As we draw to the end of another school year, it’s amazing to look back and see the faithful hand of God at work throughout the last year. We’ve had a consistent average attendance of 42 students and in all we’ve had 89 different students come through our doors.

The highlight of the year for me has been watching the student and adult leadership excel and share my ministry vision. They have been learning how to reach youth by being trained in sharing the gospel boldly and clearly. With the high schoolers, it’s been cool to see them learning to reach unbelievers with the gospel, and encourage one another. The graduating seniors that have regularly attended this year are three young women that God has been clearly growing each in their own unique way.

One way I have seen God working the most clearly with the student ministry is at Simple Church. Those that show up consistently are learning how to let their guards down and pray with each other. I am discipling this group to grow into engaging with God on deeper levels; as I pour into them, they are learning to pour into others.

This year wouldn’t have been possible without the adults; Wayne and Annette Klassen, Michelle Schroeder, Tina Schroeder, Slade Harder and Alaina Reynolds who show up every night to serve these kids. It is a joy to see them share my ministry mindset and to have adults that say “yeah, let’s do that!” 

This summer will be focused on having laid back Wednesday night meetings, where the discipling relationships can continue to be developed. That means that the other usual summer events that take up a lot of time and money to plan will have to be left off for this year.

One event that will be a highlight this summer is another missions trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. At first I was disappointed that only eight students had signed up to go, but then I realized that they were all my student leaders who’ve been showing up regularly to simple church and whom I’ve been investing into extra. Almost all of the adult leaders will be going as well. These are the ones who are excited to tell about Jesus even when it’s not easy. I’m praying that this student ministry will engage in the Dare2Share philosophy of making disciples that make disciples and that this missions trip will be a turning point where this vision will spread from a couple to a whole culture understanding it. My expectations for this trip are that there will be dynamic training and putting it into practice, with a time at the end to look at Mt. Lake, apply the lessons of the nuts and bolts of discipling others every day, and how to reach this town as our mission field.

I want to thank everyone who has supported this ministry through prayer. Please keep praying for the students and our leaders. Pray that God would meet the kids where each one is at in a deep and personal way and that He will use this upcoming mission trip to further advance His Kingdom in Mountain Lake. 

In Christ,

Micah Siebert