From the Desk of Pastor Ahmad Washington, MSW, MDiv

Parents and church family,

God is moving in powerful and practical ways in our youth ministry, and I’m grateful to share what’s happening and what’s ahead.

📅 June 26–30, 2026

📍 Latham Springs Camp, 134 Private Rd. 223, Aquilla, TX 76622

Revive Camp is coming up June 26–30 at Latham Springs Camp, and I want to invite our church family to partner with us in making this opportunity possible for our students.

The cost is $400 per student, and we are actively working to reduce that cost through fundraising and support.

🙏 A special thank you to the Maranatha Sunday School Class for their generous donation to the youth budget specifically for Revive Camp. That kind of support truly makes a difference.

This morning during our staff meeting I was notified that another donation was made specifically to help families with Revive Camp Expenses, which shows how God is moving on the hearts of people causing them to sow into the lives of our students. 

👉 Families who have already signed your students up, please email me at ahmad@firstwaco.com as soon as possible so I can schedule a brief parent meeting to discuss next steps.

Let’s work together to remove barriers and make sure students who want to go… can go.

A new episode of our Faith In Real Life Podcast is now live!

These students are going deep:

• Honest
• Authentic
• Heartfelt
• Holy Spirit-led

I’m proud of both the on-screen voices and the behind-the-scenes team making this happen.

👉 Watch, like, and share:

Special thanks to Brother Stavros for his leadership and investment in bringing this vision to life.

Our podcast team was recently blessed with the opportunity to visit the Baylor Vision Media Studio, where they observed a live ESPN broadcast of a Baylor baseball game.

This was more than a field trip—it was exposure, inspiration, and an opportunity for students to see what’s possible when their gifts are developed and stewarded well.

Our First Methodist student podcast team had an incredible experience, and I believe seeds were planted that will continue to grow.

Our Confirmation class recently visited a local Episcopal Church to experience a different style of worship.

Afterward, students engaged in meaningful discussion around:

• What they noticed
• What felt unfamiliar or different
• What sparked curiosity
• Where they experienced or saw God
• What they learned about themselves
• What they learned about Christian community

These moments help students develop a deeper, more thoughtful faith—not just what they believe, but why they believe it.

This past Sunday, our soon-to-be graduate Stephanie Starks taught the Youth Sunday School lesson from Romans 8.

She brought insight, clarity, and honesty, and her teaching sparked meaningful conversations in small groups.

As she prepares to graduate, please keep Stephanie and all of our graduating seniors in your prayers.

This month, our Wednesday night focus will include mental health through the lens of the Christian faith.

This Wednesday, we will be joined by two local Christian counselors who:

• Serve members of our church
• Come highly recommended
• Will help guide students in understanding mental health from a faith-based perspective

In addition, Eric Morrison and I will walk students through what the Bible says about mental health and how faith intersects with emotional and mental well-being.

This is an important and needed conversation—and we’re leaning into it with care and truth.

• May 17 (Morning) — Senior Sunday
• May 17 (Evening) — Open Mic, Worship & Prayer Night (6:30–8:00 PM)
• May 20 (Wednesday) — End of Academic Year Celebration (Cookout & Bounce Houses)
• May 24 — Confirmation Sunday
• May 31 — Faith In Real Life Podcast Recording (11:00 AM during Sunday School)

Summer is approaching quickly, and now is the time to sign up to provide a Wednesday night meal for our youth.

👉 Sign up here: https://mealtrain.com/v60l7y

Wednesday nights are more than events—they are spaces where students:

• Grow in their faith
• Build community
• Process life
• Feel seen and welcomed

These meals help create that space.

If you sign up, you’re welcome not just to provide the meal—but to stay, connect, and build relationships with the students. That presence matters.

Parents and church family,

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and partnership.

Your investment is showing up in real ways:

• Students are stepping up
• They’re growing in their faith
• They’re using their gifts
• They’re engaging deeply with God and one another

Let’s keep leaning in.

With gratitude and expectation,

Pastor Ahmad Washington, MSW, MDiv

Youth Director First Methodist Church Waco

sCopyright © 2026 First Methodist Waco, all rights reserved.