Things

Here are some phrases that we want to use whenever we're together with the youth:

-“everyone with a name tag is safe” ... Sometimes you don't know who is in charge and who's not. Some leaders look like they are in high school (like Gil and Ron .. ha!!) and we want to make sure everyone who comes through our doors on Tuesday or Sunday knows who the leaders are.

-“we were the first to get here today and we’ll be the last to leave” ... we don't come because we have to. We don't want to get out as soon as it's over either. We really do want to be there. I know, weird huh?

-“if it is your first time or your millionth time … welcome” ... Sometimes new faces get a lot of attention. We thought, what about our millionth time attenders? They need love too! So ... we'll make sure we give that away to the best of our ability.

-“take a next step” ... A challenge that is placed but not forced. We can get comfortable in what we do and as leaders we always want to challenge and motivate those we speak and hang with.

What else should we say?

See ya Sunday! Grace, mercy and peace ...

Sunday morning ...

*Teaching series: Sunday Old School (remember the days of Sunday School? We're bringing them back)
*Teaching: Nehemiah 8:5-6
*Teaching in a sentence: Living and obeying scripture is one of the things that defines who the people of Jesus are
*We're going old school and talking about Gideon and the words he followed and Ezra and the words he read and how we put them together.

Anyone up for Sunday morning doughnuts?

Summer sizzler ...

Graduation is about 41 days away. I know this because one, I can count and two, one of our seniors told me. I don't like this time of year. Why? It's tough to see kids graduate and leave. Knowing that is should happen doesn't make it easy. The group that's graduating this year has been with me since 5th grade. That's a long time ... 8 years! Some came along later and some left half way through but overall it's been great to watch them grow and change into what God desires. Like I said I spoke to a senior this morning and asked "What could we do better?" They shared this: some one on one with the seniors more often. Give them some deep things to consider. Bring them into the "leaders" group and show them the "cool behind the scene things that take place at group". There was more but those stood out to me. I'm excited about our new D-groups and what they will accomplish. I think this is another good step in ever changing scene of youth ministry.

See ya Sunday @ 8:45 ... anyone want to bring doughnuts???

Party with the staff ...

Had a great time with the youth staff last night! Here are some highlights:

*Tiffany (my wife) when asked what she brings to this ministry she said "I'm brutally honest" ... no duh!!
*Keith passed on sharing so Wendy stepped up and shared about him. She said he's a big kid and does a great job building relationships.
*Speaking of Wendy ... Dave said everytime he speaks to a youth who seems to be bugged or hurting they share about a convo they had with Wendy and how they are doing better because Wendy really encouraged them.
*We had some new leaders there last night. I'm excited about each of them. Two went through the youth group so I know them well. The other two will be awesome as well! Get to know them! (Jake, Amanda, Ashley and Josh)
*Getting to know Woody is a must! He is considering youth ministry and I believe he will do an amazing job. If you know him or are friends with him on FB encourage him to join.
*Big Daddy Chris shared that he is a "goofball". Thinking about ways to use his craziness for a good laugh and honoring Jesus.
*Gil and Rob shared about their passion. I'm praying it rubs off and influences more and more youth.
*Captian Ron is just stinking cool!
*Andrew is a funny guy and very creative! Oh and he's a big kid too!

So that's some of what happened. Our new D-groups start in less than two weeks!
High school people: text JCXyouth to 41411 and Parents text JCXinfo to 41411 for all things youth!

Oh and we gave a random guy a burger last night! Good stuff!!

Sunday stuff ...

***Robert will be teaching this Sunday out of 1 Peter. Your thoughts, comments or questions are welcomed by sending him a message on FB, myspace or leaving them here under the comment section.

***High school people: text JCXyouth to 41411 to receive youth updates. Some important stuff coming up including what our first night back on Tuesday will look like

***Parents: You can receive updates too. Text JCXinfo to 41411 and receive all things youth once a week starting with your subscription.

***SEE YA SUNDAY @ 8:45am ... message me if you're coming! Twitter: @Mightymike15

Phrases I adopted ...

A blogging yp named Joshua Griffin shared the 10 phrases he loves to hear. I liked them so much, I adopted them. Here they are:

1. What if we …
2. No one has ever tried something like this …
3. Here’s something that will make us more effective …
4. blah, blah, blah, FREE, blah, blah
5. I had this idea …
6. It doesn’t seem possible, but …
7. I’ve been praying about this a ton …
8. I know this might sound crazy …
9. I think God might be leading us to …
10. I’d like to take you out to lunch …

You can adopt them too!

High school people: text JCXyouth to 41411 to receive youth updates throughout the week.

Parents/Guardians: text JCXinfo to 41411 to receive youth updates about events, group, and summer scheduling.

See ya Sunday @ 8:45am in GFC!

Goodbye ... Ruby Tuesday ...

The night that was. Lots of people, new faces everywhere. We have a young group ... more frosh and sophomores than any other grades. Here's what we did.

*Teaching: Luke 24 (the resurrection) Living on Mission.
*Focus: the cross saves us from our sin and the resurrection says us to our God.
*R.J. and Hannah read our scripture to us. So good!
*Everyone took part in writing about what they have been Saved from and Saved to. We hung those papers up on the walls around the room. Some were pretty honest and deep, a couple were silly but that's expected.
*Funny story from the night: there was a new girl who came with her aunt to check out the group Tuesday. One of our youth that comes every week thought the aunt was a friend of hers. She just saw her from the back. So, during our welcome time she ran up and planted a big kiss on her cheek. When she realized it wasn't her friend this youth stopped and said "welcome to YCC" and ran off.
*Something cool: We had 5 people sign up to be a buddy to a new Freshman when they arrive in June. These buddies will help them connect with our group and hang with them throughout the year. Glad to see that.
*New leaders: So glad to see our new leaders get connected. Woody Woodruff (not making that name up) came and checked out the group. I think each new leader will bring something great to the lives of our youth.
*Next meeting: Sunday morning @ 8:45am in GFC room. 9th-12th grade.
*Two weeks off from group time on Tuesday. We meet for a staff meeting next Tuesday and our D-groups meet off campus @ a specific location with their D-group and leaders. If you're wanting info about when and where connect with me (Mike) @ 909-797-1108 or mightymike@yccnet.org

Info on tonight ...

Here's a snap shot of what we're working on for tonight!

*Tuesday night series: Stand alone teaching (not in a series)
*Teaching topic: I am Ethan Hunt (living on mission … explaining the new change in D-group and why it’s happening)
*Teaching in a sentence: We have been saved from something and saved to something.

Holy Cow ... you ready? Bring someone and bring yourself!

See ya in a few hours! Parents ... text "JCXinfo" to 41411 to subscribe to the high school ministry updates!

Some parent info ...

Check out http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/ ... great conversation starters for you and your teen ... Check it out! Your feedback is appreciated! Copy and paste the link into your browser ... it will take you there.

First timer?

So I'm hoping your a parent or someone who wants to know about what's happening in the high school ministry @ YCC ... if that's you ... welcome ... if not, well ... welcome anyway ... Here's some brief info for you about when and where we meet ... oh and who meets with us ...

Sunday morning @ 8:45am in the GFC room ... next to the Enteractive room.

Tuesday night @ 6:30-8:30 in the Enteractive room

Grades invovled ... 9th - 12th

Leaders invovled ... all fill out contracts, commitment forms and are fingerprinted with background checks. Come and meet us on Sunday or Tuesday ... we would love to meet you.

Dates for all things summer ...

Here are the dates for upcoming events this summer ... Your teen will be coming home with a printable calendar soon but hey, why not beat them to the punch and get the info right now!

*May 1st – Wolverine Movie (Friday night)

*Summer study lunches – We’re hanging for lunch and some in-depth study of scripture. Sometimes we’re just hanging and checking in with each other. We’ll meet @ YCC under the gazebo area and eat together. Cost will be $5. Here are the dates we’re meeting: June 17th, 24th, July 8th, 15th, 29th, August 5th.

*Freshman buddies nights – We’re visiting the j-high and getting the 8th graders pumped about high school group. We need you to help. On Wednesday nights from 7:30-7:40 will “surprise the 8th graders with silly string and candy and tell them about high school group. We’ll start on count down of weeks before they become “our possession”. Here are the Wednesday dates … May 27th, June 3rd, and June 10th. We’ll do the same on Sunday … here are those dates … May 31st, June 7th and June 14th.

*June 16th – Freshman welcome night.

*June 17th – Caregiver Kit for AIDS – we’re putting together care kits for those in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In each kit will be items like soap, wash clothes, cotton balls and cream for cuts and injuries. Would you like to join us and help pack these kits? You can! Show up Wednesday afternoon and we’ll do are part in tackling AIDS.

*June 19th – Friday night … Freshman buddies night out. We’re taking our frosh out for a night on the town. First dinner, then bowling and then dessert. Does it get any better? I submit that it cannot!!

*June 22nd – Braswell’s visit.

*June 26th – Hurricane Harbor – cost $20 per person.

*June 27th – Service project

*July 11th – Service project

*July 20-25 – CIY: Move cost $290 ($100 deposit to hold your spot).

*August 7th – G.I. Joe movie

*August 8th – Service project

*August 11th – Last night for Graduated Seniors

*August 12th – Angels Game - $12 plus money for food (afternoon game)

As events get closer ... we'll give more details ... stay tuned!