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Who We Are



LOGmichiana and the Love Of God retreats are under the auspices of Michiana Youth Ministries, Inc.  MYM was founded in 2005 in order to support and grow the LOG program which until that time had been a ministry of First Presbyterian Church in South Bend.  Michiana Youth Ministries, Inc is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization.

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VISION

 

Michiana Youth Ministries strives to give youth opportunities to build a spiritual foundation that lasts a lifetime.  Through their experiences, LOG participants will have a deeper relationship with God and will use their faith as a resource for support and guidance. MYM envisions that participants will grow into caring, responsible adults who are servant leaders in their communities.

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MISSION

 

MYM is an ecumenical organization. Through student-led weekend retreats and other outreach events, students can experience the love that God freely offers, and gain the tools to live a life with Christ.

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BELIEF STATEMENT
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  • MYM believes that through the biblical story, life of Jesus, and personal experiences, people find the Love of God. 

    • Biblical Story- The Bible is an important piece of the puzzle in determining who God is, and how we ought to act in the world. The Biblical narrative points us in the direction of Jesus and gives us a shared story in how our Christian faith began, and how we can use it to further our faith now.

    • Life of Jesus- We understand the meaning of love, and how we can love others, based upon the life of Jesus. Through his teachings, actions, and authoritative witness, we too can partake in the ministry that he started. 

    • Personal Experience- We believe that the human experience is unique to the individual. Through these experiences, we can experience God and his love. The human experience is broad and has many avenues. But through all venues, God’s love is available to everyone.  

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Inclusivity

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“So you are no longer outsiders and strangers.”  (Ephesians 2:19)

 

Love of God (LOG) is an ecumenical community of various backgrounds and beliefs, drawn together by the love of Jesus Christ.  We are called to love and care for each other.  We believe that God’s radical and reckless love excludes no one. All means all.  We welcome everyone without exception.  To do so means welcoming all people to be part of our community as their authentic selves, regardless of race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, faith history or life experience.  We are a safe place to disagree about important things and still remain united in the love of Christ. 

 

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. There is no Jew or Gentile.  There is no slave or free person.  There is no male or female.  That’s because you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 3:26-28)

LEADERSHIP

Rev. Terry McBride was the founder of Michiana Youth Ministries and brought LOG to South Bend in 1997.  Terry retired at the end of 2021 after serving for thirty-six years as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

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Ethan Swinehart serves as the Executive Director of Michiana Youth Ministries.  Ethan and his wife, Joy, are both natives of the Michiana area but come to us after Ethan served as the Youth and Worship Pastor at Island Community Church in Islamaorada, Florida. 

MYM BOARD MEMBERS
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Corey Sheets

Board President

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Van Nussbaum

Board Treasurer

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Ashley Decker

Board Secretary

Emily Collins

Board Member

Lizzy Shirk

Board Member

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Lauren Jankowski

Board Member

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Trisha Cousino

Board Member

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Dan Wolschlager

Board Member

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