A Couple Weeks Off To Refresh

I wanted to make sure that I reminded everyone that we don't have youth group the next two weeks due to Easter Cantata practice as well as Spring Break! I hope that these two weeks can be a time of refreshment for you all so that you can come back pumped up to finish out the school year which is coming too fast by the way. I want to hit these last two months pretty hard with the teens and really challenge where they are at with the LORD! Please start praying now that God will do some amazing things in their lives and in their hearts. I haven't heard back from the "First Impressions" team yet about my idea of being one month on and then three months off, but I still like that idea. Also, I wanted to see if any of you were interested in going to Spring Riot this year (which is the over-nigheter) at Western Michigan. I am still looking for a driver that is willing to drive the bus and drop us off, go to sleep and pick us up in the morning to take us home. I am not necessarily asking any of you, but if you know someone that would be great.

I think this school year has been awesome. I know we have had some lives changed and I also know there have been Wednesdays that we've all struggled. I want to make sure and encourage you and let you know that you are doing awesome. WE couldn't do the things we do without you! When we get back in the swing of things April 2nd we only have two months left before we start Summer Wednesdays. May God give you the strength and will-power necessary to finish strong. Thanks again.

-Joel

FOCUS Factor Ministries

I think the turnout last night was pretty good considering some of the things that were going on last night with schools and sports. I am a little distraught that we don't have Wednesday night for the next two weeks because I think we are going to lose a lot of the momentum that we have right now and will not get it back before summer. I guess we will have to wait and see, but I know that there were quite a few teens who were upset when they found out we didn't have church for the next two weeks and as fickle as teens can be, it may only take two weeks for them to lose that excitement and for Satan to get in and screw things up. I usually look forward to the break, but I have to say that this time I am kind of disappointed because I have been watching lives be changed.

I wanted to throw out an idea concerning the "First Impressions Team" for us to think about. I looked at the schedule and I don't think we have had the teens showing up who are supposed to in order to make this work. I want to suggest the idea that each team take a One-Month time on and time off approach. In other words, you are on for one month and then not on again for three months, this just helps you to remember it is your turn. With this being said, we only have two months left till Summer Wednesdays start! I want to suggest that Dan and Sally's team work together for the month of April while Karolyn and Judy's team take the month of May. What do you think?

I guess that is it for now and I hope you all are having a great week. I look forward to hearing from you and remember we couldn't do this without all of you. Thanks.

-Joel

Our Mexico Team Minus Two

Here is a picture of those teens that are going on the Mexico Mission Trip minus Cody Dowell and Kaitlyn Renfrew! I am really excited about the team this year and the possibility of life-change that this trip brings. As I stated last night at our YWT meeting we are doing a good job of raising funds so far this year. I don't think anyone will have a problem raising the money for this trip and thus teens in the future will be more willing to take the leap of faith and do something like this. I will look for a date in the spring to have the Aaron's Famous Amish Chicken Fundraiser. If I can get a picture of ALL the teens tonight, then they will be able to send out their support letters by next week, which might bring in the rest of the funds!

I haven't called or contacted Mancino's yet this morning, but it would be awesome if we could get their booths for really cheap and then just recover them. I know we need to do something different up the main youth room to solve some of the problems we are having and to help with the "Table Ministry". Thank you all for the taking the time to rough the weather and make the meeting last night. The exciting days are just ahead of us. Have a great week and we'll see you later.

-Joel