The youth work at Palm Beach Lakes is about to enter a new and exciting phase. On June 1, Casey and Hannah Haynes will arrive to begin working with PBL youth, to help build and cultivate their faith, in order that they might continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).
Casey and Hannah just graduated from Freed-Hardeman University on May 16. While in school, they have been working for the last couple years with the youth group at the Humboldt congregation in Humboldt, Tennessee. On June 28, 2008, they got married, so they will celebrate their first anniversary with us.
Casey graduated from FHU with a degree in Bible. He grew up in Moore, Oklahoma, where his father, Tommy, preaches for the Central congregation and where Casey worked as a youth intern for three summers.
Hannah graduated with a degree in history. Before going to FHU, she lived in Parsons, Tennessee, where her father, David Wright (a fourth-generation gospel preacher), preached for 10 years.
Our elders have long stated that our young people are one of their top priorities. While the primary responsibility for children has been given by God to the parents, we all understand that every bit of help is always welcomed, especially when that help is coming from the Lord’s church. We all want our kids to go to heaven!
We are excited to have someone with Casey’s talents to be working with our young people. We have prayed and worked diligently to find the best man to fill this role, and all of us are so excited about the promising future that Casey and Hannah bring to our youth work. They both have a great heart for youth work, and both recognize the need to (in their own words) “build a solid faith so that they will not fall away from the church once they are grown.” They are a wonderful couple, ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of our youth program. I am sure that our young people will grow to love, appreciate and respect Casey and Hannah.
I encourage all of our youth, parents and every member to get behind Casey and Hannah and support them wholeheartedly as they begin to take our youth program to even greater levels.