Robert Lupo begins working full-time with our Family/Youth Program on Sunday, June 11, 2023. We are excited to have him here and look forward to many great things in the years ahead.
Robert is no stranger to Palm Beach Lakes. When he was a teenager, Robert and his dad, Ron, and his two brothers came to PBL from the Suncoast congregation in August 2001. He jumped right in to our youth program and was actively involved during his high school years. After high school, he stayed at Palm Beach Lakes and became one of our regular song leaders and frequently taught Bible classes for the children and teenagers. While we did not know him for the first part of his life, we have seen tremendous growth in the last 22 years.
Robert was encouraged through the years, by many individuals, to go to preaching school and become a preacher. That dream started to really take shape about three or four years ago. He met Reanna Johnson and they got married on December 12, 2020. The newlyweds decided that they wanted to devote their lives to working in the kingdom, so Robert enrolled in the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies in Knoxville, Tennessee in August 2021. He just graduated on May 27, and he has returned to work with our Family/Youth Program.
Two Sundays ago, it was announced that Josh and Cara Blackmer, who have been working with our Family/Youth Program since 2014, would be going back into full-time mission work. This time they will be traveling the country to work with smaller congregations, and they will be going back annually to Paraguay and Easter Island (and other international mission points). There will be a short transition with our Family/Youth Program during this summer between Josh and Robert.
What should we expect from Robert? He is not here to entertain our kids but to assist in building them up in the truths of God’s Word. He is not here to replace parents but to work alongside parents and families to help instruct and train children in their relationships with the Lord and their love for and involvement in the church. He will be seeking to do this with children of all ages and families of all sizes. Robert is here to help us, as families and a congregation, to get our children to heaven.
What can the congregation do to help Robert? Parents, it really starts with you. Get your children involved. Bring them to Bible classes on Sundays and Wednesdays. Bring them to every youth event that is planned for their age group. Support Robert’s efforts to strengthen our youth and keep him in your prayers.
Robert and Reanna, welcome home!