Over the past few weeks, I have found myself in several conversations around the history of First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Some of the conversations have been a learning opportunity for me. Others have been a chance for me to share my own history with the church and my experience with youth ministry, both…

Christmas was one of my mom’s favorite holidays. There was this specific CD she pulled out every year that had all the “dramatic” Christmas songs on it (I have no idea what it was called. I just know it was green and that I got excited when I saw it). As many families do, we…

A few weeks ago, I embarked on a new journey as I started classes at Brite Divinity School. Going to seminary has always been in the back of my mind. The thought started growing my senior year of high school as I went through the Rite 12 program. I loved getting to learn more about…

Youth mission trips have always been important to me and my family. Four generations of my family have been on mission trips here at First Hurst, from my great-grandfather, Chuck Jorden, down to me and my brothers. As our current students are gearing up for our 2023 mission trip, I have found myself reflecting on…

This is a staple mission trip question. It’s also one of my favorite questions. I ask myself this question frequently, but especially when I’m not in a great head space. These past few weeks have been on the chaotic side of things. In the middle of it all, I asked myself to look and see…

“What kind of feelings come to mind when you think about Lent? Do you think of sunshine & rainbows? Or do you think more of clouds and gloom?” This was a conversation that took place a few Sundays ago with some of our students during Group Life. Many students described Lent as a time that…

On New Year’s Day I had lunch with my parents after church. We caught up with what we had all been up to and how we spent our New Year’s Eve. My stepmom asked me what my goals were for 2023. I knew I would be asked this eventually. I’m not entirely sure why, but…

I have recently been rewatching one of my favorite TV shows, Once Upon a Time. If you haven’t heard of it, I’ll give you a quick run-down. Fairytale characters live in a place called the Enchanted Forest. The Evil Queen casts a curse that brings them to a place without magic, our world. The characters…