Can you believe summer is already winding down?
As we look ahead to launching Youth Group and Kingdom Kids this September, we wanted to pause and reflect on what God has done over the past few months. From long bus rides to mountaintop worship, from hilltop cross moments to VBS mayhem, this summer was nothing short of miraculous. Here’s a look back at how God was moving through the youth and kids ministries of FBC Blanco—after the bell rang.
Summer started with a baton pass that couldn’t have been more Spirit-led. After five faithful years of building something truly incredible in our student ministry, Gary Kuzins stepped into his new role as Community Pastor—leaving the youth group not behind, but in the hands of someone ready to run with it. Jonathan Weldon joined our team this summer and hit the ground running, seamlessly stepping into leadership with heart, humility, and a clear passion for students knowing Jesus. The two have worked side by side to ensure nothing was lost in transition. What Gary planted, Jonathan is watering, and it’s already bearing fruit.
Together, they led our Youth Summer Camp trip to Glorieta, NM.
In June, 13 leaders and 57 students loaded up a charter bus and a passenger van for the 660-mile journey. We rolled out around 11 PM and by 1 PM the next day, we arrived and dove straight into one of the most powerful weeks our youth group has ever experienced.
Sure, we were exhausted. But we were hungry to see what God would do.
The theme of the week was “No Other Name” based on Philippians 2:9–11, and that name, Jesus, was front and center. Zip lines, water slides, hikes, and even a 5K (which our group showed up for big time); the Gospel was woven in. Each night, we gathered as one big family, sharing stories, struggles, and breakthroughs. Seeds were planted. Chains were broken. Lives were changed.
And what felt like all too soon, we returned home, ready for the next chapter.
The theme of the week was “No Other Name” based on Philippians 2:9–11, and that name, Jesus, was front and center. Zip lines, water slides, hikes, and even a 5K (which our group showed up for big time); the Gospel was woven in. Each night, we gathered as one big family, sharing stories, struggles, and breakthroughs. Seeds were planted. Chains were broken. Lives were changed.
And what felt like all too soon, we returned home, ready for the next chapter.
Four days later, we were prepping for Kidz Kamp
Our leaders regrouped to launch into a weekend retreat for 3rd–5th graders. Some of the same leaders from Glorieta were back, joined by seasoned volunteers and older students who had just been to youth camp, now stepping up to disciple. They shared stories, sang songs, led games, and showed these young hearts what it looks like to follow Jesus.
One of the most powerful moments came during the Golgotha Run, where kids carried wooden beams symbolizing their sin to the top of a hill. As they came down, they laid their burdens across their shoulders. The shadow that cast across the ground from the cross was striking and incredibly symbolic.
On the final evening, after dinner and worship, the kids returned to the top of that hill, gathered around the massive cross, and sang with everything they had. Robert Upshaw preached all weekend, and by the time the kids joined the congregation for worship on Sunday at FBC Blanco—fresh off the hilltop—you could tell: Jesus had left a mark.
And as luck would have it, we weren't quite finished giving the kids of Blanco an action-packed, Jesus-filled summer.
And as luck would have it, we weren't quite finished giving the kids of Blanco an action-packed, Jesus-filled summer.
Which brought us to one of the biggest weeks of the summer—Vacation Bible School.
From July 14–18, over 80 volunteers came together to serve 170+ kids under the theme "Magnified" Psalm 34:3. The two weeks prior, our church slowly transformed into a magnified wonderland thanks to the tireless work of our Kid's Ministry Director, Stephanie Hudson, and her army of volunteers. You could feel the excitement building before the first kid even checked in.
This wasn’t just a week of Bible stories and goldfish crackers. It was a full-on, gospel-heavy, joy-filled, heart-shifting experience. Every single day, our kids were invited into a bigger story and shown how they fit in it.
Our volunteers poured themselves out. They prayed, taught, listened, cheered, comforted, and served like it was the most important week of the year. The kids learned that the God who made everything still wants time with them. That the One who calmed storms also calms their worries. Even when they mess up, He still loves and forgives them.
It was evident—The Holy Spirit was present at VBS!
Our volunteers poured themselves out. They prayed, taught, listened, cheered, comforted, and served like it was the most important week of the year. The kids learned that the God who made everything still wants time with them. That the One who calmed storms also calms their worries. Even when they mess up, He still loves and forgives them.
It was evident—The Holy Spirit was present at VBS!
So... What Now?
If we’re being honest, we’re still catching our breath. There are probably remnants from VBS in random corners of the church, but we wouldn’t change a thing. And now, as we roll into fall with Youth Group and Kingdom Kids ready to launch, we do it knowing that this summer was just as fun as it was foundational. And we’re just getting started!
If you're already looking forward to what's next in the Youth and Kid's Ministries, here are a few events that you can mark in you calendars as we head into the fall:
August 17 - Kidz Kamp BTS Breakfast: For Kidz Kamp attendees and their families.
August 20 - The Plunge: For incoming 6th graders.
August 25 - First 5th Quarter of the football season: For all students following final buzzer.
August 27 - Youth Group Kick Off Party: For students grades 6-12, let;s dive into fall in style!
September 3 - Youth Group and Kingdom Kids on Wednesday Nights Returns!
September 24 - See You At The Pole 2025
If you're already looking forward to what's next in the Youth and Kid's Ministries, here are a few events that you can mark in you calendars as we head into the fall:
August 17 - Kidz Kamp BTS Breakfast: For Kidz Kamp attendees and their families.
August 20 - The Plunge: For incoming 6th graders.
August 25 - First 5th Quarter of the football season: For all students following final buzzer.
August 27 - Youth Group Kick Off Party: For students grades 6-12, let;s dive into fall in style!
September 3 - Youth Group and Kingdom Kids on Wednesday Nights Returns!
September 24 - See You At The Pole 2025
Keep up with our events by following our Instagram & Facebook Pages:
Instagram:
Youth Page - @fbcyth
Kid's Page - @fbcblancokids
Church Page - @fbcblanco
Facebook:
Youth Page
Kid's Page
Church Page
Instagram:
Youth Page - @fbcyth
Kid's Page - @fbcblancokids
Church Page - @fbcblanco
Facebook:
Youth Page
Kid's Page
Church Page
Posted in Updates
Posted in Youth Group, Youth, Kid\\\\\\\'s Ministry, Youth Ministry, FBC Blanco, Blanco Kids
Posted in Youth Group, Youth, Kid\\\\\\\'s Ministry, Youth Ministry, FBC Blanco, Blanco Kids
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