Preston Taylor Ministries

Summer Stories

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:21:11 GMT

SUMMER 2025: ROOTED

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." - Ephesians 3:16-18

This summer, more than 115 PTM students explored what it means to be ROOTED in Christ!

We recently wrapped up a vibrant seven-week Summer Program featuring five unique camps —each filled with energy, new experiences, deep friendships, and the unwavering support of our incredible volunteer groups. Throughout the summer, students had countless opportunities to grow in their faith, try new things, form lasting bonds, and, of course, have a whole lot of fun.

Thanks to partnerships with over 20 local organizations, students explored activities like sports, music, water recreation, culinary arts, yoga, dance, overnight camp, and more. To learn more about our amazing summer partners, visit our Instagram page.

Here’s what some of our students had to say about their summer at PTM:

"Water Walkers was my favorite because I've never been on a boat or tubing before." - Jer'Mia, PTM Middle School Student

"Going to Camp Wonderfully Made was my favorite part of summer!" - Tina, PTM Elementary Student

"My favorite part of the summer was meeting new people and going on field trips!" - Valentina, PTM Middle School Student

Thank you PTM

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 21:55:20 GMT

Reflections from over a decade at PTM

I remember my first day at PTM as a part time site director. I was so nervous and excited. Ms. Kathy introduced herself to me as my new reading teacher and together we hosted 20 students at what was then Park Ave Baptist. It was a rambunctious group of mostly boys and I was glad we had a playground with a field big enough to play football! I really perfected my spiral in those early days. God was faithful and I truly felt his presence in those rooms with Kathy, myself and a handful of faithful volunteers. I was blessed beyond all that I could hope for there. That was 2012 and I watched some of those very first students graduate high school this year. Ms Kathy is still teaching reading at PTM today.

It was hectic, I was scared, but I was hooked. I had homeschooled for 16 years and my last had graduated and gone off to college, so I was looking for a way to connect with community. PTM became my new family. In those early years, we were experimenting with all kinds of ways to deepen programming and help students feel seen and loved. We started a mentoring program where caring adults could meet one on one with students during lunch at schools, now known as Lunchmates.

During my first staff overnight retreat, we came up with a crazy idea of building a gap year program where college graduates could learn about all the aspects of running a Christ centered non profit while living in Nashville. At the time, I thought it was insanely ambitious for how small our staff was, but that LEAP program brought in some amazing individuals that we never would have been able to attract to our small little ministry if we didn't provide housing, host families and support. I am still close friends with many who spent that first year and beyond with us. There is a richness to our offerings to students that just wouldn't be there without so many young hearts with big ideas.

In 2017, United Way approached us about partnering with them at a Family Resource Center in the Nations neighborhood to run a collaborative partnership with St Luke's Community House. It was our first K-12 program where 3 site directors would be working alongside each other to provide a seamless continuum of care across grades. We knew we needed one person to supervise those site directors and act as a liaison with our new partners, so the title of Program Director was born. I took on that position and Dwight, our current Executive Director was my middle school site director. We hosted 70 students that first year which quickly grew to 90 as the needs of the neighborhood grew. That was our first exposure with having several site directors making one space work and it took a special team. We developed a full 7 week summer program with morning camps and afternoon camps to give students a summer experience with PTM.

Being in the Nations was personally impactful for me. God put a burning love in our hearts for the neighborhood and so we sold our house in Franklin and built a house right across the street from St Luke's! We were all in and wanted to be living alongside the families that became our good friends. We became a first family for a church plant, Parks Church and have been serving there since its opening. God has blessed us to so many sweet families and good friends there. We even opened a PTM site there to help with the ever expanding waitlist on the west side.

As we added sites yearly, it became apparent that one person could not do operations, volunteer relations and program director, so we split up those roles and I took on the role of Director of Connectedness. If a program touched a student, I supervised and oversaw its thriving. Boy I loved that title! We brought on Big Brothers Big Sisters to support mentorship. We added SnackChat to bring adults into mentoring relationships during middle school lunch. We developed relationships with colleges and universities that had social work programs to host practicums on site and give students therapy and wellness services. In 2019,we expanded our partnership with the United Way and started another multi-grade site at McGruder Family Resource Center hosting K-8 students on the north end.

After serving under Chan Sheppard for so many wonderful years, I had the great pleasure to help usher my old friend and colleague, Dwight Johnson into the role as executive director. Dwight and I started together at PTM. (There is video of Dwight and I singing Beyonce Love on Top to prove it!) Dwight put together an executive team to oversee all aspects of PTM and he asked me to be his Executive Program Director and supervise our now four program directors that steward our site coordinators. T his team has become so dear to me. They love the Lord and each other with their whole hearts and I have learned so much from them.

As Executive Program Director, I have the best job at PTM. The four program directors at PTM all started in other roles and were promoted from within. This team has experience being former reading teachers, part time site coordinators, youth directors and running Family Resource Center roles. They are also authors, poets and ministry leaders in their personal lives. It's an incredible wealth of knowledge and lived experiences and I cannot tell you what a joy it is to lead alongside them. I am humbled by their love for the Lord, their work ethic and the perspective they each bring to the role. I am learning so much. (Somehow their love for chicken becomes a topic of conversation at our weekly PD pow wows and I respect that!)

My role here has stretch me in so many wonderful ways. God has shown me that there is no other way to do a hard thing than through and alongside so I have linked arms with my comrades and been transparent with my struggles. My prayer life is stronger and more authentic because of these prayer partners and each one of them strives alongside in prayer with me daily. I continue to admire their examples of walking in step with the spirit and the ways they share the Lord's working in their own lives.

There are no words to express my love for this ministry. God is good all the time and He has certainly been good to me during my time here at PTM. It is my hope that while I can no longer lead that God willing, I'll be able to lend my voice to PTM's future in whatever capacity that looks like. Thank you for allowing me to express my heartfelt appreciation for each of you that is reading this. Where I go, through the fellowship of the Holy spirit, you go also.

Much love,

Lisa

Congratulations to 2025 PTM Graduates!

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:23:02 GMT

This year, we are proud to celebrate seven seniors who are taking the next step—some heading to college, others to trade school, and some entering the workforce. What unites them all is the strong sense of community they’ve built here at PTM.

A key part of that community is generosity, and we are deeply grateful to the Weaver Family and the Kuhn Family, who together provided over $40,000 in scholarships. Their support has helped not only these graduating seniors but also several current PTM college students.

Jose Alonzo Pereira Guillen is graduating as the Salutatorian of Republic High School. He plans to attend Belmont University in the fall and pursue a career in real estate after college. His favorite memory at PTM is when he worked at PTM Summer Camp and he's so grateful to the PTM Staff, especially Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Daniel, Ms. Toni, Ms, Nan, Mr. Perry, Mr. Terrance, and Mr. Dwight.

Current Life Mantra: Anything is possible!

Jazzmine Aaliyah Hughes is graduating from James Lawson High School and plans to attend Tennessee State University. She's grateful for PTM, especially Mr. Dwight and Ms. Seany.

Current Life Mantra: I am grateful!

Nikila Robertson is graduating from Pearl Cohn High School and plans to attend Austin Peay State University to major in business. Her favorite memory at PTM is when she worked with the Social Enterprise and Entrepreneur program at PTM (maybe why she wants to study business?). She's grateful for Mr. Terrance, Mr. Dwight, Ms. Amber, Ms. Toni, Mr. Perry, and Ms. Lashunda.

Current Life Mantra: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phil 4:13

DaRodrick L. Davis is graduating from Nashville School of the Arts and plans to attend Nashville State in the fall. He hopes to transfer after two years to a school where he can study architecture or visual arts. He is so grateful for Mr. Terrance and Mr. Dwight, who are "amazing and inspirational." His favorite memory is working at PTM Summer camp!

Current Life Mantra: Take one day at a time; don't be afraid of growth.

Youssef Bekhit is graduating from Nashville School of the Arts. He plans to work until he is 21 and old enough to enroll in Metro Fire Training Academy. His favorite memory at PTM is celebrating his birthday on the Senior Trip at Maggionos in Atlanta. He's really grateful for how Mr. Terrance has invested in him.

Current Life Mantra: Trust God.

AiJaydin Crawford is graduating from The Nashville School of the Arts and plans to attend Lane College on a football scholarship. His favorite memory of PTM has been all the retreats where he's been able to get away, reset and relax. He's very grateful to Mr. Terrance and Mr. Dwight for all they've done to support him.

Current Life Mantra: It is what it is.

Glenndarius Lamont Humphrey is graduating from Nashville School of the Arts and plans to Lane College on a football scholarship. He plans to get a degree in biology and eventually pursue dentistry. His favorite memory at PTM is when the PTM crew surprised him with a cake for his birthday on the Senior Trip. He would like to thank Mr. Terrance for treating him like family and AiJaydin for bringing him to PTM.

Current Life Mantra: Don't be afraid to bet on yourself and take a risk

These students' stories are a testimony to the power of God’s faithfulness and the strength found in community. Over the years, we have witnessed transformation. We’ve seen shy voices grow bold, unsure hearts gain confidence, and dreams take flight. These changes didn’t happen in isolation — they happened because someone showed up . A mentor listened. A volunteer offered a ride. A friend prayed. At some point or another, that someone probably was you and so together, we share the journey.

The seniors we now celebrate carry with them the wisdom of countless shared experiences — weekly programming and community nights, deep conversations at retreats, spontaneous moments of laughter, hustling to and from their events and intentional times of prayer. These memories are more than milestones; they are markers of God’s presence and proof that growth flourishes when life is lived together.

We’re reminded that we were never meant to walk alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to

“consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds... encouraging one another.”

That’s what PTM is — a space where our seniors have encountered encouragement, woven through relationships rooted in Christ. To every mentor, volunteer, and supporter: thank you for being part of this story. Your presence has planted seeds of hope that will continue to bear fruit for years to come. As our seniors step into a new chapter, they carry the imprint of your love, your prayers, and your unwavering belief in their God-given potential.

The Ku-Kuhn PTM Alumni Scholarship

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:19:22 GMT

It is our honor and privilege to establish the Ku-Kuhn PTM Alumni Scholarship in memory of our mothers, Evelyn Chen Ku and Rae Elisabeth Kuhn, to be awarded to PTM alumni in pursuit of further education. Our mothers were dedicated teachers and faithful Christian women with loving, caring and generous hearts. They were dearly loved by their families and colleagues and made a difference in the lives of so many children from the late 1940s through the 1980s.

Rae Elisabeth Kuhn (1932-1992) �� Evelyn Chen Ku (1924-1997)

Evelyn graduated from Barnard College and Columbia University and taught in the Brooklyn PS system in the 1940s and 50s. She was a leader of the Chinese Christian Youth Conference of the East. After having children, she returned to teaching in the Chicago area. She sang in the church choir and also taught Vacation Bible School. One of her favorite bible verses spoke of the reassurance of peace:

“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything; tell God of your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Rae graduated from Lake Erie College and taught English, journalism and drama in the Detroit area. In addition, she was an advisor for her school’s award-winning literary magazine and newspaper. She was an elder of her church. Rae was joy-filled, positive, loving and kind. The hallmarks of her teaching were her patience with special students who needed one-on-one attention, and that she lived by her Golden Rule of teaching: that there is good in every student and it is a teacher’s job to bring it out.

Through Preston Taylor Ministries, we have met so many amazing children and youth overcoming challenges daily, joyful and determined in pursuit of their God inspired dreams. We have witnessed PTM walking alongside them in their individual journeys, journeys that extend beyond high school graduation. They may find a job, seek certification in a special field, attend community college or a 4-year college. They may need time to thrive and mature in the school of life before their God inspired dreams become clear. Often, we have to be reminded that things happen in God’s time, not necessarily ours. It is with this perspective that we offer the most fitting tribute to our moms’ legacies – to help support PTM alumni with the next steps in their life long pursuit of education, and to continue the mission of PTM.