Kristy McGlothin, director of children’s ministry at First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, is originally from Long Beach, Cali. Her family made a 3,000 mile journey to reside in Hickory, NC and eventually, she made her way to Natchitoches, where she met her husband Kevin. They have a 4-year-old named Colton with another baby to arrive in late September.

Kristy is a proud graduate of Liberty University where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in School Counseling. In addition to her part-time position as Children’s Director at FUMC she works full-time as a Marketing Representative for Hospice of Natchitoches. This combination allows Kristy to fulfill her ministry with all walks of life and a variety of age groups.

Kristy’s true inspiration that led her into the Children’s Ministry at FUMC is to ensure that all children she comes in contact with are introduced to God and to make sure they know one thing, that God loves them. She is always searching for new and exciting ways to reach the children and to involve the entire family.

When asked why she likes serving the church, Kristy said, “Church feels like home to me. Every time I walk in, whether I am coming to serve the children in VBS or go to my own Sunday school, I feel connected and comfortable. I love the church family at FUMC and I want other people to feel that same way. There are so many ways for anyone of any age to feel connected to others at our church.”

Kristy feels her generation struggles to find that comfort in church even when they show up every week. There is a routine to be there every Sunday morning but with the rush of life, people sometimes lack the time to build solid connections.

“By providing a children’s ministry that is engaging and exciting I can get the parents to participate in more than just one service a week while teaching their little ones how much God loves them,” she said. “This ministry gives me an opportunity to get to know the parents and children on a personal level so we can connect them with others. Hopefully the experience becomes on they love and in turn they get to know other people at church that they connect with.”

Bringing new life into programs, being creative with the kids and showing her son the best way she knows how to follow Jesus’ lead in serving are some of the many reasons Kristy loves serving at FUMC.

“I love the people in our church and I feel so lucky that I get the opportunity to do so,” she said.