Hats Off to Verna

What a great week for Children’s Ministry here at C3! This week Verna started as our new Children’s Ministry Director. Verna brings a wealth of practical children’s ministry experience to our team. She also brings a great deal of excitement (which I love as a dad) and a great deal of professionalism (which I love as the Children’s Pastor). She has been hard at work this week going over every last detail of our ministries and formulating plans for the future. Part of our planning for the future includes several new initiatives in the children’s ministry department that we will be launching this fall. We are also in the process of overhauling the Kids Zone for the premier of Heroes of Mega City which starts next Sunday. It’s going to be a blast for our K – 5^th graders. Then for First Look we have just started the planning stages for bringing a whole new way for our youngest kids to learn about God and have a blast while doing it. Sorry, I can’t go into too much detail about this one right now, but as we start to work out the details I’ll keep you posted. Lastly, for our Children’s Ministry volunteers we’ve started working on a brand new training program that will give each volunteer the tools that they need to be successful in all they do in Power House and First Look. So, like I said, it has been a huge week and we’re just getting started. Over the next few weeks and months we’re going to see some exciting advances in our Children’s Ministry!!! Welcome aboard Verna!!!

Summer Fun

We’ve been talking about getting “Unplugged” on Sunday mornings and I truly hope that you have had some opportunities to rest and spend some time with your families. Personally, I love the summer time. I love when the kids aren’t bogged down with homework and we can do things at night or on the weekends and every now and then I can take a day off and just spend it with them. I have noticed a little trend lately in our summer activities though. In the last week and a half the boys and I have gone to the Aquatic Center once, the beach twice and are hopefully going to get to go to a water park this weekend. Then in a couple of weeks we head down to the Keys for some RNR and some lobstering. Notice the trend? Our family loves the water. To me there is nothing more relaxing than going out and spending time with my family doing something that we all love. Not to sound too Dr. Phil’ish or anything but you really can strengthen your family and connect with your kids when you go out and have fun together.

iMac Part 2

Well, we’ve made it back from 9 jammed packed days of rebuilding houses, participating in camp activities and worshiping our God - oh, and don’t forget a 21 hour bus ride home. These past 9 days have been absolutely nothing short of amazing. I am so proud of each and every one of our Crave students and what they personally accomplished over this past week. Last night, as we were on our way back to Orlando, we took a moment to reflect on what God had been doing this past week. I asked the students, if they were willing to, to share about something God had taught them through camp or some experience that really stuck out in their mind. Let me tell you, I had tears in my eyes as students shared their experiences (Matt you caused different kinds of tears – thanks for always making us laugh). Students talked about pouring out their passions and their desire to be used by God. They talked about how they were able to put away differences and come together to use their skills and talents for God. Some talked about how they have formed friendships that will encourage and challenge them for years to come. And still others talked about how they gave their lives to Christ. But ya know; it wasn’t just the students who walked away challenged and closer to God. In my own life this week I’ve experienced God in a fresh way and more than ever before I am so excited about ministry and what God is doing through our students. Parents, I want to thank you for the awesome privilege of entrusting your students to us this week, for they have taught me a ton. Students, thank you for being so open to what God wanted and wants to do through you. You are the next generation of church leaders. I really believe from the heart that you showed this week that the future of God’s church will be powerful and exciting. I am proud of you all!!!

Check It Out

We've been having an awesome time at camp iMac this week and the fun isn't over yet. If you want to take a look at what we've been up to, check out http://fbcbeviloaks.com/ and click on the links for the C3 mission trip. You'll find a ton of pictures that will give you a glimpse of what the students have been experiencing this week. Now we're heading off to Dallas where we'll be worshiping God at Fellowship Church this Sunday.

Camp iMac

We're out in Beaumont, Texas with our student ministry for camp iMac all this week. This year we decided to combine our summer youth camp activities with a mission trip to Texas and it has been a blast so far. The students have experienced awesome worship every morning and every night with a kickin' youth band called Riverdale. They've also had a blast with some crazy summer camp games. But, best of all, is how God is working and moving in all the student's lives. He has challenged them to get out of their comfort zone and step out of the boat just like Peter did to experience Him in new ways. Each student has been giving of themselves and working hard to repair hurricane damaged homes. The kids have also been reaching out to the community by adopting a family in need from one of the houses we're repairing. Last night the students gave over $100 to by toys for the kids and food for the family. Each student was deeply touched as we were able to give the family these gifts this morning. God is also challenging the students in their spiritual walk. Many have drawn closer to God and have been challenged to minister for Him wherever they go. But the most exciting event so far was definitely our evening service last night when 4 students prayed to receive Christ and started a brand new relationship with Him. If you're a parent of one of any of the students here at iMac, please know that they are safe, challenged, and each on will be coming back much closer to God.

Independance Day

I hope you had a great day celebrating the 4th of July. We had an awesome time today with our home team. We brought out the super-sized slip n' slide, the kiddie pool, some great food, and, of course, Sandi's new snow cone maker. It was just a great time to relax and enjoy the company of the people we're developing deep friendships with. Not to sound like a public service message, but...if you're not already part of a home team, you are really missing out on an opportunity to develop deep, meaningful relationships.
I was just thinking about how we celebrated the 4th of July last year. We had a cookout at our house and there were a ton of people. When I compare that event to today the most obvious difference is the level of comfort and acceptance in the atmosphere. Today, everyone...the men, the children and yes, even ALL the ladies were in their bathing suits diving down the slip n' slide. WOW... that was so awesome to see everyone indulging themselves in a great time, not holding back. That's exactly what home teams are designed to do...bring us into a small group that allows everyone to feel comfortable and safe and be themselves as we grow in Christ together. Thank you to everyone in our home team for an awesome day!
Happy 4th!

God Loves Volunteers

I don’t know if you grew up going to church, but I remember when I went to church as a kid; I was always bored out of my mind. I remember playing with my Hot Wheels in the pew, or when we made it to Sunday School just being lectured at by the teachers and having a craft or two thrown at us. To say the least, it was not a favorable memory. However, at C3 we’ve embraced the philosophy that church for kids should be relevant and exciting. Today I started filming in our children’s department for a training DVD. It was a great way for me to become a “fly on the wall” in several of our First Look classes. All I can say is that children’s ministry here at C3 is definitely NOT boring. Our children’s volunteers do an awesome job of creating exciting, interactive environments where Bible stories and virtues come to life and are easily understood and applied in kid’s lives. Every Sunday I overhear at least 1 child telling his or her parents about what they did that morning and how they can’t wait to come back. In fact, at pick-up time this morning I heard a little boy who was visiting for the first time asking his parents when he would be able to come back again. To me, there is nothing more rewarding. So I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all our directors and volunteers who make First Look and Power House happen every Sunday. You are truly making a difference in the hearts and lives of so many children and parents. God Bless you for He has truly blessed through you!!!