Hey Good Shepherd,
Walking into the building this week you could feel something electric in the air. The music was loud, the rooms were buzzing, the colors were bright, and everywhere you looked, kids were laughing, dancing, and singing their hearts out. Over 300 children filled our space for VBS—some hearing about Jesus for the very first time—and it was nothing short of incredible.
And right alongside them? You. More than 200 volunteers brought that joy to life.
From leading small groups to managing snack stations, guiding games to helping a shy kid feel safe—you served with heart, creativity, and a contagious energy that overflowed into every corner of our church. I saw new volunteers stepping in for the first time and others who’ve been doing this for decades. Teenagers, retirees, working professionals, parents, teachers, college students—you all came together in a beautiful display of what the church can be when we rally around a shared mission.
And here’s the best part: it wasn’t just fun. It was sacred.
Behind every energetic kid was a story. Some came from our Little Lambs Preschool—families we don’t often see in worship—taking a step into our community. Others were completely new to Good Shepherd, showing up because of an invite, a flyer, or a friend’s encouragement. I met parents and kids I’d never seen before, and they all experienced a church that was full of life and love.
Of course, it wasn’t always easy. From the moment the doors opened to the final note of the closing song, you poured yourselves out. You told Bible stories, braved the heat to lead games, passed out snacks with a smile, lead crafts and danced to songs that are now permanently stuck in your head. You stayed late, came early, and probably collapsed on your couch each night with sore feet and a full heart.
Yes, you were tired. But it was the best kind of tired—the kind that comes from doing something that matters.
And it mattered. Because in all of it—in the crafts and games and songs and quiet conversations—you lived out our mission:
To be a vibrant Christian movement in the heart of our community igniting hope and meaningful change for new generations.
That’s exactly what you did. You ignited hope. You sparked something that will ripple far beyond last week.
So I want to express my deep gratitude for each of you. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for saying yes. Thank you for being the kind of church that dreams big and loves even bigger. I could not be more grateful—or more proud—to be your pastor.
And I truly believe this is just the beginning of what God is doing through us.
Peace,
Matt Fulmer
