MIDPOINT RESET (Spring 2026)

Dear MIDPOINT Families,

First, I want to say THANK YOU. This past Wednesday (3/11/26), we held a sort of "State of the Ministry" meeting with our middle school parents and leaders, and the energy in the room was incredibly affirming. We are currently experiencing a "high-class problem": our ministry is growing so fast that we are literally outgrowing our physical space!

However, growth requires us to be more intentional than ever about our culture. The Youth Ministries here at St. Luke’s, we stand strong on three pillars: Belong, Grow, and Serve. We want MIDPOINT to be the best hour of your student’s week, but for that to happen, we have to protect that environment.

During our meeting, we had some very honest conversations about recent challenges. We’ve noticed a rise in behaviors ranging from excessive side-chatter to the use of inappropriate language and racial slurs, which fundamentally work against our core values. When disrespect and/or bullying enters the room, the words "You Belong" stop being a promise to our students and becomes cliché.

We are drawing a line in the sand: We accept every student, but we do not accept all behaviors. We are here to disciple your students and teach them the Gospel so they can reveal God’s Kingdom. That cannot happen in chaos.

The New Standard: The Community Covenant

This week, every student will be contributing to and signing our Community Covenant. This isn't just a list of rules; it’s a shared promise between students, leaders, and staff.

Students: You are the owners of this culture. We are asking you to "Honor the Voice" of others and "Own the Space" we’ve been given.
Parents: We ask that you talk about this Covenant at home. Ask your student how they are helping make MIDPOINT a place where everyone feels safe to grow.

The 1-2-3 Reset Plan

To support our volunteers and protect our students, we are officially launching our new disciplinary path:

Grace Reminder: A quick, verbal nudge to get back on track.
Sidebar Conversation: A private 1-on-1 with a leader to see if the student is ready to participate.
The Reset: If behavior continues, the student will step out to meet with me, and a parent will be contacted immediately.

Being One of 5

Discipleship is a team sport. We follow the “One of Five” philosophy based on the research from the Fuller Youth Institute's book "Growing Young" by Kara Powell: being "One of 5" refers to the goal of having five adult fans (mentors) for every one young person in a church community.

This concept is designed to create a "new 5:1 ratio" that surrounds teenagers and young adults with intergenerational relationships, helping them thrive in their faith.

What "One of 5" Means

As one of the five adult mentors, their role is to:

Love them unconditionally: Be a consistent, caring adult who supports them throughout their journey to adulthood.
Be a "Keychain Leader": Empower young people by sharing power and authority, rather than holding on to it.
Empathize: Take the time to understand the unique challenges facing today's young generation.
Be a "Warm" Neighbour: Fuel a warm community that feels like home, rather than just being "cool".
Prioritize them: Actively make space for young people in the church community, listening to their input.

Growing Young research indicates that young people are drawn to churches that take Jesus' message seriously and offer authentic, intergenerational relationships. Next time you’re at pickup, park the car and come inside! Get to know leaders like Daniel, Jeni, Kimmi, Caryn, Maegan, and the rest of our team. These are the people who are not only discipling your students here at the church but are also their loudest cheerleaders in and outside the church. The ones that you'll see in the stands at games and in the audience at shows.

We really couldn't do what we get to do without them!

Strengthening Our Partnership

During our meeting, many of you asked for practical ways to bridge the gap between what happens at MIDPOINT and what happens in your daily life. I want to share a resource that is very close to my heart.

I received my Youth Ministry certification through the Ministry Leadership Center (formerly Youth Ministry Institute), and they have developed a brilliant tool called "Holy Disruptions @ Home." As parents of middle schoolers, you know life is full of "disruptions"... schedules change, moods shift, and behavior challenges arise. This resource helps you turn those "disruptions" into "holy moments."

The App: You can download the Faith at Home app, which gives you quick, easy prompts to start meaningful conversations with your student.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Apple App Store | Google Play

The Goal: It helps you move past the "How was your day?, Good." cycle and gets into the heart of who they are becoming.

Disruptions, big or small, are a part of life. Whether it’s your student missing out on a spot on the team, discovering something new about them that surprises you, or navigating the next milestone in your family’s journey, these moments are opportunities for all of us to grow in our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world around us.

Holy Disruptions at Home provides a framework for navigating life’s disruptions together, helping your family grow while supporting you in both theologically and practically healthy ways. With guidance from mental health experts, ministry leaders, and theologians, the app offers tools and perspectives to parents, providing confidence, grace, and presence at every stage of life.

Each reflection includes:

Individual reflection for you as a parent, helping you process on your own
Insights from experts to guide you in navigating parenting moments thoughtfully
Conversation starters, family activities, and prayers to support and inspire you as you journey with your student

It’s all designed to help you respond with intention, strengthen connections, and make even the most challenging moments meaningful.

I’ve seen firsthand how these small conversations can change the trajectory of a student’s faith. I’ll be checking in with you all over the next few weeks to see how the Community Covenant is landing at home and how these Holy Disruptions are going.

Thank you for being the primary disciples of your children. We are just honored to be the "One of 5" adults walking alongside you and your families, and to help all our students lay firm faith foundations so that they may be the ones to reveal the kingdom.

Belong & Be Blessed,

Brandon Sangster He/Him

Director of Youth Ministries

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

BSangster@St.Lukes.org

Church Office: 407-876-4991 ext.264

Direct Line: 407-955-4456

www.St.Lukes.org/Youth

www.LoftingLeaders.org

*My working hours fluctuate seasonally and based on ministry needs.

Please respond at a time that is appropriate for you. Thank you for your patience as I do the same.*

Do You Agree?

We want to make sure every family feels informed and supported. Please use the form below to confirm that you have reviewed the recap and understand our plan for MIDPOINT moving forward. We also welcome any comments or concerns you’d like to share with the team.

Click here to confirm you've read the recap and agree.