Visit almost any church, and you will hear these words uttered by well meaning members, who, with the best of intentions are trying to emphasize the importance of youth ministry in their congregation. Without a doubt, the phrase is intended to challenge and inspire young people to spend their teenage years in training for the day when it will be their turn to advance the cause of Christ against all the powers of the enemy. The phrase is challenging, inspirational, motivational . . .
And absolutely, positively, one-hundred percent WRONG.
The youth of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church humbly and respectfully reject the idea that we are the church of tomorrow; we believe that we are the church of RIGHT NOW. We do not believe that we have to wait to advance the cause of Christ: they want to be a part of the revolution now--today--in our homes, in our schools, and in our everyday lives. We believe that through worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry, we CAN make a difference in this world. Our weekly Bible Studies are engineered to help prepare us for the battle ahead, and our discipleship retreats provide in-depth training intended to mold and shape us into the image of Christ. Our mobile house parties are specifically planned to provide opportunities for both fellowship and evangelism. And we are very passionate about missions--both at home and abroad. It is our prayer that in both large and small ways, we can be used by our Master and Lord Jesus Christ to transform our homes, schools, communities, and ultimately, our world. Our goal, as Saint Ignatius said in the Spiritual Exercises, is to "see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, [and] follow Him more nearly."
Youth Group Activities Retreats
Camps
Concerts Lock-ins
Mobile House Parties
Fun Days at Emerald Pointe
Mission Trips
Leaders for Children’s Upward Soccer
Leaders for Children’s Upward Basketball
Volleyball
Basketball
YOUTH EVENTS
Back by popular demand…it’s Sunday Night Live!
That’s right, kids: even after we resume our normal Wednesday night schedule (on September 1),
we will continue meeting on Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:15 or so. Expect some changes to Sunday night programming over the next year or so. Bullets!
August 27-28
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Lock-In…a great opportunity for everyone to have fun and serve Jesus, all at the same time…we’ll be doing some sort of mission work in conjunction with this event, and it will be a great opportunity for rising sixth graders to come and hang out.
September 12
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parent information meeting about next summer’s Honduras trip (for students 15 and up)…meeting will be held in the youth department, and will be led by Mike Sowers
September 18
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Youth Day at Campbell…Football, food, and music for $5…due date for sign up is September 5
October 10
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Parent Forum…4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall…make plans to attend
October 17
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Youth worker training…anyone involved with student ministry should make plans to attend…4:00 in the Fellowship Hall
October 29-31
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Cherokee Cove…make plans to attend—remember, this is the trip that we moved from last April, so seniors who graduated in 2010 are welcome to join us.
December 3-5
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Operation Christmas Child…we’ll be working two shifts this year!
Also, in October and November, we will be collecting deposits for a winter ski trip and our summer mission camp…be watching for the dates.
Again, please remember…in the summer of 2011—HONDURAS. We will be meeting on Sunday, September 12 at 4:00 in the student department to discuss the particulars. For now, know that participants will need to be 15 years of age at the time of the trip (July 2011), and the cost will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,300, plus passport fees and shots. Hope to see you there!
Student Ministry Leadership Team meeting dates are as follows;
all meetings will be held at 6:00 pm, and locations are TBD.
September 11 November 13
October 9 December 4
A word about the balance of our summer schedule…
We’ll be meeting on Sunday nights from 5:00-6:15. The reason for this temporary change is that the remaining Wednesday night in August we will continue our Back Yard Bible School.
Chad is so excited about the possibilities this year. Our Student Ministry Leadership Team is meeting monthly to begin the process of establishing a vision, mission, and direction for the future of the Student Ministry @ PGBC. Parents, keep an ear out; we will soon be offering Parent Forums as a way to get some feedback from you guys, and to give you an opportunity to fellowship together, to pray for one another, and to encourage each other. Let me say this to the parents before I sign off: you are a wonderful group of people, with one of the hardest (and potentially, most rewarding) jobs on the planet. I salute you, and I look forward to a regular time of discussion and mutual prayer. Thanks for all you do!
