Hamilton hired by Feed Store
By Kathy Thomson
Kathryn Hamilton was recently hired as the new full-time youth minister at the Feed Store, and the 2018 Abilene Christian University graduate is bringing a world of experience with her back to her home town.
“I was active here (at the Feed Store) all through high school, when Grant Zeller was the director,” said the 2014 Albany High School graduate. “And I interned with the Feed Store the summer of 2015. I interned with Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church during my last two years at ACU.”
Shortly after Hamilton earned her bachelor of science degree in advertising and public relations from ACU, she embarked on a childhood dream of spending one year as a missionary for Adventures in Missions as a participant in The World Race.
The World Race asks young adults to sign on for 11 months, work in 11 different countries across multiple continents while taking with them only what they can carry in their backpacks.
Hamilton carried a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tent, and clothes in her backpack as she traveled to Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
“When I got back from The World Race, I had several doors open for me,” she said.
One of those was an offer from the Feed Store.
Hamilton had decided when she was 14 that she would always give God her “Yes.”
“After praying about it for about the whole month of August, I finally felt peace about staying here in Albany,” the youth minister said. “I am very passionate about getting back to the basics of Christianity, to love these kids, and to try and illustrate for them what a Biblical lifestyle looks like.”
Hamilton said that the high school Monday night programs, with worship and Bible study will continue. Although the junior high students are also currently meeting on Mondays, they will change back to their traditional Tuesday night format once volleyball season ends.
Several activities are already planned for the Feed Store youth this fall.
Running Man takes place this Saturday, Oct. 26.
“I’m really excited about getting times for the youth to serve,” said Hamilton. “We hope to work with the homeless in Abilene twice a month, and in December we’ll be doing a senior citizens dinner.”
Hamilton said that many of today’s youth have been trained by social media and modern society to focus inward.
“But that’s not God’s best,” she said. “I want them to learn to focus outward, at how we treat others. I want them to see how God is pursuing the people around them.”
In addition to service events, Hamilton hopes to have one-on-one time with the girls, and also to organize some fun activities, including various Christmas events for the group.
“We’ll be part of the Christmas vacation ski trip in conjunction with MMPC,” she said. “We are also planning to have game or movie nights at the Feed Store a couple of times a month for the high school and junior high students.”
Hamilton is planning to host teacher prayer night once every semester.
“I’m hoping to bring in additional youth ministers and church pastors from the community to pray with the teachers,” she said. “I want to model what it means to be a Christian.”
