What is DSM?

Dayspring Student Ministry (DSM) is the middle and high school ministry at Dayspring.

We all want to belong, be valued, and have a purpose. At Dayspring, we strive to ensure no one is just another face in the crowd.

We are a family where every individual is valued, accepted, and irreplaceable.

We strive to meet students wherever they are in their faith journey, walk alongside them as they grow, and be a safe place where they can ask questions and learn to seek faithful answers.

What We Do

Grades 6–12 | Sundays 5:30–7:30pm
Our Sunday night programming is a blend of fellowship, discipleship, and missions. Every week is different, and you never know what type of wild crazy activity you might find yourself in the middle of. Come as you are and be yourself! You are sure to have a blast.
Our Sunday evening discipleship classes are separated by grade and we use LIVE curriculum developed by Simply Youth Ministries.

Dayspring Student Ministry is fueled by a deep passion for service! Our students are provided with numerous chances throughout the summer to create a meaningful impact on their city, state, and even beyond borders. Explore the various mission opportunities we offer below and discover how you can make a difference!

See all DSM Missions

Confirmation is a holistic mind-hands and heart preparation class for reaffirmation of baptismal vows and the basics of what it means to be a Christian. Confirmation provides students an opportunity to reflect on their faith and decide if they are ready to commit to owning their faith.
Dayspring will hold a special service of baptism for those who have not yet been baptized.

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DSM Leadership

At Dayspring our student ministry is not held together by a single person but supported and implemented by a team of volunteers from the congregation who cast a “web” of meaningful relationships around each student.

Jeff Sparks
Student Ministry Director

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Chad King
Associate Director of Student Missions

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Angie Howard
Associate Director of Student Growth

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DSM Volunteer Opportunities

Greet parents providing the DSM Sunday night meal and assist them with setting and serving the meal. Greet students as they come through the serving line. Clean the serving area after the meal. This position allows our Sunday Small Group Leaders to focus on the students and building those important relationships. The position would serve on Sunday evenings from 5-6:15.
Foster the spiritual formation of students by developing relationships with them, modeling Christian faith, and teaching them the essentials of following Christ. Small Group Leaders commit to teaching weekly on Sunday evenings (5:30-8pm) for 1 full school calendar year. (September – May).
Serves as a caring adult who helps connect the youth to the ministry of the church through prayer, encouraging notes, cards, etc. Sponsor commits to a term of 1 full year.
As our youth group has grown the transportation of students to and from events has become ever increasingly difficult. If you like energetic kids, singing along to the radio, or just want to learn all the latest teenager lingo, this is the gig for you. It’s best if you have a vehicle with at least 6 seat belts.

DSM students attend the Texas Conference Midwinter retreat annually at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine. Weekend retreats will have students and volunteers spending time in scripture, making new friends, hanging out with old friends, and spending time in God’s creation. Along with traditional camp activities (zip-line, canoeing, and campfires), Midwinter focuses on furthering spiritual development in students, and deepening relationships with our true God. Volunteers serve as cabin leaders and small group leaders.
UM ARMY is DSM’s week-long High School Mission Camp where we join other churches from the Texas Conference in a community 1-4 hours from Tyler. Work Team Adults guide and facilitate a team of 4 – 6 students, and join them as equal participants throughout the week on the work site. Your role is to help each of the youth develop qualities of leadership and responsibility, and to help each develop spiritually through service to others.
An individual who does the planning and logistics for a specific event.
DSM programming includes 3-5 medium to large events for our students. A successful event requires a small army of volunteers.

All DSM volunteers will undergo a rigorous onboarding process that includes an application, in-person interview, background check, reference checks, CPR and First-Aid certification, policy training, and completion of accredited sexual abuse awareness training.