Capture The Flag

Sunday night we had our Capture the Flag event with about 6 others youth groups represented. Cory & Michelle Joy put the whole thing together and did an amazing job. We estimated about 125 students then leaders so probably had a great turn out of 150+ for the night. We had a cookout, worship, devotion, and a big game of Capture the Flag. It's always great to get together outside of our normal service and connect with other teenagers and a different environment. Students need to see other students that are involved in youth groups and connected to God. Teenagers move in packs and when they see other teenagers following God they begin to open up even more to the things of God. Sort of a positive peer pressure that gets them truly hooked on the Creator of the universe.

This week we start a new series called, "You Asked For It". We had the students fill out a questionnaire last week and based on that we are going to deal with some issues that the majority of the students asked about. This series will truly be dealing with what the teenagers are facing from their perspective. We are also tailoring the games and more with what they asked for. I am excited about hitting some of these topics that were heavy hitters and kind of the common denominator throughout the questionnaire. Topics like Depression & Anger along with some other ones. Students are dealing with depression like never before. Some of these reasons are: broken families, abuse (physical, verbal, emotional), parents that are too busy for their child's time & energy, & the fact that for some stupid reason it's a fad to be down & out as though the world's against me attitude. So we are going to break these lies & bring some truth to light about joy, peace, God's ultimate LOVE for us that makes you wanna get up and dance baby, yeah!!! Understanding your purpose & why we are here crush many misconceptions about life. We want these students to know that God created them for something amazing. We are NOT an accident that might have good luck or bad luck. We are created in the image of a mighty God who calls us to great things on this earth. The relationship we can have with Christ will truly energize our WHOLE being, physical & spiritual. Now I am preaching, I'd better get to bed!!! Good night!!!