We're Really Doing This!

Needless to say, this has been a crazy year! Everything was different and it seemed like none of us really knew exactly what it was we were doing. This was especially true in Youth Ministry. Everything we expected to do was no longer on the table.

We wanted to have FUN playing games with kids, running around the youth room, wrestling (yes we do that) with them, etc., but we were not allowed. We wanted to have FOOD with them relaxing at picnic tables with our cell phones put away and just enjoy each other’s company over a meal. But we couldn’t do that. We wanted to hangout with close FRIENDS, new and old, but we couldn’t do that (well, we could, but 6 feet apart wearing masks!). And we desperately wanted to share the Christian FAITH with them, which we COULD do, but it was weird (see above!). And even this summer, things are still a little off.

However, we decided to move ahead with one of our all-time favorite things! Something we launched about 12 years ago to truly “love our neighbors in extraordinary ways!” That’s right! We're doing BMW (Brevard Mission Week). Next week, June 28th — July 1st, we’re really doing this! And we couldn’t be more excited. We have some limitations, of course, but we’re forging ahead! We have a great group of willing and able students who have chosen to be a part of this week as young disciples of Jesus and true servants. Our plan is to have a great time together, enjoy true Christian community, work and serve around the church, and dig deeper into our theme. And what is our theme? It is “Do … Love … Walk!” It is based on Micah 6:8 which reads:

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

We’re calling it a “Micah 6:8 Week” and it’s going to be awesome. We would love for you to pray for us and be wonderful cheerleaders for us and the kids as we take over the entire church facilities!!

We’re really doing this … and we couldn’t be more excited!

See you on Sunday!

Joel
Pastor of Student and Family Ministries

A Sunday to Celebrate

When I graduated from college I decided to move to South Carolina for a short bit of time and live with my best friend (who today is a Pastor in West Virginia!).  We were young, goofy and free!  One of our favorite things to do was to ride our bikes after work into Charleston and eat at a really cool restaurant.  We loved biking and, of course, eating.  

One day, we heard about an opportunity to ride our bikes with my wonderful Christian college through the mountains of Colorado.  The excursion was to be for 12 days over 7 mountain passes covering about 1100 miles.  We were totally up for it (and, of course, we had been “training!”).  So we packed up our bikes, drove to Indiana (home of Taylor University, the finest Christian college in America), and boarded a bus along with about 50 other high schools, college, and graduated young people.  We were excited about this “opportunity of a life time!”

Well, overall, it was a blast.  We did it and we survived.  At one point, I even went 6 days sleeping outside and not showering once!  That looks good on any resume!  And throughout the challenging trip, God taught me some really great lessons.  One of the things He taught me, and it has really stuck with me, was this:  When facing the next mountain, I would think “I have a long way to go.  But I have come a long way, too!”  

This Sunday in church, we are looking at Pentecost and what it means to live in an “Acts 2 Community.”  It promises to be an encouraging and celebratory time together.  In addition, we are honoring and celebrating our graduating high school seniors!  They have had to endure and overcome a lot this year and they are worthy of celebrating and cheering on!  They had a “long way to go,” but the have “come a long way, too!”  If you knew them the way Michelle and I (and a great group of adult leaders) know them, you would be so proud and impressed with them (I could literally go on and on here!!).  

Our theme verse for this year’s youth ministry school year was Hebrews 12:1.  The verse talks about “running the race” with perseverance and not quitting, not giving up.  These kids have done that!  So join us on Sunday in The Gathering as we celebrate these wonderful students and hear a little about their journey and how God has been active in their lives as they continue the sometimes “up-hill,” and yet joyful and celebratory Christian race! 

See You Sunday,

Joel Lusz
Pastor of Student and Family Ministries