I am beginning to realize just how bad I am at keeping up with this blog, but I have something exciting to say this time! I have been working as the Director of Youth Ministries at the First United Methodist Church of Mineral Wells since April 1st. It has been two and a half months of getting to know some really awesome children. I've learned many games, gotten off topic a lot, and been reminded of the beauty of community and it's importance in a young person's life.
It is very Often that I look back on my time as a youth student at FUMC Watauga and I can't begin to explain the feeling of warmth, and nostalgia I have. My youth group was my family, our church was my home, and CTCYM trips were our family vacations. If you don't know, CTCYM stands for Central Texas Conference (of the UMC) Youth in Mission. Every year hundreds of students, junior high and high school,as well as countless courageous and giving adults, volunteer to go on these mission trips to be a part of the work God is doing in other places. My memories of CTCTYM were some of the best in my life. I was able to see lives changed in everyone who attended and tomorrow morning my very own youth students will embark on the same journey. We will be heading to Del City, Oklahoma in hopes of being the physical hands and feet of God. I can't explain to you enough how impactful these trips can be. For many students it will be there first time away from home, their first time seeing life little differently, and by the grace of God, it will be a time they never forget.
I am writing this mostly because I need something from you. If you've read this far, the rest is quite simple: Pray. Pray for the students sacrificing part of their summer break to be in service for something greater than themselves. Pray that they will touch hearts every where they travel and hopefully along the way, their hearts will be touched too. Pray for our worship leaders. Mission Trips have a culture specific to their style and amazing worship is heart of that. Pray that the spirit will be felt. Pray for our cooks. GOD BLESS OUR COOKS. Have you ever tried to feed a living center full of exhausted, hungry teenagers? Only the work of angels can explain what happens at meal time. Pray for our center and program directors. They have an amazing opportunity to create an experience of mission, discipleship, and praise. It's a daunting task. Pray for our adults, the selfless men and women who spend their vacation time surrounded by sweaty teenagers, teaching them how to use power tools, build wheel chair ramps, and more importantly, being there to listen and help these kids grow. Lastly, pray for the people we will meet. I'm sure it can be scary for a whole bunch of out- of- towners to come in and start unloading chain saws, and paint cans, but this is about so much more than a physical project. This is about love, and what it means to go out in the world.
I ask these things specifically because it will be a long, hard week and I could not be more excited to see my students dive into this experience. Thank y'all and God bless.
John 13: 35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
It is very Often that I look back on my time as a youth student at FUMC Watauga and I can't begin to explain the feeling of warmth, and nostalgia I have. My youth group was my family, our church was my home, and CTCYM trips were our family vacations. If you don't know, CTCYM stands for Central Texas Conference (of the UMC) Youth in Mission. Every year hundreds of students, junior high and high school,as well as countless courageous and giving adults, volunteer to go on these mission trips to be a part of the work God is doing in other places. My memories of CTCTYM were some of the best in my life. I was able to see lives changed in everyone who attended and tomorrow morning my very own youth students will embark on the same journey. We will be heading to Del City, Oklahoma in hopes of being the physical hands and feet of God. I can't explain to you enough how impactful these trips can be. For many students it will be there first time away from home, their first time seeing life little differently, and by the grace of God, it will be a time they never forget.
I am writing this mostly because I need something from you. If you've read this far, the rest is quite simple: Pray. Pray for the students sacrificing part of their summer break to be in service for something greater than themselves. Pray that they will touch hearts every where they travel and hopefully along the way, their hearts will be touched too. Pray for our worship leaders. Mission Trips have a culture specific to their style and amazing worship is heart of that. Pray that the spirit will be felt. Pray for our cooks. GOD BLESS OUR COOKS. Have you ever tried to feed a living center full of exhausted, hungry teenagers? Only the work of angels can explain what happens at meal time. Pray for our center and program directors. They have an amazing opportunity to create an experience of mission, discipleship, and praise. It's a daunting task. Pray for our adults, the selfless men and women who spend their vacation time surrounded by sweaty teenagers, teaching them how to use power tools, build wheel chair ramps, and more importantly, being there to listen and help these kids grow. Lastly, pray for the people we will meet. I'm sure it can be scary for a whole bunch of out- of- towners to come in and start unloading chain saws, and paint cans, but this is about so much more than a physical project. This is about love, and what it means to go out in the world.
I ask these things specifically because it will be a long, hard week and I could not be more excited to see my students dive into this experience. Thank y'all and God bless.
John 13: 35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.