Opportunity Presbyterian Has New Youth Minister

When he was in college, Mike Reynolds was torn between pursuing a career as golf pro or becoming a youth pastor.

Reynolds, who just turned 23 on Thursday, made his decision to turn to youth ministry thanks to the support of his new bride, Kimberly, and his long-time mentor, Jeff Mugford.

He began his new position as director of youth ministries at Opportunity Presbyterian Church two weeks ago.

It was Mugford, Reynolds’s own youth pastor, who took him under his wing as a teenager and nurtured him. “He’s been like a second father to me,” says Reynolds. “He’s still my mentor and he was the best man at my wedding.”

Reynolds credits his wife with giving him the support he needed to make the step to becoming a full-time youth minister. She used to be a youth minister herself, which makes for some collaborative efforts.

“We’re kind of a team effort,” says Reynolds.

His ministry position at Opportunity Presbyterian is his first. Previously, Reynolds did an internship in Phoenix under Mugford. He started looking at positions in Spokane after his wife brought him to visit the area where she grew up.

“She brought me up to show me how cool it was and I just fell in love with it,” says Reynolds. Her parents own a cabin on Hayden Lake, Idaho, where the Reynolds’ are staying while they check out homes in the area.

Opportunity Presbyterian was able to bring him up before the school year began to let him get a feel for how things are going. “They had a very active program last year,” says Reynolds. One thing he is thinking about starting is a youth band, says Reynolds, who helped run a similar program in Pheonix.

Reynolds is not an ordained pastor, but says he does have plans to become one.

All the corn you can eat

Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 10422 E. Main, will host its annual corn dinner Thursday. The all-you-can-eat meal will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for kids ages 6-12, and $7 for teens and adults. Children age five and under are free.

Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance by calling the church office at 924-7262.

Potluck, play and fellowship

Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines, is kicking off the back-to-school season early with a special potluck and play after the 10 a.m. worship service on Aug. 24.

The fellowship class will present an Old Testament play, which will be followed by a potluck lunch.

Each family is asked to bring a main dish along with a dessert or salad, as well as their own table service. Beverages will be provided.

For more information, call the church office at 926-3691.

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