Compiled by Amy Ezell and Rev. Pamela Lamb
Two years ago, a simple idea turned into a movement.
By asking her older adult members of Bay UMC to share the names of their current unchurched family members and friends, Pastor Pamela Lamb wrote letters of invitation to young adults (20–40ish) to attend church for just three Sundays, and to share a free lunch to discuss what they hoped the church could be. And it worked.
Those conversations sparked a new Sunday school class, Safe Gatherings training, a nursery, and new relationships between generations. Older adults welcomed younger ones, and they began learning from each other in beautiful ways.
When Pastor Pamela Lamb was appointed to Trumann First UMC in July 2025, the young adults didn’t want to lose momentum, so they created Sunday Night School: dinner at 5:30, followed by learning and fellowship.
Meanwhile, moms of tweens and teens stepped up as youth leaders, remembering the positive experiences they had growing up. Their leadership has brought 15–20 youth to church on Wednesdays and Sundays, along with their families, which was sparked by a community meal for food pantry clients and first responders funded by a One More Question grant. And now that the community meal is being offered monthly at Trumann First UMC, it is opening new doors.
Twice this year, young adults led entire worship services. They preached, planned music, read scripture, led children’s time, and ran media. Watching them step into leadership has been a blessing and a sign of revival.
This same group of young adults from Bay UMC has also been the first to volunteer at Trumann First UMC by moving shelves, cleaning, serving meals, and showing what it truly means to live out the mission of #followinglovingsharing.
This is what happens when a church listens, welcomes, and makes room for new voices. Revival starts to grow.