Some Cool Stuff...

Thought you might be interested in hearing about some cool stuff...

At our church in Troyeville, Pastor Cheryl started a thing where if someone memorizes 5 specific verses of scripture (the plan of salvation), then they get a new Bible. I've been promoting it with the youth, and over the past week, have given out about 4 Bibles. I think that is pretty cool - the youth are taking the initiative to memorize scripture!

For those that have already memorized the verses, I have said I will get them a yearly devotional book if they memorize either the books of the New Testament or the books of the Old Testament. Well....I've had at least 4 already take me up on that as well - how cool is that!

I just completed a 2 week Baptism class with 7 of the youth - I LOVED it! I really enjoy small groups and talking about our relationship with God and teaching them about things that they may not know about from scripture. I've told them all to pray about whether they want to be baptized and to let me know. One has already told me that he wants to be. We have a baptism service scheduled for March 16th. I want that to be a really cool experience for those who walk through the waters - a celebration of their public declaration that they are on Jesus' team!

In January, we started a new format for our Wednesday night Bible study - we're studying the Gospel of Luke by showing a video that has the scriptures quoted while showing a dramatization of the action. Then we break into small groups to answer questions and discuss the chapter for the evening. I said I would lead a small group of youth and have been promoting it with them. Well, we've had about 5-12 youth every week so far - way cool! Also, some of my graduates who are working on weekends now and can't come on Saturday or Sunday, have been coming on Wednesday nights - yay! I really miss them on the weekends, but and thrilled that they come on Wednesday - not only so I can see them, but also because they are staying connected to the church and hopefully to God!

Its been a challenge on Saturdays for Youth Group - only a few have been coming. The first week after my Capetown holiday, 9 came. The next week 4, the next week 3, the next week 5 - it is easy to get discouraged. But, the ones that are coming want to be there it seems. Several of them are new to the youth group and have been very faithful in coming on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. I know that numbers aren't the measure of success - what matters is that these ones who come are learning how much God cares for them and wants to be a part of their lives. Oh yeah, and, because of the low turnout, we're going to try Friday nights in March to see what happens. I've got 3 short term missionaries from the IMB to help me implement the first ones - should be fun...stay tuned!