REFUGE Kickoff & New 6th Graders

We had an amazing time at the Porch last night for our first REFUGE of the school year and new 6th Grade transition class.  Last night's service confirmed for me that we made the right decision combining our middle and high school services into one.  There was a great energy in the room and our high school students seemed to really embrace the task of mentoring the younger students who came.  I began a new series last night called "Godly Training" which will take us all the way through the book of 1 Timothy.  This series will last until the end of January when our 6th grade students finish their small groups and begin coming to REFUGE.  Speaking of our 6th grade students, we had 36 new 6th graders last night show up at the Porch for the first time.  AMAZING!!!  Most of them were somewhat timid (as you would expect) but by the end of the night they were about to bust down the door to the big room so they could get in there to play. I'm very excited about this new 6th grade group and our new format for moving them into the student ministry.  They've got great leaders who are going to take good care of them!

I've got one last thing to say about last night before I go.  There was definitely a sense last night that God was doing something in our midst.  There was an energy and excitement unlike anything I've felt on Wednesdays in my time as the student pastor at Parkwood.  Here's my prayer: that what God began last night will continue to build amongst our students.  I am praying for momentum for this ministry going into the fall.  I am praying that students will begin to embrace the challenge of inviting friends to come with them every week to REFUGE.  I am praying that the Porch will be packed with students from all over Gaston county who are coming to worship and hear the Word of God proclaimed.  Please join me in praying for God to do this in our midst!

Getaway Blog- Last Day

Getaway is quickly coming to an end.  Our dorms are clean and the students are doing the last camp quiet time.  In a few moments the band will lead them for one final time in worship and pastor Jeff will close out camp.  Last night our students were challenged to continue in holiness.  Students who had never publicly professed faith in Christ were challenged to stand and do so at the end of the service.  Several students stood and professed Christ for the first time!  Our students enjoyed their last night a free time and have had a great camp.

I'll give my take on our camp experience in a few days.

Getaway Blog- Day 3b & 4a

Our student had a great time last night and this morning despite the rain that rolled in late last night and has continued, on and off, this morning.  After free time and prayer gatherings our students were led in an amazing time of worship and then pastor Jeff got to the heart of what he has been leading to all week.  His message was clear, we, as believers, are to live holy lives.  His message challenged many in the room to kneel and repent during the second half of the service.  For the conclusion of the service Chad led the students to read scripture out loud.  This was an awesome experience as student after student stood and read passages that had been speaking to their hearts.  The night ended with the last Late Nite of the week with the boys winning the week's game count.

This morning our students were again greeted by our soccer hooligans and watched the third installment of the intern video.  The it was finally my (Ryan) turn to preach.  I concluded our walk through Isaiah chapter 6 with a challenge for our students to answer God's call to "go".  The students are currently in small groups (high school), studying the final Bible study out of the book of Daniel, and in recreation (middle school) doing a scavenger hunt that has taken them all over campus and the beach.  More later...