The Tune of Kate's Ministry

SPREAD LOVE ~ The Tune of Kate’s Ministry 

With the breath of Fall, comes the breath of change. Kate Dickens, our Youth Ministry Director, is gearing up for some pretty significant changes in the upcoming months—which includes her ordination, an overseas move to Japan, and the hope of continuing her ministry abroad. Over the past three years, she has dedicated much time, talent, enthusiasm, and open-hearted love to our youth and their families. When reflecting on her time at Pax Pres, she spoke of how much she has loved the people here and how much she values the support of her colleagues.

The tune of Kate’s ministry is to SPREAD LOVE, citing 2 Peter 4:8 - “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Her unwavering focus has been to create a loving community in a negative world—for the youth of Pax Pres to feel known, to feel valued, and to know how much they are loved. “I never want to close the door on anyone—in order that the youth will are able to build trust, to be honest in hard situations, to think about things more broadly, and to affirm the beliefs of one another,” stated Kate. “This is so important in building relationships, there is never a need to tear someone else down.”

When asked where this comes from, Kate shared about what is was like being raised by Jewish parents. She studied Religion at Emory University, where the Holy Spirit led her to Christian belief and a relationship with Jesus. Her family continues to be her biggest support system.

Kate joined our staff after graduating with her Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. During her time here, she successfully passed all of her ordination exams, gave birth to her third child, and lived into the call God placed in her heart to serve as our Youth Director. And through all of the joys, sorrows, and challenges, she has remained grateful. “I am thankful to have learned some things about myself—how to name a problem before it becomes a problem and how to find gratitude—always—amidst the grumbling.

This attitude of gratitude will serve her well as she, Matt, and the kids head to Iwakuni, Japan in 2020. Her hopes are to continue her ministry work assisting the chaplain on base and leaning into the call God has placed in her heart to help develop and plant a military young life club beyond in Iwakuni. She remains excited and open to how God is using her to SPREAD LOVE to His people.

Let’s keep The Dickens family in prayer!