Teens Involved was a great day! The kids did a great job with their presentations- had great attitudes and really supported one another! We were proud of them. Teens Involved always allows for teachable moments and it was good to challenge them in service and presentation.
The gang- don't we look good!
Not sure what Matt is doing here.....
Last weekend was our Mission's Conference. It was challenging and great to hear from a variety of our missionaries.
This year, I was asked to plan a youth meeting for the conference. One night, as I was laying in bed, God clearly gave me the idea of a Ministry Fair for Youth. It seemed like an incredibly daunting task and I'm sure a few people thought I was crazy. With Katie's help, it turned out to be amazing! We had 20 different ministries represented and 4 youth groups attending. There were about 160 people there! Everything ran so well! The teens had the opportunity to visit the displays and then they choose 2 presentations that they wanted to know more about- meeting over dinner and dessert. How great to hear the kids say, "there wasn't enough time to see it all!". They were all so engaged and interested! Everyone seemed to walk away encouraged- the teens, youth leaders and presenters. Many got excited about serving the Lord and are actively pursuing opportunities.
Some of our kids with a presenter-
We ended the night with a large rally- worship band, youth choir, drama team, testimonies, media presentations and our speaker. With so many players, I was wondering how it would all flow. And- it was all great! Everything was seamless. There are always some technolgy glitches but everything worked out.
I am overwhelmed by the event- how everyone helped out- how things were received- how it all flowed. It was amazing! God is so good. We are pumped to do another fair next year- actually considering turning it into an all-day conference for youth/youth leaders. Very exciting.
I've really been challenged to step up ministry with our teens- I think it was it lacking and allowing them to be apathetic. They do a lot of ministry- but we have not "forced" them out into truly uncomfortable situations where they have to rely on God- we have not sufficiently trained them to share the gospel. So- this will be our goal in the coming year. Pray we have wisdom as we pursue our purpose.
Everything else is coming along- New Orleans in a few weeks. I did decide to go to Germany this summer- July 27-Aug 11th. That will be exciting. I should be in Haiti in July sometime to.
We just received a large gift for Haiti- awesome! I'm praying that God uses 1 person to meet our financial need. A big request- but I know HE can do it!
We are heading into the very busy season of annuals at school- lots of meetings to attend. But- three months until summer break! Yippee!
I heard this song at our Youth Rally and I've been meditating on it since...
Here Am I Lord by The Micah Tawkls Band
You are the Lord of sea and sky, You have heard Your people cry
all who dwell in dark and sin, Your hand will save
You who made the stars of night, You will make their darkness bright,
You will give Your light to them, who will You send?
Here Am I Lord? Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me, I will hold Your people in my heart!
You are the Lord of snow and rain, You have bore Your people's pain,
You have wept for love for them, they turn away
You will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone,
You will speak Your words to them, who will You send?
Here Am I Lord? Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night!
I will go Lord, If You lead me, I will hold Your people in my heart!
You are Lord of wind and flame, You turn the poor and lame
You will give Your life to them, Who will you send?
God is good and He is daily challenging me.
Always~
Elisabeth
3 comments:
That was a awesome idea-- ministry fair!! That would have sooo jazzed me whether I was 13 or 53, cool. Glad to hear that TI went so well. I remember having to walk in fromt of the judges to be approved for my appropriateness. I'm sure they don't do that anymore, eh? Nobody likes being ogled. Glad to read the update. Can I call you this weeknd?
I used to love Teens Involved. The ministry fair sounds like it was really great, that's so cool, and what a great way for the different youth groups to come together. Do you get together with other churches often? I do miss working with the youth sometimes and getting to see big changes in their lives and working more with them instead of the one hour on Sunday I get with my first graders. I'm so glad things are going well with you!
I used to love Teens Involved. Sounds like your ministry fair went really well, that's so great! What a great idea too to bring the different youth groups together, do you guys get together often for things like that? I miss working with the youth and seeing big changes or decisions made in their lives, now just having each Sunday with my first graders, I realize how blessed I was to get to be with the youth more during the week. I'm so glad things are well with you! I'm headed down to Mexico next week for a few days, I'll let you know how things go! : ) Love you!
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