Award-Winning Students

It's the last day of school for Pine City and Rosalie and I were able to attend the academic award ceremonies this morning at the elementary school. Jordan received the Presidential Academic Excellence Award and several other awards. Jonah received an academic excellence award and a citizenship award.

Several of our incoming 7th grade students received awards and our future youth group students (current 5th graders) were well-represented, as well. I'm so excited to have these kids coming into youth group! It's going to be a blast. (Actually, as of today, the incoming 7th grade students are now part of Ignite!)

Enjoy the pictures and congratulations to these students for their great work throughout the year!

Summer Small Groups Launch

Ignite students will begin summer small groups this week. Our senior high group will meet on Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m. beginning June 2. Junior high groups kick off the summer with a meeting this Thursday, June 5, at noon at Pizza Hut. (Junior high group will meet Thursdays from 2-3:30 p.m. after this week.) Groups will initially begin meeting at the Spahr home. Groups will feature Bible study, discussion, sharing and prayer (and food!).

All students are invited to participate as we "do life together" in small groups. If you've never been a part of a small group before this would be a great time to start! Don't miss out.

Paintball Challenge

Ignite students are challenging all interested Journey North adults to a day of paintball fun on Saturday, June 28, at Combat Zone in Hinckley. We'll leave from the church office at 8:00 a.m. and return around 4:30 that afternoon.

Cost for the day is $30 ($20 if you have your own equipment). Let us know if you are interested in attending and we will get you additional details. Registration payments can be made to Ignite Student Ministries by Wednesday, June 11, to guarantee your spot. If you are not planning to attend but have equipment we could borrow, please let me know. That will help keep the cost down for some students who might not otherwise be able to go.

All participants must a sign a release of liability waiver before play. Students under 18 must have that form signed by their parents, as well. I have copies or you can print your own by clicking here.

We had planned to attend a guys paintball retreat last month but a number of schedule conflicts kept us from going. In the midst of planning for that, a number of college and career age guys (and some older!) expressed a desire to play, as well. We thought about hold a day just for guys, but several of our Ignite girls wanted to participate, too. (Just so you know, they're tough and will no doubt kick my rear in paintball!) I'm looking forward to a great day of paintball action together. It will be some fun fellowship and group building time as we run, play and tag one another.

Ignite Students Head to Noah's Ark

Ignite junior and senior high students will be heading to Noah's Ark - America's Largest Waterpark - in the Wisconsin Dells on Friday, June 13. We'll be leaving from the church office at 5:3o in the morning and returning about 11:30 at night. Cost for the event is $35 and is due on or before Wednesday, June 4. (This is an incredible deal as tickets alone are normally about $30!)

The cost includes transportation, admission, a hot dog lunch, and pizza dinner at Rocky Rococo's. Because of the popularity of this trip we expect to fill up so registration is limited to our transportation capacity. If any adults are interested in driving or can loan us a van for the event, please let me know.

It'll be a long trip (about 4.5 hours each way!) but a fun one! Students are welcome to bring books, iPods, Gameboys, etc. for part of the trip, but a great deal of time will be sharing with one another and getting to know each other better! (Nine hours in a van together will definitely help you get to know each other better!) You can also bring some soda or food for breakfast or a snack as we'll plan to stop as seldom as possible on the trip in order to maximize our time at Noah's Ark. You may be able to purchase something during a stop, but it will be a lot cheaper to bring it yourself! Also, don't forget to bring dry clothes to change into for the return trip.

Pearls Before Swine

One of my favorite comics is Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis. Yesterday's strip (May 12) was extremely funny and today's (May 13) - on a different topic entirely - was just as good.

I don't think I can legally put it here, so here's the link if you're in the mood for a good chuckle!

Ignite Prayer Partners

I blogged a little last week about some areas where adults can be involved in student ministries. One of those areas is just now being developed - that of student ministries Prayer Partner.

Some of this blog's readers caught it and have already contacted me already about being a Partner, but I wanted to highlight this opportunity for everyone. My vision for this ministry is this: that Prayer Partners would commit to praying consistently and specifically for our students and our ministry at Journey North Church. I plan to send updates to this prayer team regularly with specific requests for both the ministry and our individual students (not their confidential requests, obviously).

How great a thing for our students to know that they are being prayed for by name each week! If you are a part of Journey North Church and this is a ministry area that you would be willing to commit to, let me know. We'd love to have you join us in bringing these requests before God.

Bad News, Bad News, Good News!

I had a bit of a ministry-related scare the last couple of days. Here's the breakdown:

• Bad News - Over the weekend I was told we weren't going to be able to use the facilities at the elementary school over the summer for our midweek program: 7
  
• More Bad News - I checked with the Pine City Armory to see if we could use their facilities. Nope.
• Good News - I did a little more legwork (and a lot of kneework, if you know what I mean) and was able to negotiate back for the elementary school! Yay! 7 will now be able to continue.

I was really discouraged after the first two news items as we are really developing a great group and I am excited what is happening on Wednesday nights. We're seeing new students show up frequently and I was concerned that having to take a break or change format for the summer would kill our momentum. I gave it to God and He turned it around. I should have known - it's His youth ministry and He will provide. Just have to keep trusting! Good reminder for me.

Rescue Me!

We are starting a fun new 4-part series tonight at 7 called Rescued from an Ordinary Life, based around an in-depth exploration of John 10:10.

Each week we will tackle a different aspect of John 10:10; instructing, challenging, and encouraging students to respond to a God who wants to rescue them from an ordinary life and give them a better life than they ever dreamed of.

We've taken a concept and outline developed by Doug Fields and given it a unique twist that I think our students will love! In addition, we'll have our usual lineup of games, food, open gym time, and a great time hanging out together.

We officially start 7 at 7 p.m. (when else!), but students are welcome to come at 6:30 to help set up and squeeze in a little extra open gym time. We are officially done by about 8:30, but it takes about half an hour to finish cleaning up and taking everything down. Thanks to those who have been able to stick around and help out!

What is a student ministries sponsor?

It’s been a busy few weeks – actually a busy few months! Now that our weekly large group gathering – 7 – is running steadily we have been seeing an influx of new students. As our group continues to grow, it means we will need even more adults willing to commit to investing in the lives of students.

If someone has never worked with students before, they may not know what to expect. One of the questions I often get asked is…

What is a student ministries sponsor?

A sponsor is an adult volunteer or college age student who works in or with student ministries. We have four areas of involvement, each requiring a different level of time commitment.

Occasional Volunteers (Varied involvement with students - limited commitment)

Occasional volunteers are called upon for special one-time events or happenings. From serving food at a Christmas party to driving for a special event - these volunteers come into the program and get random things done. You can serve one time or choose to be called regularly. This is a great area of service for those who love students but cannot commit to regular involvement due to their schedules.

Support Staff (Low involvement with students – weekly time commitment)

A support staffer is someone who is willing to work – for the most part - behind the scenes. It may be someone who:

• Helps with setup and takedown for 7 each week
• Is in charge of food (buying, preparing, serving, cleaning up) at 7
  
• Opens their home for a small group meeting

These support staffers help free up our relational sponsors to concentrate on spending time and building relationships with students.

Prayer Partners (Low direct involvement with students - high commitment)

No student ministry can succeed unless it is powered by prayer. Prayer partners pledge to pray regularly and specifically for students and student ministries. Though prayer partners work behind the scenes in many ways, their support is felt each time a young person hears the Gospel of Christ, each time an adult counsels a troubled teen, and each time anyone in this ministry makes an attempt to advance the Kingdom of God. Prayer partners will receive guidance from the Student Ministries pastor about how he or she can pray each day for the young people and adults who are involved in the junior and senior high student programs. In addition, Prayer Partners will receive regular updates about specific needs within the ministry as they arise.

Relational Sponsors - (High involvement with students - high commitment)

These are the key adults who make youth ministry possible. Relational Sponsors build relationships with students in which ministry can take place. They come alongside students in their spiritual walk.

A Relational Sponsor commits to involvement with one of our ongoing programs such as

• 7 - our weekly large group gathering, or
• Connect small groups during the school year.

They are also encouraged to attend special events and retreats throughout the year as their schedules permit in order to build relationships with students.

Relational Sponsors have the opportunity to show students they are loved simply by showing up each week. They may get involved in the teaching, games, small groups, or just come each week to listen and build relationships that honor Christ. These foundational volunteers receive regular training and support through regular sponsor meeting and periodic training events.

Who can be a Relational Sponsor?

Any adult or college-age student who…

• Has a commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9).
• Is leading an obedient and continually growing Christian life (Col. 2:6,7)
• Has a willingness to offer that life as one worthy of imitation (I Cor. 11:1)
• Likes youth.
• Has a willingness to make time to build friendships with youth.
• Is committed to the mission, vision, and values of Ignite Student Ministries and Journey North Church.

Sound interesting? I'd love to share more of the vision with you. Drop me a note or give me a call.