I promise this is not a post about Major Orange Man...
Here's a quick story of something cool that happened in one of the ministry tracks. We were tasked with walking through a local neighborhood, find people, share the gospel, and invite them to local churches.
It sounds easy, but its pretty terrifying to put yourself out there like that with strangers.
Our kids were ready though! We just got done eating lunch and had some leftover food. The campus that we stay at provides the food. They have a rule in place that once food leaves their campus they cannot take it back, so any leftovers we had would be thrown away.
We were bummed about the waste but it only took a few seconds on the sovereignty of God and how perfect His plans are. We took the remaining oranges outside to hand out to people. We met a man who was from Africa who came to America to study medicine. We met two elderly ladies that attend church down the road and had a strong faith in the Lord. We also met a man who spent 30 minutes talking about his life.
Each of these happened with the same beginning. We literally walked up to them and asked "hey do you want an orange?". It's an odd request. I don't know how I would react if someone offered me an orange. But everyone we offered one to, took one! Not only that but everyone we offered one to, was another opportunity to share the gospel.
The man from Africa studying medicine had an even more unique story beyond the oranges.
We were looking for people to talk to. We went outside and looked at the various bus stops. We didn't see anyone. We sat down because it was incredibly hot and humid. We then saw a man (the med student) look at us, and walk across 4 lanes of traffic. Once he got near us he sat right next to me.
There are many times we complain that its hard to witness because you just don't see opportunities. By simply sitting down, God gave us an easy to see opportunity.
It made me wonder how many missed opportunities I have had in my life because I was either too busy to sit down, or to distracted to see the man sit next to me.
When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Day 2 (part 2) -... finding tracks.
Here are what our students and adults are going to be doing this week...
One will be cleaning a park that is bigger that Central Park.
Three will playing games with kids and sharing the gospel with them.
Six of us will be in the streets of the French Quarter, evangelizing to people we meet.
One will be working in a women's home, helping a thrift store.
Five will be working at a women's home for women who struggle with drugs.
Pray for their safety and pray for God to use them this week!
Also pray how God could use YOU this week to glorify His name.
One will be cleaning a park that is bigger that Central Park.
Three will playing games with kids and sharing the gospel with them.
Six of us will be in the streets of the French Quarter, evangelizing to people we meet.
One will be working in a women's home, helping a thrift store.
Five will be working at a women's home for women who struggle with drugs.
Pray for their safety and pray for God to use them this week!
Also pray how God could use YOU this week to glorify His name.
Day 2 (part 1) - Making tracks...
This morning we arrived in New Orleans. We walked at the riverwalk area that had some amazing shops and wonderful food. Our students got to experience authentic Cajun and New Orleans style food. Many of them have pushed themselves to skip the burger and try things like jambalaya, fried craw-fish, and gumbo.
We then walked around the French Quarter. It's a section of New Orleans that has many shops, street performers, and artists. There was this music that played throughout the area. Jazz was everywhere you looked.
One thing everyone found out quickly. New Orleans is HOT! Not just a little hot, or "sit in the shade to cool off hot". It's hot and humid. After an hour of walking we decided it was time to leave and head the University.
Getting to Tulane University we saw some amazing houses. We saw gorgeous structures. We also saw a lot of poverty. We saw many homeless people. We saw many people that absolutely need the Lord. A lot of people are still questioning why Katrina had to come.
Please pray for the area of New Orleans. For such a beautiful place it is absolutely heartbreaking to see the spiritual devastation.
We then walked around the French Quarter. It's a section of New Orleans that has many shops, street performers, and artists. There was this music that played throughout the area. Jazz was everywhere you looked.
One thing everyone found out quickly. New Orleans is HOT! Not just a little hot, or "sit in the shade to cool off hot". It's hot and humid. After an hour of walking we decided it was time to leave and head the University.
Getting to Tulane University we saw some amazing houses. We saw gorgeous structures. We also saw a lot of poverty. We saw many homeless people. We saw many people that absolutely need the Lord. A lot of people are still questioning why Katrina had to come.
Please pray for the area of New Orleans. For such a beautiful place it is absolutely heartbreaking to see the spiritual devastation.
Day 1 - 13 hours... of awesomeness!
Before I begin to tell the stories. I want to let everyone know that we will be putting pics as soon as we can. So much has happened in just these two days that we are going to try and organize everything so we don't forget or leave anything out.
First of all, thank you to all of the guys that helped us with the trailer turning signal issue. Driving through, Louisville, Nashville, and Tuscaloosa made it absolutely necessary for us to be able to merge left and use our turn signal.
We tried!!! We tried to make it to New Orleans in one day, but we just couldn't. So we stopped two hours early in Laurel, Mississippi and stayed at a hotel.
13 hours on a church van sounds like insane torture, but oddly enough it wasn't that bad. When we met up with the Setters' in Brentwood, TN, I expected a fight or struggle on getting off the van, to ride in their nice SUV.
They actually all wanted to stay. We had to start a rotation, so that everyone got a turn on the SUV. But it was pretty obvious they wanted to stay on the van. It wasn't because the van had nice seats, cool air conditioning, and a great stereo system.
Our kids legitimately enjoy being with one another. It doesn't very significant, but let me assure you how amazing that is. Nobody enjoyed seeing someone get off the van for their rotation. The SUV was a much nicer ride, had better sound, had better a/c, and the seats were more comfortable.
We are so blessed as a church to have such an inclusive youth department. We may have struggles, but cliques aren't one of them. Of the 11 students on the trip, everyone is comfortable with everyone else. (And two of our students have never even been to camp with us before!)
To make a long story short. We have a special group of kids. We should follow their example sometime!
First of all, thank you to all of the guys that helped us with the trailer turning signal issue. Driving through, Louisville, Nashville, and Tuscaloosa made it absolutely necessary for us to be able to merge left and use our turn signal.
We tried!!! We tried to make it to New Orleans in one day, but we just couldn't. So we stopped two hours early in Laurel, Mississippi and stayed at a hotel.
13 hours on a church van sounds like insane torture, but oddly enough it wasn't that bad. When we met up with the Setters' in Brentwood, TN, I expected a fight or struggle on getting off the van, to ride in their nice SUV.
They actually all wanted to stay. We had to start a rotation, so that everyone got a turn on the SUV. But it was pretty obvious they wanted to stay on the van. It wasn't because the van had nice seats, cool air conditioning, and a great stereo system.
Our kids legitimately enjoy being with one another. It doesn't very significant, but let me assure you how amazing that is. Nobody enjoyed seeing someone get off the van for their rotation. The SUV was a much nicer ride, had better sound, had better a/c, and the seats were more comfortable.
We are so blessed as a church to have such an inclusive youth department. We may have struggles, but cliques aren't one of them. Of the 11 students on the trip, everyone is comfortable with everyone else. (And two of our students have never even been to camp with us before!)
To make a long story short. We have a special group of kids. We should follow their example sometime!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Middle School Campers - Registration
A couple of you have asked if there is a permission slip to sign to attend middle school camp.
You actually sign up online. Here is the link that takes you directly to where you need to go!
https://mail.crossingsministries.org/gre/resolution/alreg/2012/index.asp
Remember, to put...
Oak Ridge Baptist - For your church
Covington - For the city
KY - For the state.
Creating an account will let me know you are for sure attending camp!
You actually sign up online. Here is the link that takes you directly to where you need to go!
https://mail.crossingsministries.org/gre/resolution/alreg/2012/index.asp
Remember, to put...
Oak Ridge Baptist - For your church
Covington - For the city
KY - For the state.
Creating an account will let me know you are for sure attending camp!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
It's almost here!!!!
The New Orleans camp is almost here!
Get ready for an awesome week of camp and to see God do amazing things!
We will be leaving by 9:00am. This means that everyone should arrive to church around 8:30. The sooner we get on the road the better!
We will be stopping a couple times for gas and potty breaks. We will also be stopping twice to eat on the way down.
For parents and other church members! Like always we will have daily updates for you on this website. I guarantee that our students will have LOADS of stories to tell so our website will be full of awesome stories of lives changed!
Start praying now. Pray for safety, and pray that God can use us in mighty ways this next week.
Get ready for an awesome week of camp and to see God do amazing things!
We will be leaving by 9:00am. This means that everyone should arrive to church around 8:30. The sooner we get on the road the better!
We will be stopping a couple times for gas and potty breaks. We will also be stopping twice to eat on the way down.
For parents and other church members! Like always we will have daily updates for you on this website. I guarantee that our students will have LOADS of stories to tell so our website will be full of awesome stories of lives changed!
Start praying now. Pray for safety, and pray that God can use us in mighty ways this next week.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Shoes and swimming
Attention High School Students attending MFUGE in New Orleans.
You MUST bring close-toed, and close-heeled shoes to camp with you. You may bring sandals and flip flops with you but you are not allowed to wear them on the mission sites. They will not let you go to your mission site unless you are wearing shoes. Even if you signed up for a less active ministry track you still must wear shoes.
You may bring a bathing suit to camp. There will be free time during the day for you all to swim if you want to. There is also a sand volleyball and tennis court.
You may bring a bathing suit to camp. There will be free time during the day for you all to swim if you want to. There is also a sand volleyball and tennis court.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Just keeping swimming....
Pool Party at the Setters!
This Wednesday! 5-8pm
Please wear a modest bathing suit!
The Point - 7pm will also be at the Setters!
Pizza, swimming, games, worship, and more!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
High School Checklist!
If you are attending the high school camp make sure you...
1. Receive a camp packet from Bro. Thom
2. Fill out your medical release form
3. Get it notarized (we have people that can do that at church)
4. Do the first study in your Dirty Jobs book (pick up a book if haven't gotten one yet!)
5. E-mail Thom your top three track choices (if you filled out the paper or already e-mailed me you can skip this step!) - oakridge.youth@hotmail.com
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Calendar Update
The month of August has been added to the calendar.
Make sure you keep checking the calendar for important dates.
Reminder - Tomorrow is the block party at First Baptist Walton. We will meet up at Oak Ridge at 5pm. The block party starts at 6pm.
If you need a ride to Oak Ridge let Thom know ASAP.
Make sure you keep checking the calendar for important dates.
Reminder - Tomorrow is the block party at First Baptist Walton. We will meet up at Oak Ridge at 5pm. The block party starts at 6pm.
If you need a ride to Oak Ridge let Thom know ASAP.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Dirty Jobs
From now until camp, we will be taking Sunday night services and using them to help us prepare for camp.
The Middle School students will prepare themselves on how they will grow at Jonathan Creek. We will be spending time talking about our goals for the week.
The High School students need to prepare themselves spiritually for the work they will be doing in New Orleans. To help with this the high school students will be working through a 4 lesson study called Dirty Jobs. Thanks to Valerie for letting us know about this.
The Middle School students will prepare themselves on how they will grow at Jonathan Creek. We will be spending time talking about our goals for the week.
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