Josh Rains – I received much more than an education

CYMT provided an education that pushed me to seek after God in study, worship, and conversation. I received much more than an education, though.  CYMT is a program that builds up the Christian in faith and in love.  I was surrounded by a community of disciples that loved me and I them.  It is easy to lose passion for what you do in the midst of studies and paper after paper, but the community I found in CYMT encouraged me to be a disciple who was covered in “dust” by the closeness in which I sought after Jesus. 
CYMT has changed my life because I know that I am not alone in the fight of sharing and living out the Gospel unashamedly with youth.  I am part of an army, empowered not by weapons of this world, but by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  My call into youth ministry was reaffirmed, and the concrete of the foundation which was still drying when I entered the program is now firm and strong.  My beliefs were challenged and altogether strengthened. So yes, my life was changed because I feel that I am one step closer to being perfected in God’s love because of the experience I had at CYMT.
-Josh rains, class of 17
Associate Pastor and Director of Student Ministries at Guntersville FUMC, the same church served during residency.