Saturday, March 31, 2012

FAMILY PLUS High School - March 31

Hey High School Parents!

WOW!! It's been a couple weeks since I've been able to get an email out to you guys, and a LOT has happened!

1 - Completed our Spring Mission Trip to New Orleans.

2 - Voted as a church to build a New Generations Building to house our High School Ministry (and other NG Events)

3 - Relocated temporarily to Annex II.

This past Wednesday night was our first in Annex II. I asked your students to take the artwork they created as a response to worship a few weeks ago and decorate the building with it....it looks GREAT! It really helped (in my mind, and theirs, too, I think) to identify with that temporary space a little better.

But the COOLEST thing happened as a result of our history in Annex II already. You see, every time we head to New Orleans for our mission trips, we leave from that building. In fact, the original purpose for Annex II was for it to be a center for much of our mission work here at the Glade. Every time we go "on mission" to The Big Easy, we stage, pray, and are "sent out" from The Glade Church Missions Center. (Okay - that's not the "official" name....but allow me the poetic license for the sake of my point).

On Wednesday, I reviewed some Scripture from 1 Corinthians 12 - 14 and suggested to our students that they are not just to be "on mission" in New Orleans, but here at home as well. I also challenged them that Annex II is not just a place that we go "from" to minister. Rather, it is a place we come "to" for the sake of being ministered to by others - AND - it's a place we come "to" for the sake of ministering to others. I challenged students to look at our temporary home as a place to find and nurture their spiritual gifts for the sake of ministering to their peers as described in the New Testament.

My prayer is that your students will continue to learn to be the Church to their peers, to their teachers/coaches/bosses, and even to you - their parents. I'm excited about this time of transition for all of our age levels, and appreciate your prayers and support as we strengthen our facilities to better minister to your family.

Let me know what I can pray about for you. Here are some things you can be praying for me:Clarity...we have a LOT going on right now. Pray that God keeps me focused on what He finds holy, glorious and good. Balance....Pray that God would help me balance work and home and to also well balance responsibilities at each. Protection....Busy times are strategic for the enemy - pray him away from my home, family and our ministry.

Michael

Sunday, March 11, 2012

FAMILY PLUS High School - March 11


Hello HS Parents!!


I'm hoping this email finds you well. I'm currently in Metairie, LA, with about 80 of our high school students and nearly 20 leaders. We've had a pretty interesting ride down here complete with a few unexpected hiccups. But we're here safe and ready to have a great week. In fact, I'm about to start waking up students to get ready for church.


This week in New Orleans we will be working with over 2,000 elementary age students, working in 4 different homes, and building a pavilion in St. Bernard Parish (our men are doing this project). I'm praying that your students will be encouraged by the opportunity to serve a group of people who have captured our hearts down here.


Please be praying for our safety and for God to move in the life of your teenager. We have found that this particular setting breaks down barriers for students and gives way to an open heart to hear Him speak to them. Again, please pray for that in their lives - and yours.


- Michael




Sunday, March 4, 2012

FAMILY PLUS High School - March 4

Hello HS Parents!!

Wow! There is a LOT going on right now in the life of our church! On the immediate horizon for high school students:

1 - John Mackay (creationist from Australia) will be with us this week. He will be speaking this Wednesday night in the District. About 60 of our children and students will be on a field trip with John on Thursday.

2 - This weekend we will be leaving for New Orleans with about 80 high school students and 20 leaders. We will be working in five elementary schools, three homes, and at a local park building a pavilion for the community.

3 - We are preparing for our moves that will happen at the end of this month. For the next few months, high school students will be meeting in Annex II. Middle schoolers are moving to the District, and the Premier Room will be remodeled for our Children's Ministry.

We continued our series "Evolve" this past Wednesday night. We shared with students that we recognize that as they get older, their parents' voice will become increasingly softer. We shared with them that we believe that they are to ABSOLUTELY still honor their father and mother, and that as their parental voices decrease - the need to replace those voices appropriately is critical.

I shared with students that at forty years old, my father's voice is still one of the most critical and treasured in my life. But my father's voice is not the most "present" in my life. I spend more time and interact with other voices more than I do with my father's voice. Granted, my life consists of my own immediate family now. I've left my father and mother and joined another. But, again, the need for wise parental counseling seems to be something difficult to outgrow. I just need it. And I hope that I have conveyed well to your student(s) that they, too, need a parent's voice in their lives. And when that voice is softer or less immediate, it is CRITICAL to have replaced (or supplemented) that voice with wise counsel.

Please be praying for these transitions and for our students as they are on mission to New Orleans. Please let me know if there is something I can pray about for you or your family.

-Michael