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Young Adults and College Ministries

Welcome to Second! The community of young adults at Second is a vibrant group made up of disciples seeking to grow in community – both at Second and across our city – through the abiding love of Jesus Christ. We meet at Second and all around Indy; we study scripture and share a deep, faithful call to love and care for our neighbors (Matthew 25); and, we take seriously the spiritual work of welcome and hospitality for all (the mission statement of Second).

Our Young Adults ministry exists to both practice our faith and nurture Christ-like leadership right here in our community, equipping one another to carry the broad love of God into the world. Are you new to Indy or new to Second? We’d love to invite you to lunch or host you on Sunday! Contact Second’s Director of Young Adult Engagement, Rev. Gracie Payne, and let us know how we can meet you right where you are on your journey of faith. See you soon!

College Ministries

All College-age young adults (18-22 years-old) are invited to stay connected to the church, community, and Christ through the College-age Cohort.

Summer – In the summer, or all year if living locally, college-age folks are encouraged to participate in the life of Second Church and specifically join in at young adult gatherings.

Staying In Touch – Twice a year, a team of wonderful volunteers from the church put together care packages for our college students and graduate students. Please fill out this form to ensure we have the most up to date information. 

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    Rev. Gracie Payne
    Director of Young Adult Engagement
    317-726-5416

    Director of Young Adult Engagement

    317-726-5416 | GPayne@SecondChurch.org

    As the Director of Young Adult Engagement, Gracie ministers with those in the transitional seasons of college, early adulthood, and parenthood. She is particularly attentive to those who have not yet found belonging or welcome within the church. Gracie is passionate about encouraging disciples of Jesus as they live out the mission of God for the good of our city and the flourishing of our world.

    Gracie’s childhood was largely shaped by her passion for ballet which now informs her understanding of the Christian faith as lived out through our bodies in the dance of community. She believes – as followers of a God who took on flesh, moved into the neighborhood, and spread out those arms on the cross to embrace the world – it is our joy and our responsibility to show up for one another, form deep relationships, and join Jesus Christ in healing the world.

    Gracie is a graduate of Indiana University (B.A. Communications, English) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Gracie served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry at Second, as the Director of Youth Ministries for a congregation in Carlisle, PA and the Student Pastor for a congregation in Dayton, NJ. She also apprenticed with 1001 New Worshiping Communities, interned at the Office of the General Assembly, completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Gracie is married to Christian Payne; the couple met while working in Pennsylvania and married in 2017.

    Gracie loves returning to the ballet studio, gardening, reading novels and poetry, writing as a spiritual practice, and going on walks with her husband, Christian, and dog, Xylo.

    Book recommendations: The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), Strangers and Pilgrims Once More (Addison Hodges Hart), Being Human (Rowan Williams), Let the Bones Dance (Marcia W. Mount Shoop)

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    Rev. Michael Samson
    Associate Pastor for Engagement
    317-726-5409

    Associate Pastor for Engagement

    317-726-5409  | MSamson@SecondChurch.org 

    Mike has been a pastor for 14 years, serving on staff at congregations in Indiana and New Jersey.  He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He then completed a post-graduate program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology degree. After graduation, Mike served in the Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry program here at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Upon completing the Lake Fellow program, Mike was called to serve as Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield (PCW), NJ, a 1,400 member congregation in the suburbs of New York City. During his seven years at PCW, a main area of focus was the outreach and welcoming of guests and members into the life and ministry of the church. 

    When the Samson family felt a need to be 'back home again in Indiana,’ Mike began serving on an interim basis at Hope United Presbyterian Church, a small congregation in Plainfield, IN.  He was then called as Associate Pastor to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, in Carmel, IN, focusing more broadly on multiple areas of ministry.

    Prior to seminary, Mike graduated from Radford University with a degree in marketing. Following graduation, he worked in Atlanta for Turner Broadcasting’s World Championship Wrestling in cable affiliate relations, managing the Midwest market. Sensing that the Lord had other things ahead for him, he discerned a call to ministry and continues to be grateful to serve in the body of Christ as a pastor.  Mike considers it a joy and privilege to be in a vocation that allows him to deeply invest in his love for God and people. He loves helping people make deeper connections with God and one another in the church and in all walks of life. 

    Mike is married to Kelly Samson, a native of Vincennes, IN. They have two sons, Matthew (10) and Luke (7), as well as a big dog (a 90 pound golden retriever) and a cat. Kelly works as a genetic counselor at IU North and Riley Hospitals and coordinates IU Health’s Kate Cares Stillbirth Assessment Program, which helps families find answers to questions and provides support following devastating losses. In her free time, Kelly enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family. Matthew is going into fourth grade and loves playing with his friends, riding bikes, music, and using his imagination to build things. Luke is going into second grade and loves playing with his friends, baseball, football, and building things. Matthew and Luke also love playing with each other.

    Mike is a native of Montclair, NJ (a suburb of NYC) and enjoys spending his free time with family and friends, playing guitar and making music, as well as playing various sports. The Samsons are excited and hopeful about becoming a part of the body of Christ at Second Presbyterian Church!