Jesse Luyk

Christmas is an opportunity to celebrate the good news of Jesus that brings great joy. We give thanks for the miracle of God with us. As you and your mentors meet with students each week, you reflect that great joy of Jesus and the love that God has for all of us.

As we begin this holiday season marked by family and friendship, gratitude and goodness, I invite you to give yourself permission to take a moment to pause.

Pause to reignite the practice of thanksgiving and gratitude, the practice of slowing down to remind ourselves of the many good things that God is doing and will continue to do.

October is a time for all the fall things: comfy sweaters, apple pie, colorful leaves, and pumpkin everything. It’s also a time we set aside to show some extra appreciation to our pastors. Having grown up in a pastor’s home and being the wife of a pastoral staff member, I know somewhat of the load that is carried and the difference a word of appreciation can mean. Many pastors have a special file folder where they keep notes from people who offered an encouraging word along the way. They’ll open that folder when they’re having a particularly difficult time just to squeeze out a little more goodness from words written sometimes long ago. I encourage you to take the time to gather notes from your team and present those to your pastor and staff from your Kids Hope USA program during Pastor Appreciation Month. As we all know, words of encouragement make a difference!

“I watch God use our mentors’ small acts of faithfulness each week to bring joy to their students and the smile on our kids’ faces to bring satisfaction and a sense of connectedness and calling to our mentors.” – KHUSA Director

This past month, our family took a trip to the beach for summer vacation. As we looked out at the waves crashing over and over again on the shore, I was reminded of the steady cycle of the director experience. The excitement of a new school year. The steady middle months when mentors dig deep with their student, building relationships while we provide support and encouragement. The wild end of the year when we celebrate all the good things God has done through our relationships. The quiet summer months where we can rest and renew. The way the cycle starts over again each year.