The Youth House

written by Emma Ghighi, senior

They say home is where the heart is. For me, my home is built on the corner of Preston and Walnut Hill, surrounded by four brick walls and a small sign above that reads Youth House.

Through the years, I have been fortunate enough to personally see the level of involvement within the Dallas area flourish and it is such a beautiful thing. On the ASP mission trip, we visited Hazard, Kentucky and helped families with different types of physical labor. During this time, I made a deep connection with my family and the sweet two year old, Micaylee. She and her family live at the bottom of a landslide with a camper that would flood every time it rained. It was beat up and broken, but Micaylee’s level of joy was not. She had the most contagious laugh I have ever heard and a heart of gold. After our mission trip, I came home with my faith completely transformed. I believed in God on a whole new level and continue to trust in His unconditional love. Through the Youth House, the impacts on the community of Hazard are continuing to be enacted here in Dallas.

Growing up in the church, I immediately had a personal connection with multiple members, however none of those relationships could ever compare to the ones I made at the Youth House. Whether it was summer trips, bible study or confirmation, the friendships you make with others are sure to last a lifetime.

The people of the Youth House have not only impacted who I am, but also my relationship with God. The Sunday school teachers, my friends, and Sarah Are have all changed me for the better and continue to turn me towards the Lord. When life challenges feel too heavy to carry, I can always rely on the people of the Youth House to be my rock and remind me that I’m not alone because God is with me.

I am so thankful to be a part of this group and cannot wait to grow our community. We have all been claimed as His and the Youth House is a place for youth to dive deeper into that while making incredible memories. It is welcoming, safe, and a home for everyone.

To share your gifts with our Youth Ministry, contact Rev. Sarah Are at sare@phpc.org or 214.368.6348 ext 143.