The mission trip went well. We touched a lot of lives, and in turn, were touched by a lot of people. Each member of the youth who went on the trip grew both spiritually and in maturity. My prayer is that it is a mountain top experience for all involved, so that the Holy Spirit can use that trip to stir up in them ―a great cloud of witnesses‖. (Heb 12:1) We made real relationships with the folks we served and, as a youth group, we grew the relationships in the fertile soil of Christian servant-hood.
Authentic relationships are in dire peril with this next genera-tion. The next time you are at the mall, just watch a group of teenagers. They are standing next to a friend and texting someone else at the same time. And believe me when I say that they will talk about things on Facebook that they would never say to each other face to face (which is a double-edged sword). Being a AAA (Authentic, Affirming, Available) adult is at it’s highest challenge when the youth have a disconnect with their peers, let alone some strange alien from a prior generation. It seems that society and this world work in opposition to Christi-anity. Look at how the early church grew...in the breaking of bread and fellowship with each other.
Have you seen people out to eat, sitting at a table with friends or family, and they have their heads down texting someone? How many times did one of my elders tell me, ―Look at me, boy, when I’m talking to you!‖ My grandparents’ generation understood the importance for relationship. Maybe it was the sacrifices they made in terms of WWII or the Great Depression. Whatever it was, we played card games and board games at―Pampi and Mami’s House. And at ―Granny’s and Paw Paw’s, we played bluegrass music and sang together. I think the mix of different generations willing to engage the current generation in relationship will make a big difference.
When we are intentional with our exchanges, it matters that we engage this next generation. When being authentic, the youth see a real Christian faith, and if it’s not real they will see that too. When we are available, the youth see value in both the other generation and other people. When we are affirming, they see worth in
themselves. When we do something well or we do something poorly, it manifests itself eventually.
For Our Savior’s youth, it manifested itself when a group of high school and college kids spent a week of Christian servant-hood; or when a couple of high school girls decided to go to LOMF’s leadership training camp. Again, when the mission trip made an impression on the church where we worked– by working all day in 97 degree heat– in grit and dust among piles of rubble with such positive attitudes. And, yet again, it was manifested in the earnest appreciation for the hospitality of the hosting church. Even the places where we ate knew these young people were special. On one occasion, a customer at the restaurant who was from another church in Cullman anonymously paid our lunch tab, which was a hearty sum.
Isa 55:11- “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Join us for Rock the Universe! September 9 and 10!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
We are gearing up for our mission trip to West Virginia. The rising fuel cost may limit all the things we can do but we know that God is with us; we are not scared off by fuel prices.
The commission service will be June 4th. Be sure to get your prayer bracelets at that service. The prayer bracelet, to refresh everyone’s memory, has the name of a youth or chaperone on it. You wear it and pray for that person every day while we are gone.
Some of the specific jobs we will be doing include putting drainage on the house we worked on last summer to try and prevent any further flood damage. We will be leveling (making even) a trailer and painting it. We’ve been asked to do some roof repair so we may be working on that as well.
We have made contact with some other youth groups in West Virginia who may help us. We also have commitments from some folks up there to help with preparing meals. It is this mutual service that is key to doing missions the right way. The relationships are the most important thing we build.
The youth group will not be meeting in June because we will be doing Day Camp, the Mission trip, and the confirmation camp. We will meet in July every other week, which will be on July 13th and the 27th.
Easter was later on the calendar year; I think it will work out well for what we are doing — going out into the world as Easter people…with the message of the cross and the empty tomb fresh on our minds and in our hearts. We live out a response to a loving God, not for salvation but because of it.
Summer seems to bring the most changes in young people. Maybe it’s because we don’t see them every week but kids come back from summer a little more grown. Join me in praying that this is the summer of spiritual growth for our young people. Focusing on Easter as the motivation.
.
4givn,
Jimmy Smith
Youth Director
The commission service will be June 4th. Be sure to get your prayer bracelets at that service. The prayer bracelet, to refresh everyone’s memory, has the name of a youth or chaperone on it. You wear it and pray for that person every day while we are gone.
Some of the specific jobs we will be doing include putting drainage on the house we worked on last summer to try and prevent any further flood damage. We will be leveling (making even) a trailer and painting it. We’ve been asked to do some roof repair so we may be working on that as well.
We have made contact with some other youth groups in West Virginia who may help us. We also have commitments from some folks up there to help with preparing meals. It is this mutual service that is key to doing missions the right way. The relationships are the most important thing we build.
The youth group will not be meeting in June because we will be doing Day Camp, the Mission trip, and the confirmation camp. We will meet in July every other week, which will be on July 13th and the 27th.
Easter was later on the calendar year; I think it will work out well for what we are doing — going out into the world as Easter people…with the message of the cross and the empty tomb fresh on our minds and in our hearts. We live out a response to a loving God, not for salvation but because of it.
Summer seems to bring the most changes in young people. Maybe it’s because we don’t see them every week but kids come back from summer a little more grown. Join me in praying that this is the summer of spiritual growth for our young people. Focusing on Easter as the motivation.
.
4givn,
Jimmy Smith
Youth Director
Monday, November 29, 2010
From the Youth Director - December 2010
Merry Christmas! May the peace that entered this world as a child consume you and your family this season. It’s difficult to try to write a Christmas time note when it’s the first week in November. So I’m listening to the sound track to Polar Express and Manheim Steamroller to get into the right frame of mind. I did have an eggnog milkshake last night and somehow the taste and smell of eggnog triggers warm fuzzies in my brain. Eggnog milk shakes help to shift my focus from all the things that are consuming my thoughts and help me get ready for the holidays.
We will be going to West Virginia for Thanksgiving. It will be the first time many of us have been together in 20 years. My aunts and uncles were examples of AAA (Authentic, Affirming, Available) adults early in life. When my mom was put in a hospital and my dad worked as many jobs as he could get, it was my extended family that took care of us. The evidence of character is in their children who mostly are AAA adults themselves. Most of my family members are active in their churches, some are teachers and coaches. So it turns out that “If we want spiritual children and youth, we need spiritual adults and parents”. (From the 5 principles of Vibrant Faith). It will be interesting to witness some of their Christmas traditions.
What are some of your favorite traditions for Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas movie? We have a few but since Jacob has been around we have worn out our copy of Polar Express. There are a few versions of a Christmas carol out too. Is it the black and white one from the 50’s or the “Muppets Christmas Carol”? Rhonda’s favorite is “A Christmas Story”, it’s a good pre-game show, but it’s too secular for the main event. When all of those traditions and memories add up, it makes for a special time of year. For me it culminates at the Christmas Eve service. Rhonda and I used to drive down from Orlando to make it to the 11pm service.
I usually wear one of the late Dr. Joseph H. Smith’s or Dr. Richard L. Peter’s jackets or ties or tie clips as the physical absence is remarkably noted on my soul. As it is with all the family members and friends who have gone on to the more perfect Christmas celebration.
We as a youth group will continue our traditions with our shopping for the Men in Mission on Dec 8th. And caroling Dec 15. Merry Christmas!
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
We will be going to West Virginia for Thanksgiving. It will be the first time many of us have been together in 20 years. My aunts and uncles were examples of AAA (Authentic, Affirming, Available) adults early in life. When my mom was put in a hospital and my dad worked as many jobs as he could get, it was my extended family that took care of us. The evidence of character is in their children who mostly are AAA adults themselves. Most of my family members are active in their churches, some are teachers and coaches. So it turns out that “If we want spiritual children and youth, we need spiritual adults and parents”. (From the 5 principles of Vibrant Faith). It will be interesting to witness some of their Christmas traditions.
What are some of your favorite traditions for Christmas? What is your favorite Christmas movie? We have a few but since Jacob has been around we have worn out our copy of Polar Express. There are a few versions of a Christmas carol out too. Is it the black and white one from the 50’s or the “Muppets Christmas Carol”? Rhonda’s favorite is “A Christmas Story”, it’s a good pre-game show, but it’s too secular for the main event. When all of those traditions and memories add up, it makes for a special time of year. For me it culminates at the Christmas Eve service. Rhonda and I used to drive down from Orlando to make it to the 11pm service.
I usually wear one of the late Dr. Joseph H. Smith’s or Dr. Richard L. Peter’s jackets or ties or tie clips as the physical absence is remarkably noted on my soul. As it is with all the family members and friends who have gone on to the more perfect Christmas celebration.
We as a youth group will continue our traditions with our shopping for the Men in Mission on Dec 8th. And caroling Dec 15. Merry Christmas!
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
Saturday, October 3, 2009
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What would compel a group of adults, most in there 40’s, to spend the weekend with a bunch of teenagers? Not only that, but to be limited to only a couple hours of sleep each night. Plus be willing to go amongst a couple thousand teenagers—fully aware of the potential smell. I will share what is the sacred payoff for youth workers and volunteers, because you are investing in our youth.
This weekend was our annual Christian concert weekend at Rock the Universe at Universal Studios in Orlando. With the exception of the year of the hurricanes, we have participated in this event every year. Some have questioned the value of taking the youth to a “concert.”
The folks at Universal Studios would not release the total number in attendance, not even for this newsletter or the council report. However, with considerable badgering, they did say that I would be correct in reporting that it was in the thousands. So what is the value of having our youth be in a place to witness thousands of other youth singing praises to God and Jesus? Or the value of hearing life-changing messages from talented and gifted musicians that have sold platinum albums. This is certainly in opposition to the messages they receive from MTV.
For instance, in a song by Jeremy Camp, there was a geography question, “Just how far is the East from the West?” The answer to the question: “one scarred hand to another.”
The folks at Universal Studios would not release the total number in attendance, not even for this newsletter or the council report. However, with considerable badgering, they did say that I would be correct in reporting that it was in the thousands. So what is the value of having our youth be in a place to witness thousands of other youth singing praises to God and Jesus? Or the value of hearing life-changing messages from talented and gifted musicians that have sold platinum albums. This is certainly in opposition to the messages they receive from MTV.
For instance, in a song by Jeremy Camp, there was a geography question, “Just how far is the East from the West?” The answer to the question: “one scarred hand to another.”
One musician said a prayer that “we all be bold to the gospel, Lord show us your glory.” Here are some messages our kids received during this weekend event:
- “If you don’t have God, you don’t have anything.”
- “It is a reminder God is still there with me.” (that is from a college student who came down to join us)
- “Seeing all those people into Jesus and all types of people into Jesus.”
- “One song can change a life.”
- “Nothing else matters but God.”
- “God is a wonderful artist, God made a masterpiece of me”.
- A favorite message and prayer that touched an individual
student.
I witnessed a lonely teenager that the Holy Spirit spoke directly to. I saw him weep with release as he began to experience God’s amazing grace. I held back my emotions as I received sacred pay off only available for those who do this ministry. I got to witness the Holy Spirit at work many times during this weekend. During a Third Day (one of the featured bands) concert, there were thousands of hands in the air releasing their burdens and receiving the blessing as they were singing the name of Jesus. The music stopped and nothing was heard but the sound of thousands of teenagers singing the name of Jesus— with their heads bowed and their hands lifted up. This was such a powerful sound that flooded the crowd with the Holy Spirit. Even without the light sprinkle, the pavement would have been wet with the tears of a thousand teenagers and adults. This is the sacred payoff for us — we get to witness to the work of the Holy Spirit transforming the hearts of these students! The voices of thousands of teenagers praising God and giving glory to Jesus—for that moment had to drive the devil away so that a moment could bring peace to the troubled soul.
Having witnessed this weekend and seeing our youth in that environment, a price or value cannot be put on this event. In the lives of our young people, it was priceless!
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith,
Director of Youth Ministry
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June/July News
Extraordinary things are happening for us in youth ministry. By the time most of you read this we will be on our way for the first mission trip done by the youth of this congregation. In some ways this seems to be a momentous occasion! On the other hand this is what we have been about all along. When the council changed titles to mission teams, did they know it would be a step in this direction? At the time the Congregation called Jim and later Pastor Shelly, did they know it would be a step in this direction? As Bonnie stepped up to be our parish nurse, did she know that her son would be doing a mission trip? Did the volunteers in the office and around the church, who play a key part in passing on a “vibrant faith” along with all the ministries and mission teams, know we were all working together to send us all on a mission, not just our youth group?
All of us have our own mission field. Our workplace, the places we find recreation, and most importantly our homes. Let’s start with the most important of these, our children; we have an obligation to raise Godly children. This current generation may not be able to relate to words like duty, delayed gratification, or self sacrifice, but the recent coaching session with Paul Hill reminded me “faith is caught not taught.”
We often hear media define Christians in a negative way. We bring so much of this on ourselves. For instance, we would just as soon put down another denomination than to stand up for unborn children, or the fact that divorce is as high in the church as it is in the unchurched. Remember the readings from recent Sundays about the fruit. That is what will define us.
We don’t have all the answers, to pretend we do takes away from what we do have. Grace, for when we screw up. Faith, for when we don’t know the outcome or the answers. Love, as the cornerstone. This mission trip is the fruit! The fruit is from parents raising Godly children, and for a congregation who steps up to help. It’s the fruit of those who are financially blessed and their hard work being used to help pay for things like this. It’s the fruit of our tithing, and it’s the fruit of a committed and hardworking staff, both paid and volunteers. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who put it on a young girl’s heart to want to push her and her peers into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who is working to accomplish this. It will be the fruit of this congregation on display for some folks in West Virginia who have only heard of Our Savior Lutheran in Vero Beach from the occasional phone call back home.
In addition, the youth are helping us with the worship at Horizon Bay assisted living facility. We have many of other things going on. Wow, I can’t even imagine what God has in store for us!
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
All of us have our own mission field. Our workplace, the places we find recreation, and most importantly our homes. Let’s start with the most important of these, our children; we have an obligation to raise Godly children. This current generation may not be able to relate to words like duty, delayed gratification, or self sacrifice, but the recent coaching session with Paul Hill reminded me “faith is caught not taught.”
We often hear media define Christians in a negative way. We bring so much of this on ourselves. For instance, we would just as soon put down another denomination than to stand up for unborn children, or the fact that divorce is as high in the church as it is in the unchurched. Remember the readings from recent Sundays about the fruit. That is what will define us.
We don’t have all the answers, to pretend we do takes away from what we do have. Grace, for when we screw up. Faith, for when we don’t know the outcome or the answers. Love, as the cornerstone. This mission trip is the fruit! The fruit is from parents raising Godly children, and for a congregation who steps up to help. It’s the fruit of those who are financially blessed and their hard work being used to help pay for things like this. It’s the fruit of our tithing, and it’s the fruit of a committed and hardworking staff, both paid and volunteers. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who put it on a young girl’s heart to want to push her and her peers into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who is working to accomplish this. It will be the fruit of this congregation on display for some folks in West Virginia who have only heard of Our Savior Lutheran in Vero Beach from the occasional phone call back home.
In addition, the youth are helping us with the worship at Horizon Bay assisted living facility. We have many of other things going on. Wow, I can’t even imagine what God has in store for us!
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
River Rat Ramble is coming along. We have a convoy of six vehicles, and thirty-eight people going. To me, it looks like we’re planning a small invasion. Soon as the vans pull up, all those kids flood out after being cooped up for the trip. Now more than ever we are using those camps scholarship dollars. Thank you for helping send some kids. It is one less burden for the families that are struggling right now, knowing that their kids don’t have to miss out on this mountain top experience.
While I’ve been through tough times before, it’s harder for me now because I am the daddy, the title that holds the most weight and reward. When I compare the things I know about God with the things I don’t, it seems I know very little. But I do hold to idea that God knows what it is to be a father. When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray what was the first line? I have faith in God the father. I choose faith over fear, not blindly
but based on historical references of my own life. Remember where faith has led you and where fear has led you. (Sola Fida, “Faith alone,” was the motto of the reformation). That faith leads us on.
Planning for the mission trip to West Virginia is moving forward. Our chaperones are lined up and our youth are ready to go. In addition we are trying to coordinate with some churches in West Virginia to see if their youth group will help. We are in the process of pricing materials. For the porch we prefer the composite recycled material over the pressure treated wood because of its durability. However, we don’t like the price difference! Yet I have learned when doing these kind of things, it’s ok to dream God-size dreams, not Jimmy-size dreams. That, I must say, is one of the benefits of the job. I get to see a glimpse of God doing the extraordinary above and beyond my ability to imagine it. Notice I said imagine not thought, my ability to imagine exceeds my ability to think. (Or so I was told in school.) Ideally, we would like to purchase the materials and have them delivered.
Lowes is one hour away while Home Depot is four hours away. Plan B is to trailer the needed supplies in.
Another important aspect to the mission trip is prayer. I was reminded how every day while the family was at Wartburg, some folks would come by the church and pray for us. I would ask that our church pray for us as well. We, in turn, will have a team of prayer warriors, and we will do a prayer walk where we walk and pray throughout the hollow. It works!
I wish you could get inside my head and see how this trip will help our youth develop into Christian leaders and deepen their faith. I wish you could get inside my head and see how this will impact a family and even a community. I wish you could get inside my head and see what this will do for youth group and youth ministry. Ok everybody out of my head… it is crowded in there! Even though this is by far the toughest thing we as a
youth group have tackled, I am excited! I want Our Savior Lutheran, Vero Beach, to be excited by what we are doing! We’ve been working toward this for years. It is a good thing that we have a healthy church that can send us out!!! If you have any questions about this or anything else regarding youth ministry ask me, or better yet ask a youth.
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
While I’ve been through tough times before, it’s harder for me now because I am the daddy, the title that holds the most weight and reward. When I compare the things I know about God with the things I don’t, it seems I know very little. But I do hold to idea that God knows what it is to be a father. When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray what was the first line? I have faith in God the father. I choose faith over fear, not blindly
but based on historical references of my own life. Remember where faith has led you and where fear has led you. (Sola Fida, “Faith alone,” was the motto of the reformation). That faith leads us on.
Planning for the mission trip to West Virginia is moving forward. Our chaperones are lined up and our youth are ready to go. In addition we are trying to coordinate with some churches in West Virginia to see if their youth group will help. We are in the process of pricing materials. For the porch we prefer the composite recycled material over the pressure treated wood because of its durability. However, we don’t like the price difference! Yet I have learned when doing these kind of things, it’s ok to dream God-size dreams, not Jimmy-size dreams. That, I must say, is one of the benefits of the job. I get to see a glimpse of God doing the extraordinary above and beyond my ability to imagine it. Notice I said imagine not thought, my ability to imagine exceeds my ability to think. (Or so I was told in school.) Ideally, we would like to purchase the materials and have them delivered.
Lowes is one hour away while Home Depot is four hours away. Plan B is to trailer the needed supplies in.
Another important aspect to the mission trip is prayer. I was reminded how every day while the family was at Wartburg, some folks would come by the church and pray for us. I would ask that our church pray for us as well. We, in turn, will have a team of prayer warriors, and we will do a prayer walk where we walk and pray throughout the hollow. It works!
I wish you could get inside my head and see how this trip will help our youth develop into Christian leaders and deepen their faith. I wish you could get inside my head and see how this will impact a family and even a community. I wish you could get inside my head and see what this will do for youth group and youth ministry. Ok everybody out of my head… it is crowded in there! Even though this is by far the toughest thing we as a
youth group have tackled, I am excited! I want Our Savior Lutheran, Vero Beach, to be excited by what we are doing! We’ve been working toward this for years. It is a good thing that we have a healthy church that can send us out!!! If you have any questions about this or anything else regarding youth ministry ask me, or better yet ask a youth.
4 Given,
Jimmy Smith
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