Archive for May, 2010
It’s Here….
We’ve been waiting…counting down the days since Spring Break (or since Christmas…or perhaps since Labor Day). Now it’s time to throw away alarm clocks, break in new flip flops, shop for new swim suits (no two-pieces of course), and prepare for the shortest 12 weeks known to mankind. That’s right! It’s SUMMER!!!
Since I was a kid summer has always been a time for me to focus on all the church trips…camps, mission trips, concerts, six flags, VBS, more mission trips, putt-putt golf tournaments, trips to the lake…you get the point. Our church inundated us with non-stop activity from the last day of school till the first day of school. And I can honestly say those were the days I grew closer to God, learned more about what it means to follow Jesus, and built incredible Christ-honoring friendships.
Summer has changed…A LOT…since I was a kid. Sometimes it seems like the start of the school year is a welcome respite from the busyness of the summer months. Our summers are totally consumed by things like basketball camp, cheer camp, football camp, band camp, theater camp, practices, basketball tournaments, baseball tournaments (do you remember when basketball and baseball were seasonal sports?), summer jobs, college classes (do you remember when college was something we did after high school…and when we never did school during the summer?), 7 on 7 football, etc., etc., etc.
I know many of you have experienced first-hand just how crazy summer can be. And at the same time I can’t minimize the importance of things like mission experiences, camps, and other intentional and strategic ministry activities that take place during the summer months when it comes to the spiritual growth of teens. So this summer we’ve made some changes to the summer schedule that should make it easier for everyone to participate. We only have one week-long out of town trip…MPact…which will include a mission experience, discipleship and worship times, and a lot of fun! But we have built into the summer many one day ministry events, local mission experiences, and family events.
Take a look at our E3 Summer of the 10 schedule. If you’re on FaceBook join the E3 Student Ministry group. Check the church website regularly. Find times that your teen can be involved. Find times that you can be involved. Join me in being very intentional about helping our students grow closer to God, learn more about what it means to follow Jesus, and build incredible Christ-honoring friendships this summer.
MPact Deposits
MPact deposits of $50 are due this Sunday, May 16. Please turn in the deposit and registrations so we can purchase tickets and make hotel reservations as necessary. If you need financial assistance for your teen to go on this trip contact the youth ministry office. Thanks!
E3 Shirts Now Available
We just got our new E3 Student Ministry shirts in! These are 100% cotton American Apparel shirts with the E3 logo printed on the front. These shirts will be available to anybody for $5 in the youth ministry office or in The Lounge at 6:00 on Wednesday.
MPact
This summer our students will experience an incredible week that will include lots of unbelievable fun, missions, and worship all in one trip…MPACT!
I’ve seen how God uses trips like this to completely turn lives upsides down, to break individuals and groups, to transform hearts and minds, and to ultimately draw individuals closer to Him. Because of the impact a trip like this can have we want every student in our youth ministry to be a part of this trip. We have worked hard to keep the price affordable and for those who need additional financial help there are many people in our church who have given money so that nobody has to miss out. Here are a few details of the trip:
Dates: July 9-17
Cost: $220
Deposit: $50 Due by May 16
Activities: Rangers Game, Six Flags, Mission Arlington Bible Clubs, Worship, Great Wolf Lodge and Water Park, Whirlyball, Speedzone, and more!
We also need adult sponsors to go on this trip. Please call the church office if you would like to go as a sponsor. Trust me…it will be the best week of your summer!
