Volunteer Makes Impact

Congregational volunteers make many of the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church (FPC) possible. Without them, our ministries would not be as robust. One such volunteer is Jon Freed, FPC member for more than 35 years. 

Freed sings in the choir and works with the handbell choir. He is known, however, for his work with the LightShine youth choir and their annual trip to the Worship and Music Conference in Montreat, North Carolina. The conference is sponsored by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.

“I suppose I’ve been to Montreat about 30 times,” Freed says.  

“Montreat is a worship and music conference,” Freed says. “You get worship every day, and it’s really good… a combination of a lot of things like drama, liturgy, cantor singing, and a sermon.”

“The students get to see worship in a different way,” he continues. “They get to work with different clinicians and learn from them.”

Freed explains the weekly schedule includes an organ concert, a talent show performed by the students at the conference, a hymn sing, and various choral concerts. 

“It’s very easy to connect with God up there,” Freed says. “Because you aren’t concerned with what’s going on at home or work or school. It’s just a lot easier up there. You can take some time and sit down somewhere.”

Braelyn Albright, a member of FPC’s youth group and youth worship band, is attending Montreat again this year. 

“I hope to grow deeper in my faith with God,” she says. “I hope to get better with ways of worshipping God.”

Freed also describes something they call a Bedtime Talk, in which all of the FPC attendees gather at the end of the day to discuss the service, what happened during the day, and what they learned. He says the students invite the new friends they make during the week to attend these Talks as well. 

“That really connects everyone together,” Freed says. 

“He pours himself into this,” says Sam Carlton, FPC’s Classic Worship Arts Director. “It is a mission for him, and he is ministering to these students.”

LightShine’s key Bible verse is Matthew 5:16, which says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

LightShine has no audition process. Any student in sixth through 12th grades may participate. 

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