Welcome New Student Life Pastor, Michelle Paxton
Welcome Michelle Paxton, Open Life's new Student Life Pastor
A Note From Pastor Thad
In recent months, Open Life has been interviewing and seeking a new youth pastor since Jon Parker communicated his transition out of youth ministry and into policing at the beginning of 2025. After a thorough search, we’re excited to have found an incredible leader from within our own community, Michelle Paxton.
Michelle comes with years of experience serving youth within churches and volunteering within the community with youth. She has received awards for her volunteer work for the past couple of years at Glacier Middle School in Buckley, while also leading Wildlife (YoungLife) in this community. Michelle will bring her experience from the community and her years of experience as a youth pastor to our students at Open Life.
In an attempt to help Michelle start strong, we will be taking Student Life off on Tuesdays for the remainder of August and relaunching Student Life at our Back To School Night on September 2nd as we celebrate the start of the new school year and season at Student Life. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info.
- Thad Huff (Pastor of Open Life) & the team at Student Life
Michelle comes with years of experience serving youth within churches and volunteering within the community with youth. She has received awards for her volunteer work for the past couple of years at Glacier Middle School in Buckley, while also leading Wildlife (YoungLife) in this community. Michelle will bring her experience from the community and her years of experience as a youth pastor to our students at Open Life.
In an attempt to help Michelle start strong, we will be taking Student Life off on Tuesdays for the remainder of August and relaunching Student Life at our Back To School Night on September 2nd as we celebrate the start of the new school year and season at Student Life. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info.
- Thad Huff (Pastor of Open Life) & the team at Student Life
A note from Michelle
Hi Student Life Family,
I want to start off with a huge “THANK YOU!” for the warm welcome Sunday for myself and my family! It truly is a blessing to join such an amazing family!
I can’t tell you how excited I am to officially be part of the team here at Open Life! God has clearly been moving in our students and our community, and I feel so blessed to get to join you in what He is already doing. Over the next couple of weeks, my heart is to listen—to hear the team's hopes, needs, and dreams for our students, as well as the desires God has placed on their (& you're) hearts for reaching our community.
I’m also eager to learn about the unique traditions, fun memories, and meaningful moments that make this ministry feel like family. I believe those shared experiences are part of how God knits us together in unity and joy, and I can’t wait to be part of creating more of them with you.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly—it already feels like home. I’m praying for our students, our leaders, and for God’s direction as we step into this next season together. I know He has big plans, and I’m expectant for all He will do through us.
With much joy & excitement,
Michelle Paxton (Student Life Pastor at Open Life)
I want to start off with a huge “THANK YOU!” for the warm welcome Sunday for myself and my family! It truly is a blessing to join such an amazing family!
I can’t tell you how excited I am to officially be part of the team here at Open Life! God has clearly been moving in our students and our community, and I feel so blessed to get to join you in what He is already doing. Over the next couple of weeks, my heart is to listen—to hear the team's hopes, needs, and dreams for our students, as well as the desires God has placed on their (& you're) hearts for reaching our community.
I’m also eager to learn about the unique traditions, fun memories, and meaningful moments that make this ministry feel like family. I believe those shared experiences are part of how God knits us together in unity and joy, and I can’t wait to be part of creating more of them with you.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly—it already feels like home. I’m praying for our students, our leaders, and for God’s direction as we step into this next season together. I know He has big plans, and I’m expectant for all He will do through us.
With much joy & excitement,
Michelle Paxton (Student Life Pastor at Open Life)
Posted in Updates
Posted in Youth, Student, students, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Student Life, Student Life Pastor, Michelle Paxton, Michelle, Paxton, YoungLIfe
Posted in Youth, Student, students, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Student Life, Student Life Pastor, Michelle Paxton, Michelle, Paxton, YoungLIfe
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