What's up? Wow, I haven't blogged for quite a while. Well, here is what has been, is, and is about to be going on with our youth here at the GBC:
In June, quite a few of us went to Honduras. It was mine and Jackie's first time to go, so we didn't know what to expect. After a week there, we fell in love with the Honduran children and weren't ready to come back home. It truly was a life changing experience for everyone, whether it was their first time or not. We all grew much closer spiritually that week. We made some new friends whom we didn't even really talk to here at church. The trip really opened our eyes to just how magnificent we have it here in the States. Praise God for supplying our financial needs and allowing us all to go.
Lately we have been doing fundraisers for our whitewater rafting trip to Gatlinburg July 23, 24, and 25. We have had cookouts and babysitting. We have found that the cookouts are what brings us in the most money. It's hard to raise a decent amount of money for each student when there are so many working each fundraiser. That's why we have continued the cookouts. As far as babysitting goes, it's not a huge money maker, but it's a blast. The kids we watch apparently have energy on reserve! Other than a fundraiser, we look a the babysitting as kind of a community outreach, in that it allows parents to be able to get away for an evening to themselves and have cheap childcare (It's donation based as well as the cookouts). All of the money from each fundraiser get divided equally among each student who worked. Our next babysitting will be this coming Saturday (July18), and the next cookout is the following day (July 19). So bring your kids Saturday night and go out to eat, to a movie, etc., and grab a burger or hot dog after either service Sunday!
As stated above, we will be going whitewater rafting in Gatlinburg, TN July 23, 24, and 25, but that's not all we'll be doing. We are going to camp, go to Wonder Works, and basically do anything they want to do. It'll be a blast.
The GB Summit is July 27, 28, and 29. Our youth will be helping run the cameras and video. Wednesday night we get to do our "Everything" skit in front of everyone. We thought we were only going to get to do it at one of the many workshops, but now over 1,500 people will get to see it!
Also, I just ordered curriculum for the start of our college ministry. We are very excited about this because currently our church offers nothing for the college age. We just had 5 graduate and are ready to take their descipleship training to the next level. We have also noticed other college aged people within our church who we would love to come. We are hoping to reach others outside our church as well.
Well, that's about it for now. I'll try to not take so long to blod next time.
Bart Wagner
Youth Minister
Ft. Branch GBC
