Born and raised in The United Methodist Church, Lyndy Lynch says, "The United Methodist Church didn't support my upbringing; it was my upbringing.
My dad was a youth pastor at my Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson, SC and I grew up participating in mission trips and youth group retreats. When I was a very small child my grandparents were youth counselors, so a youth retreat was a family affair. I also went to preschool at my church so in the early years of my life I was there pretty much every day. Christ was ever-present in my home growing up; my parents made sure of it. They set a fantastic example for me and my sisters.
Most of the people in my home church have known me since I was a baby; they all help raise me in some way. I gave my life to Jesus, went through confirmation and had every other milestone of my faith because of The United Methodist Church."
As Lynch prepared to enroll in college, she did what most high school students do. She and her parents searched for scholarships to finance her education. They were very happy to learn that United Methodist churches and individuals gave generous support to the United Methodist Student Day Gift of Hope scholarship. She applied and received the student day scholarship.
 |
| Courtesy photo. |
Your gifts on United Methodist Student Day, enables The United Methodist Church to supports the Gift of Hope Scholarship so that students can prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge.
"Receiving this scholarship has changed my life because it took some of the stress of paying for college away. It has helped me reach another step in my goals," said Lynch.
A student at Gardner-Webb University, in Boiling Springs, NC, Lynch is pursuing a career in photojournalism. True to her belief, she found a United Methodist Church across the street from her college campus; Boiling Springs UMC welcomed her with open arms and Lynch settled in. Lynch says she hasn't been attending college a full year yet but the UMC is already continuing to support her life through tchurch.
In college, "Gardner-Webb University is doing an amazing job preparing me for my future. They are supporting me spiritually and mentally in so many ways. The communications department has given me a wonderful opportunity to be on the photo team which is providing experience in my future career. I need Jesus in all aspects of my life but through photojournalism, I would love to cover different ministries to tell more people about them. I hope to shine a light through my work, she continued.
In addition to being a campus photographer at school, she dances for the Dancer for Heart of Fire dance ministry at her church. Lynch is grateful that the church supports United Methodist Student Day scholarships because "students are the future and they need all the help they can get."
Please support our students' education and give to United Methodist Student Day (UMSD). You can give online* anytime; mail your gift to GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203 or give through your church. When you support United Methodist Student Day, you help students unite their faith with knowledge. Help make a difference in the lives of United Methodist students. Thank you for your generosity.
Elsie Cunningham, UMCom retiree and freelance writer living in Jamaica
* Please select United Methodist Student Day Sunday from the "drop down box" on the page.
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants.
When you give generously on United Methodist Student Day, you support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. Give now.
