YOUTH MINISTRY
The Youth of Saint Mark are an amazing group of young people! They attend several area middle schools and high schools both public and private, which means that the fellowship and spiritual formation they find in the youth group forges them into a peer group like none other in their day-to-day routines. Though they meet in separate groups for Middle High and Senior High on Sunday mornings, their retreats, mission work and fellowship times are shared, and a rich friendship between the various age groups develops.
Hinton Center Mission Trip 2024
Check out these photos from our 2024 Summer Mission Trip - serving local communities at the Hinton Rural Life Center in North Carolina! Full album available on Flickr
More Youth Ministry Photos
Luke Murphy
Youth Minister
Many of you may have witnessed Luke's incredible dedication to our community. He has been a dynamic force, enthusiastically participating in various activities and wholeheartedly responding to the calls of service and ministry. His impact extends not only within our church walls but also to our brothers and sisters at supper club, where his connections have left a lasting impression.
Luke, who is originally from Spartanburg, SC, spent a year and a half in Atlanta. He grew up in the Southern Baptist tradition, earned a degree in Christian Studies at Anderson University, and embarked on a year of seminary.
Five years ago, he took a hiatus from the church but found his way to Saint Mark in October 2022. Since then, he has immersed himself in our loving and inclusive community, contributing tirelessly to our work for the marginalized.
Luke's journey has been marked by meaningful interactions, from entertaining us on the front lawn during our Barbecue and Backpacks event to leaving a lasting impression at our Pride Open Mic night.
Recently, Luke decided to continue his calling to ministry, he began his studies at Candler to complete his Master of Divinity. Having worked with various youth groups in the past, teaching, counseling, preaching, and even assistant directing a summer camp called Seesalt, Luke is stoked to rekindle this passion and work with our incredible youth here at Saint Mark.
His interactions with our youth, particularly during the lock-in last semester, left him inspired by their love, care, awareness, maturity, and wisdom beyond their years. Luke's vision is clear – he wants to empower our youth to internalize the values of love and justice found in Jesus' gospel. He aims to help them tap into their own gifts, encouraging them to live out these values and, in turn, change the world around them for the better, starting right here at St. Mark and carrying God's love wherever they go.
