I'm going to redo the encouragement post for Dione Bowlding, our Youth Director. The first post was on July 1 but was soon swamped under by all the Street Reach posts. How about a revisit?
Dione grew up at Mt. Oak and is nearing his under grad degree. He has been our Youth Director for several years and was on volunteer staff before that time.
I will begin by saying Dione has a real heart for the youth. He is very creative and is willing to do most anything to reach a young person for Jesus. He loves to worship God and to train others - equipping them for worship.
He is pleasant to work with and is growing in his abilities and his work ethic. I am glad to call him friend and to work with him in ministry at Mt. Oak.
How about you? What can you say as a word of encouragement for Dione? How about something about Street Reach or any ministry Dione has helped direct?
Posts
When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
6 comments:
I appreciate Dione and all the work he does with the youth at the church. He invests time and patience and the Word of God into these young people. He teaches them about building relationships by relating to them. He has real vision for the upcoming church of tomorrow. All this while taking care of his family, going to school and being a Dad to his little ones.
I pray God's every blessing on both he and Mal as they serve the church and our young people.
Elizabeth Craig
Dione is awesome. He's there to talk when you need him, and he's a great friend, leader, and role model. Dione is someone I can open up and talk to and know I can always get great godly advice from. I'm so honored to say he's my youth pastor. I love you so much Dione!
-Catherine Patterson
It's been so cool to see Dione in so many facets of life from youth pastor, to band member, to friend, to father. For a man that wears so many different hats, he wears them all well especially since one can see his Christ-like characteristics play out in all of them.
His heart is so pure and so open. He is ready to be that hand or shoulder for the youth, his family, and his friends. There's a peace about him that makes you want to know him and know the Christ that rests in Him. The only way I can describe that sense of peace is the feeling I get when I see a small body of water like a pond when the sun hits it just right and all the inhabitants are living in harmony.
I pray that God continues to unravel His plan for Dione as he goes from glory to glory; youth pastor and beyond.
Dear Pastor Ray:
I’m writing this long overdue letter to you to let you know what I think of your Youth Ministry.
My husband and I, as well as our children have been members of St. Matthews United Methodist Church for over 11 years, and although my husband and I really enjoy our church, the boys came to the age where they needed something spiritual at their level and were not receiving it through our church. Our boys grew up in the church and we wanted to keep them there and excited about learning. As much as we love our church, the youth ministry was not keeping the boys interested, so when a friend invited them to his youth group, we were excited. They came home from youth group so upbeat! They knew right away they had found a new “home” away from home. For more than a year now, our twins, Jacob and Benjamin have been coming to your church.
Over this time, we have observed your youth ministry take our children under their wings and help them to become the young men they are. Under the leadership of Dione, your ministry to the youth in our community is one of a kind. There hasn’t been a time when I have contacted either Dione or one of the leaders that they haven’t helped me in whatever I’ve needed. The boys look forward to church, youth group, men’s bible study and anything else they are invited to; as well as making many great friends through the church.
I wanted to make sure the church, as well as Dione knows that we feel he is superb in his role as Youth Pastor. We couldn’t ask for anyone better! I know his life is very busy with going to school, raising two children and his job there at the church, and I think he should be commended for the outstanding job he is doing. He should be very proud of his work with these young people!! My husband and I are very “watchful” parents and like to know where are children are at all times and they safe and secure wherever they are … when they are at Mt. Oak, we have no worries.
I hope that Dione will be there for many more years to come. His position in the church is one of the most important in the eyes of a parent, and I for one think he’s absolutely marvelous! Thanks Dione and Youth Leaders for making the Mt. Oak’s Youth Program an outstanding place where our children can spend quality time!
Sincerely,
Patty Holmes
As my oldest son Nash prepares to leave home for the first time and enter college, I think back many years ago when he was a little tike. Back then I hoped and prayed that a young adult would enter his life some day to provide love, guidance, and direction. Hoping they would provide these things not in place of what Cindy and I provided, but in addition too.
Obviously, a parent provides a very important role in the raising of a child, but not the only role. For boys, it is important that other men, especially young men in the community, also play a positive role. You can be the best parent in the world, but sometimes a child needs an outlet that is not a parent.
God has provided not one, but three such young men for Nash. Dione, Jeris, and Joe. Incredible…..absolutely incredible!
Simply said, Dione has been an answer to my prayers. Thank you Dione for all you have done for our church, the youth, and Nash.
Mark Woods
Thanks be to God that we at Mount Oak have Dione as the spiritual leader for our youth! He stepped in to the position just in time--I know he was concerned but faithful to God that He would know the direction to send Dionne when leading the youth. He has touched many young and old alike--and we are very blessed to have him. What an understatement that is---but I pray that he knows and continues to understand the direction that's been layed out for him. Thank you, Dionne, for being there for out young people (and old people). Lorie Lowery
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