May/June 2025
Extended Cut
THE POWER OF STORY
Season 3 of Sacred Sitdowns is live, and we have some amazing stories to share. This podcast, born out of Geist Christian Church, centers around one simple truth: stories matter. They remind us that faith is not just taught—it’s lived. Hosted by Kyle Brown and Danny Gulden, Sacred Sitdowns creates space for members and friends of the church to share their real-life journeys of hope, struggle, faith, and transformation.
What makes this season special is the reminder that within our own church family are stories that deserve to be heard—stories that challenge, comfort, and connect us. From educators and mental health advocates to community leaders and everyday saints, our pews are filled with people who carry wisdom and witness.
Tune in and discover how the Spirit of God moves in and through each sacred sitdown. You might just hear your own story echoed, too.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
VBS @ GCC—DIARY OF A GODLY KID
• Monday, June 9th-Thursday June 12th
• 9:30 am–1:30 pm
• Promise Road Campus
The event of the summer is right around the corner and this year‘s theme is Diary of a Godly Kid! The Promise Road campus will be hosting VBS this summer on June 9–12. Ages four years old through fourth grade are invited for fun stories, crafts, games and lunch. Register here!
Payment is required to complete registration. All adult volunteers with a registered child(ren) will not be required to pay registration fees. All volunteers grades 5th to adulthood can sign up here.
MUSIC SUNDAY @ MUD CREEK
Spring Music Sunday, at the Mud Creek Campus, is May 18 at 9 am and 10:30. The Chancel Choir and String Orchestra will present “TRINITY: Our God of Hope and Help.”
This work is a meditation on God’s intimate care for his children through the three Persons of the Godhead. “One Jehovah” opens the work, imploring the Trinity for divine presence and mercy.
The next three pieces contemplate how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit offer hope and help to mankind. “Look at the Birds” is a setting of selected verses from Matthew 6, where believers are assured that, just as he feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, their heavenly Father will also meet their needs. “What a Savior, What a Friend” revives a well-known hymn text that presents Jesus as a friend of sinners, a strength in weakness, and a help in sorrow.
The work transitions directly into “Breath of God,” which bids the Holy Spirit to come and impart new life, purify hearts, imbue with divine fire, and bring us undying to eternity. The final movement is a triumphant “Gloria,” in which the congregation is invited to join the final stanza, singing Isaac Watts’ familiar hymn, “O God, our Help in Ages Past,” testifying of God’s faithfulness to his people in this life and into eternity. In addition, the Jubilant Ringers and Chancel Ringers handbell choirs will present music to begin worship. We hope you will join us as we worship through song.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA BRINGS FUN AND FELLOWSHIP TO GEIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Each year, Geist Christian Church hosts the highly anticipated Easter Eggstravaganza at its Mud Creek campus, marking a vibrant celebration of spring. This beloved event welcomes families from the Indianapolis and Fishers areas and beyond, offering a delightful experience for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest.
The Easter Eggstravaganza is designed to be a family-friendly event, full of fun and excitement. Kids have the opportunity to play games, create crafts, bounce in the inflatables, and capture precious memories with the Easter Bunny. It’s a day filled with laughter and joy, providing something for every child to enjoy. Whether it's the thrill of the games or the joy of making crafts, the day offers endless entertainment.
Beyond the games and activities, the event offers a meaningful chance for families to come together for a shared experience. Attendees are invited into the church's sanctuary for the Easter story, where they can reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. After the story, the excitement builds as families head outside for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, where children race to find colorful eggs filled with sweet treats and candy.
This year, the Easter Eggstravaganza drew kids and families from all corners of the community, creating a lively atmosphere in the halls of Geist Christian Church. The event successfully combined fun, fellowship, and faith, making it a memorable day for everyone involved. Whether you were a first-time visitor or a longtime member, the event was an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and enjoy time together as a community.
The Easter Extravaganza continues to be a cherished tradition at Geist Christian Church, offering a joyful occasion to celebrate the season and share in the excitement of Easter with neighbors and friends.
SERVICE-LEARNING TRIPS: A NEW NAME, A DEEPER PURPOSE
Service has always been at the core of Geist Christian Church. It's not just something we aim to do within our community, but we also work to extend our impact as far as possible. For many years, we've accomplished this through Mission Trips. Each summer, our junior high and high school youth participate in these trips, and we offer trips for adults on a rolling basis. This year, we’re making a slight but intentional change. Instead of calling them "Mission Trips," we are now referring to them as “Service-Learning Trips.”
This change reflects our purpose and goals for these trips: to serve and to learn. Each time we come together as a group, there’s a meaningful exchange. We give of our time, resources, and abilities, and in return, we receive knowledge, friendship, and growth in faith. The term “Service-Learning” captures and celebrates this mutual exchange. These trips provide powerful opportunities to both give and receive God's grace and love.
We hope you’ll consider participating in one of the upcoming trips this summer. Stay tuned for inspiring stories from these groups and for more opportunities to experience these transformative experiences.
Intergenerational Domestic Service-Learning Trip
Christmount in Black Mountain, North Carolina
May 12-17
Open to college students & adults
Intergenerational International Service-Learning Trip
Panajachal, Guatemala
June 14-21
Open to youth in 9th grade through adults
Youth Service-Learning Trip
Christmount in Black Mountain, North Carolina
June 28- July 5
Open to youth completing grades 6th-12th
LENT 2025: LIVING AS EASTER PEOPLE
To be Easter people means to live with the deep awareness that the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. It is more than just celebrating an event on the liturgical calendar; it’s a daily way of life rooted in hope, renewal, and victory over darkness. Easter people live believing that love has the final word.
This identity calls us to embrace joy even in hardship because we trust in a God who brings life from the grave. We are not defined by despair or defeat but by the promise of new beginnings. As Easter people, we are invited to reflect the resurrection through acts of compassion, forgiveness, and justice in a broken world that yearns for healing.
Our faith does not end at the empty tomb; it begins there. The resurrection is not just something to believe in—it’s something to live out. Every act of kindness, every choice to love over hate, and every effort to bring hope to others is a testament to our identity as Easter people. We are called to carry the light of Easter into the world, every day, as living witnesses to the power of Christ alive in us.
BAPTISM SUNDAY: A COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE
Baptism has always been one of the most powerful and beautiful moments in the life of the church. In baptism, we are claimed by God’s love—not because we’ve earned it, not because we’ve figured everything out, but simply because we are God’s beloved.
Following Easter, we had the joy of welcoming a new Pastor’s Class into the waters of baptism. It was one of those holy moments you don’t easily forget—watching young people step forward to say “Yes” to the love that had already said “Yes” to them. And just as powerful is watching the church rise alongside them, promising to walk with them, to nurture them.
It’s easy to think of baptism as a personal milestone, but it’s so much more. Baptism is deeply communal. It roots us in something far bigger than ourselves. It reminds us that faith isn’t just a private belief; it’s a life we share. It’s about a community that carries us when our faith feels heavy and cheers us on when we are ready to soar. It’s about a God who calls us by name and says, “You are mine.”
And that’s why baptism matters, not because we’re perfect when the water touches our skin but because it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey with God and with one another.
We are named. We are loved. We are sent. Together.
FISHERS YOUTH INITIATIVE
Geist Christian Church is once again partnering with the Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI) to help combat hunger among students in the Hamilton Southeastern Schools this summer. We will participate in the Summer Meals Program on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
About FYI:
Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI) is a newly formed nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people within the HSE school district build positive futures. It was created through the merger of Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) and Fishers Youth Assistance Program (FYAP), combining their strengths to better serve children and families through a comprehensive network of programs and services.
YMI has a strong history of student mentoring.
FYAP focused on early intervention and referral services.
Together as FYI, they aim to streamline, enhance, and expand these efforts to reach more students.
FYI offers various programs throughout the year, including a mentoring program, Snack Attack, and the Summer Meals Program. Geist Christian Church will be supporting the Summer Meals Program on July 22.
There are two ways to get involved:
Volunteer Your Time:
Morning volunteer session: Open to all ages. Volunteers will help pack a week's worth of lunches for each child and one family meal provided by Geist Christian Church.
Afternoon distribution sessions: Open to high school graduates and adults only. There are two time slots available.
Donate:
Monetary donations will help purchase the food we’ll be providing to families.
One of our own church members, Sheri Dowden, volunteered last summer and found the experience so meaningful that she continues to serve throughout the school year.
Join us at 8766 E. 96th Street in Fishers on July 22 and make a difference in a child’s life.
More details will be shared soon. For questions or to sign up, please email: serve@geistchristian.org.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: MICHELLE LATTY
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A: I love when the house is all decorated for Christmas. I go a bit overboard and it’s just so fun to see the transformation and all the lights and decor. It makes me happy until I have to take it all down.
Q: What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
A: A call from one of my young adult kids! Just knowing they were thinking about me and wanted to chat brings a smile to my face and a warmth in my heart.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories at Geist Christian Church?
A: I have so many! Working with the kids a few years ago gave me a lot of favorite memories: large group gatherings on Sunday mornings and having the kiddos volunteer to pray with me in front of the group, watching more and more volunteer as their faith and confidence in praying grew; the multiple VBS’s I have ran and/or participated in, the fun that was written all over the kids’ faces when they moved from station to station; the gratitude and thanks given when meeting a family we deliver to during Season of Giving; the grace given to me for the state of my office on most days. I’ve also been a recipient of our prayer groups. That is truly a beautiful, heartfelt ministry.
Fast Facts:
TV shows or movies? Depends…do I have one or two hours to sit?
Ice cream or cake? ICE CREAM
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl. My alarm and I aren’t friends.
Indoor or outdoor? If you’ve ever heard me preach, you know the answer: Outdoor. My backyard is one of my most favorite places. I love the beach as well, with the sounds of the crashing waves and chattering seagulls, the feel of the sand between my toes, and the waves splashing against my ankles. The colors of the sunset over the ocean are my reminder of God’s greatness.
Burger or hot dog? Burger, unless it’s a Louie’s Coney Island coney in Kokomo.
NRSV or CEB? NRSVue or the Message
Beach or mountains? Beach. See above
Road trip or airplane? Road trip. This allows you to stop & explore the nooks and crannies of towns you may otherwise overlook. My dad was an expert at finding the local dive restaurants that were diamonds in the rough!
Name: Michelle Latty
Position: Minister of Discipleship & Engagement
Campus: Promise Road
Q: What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
A.: Playing in the dirt in my backyard and then hanging out on my deck listening to the birds in the trees and the waterfall in my pond with family and friends.
Q: What is the last thing you read or your latest TV show binge?
A: Joe & I are nearing the end of What About Saul. The last book I read was for our Lenten study, LUKE: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws.
WHAT’S A GEIST LEGACY PARTNER?
We’re glad you asked! A Geist Legacy Partner is a person who has contributed—or indicated their intention to contribute—to our congregation’s small but growing endowment. Income from our endowment fund supports the mission and ministry of the congregation. In 2024, $3,452, as dictated by the endowment policy, was transferred to support music, youth, and children’s ministries. Being a Geist Legacy Partner can be as simple as making the church a beneficiary or partial beneficiary of a retirement account, insurance policy, or other financial instrument. That’s the “WHAT” but what’s the “WHY”? The “why” indicates your heart and passion and commitment long into the future and ensures that important ministries at Geist Christian Church are funded for years to come. For more information, contact Ryan Hazen at ryan.hazen@geistchristian.org.