SHPC Youth Group

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SHPC Youth Group Middle and High School Student Ministries of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church

Post lock-in photos from this weekend! We had a blast! We got played games, painted, watched movies, got way too little ...
09/14/2026

Post lock-in photos from this weekend! We had a blast! We got played games, painted, watched movies, got way too little sleep! It was so much fun! When should we do our next one?

09/08/2026

Tomorrow at Youth Group, Character Build continues with Choose Your Party! Our small group leaders are sharing some advice that has stuck with them over the years—and it’s a reminder that the voices we listen to can stick with us and help shape who we become.

Tomorrow we’ll explore the people, messages, and voices influencing us, why not every voice deserves the same amount of influence, and how we can choose wisely who gets a spot in our party.

Who are you choosing for your party?

Grab your D20—we’re kicking off Character Build, a new series that borrows from Dungeons & Dragons to explore self-contr...
09/02/2026

Grab your D20—we’re kicking off Character Build, a new series that borrows from Dungeons & Dragons to explore self-control, identity, and who we’re becoming. This week, we’re creating our characters by looking at our stories, strengths, values, and the choices shaping who we are.

See you at Youth Group tomorrow from 6-8! We’re having spaghetti, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and ice cream!

08/29/2026

It’s finally Neil’s turn!

Meet Neil McKown, our Director of Student Ministries! Technically, it’s Edward O’Neil McKown IV, but please—just call him Neil.

Neil has been at Shepherd for 8 years, which also means he’s been doing this whole youth ministry thing with us for 8 years! When he’s not at Youth Group, he’s usually spending time with his family, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or finding another project to work on.

Neil loves Texas native plants, Marvel comics, Dungeons & Dragons, baseball, hardcore & metal music, fantasy and sci-fi books, and cooking food from around the world. He’s also a classically trained tuba player and has recently added fútbol to the list—cheering for Aston Villa, Austin FC, FC Tulsa, and the Urawa Red Diamonds.

A few other important Neil facts: he’d choose to live in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without hesitation, Cool Ranch Doritos are his road trip snack, he wishes Spotify existed when he was a teenager, and he firmly believes popcorn dipped in BBQ sauce is delicious. Try it before you judge.

Most importantly, Neil wants every student to know he’s one of their biggest fans. He’s got their back and wants Youth Group to be a warm, fun place where they can show up and be completely themselves.

And when it comes to faith, Neil hopes every student knows this:

You are deeply loved by God—and that love doesn’t come with conditions. Faith is an ongoing journey, and none of us has to have it all figured out. Church should be a place where you are welcomed, valued, and given room to ask questions, grow, and discover who you are.

And one more thing: all that nerdy stuff people might make fun of you for in middle and high school? Don’t stop liking those things. Just wait. It gets cool eventually.

08/28/2026

Meet Shawn Tyler Paz, who’s coming back this year as one of our Middle School Small Group Leaders!

Shawn has been part of Shepherd for about 2½ years and a youth sponsor for around 2 years. When he’s not at Youth Group, you’ll probably find him working or playing in his garden.

Shawn could talk about plants for way too long and loves landscape design, learning new things, making candles and essential oils. He’s also surprisingly good at yoga and can say “the dog ate the chicken” in 21 different languages—because apparently that’s important information to know.

A few other Shawn facts: coffee absolutely counts as a road trip snack, he’d choose to live in Middle Earth, would compete on Nailed It!, and firmly believes salsa goes on everything. He’ll also always stop to watch the movie W***y Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Most importantly, Shawn wants our students to know that he welcomes people with open arms and an open heart and hopes Youth Group is a place where they feel safe to completely be themselves.

And when it comes to faith, Shawn hopes students discover that God can meet us in all kinds of ways—from big, unmistakable moments to the quiet whisper of peace.

We’re so glad to have Shawn back with our Middle School students this year!

08/27/2026

Meet Robert Rasmus, who’s starting his second year as part of our Greeter & Check-In Team!

Robert has been part of Shepherd for 16 years, and when he’s not helping welcome students to Youth Group, there’s a good chance you’ll find him gardening. He loves plants, basketball, and has recently gotten into Mahjong!

A few other important Robert facts: Cheetos are his road trip snack, he’d compete on The Price Is Right, and if he could live in any fictional universe, he’d settle down in the Shire from The Lord of the Rings. He’s also taking a firm Texas food stance: BBQ ribs are better than BBQ brisket.

Robert describes himself as easygoing and hopes every student who walks into Youth Group knows that he’s glad to see them. His advice for middle and high school? Make more friends.

Most importantly, Robert hopes our students know that God is always with them and always listening.

We’re so glad to have Robert back welcoming our students and families this year! Austin

08/21/2026

Meet Linda Wheeler, who’s returning this year as part of our Greeter & Check-In Team!

Linda has been part of Shepherd for more than 20 years and is heading into her second year as a youth sponsor. When she’s not at Shepherd, she enjoys reading, working in her yard, and Aqua Strength Training at the YMCA.

Linda loves reading, swimming, walking, and even ironing! She also still loves writing letters and sending cards and has recently enjoyed taking different classes here at Shepherd.

A few other Linda facts: rye chips are her road trip snack, she’d choose a good Mexican dinner for her birthday, would live in the Wizard of Oz universe, and will always stop to watch the movies The Notebook, The Help, or Dirty Dancing.

Most importantly, Linda wants our students to know she’s a friend and hopes every student feels welcome when they walk through our doors.

And something she hopes every student knows: God always loves them, and their church will always be here for them.

We’re so glad to have Linda back welcoming our students and families this year! Austin

08/20/2026

Meet Sue Lagerquist, who’s returning this year as one of our Middle School Small Group Leaders!

Sue has been part of Shepherd since the early 1990s and has been a youth sponsor for 4 years! When she’s not at Youth Group, you’ll often find her involved in other ministries at Shepherd, especially our work with Williams Elementary.

Sue loves sewing and working outside, could talk about fabrics for way too long, and is a surprisingly good dancer—she even used to belly dance! Recently, she’s also gotten really into listening to books about world history, especially African and Middle Eastern history.

A few other important Sue facts: she thinks pasta salad is absolutely grotesque, would love to instantly become fluent in Spanish, and will always stop to watch the movie Mansfield Park.

Most importantly, Sue wants our students to know she cares about them and hopes Youth Group is a place where they feel safe, accepted, and able to be honest.

Something she wishes she’d known as a teenager? You can be yourself. You don’t have to become who others expect you to be—you are already enough.

And above all, Sue hopes every student knows they are loved by God.

We’re so glad to have Sue back with our Middle School students this year! Austin

08/18/2026

Meet Elizabeth “Beth” Ferry, one of the newest members of our Greeter & Check-In Team!

Beth has been part of Shepherd for 2 years, and while this is her first year as a youth sponsor, she’s already a familiar face around Youth Group as Rose’s mom!

When she’s not at Shepherd, Beth works as a Procurement Coordinator for Austin ISD and spends plenty of time keeping up with whatever activities her kids have committed to.

Beth loves gardening, sports, and birding, could talk about the law for way too long, and is surprisingly good at softball. And by “surprisingly good,” we mean she played in the Little League Softball World Series in 1988!

A few other Beth facts: she loves Dr Pepper, would compete on Family Feud, wishes Spotify had existed when she was a teenager, and will always stop to watch the movie A Few Good Men.

Most importantly, Beth hopes every student who walks into Youth Group feels valued and like they belong. She wants our students to have space to ask questions, learn, make their own choices, and find their way in faith.

We’re so excited to officially welcome Beth to the Youth Ministry team!

Address

5226 W William Cannon Drive
Austin, TX
78749

Telephone

+15128923580

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