Growing a Generation of Worshipers

This summer was long and short in many ways, but I want to take a moment to share what we're excited about for this year. I've been talking with people across New Mexico who have active programs for students and children, and I have been praying daily for God to grow our vision for reaching people through music and the arts. God has been so faithful to bring things to life through our prayers, and I am super stoked to be here as He breathes new life into our Worship & Arts Ministry.

This 2026-2027 school year has given us great opportunities to search for ways to expand our Worship & Arts Ministry, and I am so very excited for what we've been planning! We've seen growth in our student ministry in regard to Worship & Arts, and I am actively discipling and organizing our student worship team. Our leadership team has been blown away by how quickly they are learning and by the eagerness to participate that we have seen. Students who did not know how to play instruments two months ago are now in a band with their peers. Praise the Lord for calling our students to do ministry!

I am also excited to share that we are going to take a more ambitious approach with our elementary-age children. Starting September 13, we will be offering a time during KidsQuest+ (Sundays @ 5:30) that will not only engage children in singing songs but will also teach them basic music theory. The activities, movement warm-ups, instrumental activities, and other fun music-related work that we will be providing look to be very engaging for young children. If you are interested in learning more about our KidsQuest+Worship program, I am open to dialogue and collaboration.

Last year's KidsQuest+Worship time was very impactful. We were trying to revamp the kids' music time in any way possible, and I am very hopeful that we will continue to grow a love of music in our children. We have many children and students in our church, and my hope is to see active participation in music across our church, starting with our youngest members!

If you are looking for a place in our church to serve, I encourage you to look around, pray about the ministries we have here, and jump in wherever you are being led. If you feel called to the Worship & Arts team, my office door is always open! I am excited to see where the Lord is taking us as a church, and we are just getting started in the work He's prepared us to do.

If God has called you to ministry using a creative expression of worship, I want you to think of the words Paul sent to the Ephesians:

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

God has work cut out for you to do; I pray you will join Him in what He is already doing! Wherever your feet might take you, take the testimony of Jesus Christ and what He has done in your life with you. As the hymn tells us, "Let others see Jesus in you!"

Finally, I want to encourage you to pray for our children and students. We have seen so much growth in our students in just one month, and I know firsthand the growth they can experience throughout this school year. Pray that they will stay the course and continue to serve together. Pray for our children, that they will be receptive to the Gospel through the songs we teach them, and that they will become active participants in worship during our Sunday evening discipleship time!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Nick Harvey
Associate Pastor of Music & Worship

Email Nick