JCX Tuesday 4/27/10

JCX Tuesday … here we go …

-Our hearts were heavy over the loss of Stephen Davila’s mom this past weekend. We brought Stephen up on stage and he shared what happened, how his fam is doing and where they are going from here. Stephen’s attitude is incredible. After his mom passed he said to me “she received what God promised her and I’m looking forward to that moment too”. What a great perspective. We prayed over Stephen and his D-group came up on stage and laid hands on him. My favorite moment, though, was walking out into the hallway and seeing Stephen encouraging his D-group and praying over them. Not sure if the passing of his mom has hit him fully yet BUT he is certainly remembering that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

-We sang together last night and that was beautiful. I had more peeps last night tell me that they sing horribly BUT they don’t care because that time of worship through song is one of the best ways they can communicate how much they love God, to God.

-The teaching focused on Real vs. Good and we used 2 Timothy chapter 3 as our foundation to jump off of. We learned that our job is to allow God to move in us through his Holy Spirit. We do that by Owning our faith, making Amends as we live out our faith and Reinventing our faith (not doing it the same way as before).

-The D-group time at the end was really powerful. Two of our groups stayed until 9pm. We get done with JCX at 830pm. The convo from each group was rad … I know because I was eavesdropping! Shhh … don’t tell.

-After group was over Isaac Cox was baptized by his dad. So awesome to see that! I love this picture of Isaac and his dad after Isaac was dunked:

-BUT my favorite part was listening and watching the raw emotion of Sterling, Isaac’s dad, as he had the privilege of baptizing his son:

-Spectacular night! We have a new D-group that started last night. The focus is on what it means to be a leader. The youth involved will be influencing the direction of JCX and taking part in shaping what JCX looks like in the future. So great to have Eric, Robert, Seth, Emily and Shelby take a step in the direction of becoming real leaders and real examples.

Summer is here

The summer schedule is all set and we'll be giving out more details in 2 weeks BUT I wanted to share one great thing with you about this summer. You ready?
Here it is:

This is the official announcement ... this is when you know summer is coming! Angels baby!! More details soon BUT I thought I'd share this little bit of goodness with you.

JCX Tuesday 4/20/10

JCX and the Tuesday night that was:

-Every week lots and lots of high school peeps walk through the doors @JCX. Some come for their friends and to make a connection. Others come because they desire to learn and grow in their faith. Some come because they belong and others come because they were invited. Some stick and become apart of “us”. Others struggle and might disappear. Some are emotional and some are logical BUT the best part is that they want and desire something powerful for their lives. We addressed this idea last night and will continue to do so next week. The reason for this: we can’t sit silently and pretend that everything is ok. Also, we can’t act as if our purpose is to just make “good people” and “behave ourselves”. Jesus never called us to be good or behave. He desires for us to be His and to be WITH him as we live life. THAT’S why we gather; to remind ourselves of this truth. Some of us lose that perspective, others don’t want to remember BUT we gotta keep saying it. We gotta keep speaking about it and we gotta keep living it!

-The highlight from last night was the decisions by many to become the types of people that treat others as REDDER (they have great, Godly value). Many youth took a bracelet with the words “YOU ARE REDDER” and are now wearing them. It was made very clear to not take one if REDDER is not how you choose to live. I think that was heard and understood.

-It’s always fun to see the response to what God is doing in the hearts of the youth. Many were moved last night by what was said, sung and discussed. There were some that were frustrated and looked very broken. My question is this: how can we hug them and love them while they go through this? One youth said they were thinking about not coming again. Not sure of the reason but from what I can tell they are frustrated. That sucks when that happens. My words to them are to never give in to feeling a certain way. Make the BEST choice by discussing it with those you love and love Jesus. Leaving is never an option unless the Lord says go. When he says to go it’s not out of frustration or anger.

-Worship through song was great! There were some struggles with the music from a technical standpoint (which always bugs me) but the group of musicians did so well to play on through.

-Subway next week from 6p-630 and also during that time we are meeting with those who want to be a Frosh Best Buddy.

-Sunday Lacey Namoa is leading and will be bringing it! She has some great things to say so get yo self ready!

The FBB's

Every year new, scarred, freshman move into JCX. Some will stay and build friendships with us. Other frosh will come once or twice and then leave and we never see them again. Well, that’s gotta change and that change starts with you. We’re looking for FBB’s (Frosh Best Buddies) to welcome the new frosh, start a friendship with the new frosh and help them belong to us. An FBB will be with that Frosh every Tuesday night and Sunday morning. Give that Frosh a ride to church and bring them into their circle of friends. It’s not ok that our frosh can easily disappear, never to be heard from again. As a group, let’s give them a reason to belong to us. Let’s show them they are loved and have value. After all, somebody must show them how to eat cake, with no hands at Lynne’s house:

FBB details coming this Tuesday and a meeting the following week. You up? Sign up Tuesday and be at the FBB meeting. Time to love on some Frosh … without permanent markers!!!

JCX Tuesday 4/13/10

We returned to action Tuesday night @JCX. Here are the specifics:

-We sold some food at a cheap price last night. Everyone always shows up early so we thought, “Hey, since we’re all here let’s eat together.” That’s what we did! Two slices of pizza, two bread sticks and a drink for $3. Next week … how about some tacos from Asaderos? It’s the place on the corner of Yuc Blvd and 3rd street. So good … come between 6p-630p … $1 dollar tacos and $1 dollar drinks. Plus, we get to eat and hang together.

-Brittney Jones played the piano for us last night and sang. It’s tough to get up in front of the group and do that … thanks for being so courageous Brittany.

-Kartal Karabas shared about why he came to know Jesus and what it means for his life. One thing he shared that stuck out: “Be bold”. Thanks for that encouragement Kartal. Watching his D-group pray over him was awesome!

-Worship through song was beautiful. Harrison Faux joined the worship team and played the key board. So great singing together. We did a long set of music last night and will continue to do that. It was just a good thing.

-The group read through 2 Timothy chapter 1 in parts last night. Some groups did well, others read at their own pace. Awesome to hear the scriptures out loud.

-Teaching focused on how we live can either be a desecration to the name of God (Khillul Ha-shem) or sanctifying the name God (Kiddush Ha-shem). Our thought for the night was Jesus became bad so we could become better.

-Focusing on 2 Timothy chapter 2 next week. Each week will be a bit deeper and harder to hear because there are some powerful things that Paul challenges Timothy with that we will lay out in front of each other.

-D-group focused on writing a Paul to Timothy letter. Leaders wrote to the youth and the youth wrote to the leaders.

-Your thoughts or responses? Leave them on Mike’s Facebook page.