Photo Karen Graham.
Pictured from left to right are new youth pastors Esther and Steve Moore, Office Administrator Tammy Leonard and Lead Pastor Mark Smallwood of Millbrook Christian Asembly. The Moore team have big plans for more youth community outreach programs for local youth.
Esther and Scott Moore have joined the Millbrook Christian Assembly as the Children’s’ Ministry Pastor and the Student Ministry Pastor. This enthusiastic young couple met as students at the Masters College and Seminary in Peterborough, but they came there from very different routes.
Esther grew up in a very spiritual family where she was home schooled. From a very early age she knew she wanted to share her faith with children, and completed a three year diploma from this Pentecostal Seminary focused on training students for ministry. After graduating in 2017, she moved to Hamilton with her husband who was continuing a ministry he began to work with while still in school in Burlington. She found employment in a daycare, which met a portion of her career aspirations- ie to work with young children, but the faith piece of the puzzle was missing.
Scott’s family was not religious until a significant health issue brought them to God. He began an interactive graphic design program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, but wasn’t satisfied that he was on the right path. He switched gears and completed a four year Youth Bachelor of Theology at Masters College, where he felt much more comfortable with his decision. During the summer, he worked full time in Burlington at a youth ministry, and continued to travel there twice a month during his studies to continue his work. It paid off with a full time job last May when he finished his degree.
Through an instructor at the college, they learned of the opportunity in Millbrook, which would include them both. Things came together quickly, and within weeks they made plans to make the move, not knowing where they would live. Their faith gave them the courage to believe things would work out, and they did. They are delighted to live in the village, and the commute to visit Esther’s family outside Ottawa is much shorter and more relaxed.
Esther’s efforts are focused on young children up to grade five. She has hosted a Fun Day, and has plans for another on August 15th, running from 9 am to 4pm. The free program embraces her faith but is not designed to indoctrinate young children- it is one of her community outreach programs where her charges will have fun in a safe environment with a wholesome, value based Christian message.
Scott takes over an existing youth group, but he has plans to grow it. It currently includes students in grades six to twelve, but he plans to break this into two more manageable groups with more consistent interests. The high school students will continue to meet on Thursday evenings, while the grades six to eight students will meet on Wednesday evenings. His background in web and graphic design gives him a cool vibe which works well with his target audience.
The couple is delighted to be blessed with this rare opportunity to work together in the spiritual family of a single church, where they hope to raise a family of their own. KG
