Saying good bye is really saying keep going!

One of the hard things but wonderful things about middle school ministry (and in many youth/children ministry I think) is having to "graduate" up your oldest group. Tonight we said good bye to our wonderful 8th graders of the class of 2013 (when they will graduate from high school). I wish I was a really good writer or poet to share about this group but I'm not so I will let the picture above say it - I love this group and I can't wait to see what God is going to do next in their lives.

Middle School Week by YS

Youth Specialties is honoring middle school ministry this week with a week focus on middle school ministry on their blog called "middle school week." I'm writing this at NCBC's awesome Kid's camp that we put on each year. I take advantage of this camp to get connect with some of the new incoming 6th graders. This brought two thoughts to my mind and I hope this encourages you as it does me:

1) Long team is key to successful middle school ministry. Setting here seeing the team that is working these very young kids (2nd - 5th grade) is just awesome. I know almost every kid working that is here because they had been a part of middle school ministry.

2) You can have high expectations on your middle school kids - you just have to do it slowly and individually. Here at camp we have a number of middle schoolers who have a lot of work to do to make this camp function. There are some really high expectations on them and they are doing awesome - but I wouldn’t have asked most of them to do what they are doing last year. They are maturing and they are maturing quickly if we keep the expectations balanced and help focus them on Christ - watch out! they are going to rock.

Thanks YS(check out their web site here) for recognizing this great group of kids and may every middle school/jr hi guy/gal out there know they are awesome in my book!

Prayers and Review of Jun/Jul 09 - 1st update

I'm in catch up and review mode. I've got a chance to finish looking over my key questions from my last 3 years of devos. There has been a lot of new thoughts and ideas that have come up and I have a lot more to think about. I'm both overwhelmed and excited that God has allowed me to go deeper into His word like never before in my life. I pray that this will continue even more. Here are some key prayers I have written down based on my review:

Thank you Lord, for coming to the earth and being a model for us to live by.

Lord, you are so much greater than my feeble mind can fathom.

Lord, may I plow ahead, not turning back, but looking forward to all that you have for me to do today.

Lord, may I become much more faithful as your servant.

Lord, keep me from focusing too much on my outside & not my inside.

Lord, show me how to use what you have given me to its fullest so that you might be glorified.

Lord, I’m your servant and you are my master, may you see fruit from me and may those around me see it also.

Lord, you know all things and you know what is best for me – open my eyes to what is best not only for me but for others around me as well.

Thank you Lord for helping me understand your Word better – may that never stop.

Lord, thou I don’t understand everything I do know this – you are in me and I thank you for praise you for that.

Lord, may you come in your perfect timing.

Lord, you know all things and will make all things new someday – may you find me praising you when that day comes.

Lord, I am yours, my I enjoy what you have given me.

Lord, you are my glory and all I have is yours – open my eyes to see what I need to do with the things you have given me.

Lord, may I follow your Word as the Holy Spirit teaches me.

Lord, may my heart always be soft to you and to your word.

Lord, thank you for being there for me no matter where I’m at.

Lord, I am all yours – may I be totally focused on you – always.

middle school mission trip 2009 - day 5

Day 5 has come and gone which means the middle school mission trip is in the can. What a great trip - I'm so prond of each of the kids and the leaders who spent so much time with them. We cryed together, laughed a lot together, had some great devotionals, and had wonderful food from some awesome parents. I will be getting out a lot of thank yous in the near furture to all of those who helped make this mission trip so successful. If you would like to see a slide show please click here or on the picture above.

middle school mission trip 2009 - day 4

What a great Day 4 for the trip. We had to leave the wonderful cabins we have been staying in and keep all of our stuff in the church mini-bus. It was a slow start of the day but relaxing and everyone was very upbeat. We got to the work site at Vinton where we divided into two teams. One team went back to the trial and laid a lot of mulch down on the trail. They also cleared more brush but this time it was a lot easier and fun to do. The other team got to pull more weeds at a local park. Right as the weed pulling team was leaving one of the local papers (Vinton Eagle) stopped by to interview them and take a picture. After the work was done we got to go to our hotel to enjoy some wonderful food, relaxing rooms, & fun by or in the pool. If you would like to see a slide show click here or on the picture above.