I was reading in an article the other day that blogs have peaked, and will now plateau. This seems to be a result of blog fatigue. Blogging at a high rate on start-up, then losing steam until the blog is never again posted to. This is seen in how many blogs are starting up on a daily basis, and how many are not being used/closed.
I KNOW that this has been the case with this blog, but I digress.
It has been quite a start to the school year here @ First Baptist Church Youth Ministries.
We have seen the puppet team keep moving forward. They have participated in Crosstrainers, Youth Night, and will be starting up a ministry into the senior homes in the area.
Sunday School attendance has been steady. The JH are learning about the church. The SH has been digging into The Bible and the big words about it. (revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, transmission, translation, illumination, etc.)
Wednesday Nights include JH AWANA going through the TREK series. They also spend time playing and memorizing scripture. The Senior High has been through a couple of major sections. First, we learned how to share Jesus without fear through the '5 questions' system. We have heard great stories about our young people and leaders sharing their faith. We also spent a few weeks in Ephesians looking into the ways of spiritual growth. Currently, we are walking through the aspects of What Pleases God; based loosely on the book The Pleasures of God. This series takes very seriously the fact that the more we meditate on God and who He is (though the Word and in our daily walk) the more we can become like Him. (through the H.S. working through us.
EVENTS
We have had a busy fall.
Starting with an excellent JH Retreat in August with 20 Junior Highers preparing for the school year and building up friendships within the youth group.
We also had on August 29th, RBP's Next Generation Seminar with Mel Walker. 50 youth pastors and leaders from the area attended the seminar.
In September our Youth Choir started up and worked through its first song for the year and sang for the congregation on our Youth Night. We also had a special Wednesday night with the church family when one of our favorite missionaries, Lloyd Larkin, came and presented/thanked our church for being involved with his church in Salt Lake City.
A new ministry was started this fall called RTS (Ready to Serve). This ministry is a group pf our young people who have put their name on a list to be ready to do anything needed within the ministries of our church. They have already filled in for a children's church, set up the gym (tarps/chairs/table clothes/etc) and torn it down for our missions conference banquet, washed dishes, watched little kids for choir practices, and a number of other little things around the church. PRAISE THE LORD for a youth group that is so involved and willing to serve within their church.
We also had a good showing at the HEBRON paintball event and brought 23 to the HEBRON Leadership Retreat @ Skyview Ranch.
Mix in three SNAC's and a freshman class crash, and...there you have our first two months.
This weekend is WOL Super-Bowl, so we will take our 2 big yellow buses with 74 attendees and rain down our thunder in the 'Q' for the Cavs game followed by some serious fellowship and fun for the WHOLE night.
whoo, whoo. The Youth Ministries train is rollin'
Coming UP:
Puppet Ministries
STEM (missions trip) requirements starting in December
FBC Musicale
Youth Bible Conference on 1-12
Rec Center on 1-25
well, just look at your calendars!
PDave
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Let the School Year Begin
Welcome to the 07-08 school year! If you haven't been around the building yet, we are off and running. The youth ministries calendar is out and I believe even up to date on the blog site!
We had our first of the year parent-teen night, and had a great turnout. almost 130 were in attendance that night. We discussed the coming year and filled in the blanks on puppets (starting Sept 9) and the season pass.
This year we will be covering some great topics.
In the Senior High, on Sunday's we will be be starting with major areas this school year.
The Bible: From inspiration to preservation, from survey to study techniques, from canonicity, transmission, and translations to the dispensations, we will be covering the guidebook for our Christian walk. This study will help the student Unlock the Truth found in God's Word
Cults and False Religions: Building off the strength of the Word and realizing that it warns against false teachers, we will see that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. This study will help the student understand the cults and false religions in our world today, including some of the new religions popping up such as Wicca and Kabbala.
In the Junior High, topics being covered are the church as a family and what the Bible says about ourselves, including unconditional love, change, dealing with success and failure, etc. These will be very practical studies for the Junior Highers as they continue to grow.
Stay tuned for a Wednesday Night preview!
We had our first of the year parent-teen night, and had a great turnout. almost 130 were in attendance that night. We discussed the coming year and filled in the blanks on puppets (starting Sept 9) and the season pass.
This year we will be covering some great topics.
In the Senior High, on Sunday's we will be be starting with major areas this school year.
The Bible: From inspiration to preservation, from survey to study techniques, from canonicity, transmission, and translations to the dispensations, we will be covering the guidebook for our Christian walk. This study will help the student Unlock the Truth found in God's Word
Cults and False Religions: Building off the strength of the Word and realizing that it warns against false teachers, we will see that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. This study will help the student understand the cults and false religions in our world today, including some of the new religions popping up such as Wicca and Kabbala.
In the Junior High, topics being covered are the church as a family and what the Bible says about ourselves, including unconditional love, change, dealing with success and failure, etc. These will be very practical studies for the Junior Highers as they continue to grow.
Stay tuned for a Wednesday Night preview!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
STEM Trip '07 - The Rest of the Story
Well, as most of you know (or assumed), we are all back.
This final STEM posting is a little bit of an attempt to put the rest of the week into one post.
Thursday was a good day of VBS, our numbers were down a bit, and will probably stay down as the weekend is approaching. The kids that we had were wonderful. And the entire team did a fantastic job.
Thursday afternoon/evening was our great trip to the glacier. After a long drive up Glenn Highway, we finally arrived at our destination. There we signed a waiver (in case anyone died) and headed off.
Pastor Blood took some of the more adventurous ones off the path through some of the squishy ground, while the rest of the group took a longer route. All of us met up at a little glacier lake for photos and even some good glacier water drinking. We then all wandered together farther into the glacier. Finally we reached a tough hill which led to Pastor Blood, Pastor Burman, and a few others to venture off to the high ground. All of the other team members then had a wonderful exercise in team work getting everybody off a hill that was a lot easier to get up than to get down. Many sited this time as a great memory. Our guys really took over and helped everyone who needed it.
Overall, the glacier was fantastic. To think of the immensity of the glacier system in Alaska, and to see the compressed lines of blue ice. Created from the pressure of opened and closed cracks and lines of water. To experience aspects of God's creation most of us had never been around. It was a fun, adventurous, stretching, learning time for all of us.
Friday's VBS was a good time with the kids. We shared the Three Crosses for the Bible story, and said our goodbyes at the end of VBS. This was to be our day to go up Bear Mountain; a long hike to a great view. But the Lord brought us rain, so we went to the Bear Paw festival and wandered through the booths set up and experienced a bit of Alaska culture.
Our extra time allowed us to spend a great time that evening around the table. Pastor Friesner organized a wonderful Italian dinner and really spoiled us. The leaders (Friesners, Raders, Burmans, and Brady) served and bussed our meal of spaghetti and meatballs with a great brownie and ice cream dessert. All of the individual team members then shared what God ad taught them during the week and their favorite memory of the week. It was a wonderful time of praise and laughter.
After that wonderful time, we went up stairs for team devotions and a time for Pastor Blood to share his testimony. Pastor Blood touched all of our hearts as he poured out his life story and how God used, led, and changed him. His story of God's leading him and his family to the mission field of Alaska was an incredible testimony that God can use anyone, no matter what barriers that person (or others) may think stand in the way of being used of God. His challenge to "Give God first choice" in everything in our lives resonated in all of us. There were many tear filled eyes. And God was working in the hearts of our teens.
Which leads me to this.
In the times I was able to spend with Pastor Blood, we had some wonderful conversations about God, who he uses, and this team of teens from First Baptist.
I will share this in our report service, but I want to include it here.
Pastor Blood commented on what a wonderful, gifted group of kids we have. He mentioned that in their mission strips, they have absolutely had more ministry training than he or I ever had in High School, and more than almost ALL Christian teens have. He sees lives that have already been prepared for a life time of service to the Lord. While this obviously means in whatever context the Lord places them, he did emphasize that the Lord calls and equips, and our teens are equipped.
We have a group of young people that he (and I agree) believes God wants to do something special with; and not just for a few summers of their lives.
All around the world, fundamental, Bible preaching and teaching missionaries are getting closer and closer to retirement. Many fields are finding that the next generation of missionaries and pastors and teachers is not large enough to fill the void that will be left in the coming couple of decades. The Alaska field alone could place 12 couples IMMEDIATELY into places that are in need of missionaries.
We agreed that Satan seems to be using the consumer mindset of our generation to convince teens to stay away from ministry. That ministry costs too much, and is a calling that is a waste of intellect and ability. This mind set also is coming from parents. While it is the responsibility of parents and mentors to help a teen as they move forward into the career building, independent time of their lives, that does not meant that the Lord is not leading in the life of their teen. Unfortunately there are those who feel that a young person is being misguided if they decide to first pursue the possibility of God leading them into ministry by starting off their college at a good Bible college. Teens are told that they need to consider the financial and practical aspects of a decision to 'go off/away to Bible college'. I am glad that I was not told that. When my decision was made to go to a Christian college I knew that the Lord still had some leading in my life. I knew that despite the scholarship offers on the table, an acceptance to GMI, and the possibility of even going to school close to home, God wanted me to be in the right Christian environment, because He still had some working to do in my life. Praise the Lord that the only main question I remember my parents asking me was a clarification that THEY weren't pressuring me to go to Bible college! They just wanted to make sure I was going to Christian college because God was leading me, not them. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
We have a group of teens that God is working in RIGHT NOW. To say that decisions should not be made while in this 'spiritual high' is interesting. Should the decisions be made when they get back into the world that Satan uses to pressure and push them.
I am renewed in my prayer for those who are committed to answering the call of God. What better way to equip future Sunday School teachers and deacons and church members, than to start their education and general education classes in some place where they are also being taught the Word, and being taught Western Civ, and English, and Speech, etc. by godly professors and from a biblical point of view.
Whoa! That was a soap box.
Obviously this trip has impacted my life and love for our teens as well.
MOVING ON!!!
Saturday brought a fun-filled day of parade watching, fast-food eating, and souvenir shopping. We ended the day at the airport, anticipating our 11 hours of flying home. We endured an overnight flight with little sleep, and much anticipation of getting home to see our loved ones.
Thank you so much to the many parents who were waiting with open arms at the airport! We were glad to see the faces of those we loved.
Praise the Lord for the tremendous opportunity He has given this STEM team to serve Him in Alaska. We hope you make it to our Report service on July22nd!
Thanks for hanging in there!!
Oh yeah, here are many of the remaining pictures!!
Pastor Dave
This final STEM posting is a little bit of an attempt to put the rest of the week into one post.
Thursday was a good day of VBS, our numbers were down a bit, and will probably stay down as the weekend is approaching. The kids that we had were wonderful. And the entire team did a fantastic job.
Thursday afternoon/evening was our great trip to the glacier. After a long drive up Glenn Highway, we finally arrived at our destination. There we signed a waiver (in case anyone died) and headed off.
Pastor Blood took some of the more adventurous ones off the path through some of the squishy ground, while the rest of the group took a longer route. All of us met up at a little glacier lake for photos and even some good glacier water drinking. We then all wandered together farther into the glacier. Finally we reached a tough hill which led to Pastor Blood, Pastor Burman, and a few others to venture off to the high ground. All of the other team members then had a wonderful exercise in team work getting everybody off a hill that was a lot easier to get up than to get down. Many sited this time as a great memory. Our guys really took over and helped everyone who needed it.
Overall, the glacier was fantastic. To think of the immensity of the glacier system in Alaska, and to see the compressed lines of blue ice. Created from the pressure of opened and closed cracks and lines of water. To experience aspects of God's creation most of us had never been around. It was a fun, adventurous, stretching, learning time for all of us.
Friday's VBS was a good time with the kids. We shared the Three Crosses for the Bible story, and said our goodbyes at the end of VBS. This was to be our day to go up Bear Mountain; a long hike to a great view. But the Lord brought us rain, so we went to the Bear Paw festival and wandered through the booths set up and experienced a bit of Alaska culture.
Our extra time allowed us to spend a great time that evening around the table. Pastor Friesner organized a wonderful Italian dinner and really spoiled us. The leaders (Friesners, Raders, Burmans, and Brady) served and bussed our meal of spaghetti and meatballs with a great brownie and ice cream dessert. All of the individual team members then shared what God ad taught them during the week and their favorite memory of the week. It was a wonderful time of praise and laughter.
After that wonderful time, we went up stairs for team devotions and a time for Pastor Blood to share his testimony. Pastor Blood touched all of our hearts as he poured out his life story and how God used, led, and changed him. His story of God's leading him and his family to the mission field of Alaska was an incredible testimony that God can use anyone, no matter what barriers that person (or others) may think stand in the way of being used of God. His challenge to "Give God first choice" in everything in our lives resonated in all of us. There were many tear filled eyes. And God was working in the hearts of our teens.
Which leads me to this.
In the times I was able to spend with Pastor Blood, we had some wonderful conversations about God, who he uses, and this team of teens from First Baptist.
I will share this in our report service, but I want to include it here.
Pastor Blood commented on what a wonderful, gifted group of kids we have. He mentioned that in their mission strips, they have absolutely had more ministry training than he or I ever had in High School, and more than almost ALL Christian teens have. He sees lives that have already been prepared for a life time of service to the Lord. While this obviously means in whatever context the Lord places them, he did emphasize that the Lord calls and equips, and our teens are equipped.
We have a group of young people that he (and I agree) believes God wants to do something special with; and not just for a few summers of their lives.
All around the world, fundamental, Bible preaching and teaching missionaries are getting closer and closer to retirement. Many fields are finding that the next generation of missionaries and pastors and teachers is not large enough to fill the void that will be left in the coming couple of decades. The Alaska field alone could place 12 couples IMMEDIATELY into places that are in need of missionaries.
We agreed that Satan seems to be using the consumer mindset of our generation to convince teens to stay away from ministry. That ministry costs too much, and is a calling that is a waste of intellect and ability. This mind set also is coming from parents. While it is the responsibility of parents and mentors to help a teen as they move forward into the career building, independent time of their lives, that does not meant that the Lord is not leading in the life of their teen. Unfortunately there are those who feel that a young person is being misguided if they decide to first pursue the possibility of God leading them into ministry by starting off their college at a good Bible college. Teens are told that they need to consider the financial and practical aspects of a decision to 'go off/away to Bible college'. I am glad that I was not told that. When my decision was made to go to a Christian college I knew that the Lord still had some leading in my life. I knew that despite the scholarship offers on the table, an acceptance to GMI, and the possibility of even going to school close to home, God wanted me to be in the right Christian environment, because He still had some working to do in my life. Praise the Lord that the only main question I remember my parents asking me was a clarification that THEY weren't pressuring me to go to Bible college! They just wanted to make sure I was going to Christian college because God was leading me, not them. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
We have a group of teens that God is working in RIGHT NOW. To say that decisions should not be made while in this 'spiritual high' is interesting. Should the decisions be made when they get back into the world that Satan uses to pressure and push them.
I am renewed in my prayer for those who are committed to answering the call of God. What better way to equip future Sunday School teachers and deacons and church members, than to start their education and general education classes in some place where they are also being taught the Word, and being taught Western Civ, and English, and Speech, etc. by godly professors and from a biblical point of view.
Whoa! That was a soap box.
Obviously this trip has impacted my life and love for our teens as well.
MOVING ON!!!
Saturday brought a fun-filled day of parade watching, fast-food eating, and souvenir shopping. We ended the day at the airport, anticipating our 11 hours of flying home. We endured an overnight flight with little sleep, and much anticipation of getting home to see our loved ones.
Thank you so much to the many parents who were waiting with open arms at the airport! We were glad to see the faces of those we loved.
Praise the Lord for the tremendous opportunity He has given this STEM team to serve Him in Alaska. We hope you make it to our Report service on July22nd!
Thanks for hanging in there!!
Oh yeah, here are many of the remaining pictures!!
Pastor Dave
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
STEM Trip '07 - Blog disclaimers
Hey all you parents, friends, and family of our STEM team.
Thanks so much for checking out our site.
A few things for you to know!
We only get web access every couple of days, so approving comments and updating the site takes a bit of time.
Also, these are the tip of the photographic iceberg. There will be WAY too many photos to get onto my Picasa web albums, so please be patient, as not everybody gets onto every photo.
We are looking forward to coming home in 4 days!!!
Thanks so much for checking out our site.
A few things for you to know!
We only get web access every couple of days, so approving comments and updating the site takes a bit of time.
Also, these are the tip of the photographic iceberg. There will be WAY too many photos to get onto my Picasa web albums, so please be patient, as not everybody gets onto every photo.
We are looking forward to coming home in 4 days!!!
STEM Trip '07 - Mountains and Fun
STEM ’07
Tuesday, July 10th
Peters Creek Baptist Church
Mountains and Fun
The last two nights we have made treks up into the mountains.
Monday night from 8pm-midnight (still light) we went up to see some falls and then up to the Eklunta Lake, which involved for some, a back of the pickup truck ride to the top. The scenery was well worth the trip up. We got some group pictures and enjoyed the 360 degree view of the mountains.
The boys went home first, while the girls got to wave around an unloaded Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum and an unloaded 12 guage shot gun. It was a good night of fellowship and fun. But, there are still no bear or moose to be seen. Apparently we make too much noise.
It is a good thing everybody took a two hour nap today, or this would have been a late grumpy night.
Tuesday was a hard, fun day. After VBS we got revved up for a trip up to Hatcher’s Pass. Jen Burman was actually here with her FBBC ministry team 10 years ago. She is pretty happy to be with the teens in this place of fond memories.
Once we took the 45 minute drive up to the pass, we all jumped out to hike up a 1000+ foot mountain. Pastor Blood offered the guys a steak dinner if they could get to the top in 15 minutes. They think they did it, but it actually took them about 20 minutes. (Pastor Blood was impressed!) Some of the older and slightly heavier team members (which will remain unnamed) eventually got to the top a few minutes later (well, 20 minutes later). The view at the top was breathtaking. Some of the younger guys pushed off to some higher ground for an even better view. The pictures, as usual, will not do this mountain justice. It was STEEP! But everybody handled it well. Only a few scrapes!
On the way down the side of the mountain, almost everybody got to slide down a long patch of snow! This resulted in some cold, wet pants, but many laughs.
And finally, on the way back to the church, we saw MOOSE!! A baby and a momma moose came alongside of the road. We only had to tell two young people to get back in the vehicles, lest they get stomped.
We got back to the church and spent 2 hours with the Peter’s Creek youth group. I gave a challenge to their teens while our team ate supper. Then we spent an hour and a half snacking and playing with them. We played some high intensity games with a lot of running, pushing, and pain. By doing that on top of all the climbing, we were all pretty worn out, so almost everybody showered that night. (it only took from 9:30-12:30)
It was a great day, and we are looking forward to more good times in the afternoons!
Tuesday, July 10th
Peters Creek Baptist Church
Mountains and Fun
The last two nights we have made treks up into the mountains.
Monday night from 8pm-midnight (still light) we went up to see some falls and then up to the Eklunta Lake, which involved for some, a back of the pickup truck ride to the top. The scenery was well worth the trip up. We got some group pictures and enjoyed the 360 degree view of the mountains.
The boys went home first, while the girls got to wave around an unloaded Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum and an unloaded 12 guage shot gun. It was a good night of fellowship and fun. But, there are still no bear or moose to be seen. Apparently we make too much noise.
It is a good thing everybody took a two hour nap today, or this would have been a late grumpy night.
Tuesday was a hard, fun day. After VBS we got revved up for a trip up to Hatcher’s Pass. Jen Burman was actually here with her FBBC ministry team 10 years ago. She is pretty happy to be with the teens in this place of fond memories.
Once we took the 45 minute drive up to the pass, we all jumped out to hike up a 1000+ foot mountain. Pastor Blood offered the guys a steak dinner if they could get to the top in 15 minutes. They think they did it, but it actually took them about 20 minutes. (Pastor Blood was impressed!) Some of the older and slightly heavier team members (which will remain unnamed) eventually got to the top a few minutes later (well, 20 minutes later). The view at the top was breathtaking. Some of the younger guys pushed off to some higher ground for an even better view. The pictures, as usual, will not do this mountain justice. It was STEEP! But everybody handled it well. Only a few scrapes!
On the way down the side of the mountain, almost everybody got to slide down a long patch of snow! This resulted in some cold, wet pants, but many laughs.
And finally, on the way back to the church, we saw MOOSE!! A baby and a momma moose came alongside of the road. We only had to tell two young people to get back in the vehicles, lest they get stomped.
We got back to the church and spent 2 hours with the Peter’s Creek youth group. I gave a challenge to their teens while our team ate supper. Then we spent an hour and a half snacking and playing with them. We played some high intensity games with a lot of running, pushing, and pain. By doing that on top of all the climbing, we were all pretty worn out, so almost everybody showered that night. (it only took from 9:30-12:30)
It was a great day, and we are looking forward to more good times in the afternoons!
STEM Trip '07 - VBS and church life
Monday - Wednesday, July 11th
Peters Creek Baptist Church
VBS and life in the church
Vacation Bible School has gone very well. Our kids spent late Sunday night transfprming the church into a tropical paradise. I, as the leader only have responsibilities during the opening and the closing. All the other aspects of the VBS are being run by the teens. Each has a day and an area of assignments. And things area going about as well as any STEM VBS we have had.
We have averaged about 20. Which is good in this fishing time of year for Alaskans.
We have had three decisions in three days. Layla, Will, and his brother (his name is escaping me)
We have song time, Bible time, craft time, game time, and some crazy songs that the kids really get into. The local church has been pretty wowed by our kids and all they are doing.
Life in the church is probably one of the most challenging aspects of this trip. We have three rooms for the teens, and all use ONE SHOWER. This means 1 ½ hours in the evenings for the guys and 2+ hours in the morning for the girls. Which equals diminished sleep time.
The team has handles it very well, mainly because of some great volunteer leaders helping in SO many ways, especially in the meals. We have been well fed and well cared for.
Well, more to come in a few days!!
STEM team 2007!
VBS + pictures
Sunday and Canvassing pictures
Peters Creek Baptist Church
VBS and life in the church
Vacation Bible School has gone very well. Our kids spent late Sunday night transfprming the church into a tropical paradise. I, as the leader only have responsibilities during the opening and the closing. All the other aspects of the VBS are being run by the teens. Each has a day and an area of assignments. And things area going about as well as any STEM VBS we have had.
We have averaged about 20. Which is good in this fishing time of year for Alaskans.
We have had three decisions in three days. Layla, Will, and his brother (his name is escaping me)
We have song time, Bible time, craft time, game time, and some crazy songs that the kids really get into. The local church has been pretty wowed by our kids and all they are doing.
Life in the church is probably one of the most challenging aspects of this trip. We have three rooms for the teens, and all use ONE SHOWER. This means 1 ½ hours in the evenings for the guys and 2+ hours in the morning for the girls. Which equals diminished sleep time.
The team has handles it very well, mainly because of some great volunteer leaders helping in SO many ways, especially in the meals. We have been well fed and well cared for.
Well, more to come in a few days!!
STEM team 2007!
VBS + pictures
Sunday and Canvassing pictures
Saturday, July 07, 2007
STEM Trip '07 - Float Trip - Tuesday-Friday
STEM ’07
Friday, July 6th
Peters Creek Baptist Church
Well, the float trip is over. While there are way too many stories to tell, and we are sure you will hear all about them, we have accomplished many things.
We have learned to row canoes, or at least who can and who can’t, we have slept in the rain, swam in 40 degree water, shot rifles and 44’s, spotted bald eagles, spotted no big game, fished, sang Shark songs, laughed, whined, relaxed, tensed up, dealt with minor injuries (thanks to those pesky knives), gone to the bathroom in new and exciting places, been up til 11:30 with plenty of daylight, played, prayed, done our devos, switched rowing partners, crammed into vehicles, taken 20+ showers in one shower in a matter of 2 hours, and had a GREAT time.
It rained almost every day, but always seemed to rain while we were on the water, or safe inside our tents. We did not have rain during any set up, dinner, or tear down time.
God provided some great men and women to serve as our guides, so we had quite an adventure, with 20 canoes and 3 rafts running down the Little Susitna River (you can look it up on google earth) from about 60 mile inland all the way to the last landing before Cook Inlet.
We are happy to be bathed! Many have commented how good it feels to be clean. And we are ready for a busy weekend of canvassing and recovery.
We have fed and bed all the teens for the night. Their tents are airing out outside the camp site. Jen, Terrie, Reilly, and Melissa did ALL the laundery and got it back to us folded and ready to go. They did an awesome job.
The teens are a little edgy, mainly due to a lack of sleep and close living quarters, but they are doing well. Tomorrow, the canvassing will wake them up and bind them together.
I found out I get to preach on Sunday, so I will be working on that tomorrow while the leaders help with the canvassing. I also get to teach the youth group on Tuesday during the churches weekly 6-9 pm youth time.
Thank you for your prayers. We miss you all!
STEM Team 07.
Friday, July 6th
Peters Creek Baptist Church
Well, the float trip is over. While there are way too many stories to tell, and we are sure you will hear all about them, we have accomplished many things.
We have learned to row canoes, or at least who can and who can’t, we have slept in the rain, swam in 40 degree water, shot rifles and 44’s, spotted bald eagles, spotted no big game, fished, sang Shark songs, laughed, whined, relaxed, tensed up, dealt with minor injuries (thanks to those pesky knives), gone to the bathroom in new and exciting places, been up til 11:30 with plenty of daylight, played, prayed, done our devos, switched rowing partners, crammed into vehicles, taken 20+ showers in one shower in a matter of 2 hours, and had a GREAT time.
It rained almost every day, but always seemed to rain while we were on the water, or safe inside our tents. We did not have rain during any set up, dinner, or tear down time.
God provided some great men and women to serve as our guides, so we had quite an adventure, with 20 canoes and 3 rafts running down the Little Susitna River (you can look it up on google earth) from about 60 mile inland all the way to the last landing before Cook Inlet.
We are happy to be bathed! Many have commented how good it feels to be clean. And we are ready for a busy weekend of canvassing and recovery.
We have fed and bed all the teens for the night. Their tents are airing out outside the camp site. Jen, Terrie, Reilly, and Melissa did ALL the laundery and got it back to us folded and ready to go. They did an awesome job.
The teens are a little edgy, mainly due to a lack of sleep and close living quarters, but they are doing well. Tomorrow, the canvassing will wake them up and bind them together.
I found out I get to preach on Sunday, so I will be working on that tomorrow while the leaders help with the canvassing. I also get to teach the youth group on Tuesday during the churches weekly 6-9 pm youth time.
Thank you for your prayers. We miss you all!
STEM Team 07.
STEM Trip '07 - Monday
STEM ’07
Monday, July 2nd
Hopkins International
Well, your highly mature STEMers got out of the church parking lot EARLY! After arriving at the airport in waves from 10:00-10:15, we were all through security by 10:35. Not bad for 33 passengers.
Our extreme itinerary change was revealed by Dave Leitch at the church. The 5 tickets for the Dan and Sue Friesner, Jon and Terrie Rader, and Jen Burman purchased through ORBITZ were accidently purchased (by a now very humble youth pastor) for returning ONE DAY LATER!!! Same flight numbers, same flight times, different days.Those five leaders will be staying one more day, and will be returning on Monday, July 16th!
Oh well, they will probably love the quiet after the storm, and enjoy an extra day in Alaska with out the other 26 teens and two leaders.
All the teens say ‘HI”!
Thank you to all those who helped with the transportation to the airport.
The plan for the return trip from the airport on Sunday, July 15th is as follows. We ENCOURAGE the parents to get their teens from the airport. We will be contacting the church with flight information and get them to the info desk.
If/When we are on time, we will be arriving @ 12:15pm on Sunday, so a nice little convoy from the church after the AM service will be taking place. Jerry Bilow will be driving the green van with the trailer. That will cover 15 plus luggage.
Time for me to fellowship with the teens for our 1½hr wait to board!
Your humble youth leader,
Pastor Dave
Monday, July 2nd
Dallas
We received a bit of a scare while in route to Dallas. A delay, and the possibility of a reroute stirred us up a bit, but we finally arrived only 45 minutes late. After getting to our next gate and grabbing some food, we had to wait for the plane ahead of ours at our gate to leave. All told, we left Dallas a little over an hour late.
Monday, July 2nd
In the air on the way to Alaska.
We are half way through our 6+ hour flight. Many of the young people enjoyed the in flight movie, “Meet the Robinsons” a pretty crazy, all-over-the-board Disney movie. Now the natives are restless. Many members of the team are wandering about the plane (as much as possible in a 757) and chatting with each other. The scenery out the windows has been spectacular! God’s hand in the beauty of His creation is always evident, especially when viewing the grandeur of the Rockies!
We flew over Colorado, Vail to be precise, and are continuing north and west. Our first-time flyers have received their fill of bumps and are a bit more adjusted.
The team will be going through a two-week devotional put together by Dr. Joy from BMM. Each night we will be getting together to discuss, pray, encourage, laugh, and prepare for the next.
I LOVE traveling with these teens and leaders. They are a sharp group, and so much fun.
Hopefully we can get this published soon, and maybe even some photos!
Monday, July 2nd
Hopkins International
Well, your highly mature STEMers got out of the church parking lot EARLY! After arriving at the airport in waves from 10:00-10:15, we were all through security by 10:35. Not bad for 33 passengers.
Our extreme itinerary change was revealed by Dave Leitch at the church. The 5 tickets for the Dan and Sue Friesner, Jon and Terrie Rader, and Jen Burman purchased through ORBITZ were accidently purchased (by a now very humble youth pastor) for returning ONE DAY LATER!!! Same flight numbers, same flight times, different days.Those five leaders will be staying one more day, and will be returning on Monday, July 16th!
Oh well, they will probably love the quiet after the storm, and enjoy an extra day in Alaska with out the other 26 teens and two leaders.
All the teens say ‘HI”!
Thank you to all those who helped with the transportation to the airport.
The plan for the return trip from the airport on Sunday, July 15th is as follows. We ENCOURAGE the parents to get their teens from the airport. We will be contacting the church with flight information and get them to the info desk.
If/When we are on time, we will be arriving @ 12:15pm on Sunday, so a nice little convoy from the church after the AM service will be taking place. Jerry Bilow will be driving the green van with the trailer. That will cover 15 plus luggage.
Time for me to fellowship with the teens for our 1½hr wait to board!
Your humble youth leader,
Pastor Dave
Monday, July 2nd
Dallas
We received a bit of a scare while in route to Dallas. A delay, and the possibility of a reroute stirred us up a bit, but we finally arrived only 45 minutes late. After getting to our next gate and grabbing some food, we had to wait for the plane ahead of ours at our gate to leave. All told, we left Dallas a little over an hour late.
Monday, July 2nd
In the air on the way to Alaska.
We are half way through our 6+ hour flight. Many of the young people enjoyed the in flight movie, “Meet the Robinsons” a pretty crazy, all-over-the-board Disney movie. Now the natives are restless. Many members of the team are wandering about the plane (as much as possible in a 757) and chatting with each other. The scenery out the windows has been spectacular! God’s hand in the beauty of His creation is always evident, especially when viewing the grandeur of the Rockies!
We flew over Colorado, Vail to be precise, and are continuing north and west. Our first-time flyers have received their fill of bumps and are a bit more adjusted.
The team will be going through a two-week devotional put together by Dr. Joy from BMM. Each night we will be getting together to discuss, pray, encourage, laugh, and prepare for the next.
I LOVE traveling with these teens and leaders. They are a sharp group, and so much fun.
Hopefully we can get this published soon, and maybe even some photos!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Th.A.D.
It is the start of the end of the year!
Well...
As a youth group we are going to attempt to go through the entire New Testament by the end of the year.
This will work if we do Three chapters A Day.
Thus the term Th.A.D.
This week started in Matthew chapters 1-21. Three a day.
Monday and Tuesday were Matthew 1-6. It felt a little Christmas like on Monday. And on Tuesday we had a fine trip through the Beatitudes.
KEEP UP Young People!!
Pastor Dave
-if you do your ThAD, feel free to post a comment about how much you enjoyed God's Word!
Well...
As a youth group we are going to attempt to go through the entire New Testament by the end of the year.
This will work if we do Three chapters A Day.
Thus the term Th.A.D.
This week started in Matthew chapters 1-21. Three a day.
Monday and Tuesday were Matthew 1-6. It felt a little Christmas like on Monday. And on Tuesday we had a fine trip through the Beatitudes.
KEEP UP Young People!!
Pastor Dave
-if you do your ThAD, feel free to post a comment about how much you enjoyed God's Word!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Graduation 2007
Last week (June 3rd) We were privileged to have our church hold a Sunday Morning service wrapped around our graduating class of 2007. We wanted to praise God for what he has been doing in the lives of our graduates and their families.
It was a very good service that included a slide show of the graduates. Here are the "youth group" pictures from that slide show. They have and will certainly bring back some great memories!
God has truly blessed this church and youth ministry with some outstanding young people! They have brought life and leadership to our youth ministry. They will be missed, and are always welcome to 'drop in' the youth room any time.
As these 17 graduates continue through this time of transition in their lives, we are praying they will put the Lord first place in their lives. We also hope that the love and commitment to the scriptures that this church body has will continue to flow through them as the next generation of church leaders.
Luke 24:32
It was a very good service that included a slide show of the graduates. Here are the "youth group" pictures from that slide show. They have and will certainly bring back some great memories!
God has truly blessed this church and youth ministry with some outstanding young people! They have brought life and leadership to our youth ministry. They will be missed, and are always welcome to 'drop in' the youth room any time.
As these 17 graduates continue through this time of transition in their lives, we are praying they will put the Lord first place in their lives. We also hope that the love and commitment to the scriptures that this church body has will continue to flow through them as the next generation of church leaders.
Luke 24:32
Friday, April 20, 2007
My shot at Google Calendar
Here is the new First Baptist Youth Ministries Calendar.
It is a work in progress, but I will keep working on updating it. So it can be viewed and uploaded.
I have enjoyed making the transition to Google for my calendars. I still use Outlook fro PDA syncing purposes, but I export to Google, as I can add any calendars in layers to my work calendar. Including sports schedules, home schedules, and our church calendar I can even import.
I just hope that Google isn't another way we are being set up for the Tribulation. (does 'google' have some language connection to the number '666'?)
Well, enjoy!
It is a work in progress, but I will keep working on updating it. So it can be viewed and uploaded.
I have enjoyed making the transition to Google for my calendars. I still use Outlook fro PDA syncing purposes, but I export to Google, as I can add any calendars in layers to my work calendar. Including sports schedules, home schedules, and our church calendar I can even import.
I just hope that Google isn't another way we are being set up for the Tribulation. (does 'google' have some language connection to the number '666'?)
Well, enjoy!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Ministry extras
OK...Here we go
FBCYM's JH puppet ministries is officially off and running.
Youth Choir has resumed on Wednesday nights from 8:15-8:45pm
STEM meetings started this week as well on Wed nights @ 6pm
It is also that time of year for our seniors to be completing their HEBRON scholarship applications (due 3-19).
We will be at the HEBRON/Berea Baptist Church Youth Conference on March 17th.
We will be at the OSYC Real World University event in Columbus on March 30th.
Our HEBRON activity around the BIG semifinal games from the tournament will take place on March 31st.
AND...the state Talents for Christ competition will be HERE at First Baptist on April 28th.
FBCYM's JH puppet ministries is officially off and running.
Youth Choir has resumed on Wednesday nights from 8:15-8:45pm
STEM meetings started this week as well on Wed nights @ 6pm
It is also that time of year for our seniors to be completing their HEBRON scholarship applications (due 3-19).
We will be at the HEBRON/Berea Baptist Church Youth Conference on March 17th.
We will be at the OSYC Real World University event in Columbus on March 30th.
Our HEBRON activity around the BIG semifinal games from the tournament will take place on March 31st.
AND...the state Talents for Christ competition will be HERE at First Baptist on April 28th.
Little Extras
Well, it is March. The sacredness of college basketball rears its head. Let the legendary folklore of NCAA basketball continue to unfold before our eyes.
What will we see, what upsets or mind numbing moments await? All this excitement makes me wonder where the excitement over changed lives falls in our order of importance.
The problem with being excited about change is that it often is something that is a process. As I look back over the changes going on in the lives of our youth and former youth, I am amazed. Amazed at the reality of the law of cause and effect. Choices have consequences. Both good and bad. The spiritual walk of our college students is usually a direct reflection of the spiritual walk and commitment they evidenced in their Junior High and Senior High years. This is also true of their values and beliefs. Their view of relationships, friends, family, money and many other areas of life ALWAYS flesh themselves out in the very near future. Usually as soon as the freedoms of college/community college/work allow them to show their true colors.
I am renewed in my passion to teach the Word. II Timothy 3 and 4 were presented by Dan Davey in a pastor's meeting I attended this week. He pointed out the 19 descriptions of men of dangerous, perilous times. These descriptions are followed by 3 result within the lives of those being described. Paul then give 3 antidotes to the problem in the form of 3 "But thou"s.
Those three things, fall within the purpose of our youth ministry here @ First Baptist.
1. Follow Godly Elders
We want to maximize the impact our godly "grey-haired" generation has on our young people. Ministering together, worshipping together. Allowing adult leaders in our youth to leave a spiritual mark on the next generation
2. Follow the Word
The Word brings to light the truth. (compare v15 to v7) ONLY the Word will bring wisdom to our young people. This is what the Holy Spirit uses. Less Word and more youth pastor does not bring about change, it only brings about superficiality.
3. Have perspective 4:5 (Be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry)
Our young people need to recognize what is going on around them. And know what is being accomplished within them. This is an eternal perspective with a knowledge of how to communicate effectively to the world that has either no eternal perspective, or an extremely skewed one.
Thanks Professor Davey, for your insights.
(and all the good stuff afterwards about theological trends including reformed theology, soverigngraceministries and such, and focusing on the emergent church movement)
What will we see, what upsets or mind numbing moments await? All this excitement makes me wonder where the excitement over changed lives falls in our order of importance.
The problem with being excited about change is that it often is something that is a process. As I look back over the changes going on in the lives of our youth and former youth, I am amazed. Amazed at the reality of the law of cause and effect. Choices have consequences. Both good and bad. The spiritual walk of our college students is usually a direct reflection of the spiritual walk and commitment they evidenced in their Junior High and Senior High years. This is also true of their values and beliefs. Their view of relationships, friends, family, money and many other areas of life ALWAYS flesh themselves out in the very near future. Usually as soon as the freedoms of college/community college/work allow them to show their true colors.
I am renewed in my passion to teach the Word. II Timothy 3 and 4 were presented by Dan Davey in a pastor's meeting I attended this week. He pointed out the 19 descriptions of men of dangerous, perilous times. These descriptions are followed by 3 result within the lives of those being described. Paul then give 3 antidotes to the problem in the form of 3 "But thou"s.
Those three things, fall within the purpose of our youth ministry here @ First Baptist.
1. Follow Godly Elders
We want to maximize the impact our godly "grey-haired" generation has on our young people. Ministering together, worshipping together. Allowing adult leaders in our youth to leave a spiritual mark on the next generation
2. Follow the Word
The Word brings to light the truth. (compare v15 to v7) ONLY the Word will bring wisdom to our young people. This is what the Holy Spirit uses. Less Word and more youth pastor does not bring about change, it only brings about superficiality.
3. Have perspective 4:5 (Be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry)
Our young people need to recognize what is going on around them. And know what is being accomplished within them. This is an eternal perspective with a knowledge of how to communicate effectively to the world that has either no eternal perspective, or an extremely skewed one.
Thanks Professor Davey, for your insights.
(and all the good stuff afterwards about theological trends including reformed theology, soverigngraceministries and such, and focusing on the emergent church movement)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
A little preview of 2007
2007 is off and running in the First Baptist Youth Ministries.
Sunday School (9:00 am) will be seeing an old/new addition to the team. Kevin Quick will begin teaching the JH Sunday School class. He has been working with our youth for about five years. He will be teaching starting this winter quarter on the subject of Biblical Characters.
The Senior High will be continuing their study through Proverbs, and into the book of Joshua in the Spring.
Wednesday nights have seen good attendance and participation. The Juinior High (with their fearless new teacher Brett Terry) continue to hold JV AWANA.
The Senior High is completing a study on How to Study the Bible for Yourself, based on the youth edition of the book by Tim Lahaye.
This Bible study method includes three layers:
1. 15 minutes a day of Bible Reading with a simple review in a spiritual diary fromat.
2. 3 memory verses a week. These vereses are learned in a topical format. The first week included three verses on the Word of God, the second week includes three verses on the Assurance of salvation. These verses are printed onto a card and carried around for daily review. It is an amazing memorization system that is designed to have a high (100%) rate of retention. A group of SHers are meeting once a week at McDonalds to spend memorizing their verses for the week. The title of the get-to-gethers is "McMornings"
3. Doing a 30 minute Bible study 3 days a week. This is to be separate from the reading. This is to be a personally chosen study style. The study types the young people are being trained in are: book studies, chapter studies, topical studies, word studies, subjective analysis, etc. Thge young people are also encouraged to use this time to do devotionals and studies/commentaries designed for person al spiritual growth. Along with the teaching for these study times was a lesson on basci hermeneutics.
While at first glance, this system has been a bit intimidating, many of the young people have been taking up the challenge. 15 minutes a day reading/30 minutes for 3 days/3 verses.
THE NEXT STUDY that will be dealt with for the SH Youth on Wednesday nights will be an indepth look into the different world-views that believers will face in this present time. It will be a comparison study of the following worldviews. Biblical Christianity/Marxism-Leninism/secular humansim/and the New Age.
This series will be designed to equip the young people with an accurate understanding of what each of these major world views claims and offers. It will compare the views in terms of law, philiosophy, family, history, science, etc.
Upon completion of the series, the young people will be ready to field the philosophies that the world and especially secular academia will throw at them.
Event coming up include:
January
6 - HEBRON Skitzomania
14,15 - SH Winter Retreat
28 - Sophmore Class Crash @ Leitch's
28 - JH SNAC @ Parkers
February
2 - HEBRON Rec Center
18 - SH SNAC @ Buckholz's
23 to 25 - Youth Retreat @ NBBC (CANCELLED)
March
11 - JH SNAC @ Mohr's
11 - Junior Class Crash @ Quick's
17 - HEBRON Youth Bible Conference @ Berea
24 - Teen 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
31 - Final Four Bash
Other important dates:
Bike (Pedal) Trip: June 17-23
STEM (missions) Trip to Alaska: July 1-14
for more info on these and other events, contact Pastor Dave
dburmanjr@firstbaptistelyria.org
Well, that should do it for a couple of months!!
Sunday School (9:00 am) will be seeing an old/new addition to the team. Kevin Quick will begin teaching the JH Sunday School class. He has been working with our youth for about five years. He will be teaching starting this winter quarter on the subject of Biblical Characters.
The Senior High will be continuing their study through Proverbs, and into the book of Joshua in the Spring.
Wednesday nights have seen good attendance and participation. The Juinior High (with their fearless new teacher Brett Terry) continue to hold JV AWANA.
The Senior High is completing a study on How to Study the Bible for Yourself, based on the youth edition of the book by Tim Lahaye.
This Bible study method includes three layers:
1. 15 minutes a day of Bible Reading with a simple review in a spiritual diary fromat.
2. 3 memory verses a week. These vereses are learned in a topical format. The first week included three verses on the Word of God, the second week includes three verses on the Assurance of salvation. These verses are printed onto a card and carried around for daily review. It is an amazing memorization system that is designed to have a high (100%) rate of retention. A group of SHers are meeting once a week at McDonalds to spend memorizing their verses for the week. The title of the get-to-gethers is "McMornings"
3. Doing a 30 minute Bible study 3 days a week. This is to be separate from the reading. This is to be a personally chosen study style. The study types the young people are being trained in are: book studies, chapter studies, topical studies, word studies, subjective analysis, etc. Thge young people are also encouraged to use this time to do devotionals and studies/commentaries designed for person al spiritual growth. Along with the teaching for these study times was a lesson on basci hermeneutics.
While at first glance, this system has been a bit intimidating, many of the young people have been taking up the challenge. 15 minutes a day reading/30 minutes for 3 days/3 verses.
THE NEXT STUDY that will be dealt with for the SH Youth on Wednesday nights will be an indepth look into the different world-views that believers will face in this present time. It will be a comparison study of the following worldviews. Biblical Christianity/Marxism-Leninism/secular humansim/and the New Age.
This series will be designed to equip the young people with an accurate understanding of what each of these major world views claims and offers. It will compare the views in terms of law, philiosophy, family, history, science, etc.
Upon completion of the series, the young people will be ready to field the philosophies that the world and especially secular academia will throw at them.
Event coming up include:
January
6 - HEBRON Skitzomania
14,15 - SH Winter Retreat
28 - Sophmore Class Crash @ Leitch's
28 - JH SNAC @ Parkers
February
2 - HEBRON Rec Center
18 - SH SNAC @ Buckholz's
23 to 25 - Youth Retreat @ NBBC (CANCELLED)
March
11 - JH SNAC @ Mohr's
11 - Junior Class Crash @ Quick's
17 - HEBRON Youth Bible Conference @ Berea
24 - Teen 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
31 - Final Four Bash
Other important dates:
Bike (Pedal) Trip: June 17-23
STEM (missions) Trip to Alaska: July 1-14
for more info on these and other events, contact Pastor Dave
dburmanjr@firstbaptistelyria.org
Well, that should do it for a couple of months!!
New New Year
This has, in my opinion been a highly successful blog. In that it has not consumed my time (obviously). My only blog viewer has informed me that it has been months since I last made an entry, so this is mainly for him.
Thanks for being my one supporter, Pastor Phillips.
Thanks for being my one supporter, Pastor Phillips.
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