Here are some unedited responses to our... "Summer Success" email. If you would like to share some summer successes send an email to summer@teenlifeministries.com

 

 

My name is W. Willmore Carey out of Freeport Bahamas. I’ve gotten the boldness to have a two night youth service just before the kids go back to school. It was well attended and the youths were blessed. thanks to you for you support

 

I started in a new ministry last summer and the very first thing we did was to go on a mission trip. Due to the lack of planning time, the trip turned into more of a "fun time" instead of a time to serve people. I was determined to make this year's trip an opportunity for true servanthood.

 

During the planning process all throughout the year, I kept experiencing issues that were so discouraging and many times I just wanted to say, "This isn't worth it." But I also felt sure that all of the roadblocks were the enemies way of trying to stop us from bringing glory to God.

 

Long story short- the trip was incredible. We saw God work in amazing ways and the youth were really able to share God's love in the community that we served in.

 

For this season, I started a project with my group called Finding Christ in Summer.
We designed poster boards with beach towels and placed items like sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, and drinking containers on them. Then I had the kids to think on how these items related to Christ - like sunscreen.....

 

"Ephesians 6:16 the shield of faith, or drinking container...drinking of Christ spirit in you in praise and worship. They labeled these items and presented them to the church body; their parents were amazed at what these kids came up with.

 

My favorite were the goggles...seek and ye shall find! The kids loved this project and we worked on them for 6 weeks! They grew spiritually and I even rewarded them for their efforts at our pool party!

 

Most of all though, they learned about how Christ is spiritually understood and not naturally understood. Sometimes you have to use physical things to demonstrate the message to such young minds.

 

By the way I teach ages 11-16. Its quite a challenge but I love the gift that God has given me.

God Bless!
Christina Miday

 

Our group is from Beckley, WV! We had an amazing spirit filled summer. We
went to a Christian Woodstock called ICHTHUS. There we shared 4 days with
35 thousand other people about the word of God!! We camped listened to over
30 bands(David Crowder, Third Day, Barlow Girl, News Boys, Toby Mac) and so

much more. The speakers were amazing and the last night we shared communion
with everyone. Hundreds came forward for the first time and many renewed
their relationship with God. We have been for two years now and will return
next year. I highly recommend trying it out!!! It is in Wilmore Kentucky
just go to ichthus.com.

 

The church I work for has been going on an annual choir/mission trip for 19
yrs now. This trip consist of drama, singing, musicians, working with
projects to restore homes and so much. We have been to so many places and
we always have such an amazing experience doing this. We travel by a
charter bus and truly became more on fire for the Lord every year we do
this. God is awesome!!!

 

 

We kind of take it easy in the summer. Instead of our regular classes on Wednesday nights, we plan an activity for the youth group - everything from pool parties at someone’s house to scavenger hunts at the mall to bowling to redecorating the youth room at the church.

 

With vacations and lighter attendance in the summer, it really helps to keep the momentum going with the group, yet gives leaders a lighter load for a few months. The teens love it and it helps build relationships with the newbies coming into the group.

 

This year, we added in a mailing each week to the group (about 80 on our mailing list). We came up with a schedule of topics and tried to make each one look a little bit different or encourage some behavior. Each week included a memory verse and an incentive to bring the verse in each week to be entered into a drawing for either a digital camera or a portable DVD player. Of course, it hasn't been 100% successful, but those that are actually doing the assignments are enjoying them. Some of the parents have even been involved using rewards for completing the assignments.

 

Some of the events are things I would prefer to not do again.I would definitely get some parent volunteers to help with crowd control, and have a better way of communicating with the group.

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful day based on being a soldier for God. The local national guard unit came out and spoke with the kids about what it was like to serve in Iraq, what they ate, how they trained, etc. It was great! We played games based on working together as a unit, we focused our study on putting on the whole armor of God and being a true soldier for Christ. It was a blessed day. The adults in the church came out to support the kids and they also had a blessed time. It was hilarious watching everyone in their camouflage having fun!

 

The one game I wouldn't play again is paper war. We waded up squares of newspapers and bombed the opposing team. The object of the game was to set a time limit. The team with the most "paper wads" on their side when time was up, lost. The wind was blowing slightly and it gave the group downwind an unfair advantage. Had it been played inside it may have been great fun!

Cathy C
Richmond, Ky

 

 

I think that my summer success was the wiener roast/lock in/bike ride. I did a devotional on scary story on the bible. I made it up as I went along. Why scary stories? Because what else to you tell around the camp fire.

 

I learnt that most of my teens never had smores before. So sad

 

I'm not sure how they've grow this summer. Hope something I taught them has sunk in.

 

I would do it all again. I love being with my teens. I'm fairly new at it so I'm learning as I go.

 

To all the newbes. Keep it up, never let go of God's hand, never get discouraged because you are getting through to them whether they show it or not.

God Blessings to all
CC

 

 

I took eight of our high school teens to Steubenville East. The "Chance of a
Lifetime" is an understatement. The speakers were great and the music was
awesome. There is NO DOUBT that the Holy Spirit was instilled in the hearts
of many that attended Steubenville. Our kids loved it! I hope to attend
next year with three times as many teens! Thanks for all the tips! We love
them!

PF

 

 

 

 

I went to my first youth camp as youth pastor great time not much
sleep but the move of GOD was so cool kid's got saved and I moved to a new
level in GOD deeper then ever before. please pray for our youth at
cutting edge . We need a worship team a few loyal people to be that
part......thank you and GOD be with you.
PASTOR-Don

 

 

 

Well, my summer has been a coooool one, literally. Temperatures stayed between 50 degrees to a high today of 84. Some nights it went down to 40 degrees, and I had to turn on a small heater or put an extra blanket on. Now how about that for summer in Western Washington State.

 

Our youth have been scattered different places for summer: 2 in Connecticut, some in California, some on cross country family trips, and some just hunkering down in the backyard when it wasn't raining. Our Youth Leader took those who are still around on a hike in the hills and woods of Point Defiance in Tacoma. All reported having a great time.

 

School will begin at the end of the month for those in church school, and the others returning very shortly thereafter, and hopefully we will have a full complement back at church.

 

Pray for us, we are losing our pastor at the end of this month, and several of the lay ministers will have a bigger responsibility - me included.

 

sincerely,
Dee