Dr. David Fraze, Director of Student Ministries and Sr. High Youth Minister from Richland Hills Church of Christ, is coming Thursday September 30 from 4:30 – 7:30. Dr. Fraze will present on current trends and helpful models in youth ministry.

This year we had a host of volunteers join us on our trips.  Charles Robertson and Greg Hendry join us on Mission Trip and Camp Victory and drove many miles while giving up their vacation time, but giving so much more to our kids than just safe travel; giving Godly examples of what it means to be men of God.  We were also blessed to have Jana Robertson, John and Traci Speaker (and their kids), and my mom join us on our Mission Trip, helping out in more ways than we can describe or explain.  What a blessing it was to have so many willing volunteers help manage the intricacies of our detailed trip.  Not to mention that Charles, Jana, and Greg made it possible for the Speaker Family and my family to remain at Disney for a couple more days.

Uplift is a wonderful way to start off the summer.  This year we had a total of 14 of us travel to Harding University in June to experience the wonderful teaching by so many different gifted individuals.  Uplift not only allows us to grow individually but it allows our group to challenge each other and hold each other accountable to their commitments. Thank you to Sarah Miller and Kaulie Keele for sharing a little about their experience at Uplift on Sunday night.

Mission Trip was a unique Journey this year, and one that God led the whole time.  When we committed to return to Fernandina Beach we were tasked with putting on another VBS.  As time grew closer we were still uncertain of when and how this would happen.  So about 4 weeks before the trip we changed it all, and instead of running a VBS on Sunday we taught the children’s classes giving their teachers a break, and led them in worship.  They even allowed me to preach.  The remainder of the week we spent doing service projects and gathering neighborhood information in order to let the church adequately minister to their neighbors.  In response the church now has an active local outreach ministry involving about 50% of their congregation.  All in all there were 33 of us that made the trip.  In response to the wonderful work our teens did, the Elders at the Fernandina Beach Church of Christ took the time to write a letter expressing their gratitude.

Of course it is always wonderful to hear great things said about your group by the hosting church.  But most of us tend to forget that our entire lives needed to be filled with service allowing Christ’s light to shine through us everyday.  But like I said…most of us forget that…not our teens.  That is why I am extremely proud of this next letter from a man we encountered on our journey.

First, my apology for the delay in sending this, but for several reasons, I just did not “get to it”…but hopefully good news is always welcomed, even if delayed.

About six weeks ago, to “save our two young nieces lives”, we stopped at the McDonalds on I-10 near Marianna, Florida.  There, we had a most pleasant encounter with Glenwood’s youth group,  on a mission outreach trip to Fernandina Beach, Fl.

What VERY polite, courteous and friendly youth…and I think their leader  was “Andy”.  When asked where were they going (thinking Disney), several members shared the main intent of the mission trip and how excited they were, even after they had been traveling for over 12 hours…and still had over 3 hours of travel.

They certainly represented the spirit of your church in an exceptional manner, and Glenwood should be very proud of them…as we know that God is.

I have assisted with Presbyterian youth groups for over 40 years, particularly traveling long distances, and I have not seen a group as ‘well mannered’ as yours.  If they are ever traveling through the Tallahassee again, and need some housing for a night, please contact me, and we at Faith Presbyterian will try to assist.

In his Service,

James E. “Jimbo” Harrison

Thank you to Colton Cunningham for sharing his experiences from Mission Trip with us on Sunday night.

Work Camp is a week that according to our culture “would never work!”  Getting teenagers to wake up early, work from free, and PAY MONEY does not equal success in our culture.  But it does with our teens.  This year more than 30 teens participated during our week of service where we painted a house, wrote encouragement cards, moved furniture around, cleaned out closets, sang for a nursing home, and hosted a neighborhood water day.  We talk about loving our neighbors all the time, but it is so exciting to see a generation that does not just want to talk about it, they want to live it out!

Camp Victory can only be described in one word, AWESOME!  It is impossible to describe the way that God uses this camp to touch the lives of so many people.  This year we were blessed to be joined by Charles Robertson, Greg Hendry, Jennifer Gorenflo, and Julie Cherry as our adult volunteers.  Thank you to Garrett Land and Kerrigan Keele for sharing their Camp Victory experiences with you at this time.

Mystery Trip was changed to be only for the High School students giving us the opportunity to start the Middle School Fun Trip.  These trips are designed to be nothing but 2 full days of solid fun.  Mystery trip was 2 of the busiest days of my life, but it got the summer off to a great start allowing relationships to form and making way for deeper conversations throughout the summer.  Middle School fun trip was a time for relaxation and fun at the Great Wolf Lodge.  This trip served as an opportunity to invite the incoming 6^th graders that will be joining the Youth Group next week and allow all of us to have a great time together!

This summer has been a great one, one that we hate to see concluding.  One thing that we can promise you is that this group is committed to making the lessons and teachings that God showed us be a building block for our future.  We know this summer would not have been possible without you and your support.  Thank you to the parents who did not see their children for days and weeks at a time, and who spent a lot of money to give their teens the opportunity to experience these things.  Thank you all for your prayers and continued thoughts and encouragements.  And thank you to all who helped make this summer happen financially.   This year we raised $7500, more than 25 scholarships for our teens and adults attending these events, and we used every single penny.  Thank you for your selfless gifts and your sacrifices.

I cannot conclude without thanking my wife, Mandy.  Mandy attended every event with me this summer, and gave of her time unselfishly.  There were many nights this summer when I missed dinner, bath time, bedtime, and many other things, but Mandy loves and cares for our youth group and does whatever she can to support us in all that we do.  Sometimes she supports by staying at home with our girls so that I can focus on the teens; sometimes she supports by having the girls over to our house for a girls night; sometimes it is midnight movie premiers; whatever the task is she is always up for it.  That does not even mention the countless meals she has cooked over the course of the summer.  So thank you Mandy for your very important role in our ministry.

We could go on and on sharing information and stories about this summer, but instead I encourage you to visit www.glenwoodyouth.com and www.campvictory2009.com for more pictures, videos, and information about upcoming events.  But one last thing before I conclude.  This year at camp we challenged the Johnson Street Youth Group, where Tyler Fleet was interning, to a Dance off.  Our groups competed in three categories, large group dance, small group dance, and an individual dance.  After much deliberation from tough competition we were given the victory, but most of all we had a lot of fun.  Those dances can be seen on www.campvictory2009.com.

Thank you again for your continued love and support.  Please let us know if there is anyway that we can serve you.  Blessings!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How do you live that out in your life? How do you live your life to make disciples for Christ? Unfortunately most of the time we get busy with the aspects of life and forget that this is our mission in life. This is what it is all about. In the summer of 2004, our teens were discussing ways that they could actively live out The Great Commission, and Friends for Free was born. Friends for Free is not just a scholarship program but a jump start to discipleship. Each “friend” that joins us on a trip spends quality time with our group, becomes part of the group, and finds a place to belong learning about Christ love the entire time.

This year we chose to ask for you to “Send a Teen to Camp” in order to continue this great plan of discipleship. Our fundraisers before have been successful but we want people to know that the youth group wants to serve you any way that we can. We want to distance our association of “service work” and “payment.” We want to help you because that is how we can live our lives for Christ each and every day.

The summer is here! We will be embarking on new journeys and encountering Jesus in new and exciting ways. And thanks to your help we also will be sharing Christ with our friends and serving our family of faith in many new and exciting ways.