Children and Youth
Ministry

Rev. Lisa Oliver
Children/Youth Minister

Lisa was born to parents, Alvin and Eleanor Oliver, who are also members of Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Lisa has five brothers and sisters.  Lisa resides in Hendersonville.

Lisa graduated from Hendersonville High School and attended Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin.  Lisa then graduated from Beth University in McKenzie, Tennessee and obtained her Masters of Divinity from Memphis  Theological Seminary.  Lisa was ordained as a minister on November 5, 1995.

Lisa was employed as Children's Director at Milan Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Milan, Tennessee.  Lisa was then employed by Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bartlett, Tennessee.

After completing Clinical Pastoral Education, Lisa later worked with LeBonheur's Children's Hospital and The Regional Medical Center both in Memphis.  After returning to Hendersonville, Lisa was employed as a hospice chaplain for Odyssey Healthcare, Asera Care and Sumner Hospice.

Lisa joined the ministry team at Beech in March 2009 as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries.  She is also a member of the choir and teaches the "Fit and Faithful" Sunday School Class.

Lisa enjoys singing, listening to music, watching movies, line dancing, UT sports, SEC sports and pro football.

A MESSAGE FROM LISA!

Beech Kids Korner

Lock In 2010 a Huge Success!

We had 57 children attend this year's lock in for ages 12th Grade and under. It was a busy night of learning about Bible Heroes and getting to do activities that helped the children to remember. Our Youth provided a lot of leadership and operated each station to teach the lessons. The children learned about David and Goliath and got to throw "stones" at Goliath. They learned about the Wall of Jericho and walked around the track and blew kazoos to make the wall tumble down. They learned about Jonah and the Whale and got go "fishing" after the puppets told the story. They learned about Samson and Delilah and how strong Samson was! They got to make and eat He is Risen Biscuits as well!  Get one of the children to tell you about the biscuits. Those turned our really well.  They made a craft and learned about Zaccheaus. At each of these stations the children earned play money so that they could purchase their food at the concession stand and buy their prize at the end of the lock in.

The kids had a fun station too. We had three inflatables for them to bounce and romp on for hours. They loved the big slide the best and did a lot of climbing and running! The movie we selected for the evening was a little movie called By Jesus Side. It was about the story of Jesus ministry as understood and told by some cool dogs and their friends. It was a sweet way to teach about why Jesus went to the cross and how it changed all he loved, including the animals! We played other movies through the night to keep the adults awake and allow some light in the room.

Thanks so much to Debbie Sizemore, Don Sizemore, Michael Munroe, Beth Oliver, Tami Woods, Danielle Martin and Jennifer Jenkins for helping with the Lock In. Most were able to stay through the night  which was very helpful! Special Thanks to all the youth for providing leadership and teaching the children about all these Bible Heroes! Extra Special Thanks to Debbie Sizemore for her creative genius in putting together the stations and arranging for the youth to lead each station.

It is exciting to be involved in the youth program at this time as there are so many areas of growth and opportunity for ministry with this age group. We could have easily had 70 to 75 children at the Lock In ranging in grades 12th and below if everyone had been able to come!! Activities like this bring in friends who don't get to come to church or other regular activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to minister to them as well and be a church home to them if they don't have one, or a second church home if they have one. Any time we can share the love of Christ with the children we are doing what we are called to do!

Thank you to all who have donated to the Youth Fund and given donations at fundraisers for the youth as this money allowed us to provide this great night of learning and fun for our children and youth. We will be raising money in the future for events like this and others. We want you to know that we are committed to teaching the Word and sharing the Love of Christ with all of our children and their friends who attend these events. You are making a big difference in the lives of the children and youth. We ask that you continue to pray for all who are working with the children in the many ministries of the church and pray for our children as they face so many challenges of this life. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Children and Youth Pastor of this Church. It is a sweet blessing and sometimes even hard work! 

Youth News!!!         

 Congratulations!

 Stephen Zurlo had to forego the fun and play of the lock in as he had a commitment to keep. On Saturday he participated in a competition with the Tennessee Future Problem Solvers. He participated with a group of youth his age and won two awards. His group placed First in the Skit Competition and Third in the Writing Competition. Stephen we love you and are very proud of you. We encourage you to keep up the great work!!

 Kaylee McGee and Ally Sizemore returned from the state competition with Future Business Leaders of America this week. While they did not place as they had hoped to do, they got some really good experience on the state level. You have to get out on the dance floor to learn how the dance goes!! We are so proud of them for making the steps in that direction!!! We love you and are proud of your efforts. We encourage you to keep up the great work. Learn what you need to do for next time. We know you have it in you to knock it out next time!!

Youth Group Info Day!

Sunday, Debbie Sizemore presented a slide show during Fellowship time with pictures from the recent Youth Retreat to Gatlinburg. The pictures were awesome!! She also had some information about upcoming events and the structure of the youth program. Parents, if you did not receive the information, please let Debbie or myself know so that we can get it to you.

You can get more information and see pictures on the Beech Youth Group Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beech-Youth-Group/109047945798053. If you are on Facebook you can become a fan. Information will be posted on Facebook and our website, www.beechchurch.com to help keep folks posted. Also, please look for information in the newsletter each week. I will work to keep you up to date on the activities as they are coming up!