Beyond the Numbers: A Heartfelt Thank You for Summer 2026
As the summer ministry season wraps up and our teams take a moment to reflect on all God has done, we want to pause and say one thing to our Greater Jackson family: thank you.
If you read our recent newsletter, you saw the incredible impact of our Christian Youth In Action (CYIA) summer ministry. But behind every single statistic is a face, a prayer, and a moment of absolute obedience. This summer was not a success because of a program; it was a success because a dedicated family of believers—our interns, our volunteers, and you—stepped up to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
To Our Phenomenal Interns: Caleb, Autumn, Kylie, and Eli
We are still in awe of you. Watching the four of you step onto the frontlines of ministry this summer was nothing short of inspiring.
- Caleb, your passion for counseling kids and guiding them toward salvation was a beautiful thing to witness.
- Autumn, your radiant joy and ability to connect with the kids during song time brought an abundance of life to our clubs.
- Kylie, the quiet, powerful moments of prayer you shared with children showed a maturity far beyond your years.
- Eli, your bold step of faith—serving entirely as a volunteer—and your deep desire to follow God’s call set a profound example for us all.
You were stretched, you were tired, and you were spiritually tested—but you stood firm, and God used you to change eternity. We can not wait to see how He uses each of you next.
To Our Youth and Adult Volunteers
Whether you are a teenager who gave up your summer break or an adult who adjusted your busy work schedule, this summer belonged to you, too.
To our five youth volunteers and six adult volunteers—including the wonderful Brent Varner, our beloved “Prof. Poppy”, whose Gospel illusions opened so many doors—you are the unsung heroes of this chapter. Thank you for driving the vans, prepping the snacks, managing the check-in chaos, and lifting our teams in prayer. You built the safety net that allowed our interns to fly.
What We Accomplished Together
Because you answered the call we took the light of the Gospel directly into apartment complexes, community centers, and YMCA camps across four different counties (Madison, Gibson, Crockett, and Haywood).
Because of your radical generosity, your prayers, and your hands-on service:
- 67 individual club sessions were successfully hosted.
- 402 children heard a clear, powerful presentation of the Gospel.
- 123 precious boys and girls received individual, one-on-one prayer and counseling regarding the heavy burdens on their hearts.
- 39 children made the life-changing decision to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!
Stepping Into Fall
As the school bells prepare to ring and we pivot toward our Good News Clubs, we carry the momentum of this summer with us. The seeds have been planted, the harvest is coming in, and our hearts are overflowing.
We are deeply honored to do this work alongside you. Thank you for loving the children of Central West Tennessee, and thank you for being a vital part of the Greater Jackson Chapter family.
