Page 42 - Fall 2021

Teens perform liturgical dance to honor God.
The group also led worship for a three-night youth camp in South Carolina. The sanctuary vibrated with energy. Congregants were on their feet, clapping and singing along.
Student Arts youth perform acts of service in the community with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and other nonprofits. For the young people and their leaders, living lives reflective of Christ’s teachings is at the core of who they are.
It takes a village
The Grace Fellowship staff has the blessing of many helping hands.
Laura Erickson moved back to Georgia in 2018 and quickly found a home at Grace Fellowship. Her daughter, Julia, was one of the initial members of Student Arts, so it was natural for her to answer the call for volunteers. Duties vary from helping youth learn their parts to serving as a surrogate mom when the group is on tour. Laura has found fulfillment in watching the youth blossom, with some of them overcoming anxiety and depression as a result of this creative outlet.
Oconee natives Yolie and Chuck Neely are charter members of Grace Fellowship. Their son, C.J., joined Student Arts and was immediately interested in unconventional percussion, a style similar to the Off-Broadway musical, “Stomp.” C.J. found he had a knack for drumming and started taking lessons.
“The first year, we had no idea what we were getting into, especially as related to competitions,” Yolie said with a laugh. “At the first district competition, our daughter, Mae, saw her brother perform and exclaimed, ‘This is cool!’ She enrolled soon after.”
C.J. and Mae will compete in nine categories at the Fine Arts Festival. A social worker by training, Yolie left her job in January to focus on volunteering with Student Arts, which fills her heart with joy.
Growing at Grace
Abby said Student Arts has boosted her confidence, and she plans on self-publishing her writing and poetry. She’ll also stay involved with church activities, including her work in the nursery.
“Jason and Stacie have brought a lot of positive change to the church. There have been more worship nights, concerts for families and events on the lawn,” she said. “They have really knit us together as a community.”
Lead Pastor Tony Vismor is thankful that his vision has become a reality.
“It’s been transformational for us,” he said of the vibrant Student Arts program. “It allows us to raise up this remarkable generation of students to be Christian leaders who share the Gospel by developing and using their talents. We are committed to them and the calling of Christ on their lives.”
PAGE 40 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | FALL 2021