word, and knew the love of God and how He displayed His love through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
David began 6th grade with excitement about the adventure that awaited. Student ministry invited him to join in their summer events, and, although he felt like the “new kid on the block,” he was once again welcomed by both students and adult leaders. His leaders began pouring into him and developed a meaningful relationship with him and the other students, while pointing him to Christ.
As is the culture at FCC, David was encouraged to begin Serving on the Team. He would hang out every Monday afternoon after guitar practice and help with whatever he could. On Wednesday nights, he started playing with the worship band. On Sundays, he served in kids, tech, guests and on the worship team. David remembers learning what it was like to give his time and energy sacrificially, but also to do it with joy.
David began 6th grade with excitement about the adventure that awaited. Student ministry invited him to join in their summer events, and, although he felt like the “new kid on the block,” he was once again welcomed by both students and adult leaders. His leaders began pouring into him and developed a meaningful relationship with him and the other students, while pointing him to Christ.
As is the culture at FCC, David was encouraged to begin Serving on the Team. He would hang out every Monday afternoon after guitar practice and help with whatever he could. On Wednesday nights, he started playing with the worship band. On Sundays, he served in kids, tech, guests and on the worship team. David remembers learning what it was like to give his time and energy sacrificially, but also to do it with joy.
When he reached high school, David joined the Student Leadership Team and quickly learned that leadership involved serving people. This team is made up of high school students who have a desire to grow in their walk with Christ by learning to be a servant leader through Helping their peers Find and Follow Jesus.
After graduating, David began leading our Young Adult Ministry, where he now pours into others, shepherds them well, leads with vulnerability, and Helps Young Adults Find and Follow Jesus.
After graduating, David began leading our Young Adult Ministry, where he now pours into others, shepherds them well, leads with vulnerability, and Helps Young Adults Find and Follow Jesus.
When asked what it has means to have grown up serving and being part of the body, David said,
“Behind every program at FCC are people, just like you and me, who did the hard thing, and served in a sacrificial way that taught me and developed me into the man I am today. God works through His local Church. My life is a testament to that.” I’m thankful that we are a church that embraces the mission of Ephesians 4:13-16 and when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Don’t think that your labor is in vain!"
"Thanks to the preschool teachers that deal with the runners and the shy kids like me. Thanks to the kids large group leaders who communicate the truth of the gospel and show up to engage their kids week after week! Thanks to the 180 leaders who poor into their students, recognizing they can have an immense effect on their spiritual growth. Thanks to those who pray for the next generation! Thanks for those who love the church and build it up, as the hope of the world and the place where you and I experience meaningful growth. Thank you FCC for serving the toddlers, kids, students, and young adults like me.”
"Thanks to the preschool teachers that deal with the runners and the shy kids like me. Thanks to the kids large group leaders who communicate the truth of the gospel and show up to engage their kids week after week! Thanks to the 180 leaders who poor into their students, recognizing they can have an immense effect on their spiritual growth. Thanks to those who pray for the next generation! Thanks for those who love the church and build it up, as the hope of the world and the place where you and I experience meaningful growth. Thank you FCC for serving the toddlers, kids, students, and young adults like me.”
Posted in Tell the Story