Deeper and Wider

In 2020, Hershey Free decided that it is vital to focus ministry on young adults. We choose to leverage our multi-generational reality by building bridges with future generations. If we are truly going to be a community of multiple generations coming together, we must ensure that young adults are invited, equipped, and empowered to be a part of our gospel mission. This is our five-year vision.

"Leveraging our multi-generational congregation, we will build bridges for the transformation of young adults in our church and community so that together we can engage the gospel and be equipped and empowered to live as part of God's mission, both locally and globally."

In order to accomplish our five-year vision, we set one-year milestones. This year, the milestone is Deeper and Wider.

What does that mean? First of all, we want to grow deeper disciples. We want to be people who live with Jesus and love like Jesus. Secondly, we want to grow wider—we want to be active in our community living out the message of Jesus Christ. We want to have a wider impact in our community and our spheres of influence. While we develop environments and ideas that appeal to young adults, these ideas are in no way limited to young adults. There is a way for everyone to get involved growing deeper and wider. 

Over the next year, we will provide opportunities for you to join us in this one-year milestone as we encourage you to establish spiritual rhythms, offer new growth environments, and seek to be more intentional in partnering with those of you who are parents. We will also participate in various community events and create opportunities for faith conversations for people around us who don’t know Jesus. In different ways, we will encourage you to be part of this mission.

We want to equip parents to guide the next generation. How do we—those in the role of parenting and as a church body—encourage, nurture, and steward the personality, strengths, passions, and struggles of each special child that God has entrusted to us? The It Matters! book is structured to show the partnership between the church and parents in discipling children.

Life is busy. There are many demands that you face each and every day. Discipling your children and students requires perseverance, patience, and grit. Keep going! Know that we are with you and are here to support and walk with you along the way.

Pick up at a book on the Feature Wall (hallway connecting the main lobby and blue lobby). Questions? Contact Deb Hinkel at dhinkel@hersheyfree.com.

This year we encourage you to be intentional about inviting friends, neighbors, and coworkers to at least one event. Invitations will be provided for you to hand out or share an online version through social media. Take an invitation and pray about someone who should receive it.

Save the Dates:

• KREW: June 12 - 16
• Movie Night: June 30
• Coffeehouse: August 4
• Alpha: Coming in September
• Church: Beyond The Walls: October 15
• Christmas Movie Night: Coming in December