Julianna Shults and Mark Kiessling

Julianna Shults is a DCE serving as program manager of resources and leadership for LCMS Youth Ministry. With a BA in psychology and a master's in community development, Julianna served congregations in Florida and Chicago. She co-authored Relationships Count and contributed to other books from CPH, and she co-hosts the podcast End Goals. Julianna is a self-proclaimed nerd, coffee snob, and obsessive aunt.

Rev. Mark R. Kiessling serves as the director of LCMS Youth Ministry. In that role, he supports the leadership, service, resourcing, and networking functions of LCMS Youth Ministry. Kiessling graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (2006). Kiessling is married to Beth (Timm), who teaches preschool at Christ Community Lutheran School in Kirkwood, MO.

4 Tips for Planning Youth Service Projects

Julianna Shults and Mark Kiessling
May 31, 2024

There are endless possibilities when it comes to service projects. Some are as quick as sharpening pencils in the sanctuary for ten minutes during confirmation class. Others involve weeks-long trips to foreign countries. One of the more challenging questions for youth leaders is how to choose service opportunities. As valuable as service opportunities are, they have to be provided in a thoughtful and deliberate way. There are four rules we suggest for finding appropriate service opportunities.

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