I am Jonah

The kids are now at POI's (Point of Impact).  We have some icing cakes, doing crafts, tubing, kayaking, playing basketball, and zip lining.  We are about to have lake time where kids can climb inflatable icebergs, jump on water trampolines, slide down water ziplines, and fly off of the infamous blob. 

We have good news about the blob this year.  In years past the weight difference between the blobber and blobbee had to be 50 lbs or less.  This year they bumped up the weight difference to 100lbs.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it basically means that someone my size gets to jump onto an inflatable pillow with someone who weighs 100 lbs less than me on the other end.  This will catapult them off into the water and simply put, it... is...awesome!

Pray for our kids as they continue their study through Jonah.  We our blessed to have Rob Turner as our speaker.  He was our camp pastor last year, and as most of you know, spoke out our youth revival service last fall (REVEAL).  He is doing a great job at getting out of the way, and letting God move.

We will be presenting the gospel at each church group time.  It may sound like we are overdoing it, but when it comes to the Gospel, as Christians we should never get tired of hearing it.  The gospel is what keeps us going.  It's our lifeblood and without we would be nothing.

Camp Scholarship Form

Camp will be here before we know it!

It will cost $300.00 to attend either camp this year.  We understand that this is a lot of money so we are doing all we can to lower that amount.

At the top of the Website you'll see a form that says "Camp Scholarship Form".  Simply fill it out and turn it into Bro. Thom.

Please have your forms in by Sunday, April 29th.

Money should NOT be a reason for you to not attend camp this year!

God's presence

You know that feeling you get when you can really feel God move in the room?

Tonight (Friday) at worship the last few songs (In Christ Alone and Everlasting) I could really feel God move in the room.  I could really feel Him in the room and I felt Him there listening to 600 youth and adults praise Him and worship Him with everything we have.

Thanks to all that are praying for us.  We are having a great week.

Nathan Daugherty

Why we love camp

I'm sure that some people are wondering why camp means so much to the youth. I say that because I've asked that question many times myself, and God has recently blessed me with an answer.
We love camp so much because it gives us a time to fellowship with each other and many other people who love God just as much as we do.
It's a time where we can let things off our chest to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It helps us realize that we are not alone in our beliefs, because at school, sometimes you honestly feel like you are. It gives us a week to just get away from everyday life and enjoy ourselves and grow closer as a family, because we are, and a family shares its pains, joys, and burdens. It helps us to broaden our views of Christ, and gives us a chance to examine our lives and center them around God.
Basically, camp is our one week where we have us, our God, and northing else.

Josh Ball

Fixin' Up

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share a little about how I have seen God working in our lives this week. I (Tiffany Brown aka as Bro. Thom's wife aka Lucy's mom) have had the pleasure of chaperoning the High School Girls room along with Emily Brown.  The girls have been an absolute pleasure to be with.  We've smiled, and giggled and had some serious talks.  I enjoy each one of them.  Yesterday during their TAWG (Time Alone With God) time, one of the girls spoke out about reaching out to the middle school girls.  They wanted each of the high school girls to write a middle school girl a note and leave it somewhere they'll find it.  The girls immediately agreed that they would love to do that and started calling out names of people who they would like to write to. 
As the girls continued talking about how they'd like to connect with the middle school girls they came up with the idea of giving the girls a little "pampering" before the evening worship service. The middle school girls loved getting their hair fixed by the high school girls. They came out into the lobby looking so happy.  We took a few of them outside and did a few "glamour shots". 
I was so proud of our high school girls for including the younger ones on their own.  All of us have a want and a need to feel included at some point in time and it is awesome to see the girls living this out!
After fixing up their outside, we went to worship and talked about fixing our insides.  Pastor Rob talked about forgiveness: forgiveness for others, forgiving ourselves and how God forgives us.  God really spoke to many students through the message and they spent some time last night talking and praying over some issues that God was stirring up in them.
It is evident that God has been and is working this week.  Keep on praying!!

-Tiffany Brown

My Story

I am having so much fun at camp so far!  I have learned a lot about God and what He has done for us.  My family are believers in Christ, but we don't go to church or really know anything about God.  Last year was the first time I was ever taught how to use a Bible.  It was also my first year at camp.  But this year I realized

I want a relationship with God, and I don't wanything at home to get in the way.  I don't want to let my self have excuses.  Ialso want to tell my family about God and everything He does.  I am learning a lot from our pastor and small group leader. 

There is this thing called "The Beyond Effect" where you have a burden and a passion and put it together.  Last year I really wanted to have little girls that are in the hospital for a sickness, have a pageant show for them.  Dress them up in clothes and make up and make them feel pretty.  I really would love to do this but I need prayers and help for this.

Taylor Barhorst

I love my youth group!

I think we have the best.  We include everyone, we help people if they are sad or mad.  So I think that I have the best youth group ever.
We need to be united.  We also don't need to split.  Also I am blessed to have everyone.  But you would never ever be left out cause we all love each other.
We are a family.  I don't think that you could a better youth group to be with.  I am probably the youngest right now.  My age is 11, in 2011, and i am included, everyone loves me cause they include me so I know they love me.  Also we include smaller kids like Eli Pendley.  We let him play football with us.  We include Eli, we never stop including!

Nichole Daugherty

ACTS - Prayer

I learned a new way to pray.  The ACTS way:

A - Adoration
C - Confession
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication

Sarah Setters

Protecting one of our own

Yesterday was really hot.  I'm not just saying it was unpleasant.  It was hot, humid, and it made you feel like you were moving in slow motion.
One of our students got a little hot yesterday during lunch.  He thought he was going to be sick so he quickly ran to the bathroom.
It was awesome to see our students take action.  Our guys and girls came to his side to make sure he was okay.  We had a few boys inside the bathroom with him, and many of them outside waiting and praying for him to feel better.
This is what we should look for when we are searching for spiritual growth.  Nobody had to ask the youth to do any of this.  Our students genuinely care about one another.  Throughout the rest of the day I heard many students checking up on this one to make sure he was okay.  They didn't do it to be recognized.
We are seeing a lot of growth throughout our students.  I've seen many of the older youth step up in major ways.  We've seen students presenting the gospel to others.  We've seen students talk about difficult issues with one another.  Our students just won't give up!  Praise God!

Continue to pray for our students that they remain safe and healthy.

FYI - Ben felt much better later that afternoon.  Everything is back to normal.

Youtube Channel

I will be loading camp videos to this blog, but to check out all of our videos visit our new Oak Ridge Youth channel on Youtube.

www.youtube.com/orbyouth

Sorry about the sound quality and the rough edits.  We'll fix that when we get back from camp and have more time!

Reunited and it feels so good

So our youth got a little surprise this year... Mr. Curtis Bales!

He's been a part of the youth group for the past 3 years.  Unfortunately, last year after camp he moved to Grant County.

Our students were missing Curtis and camp kept reminding them that he was gone.  Little did they know that I was in contact with Curtis for the past couple of months.

So we stopped at the Flying J in Walton.  The bus stopped and I got off.  As soon as Curtis's van door opened, I heard a roar of screaming and applause coming from the students on the bus.

This video is Curtis entering the bus.  The students honored him with a "slow clap" and a big hug!

Here's a taste of what we've been up to so far!

We're here!!!

I just wanted to drop in a say that we made it here safe and sound!

I will have videos and pics soon.  We are currently having free time so a lot of our students are playing basketball and volleyball.

It is such a blessing to look out at all of the campers and see almost 30 blue shirts walking around interacting with other Christians.

Continue praying for a safe week!

Camp is just hours away...

Okay, I realize that by posting this I reveal that I am just as bad as the students.  It's 2:50 in the morning right now and I can't get to sleep.  I've tried everything I can think of but I am way to excited about camp this year.

We have 28 students attending camp.  That is the most students I have ever brought to camp.
We also have 6 chaperones (plus one driver!) that will be joining us for camp which brings our total number to 35!!!

As most of you know I had a little run in with a broken toilet that left me with 20 stitches in my left arm.  I'm feeling fine right now, but unfortunately it made it so that I couldn't drive the new church bus.  I will still be going to camp, but I just wasn't able to safely drive that size of a vehicle with stitches in my left wrist.  Thankfully Bro. Byron has stepped up and is willing to drive us down.  I cannot thank you enough Bro. B for helping us.  Please take some time to thank Byron.  Before I could even ask him, he already offered to take us down!

My injury has brought me some good news and bad news.  The bad news is that I won't be able to participate in many of the physical activities (i.e. blobbing).  I also know that we have 2 men that are more than capable to fill my place when it comes to blobbing!

The good news:  I will be able to do more on here!  You will have more updates as well as more pics of your kids on here.  Also, I have started a new youtube channel that will have camp videos of our students.  Soon you will actually get to see video of your students!

I'll try to update this as much as possible!  You can see that even though I have a slight injury I can still type.

Also a new feature...  We will be having guest bloggers this week!  You guys will get sick of hearing from me everyday so I will be picking random campers/chaperones to write a guest post from their point of view!

So now is the time to start praying!  Pray for our students, pray for our chaperones, pray for our drivers, pray for the camp workers, and most importantly, pray that God's name will be glorified this week!

Next 3 weeks = crazy!!!

Instead of writing 5-6 different posts on what we are doing in the next couple of weeks, I'm just going to cram it all into one... enjoy!

Tomorrow, June 1st - Grill out at Brown's - NO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, NO YOUTH SERVICE - THE POINT,  Grill out = food, games, and slip and slide.  6-9pm

Saturday, June 4th - Car was for camp - 10:00-3:00, those who work will get money to lower costs of camp.  The most anybody owes now is $100.  Carwash @ Church Parking Lot

Sunday, June 5th - Leadership Team Interviews (view tab above, and previous post below)

Wednesday, June 8th - Lakeside Ministries Begins (2pm), Field trip - Swimming (4pm), The point - (7pm)

After The Point, we will be having a camper/adult meeting at 8pm in the Mobile Unit.  You will get your final balances as well as all of the info you need for camp this year.  The meeting should last no longer than 30 minutes.  Remind your parents, and then have them remind you.

Saturday, June 11th - Car Wash - 10-3pm, @ Church

Sunday, June 12th - Band (5pm), Leadership Team 6pm, ORIA 6pm

Wednesday June 15th - Lakeside 2pm, Field Trip - Putt Putt 4pm, The Point 7pm

Saturday June 18th - This has changed!!! It originally was a day that we would be shopping for Father's Day.  This will NOW BE A WORKDAY FOR LAKESIDE MINISTRIES!!!  10-4pm

Check the calendar or e-mail me if you have any questions... oakridge.youth@hotmail.com

C-C-C-C-Camp!!!! (deposits are due)

We know its coming...

We've been waiting for such a long time...

And now the time is finally here!

It's time to turn in your camp deposits!!!

Okay, I know this may not sound like as much fun as camp is, but let me tell you what that $75.00 deposit does...

It will:

1. Save you a spot for camp

2. Guarantee you an awesome week of fun.

3. Give you the ability to fly (not really)

4. Lock you in on the fundraising/donations funds - This is really important.

Let me explain #4. Let's say we have 20 people give me their deposit. The 20 people will be locked in as "the original group", so whatever donations or fundraising we do will be given to this group first. If you signup and give me a deposit later on (May 15th for example) you will only receive funds that we get after your deposit. So if a donation is given before you give me a deposit, it may not go to you. So...

People who turn in their deposit March 23rd will receive funds from March 23rd up until camp.

People who turn in their deposit May 15th (or any date after March 23rd) will receive funds from May 15th up until camp.

But what if you don't have the money right now but you will still like to go?

That's okay. I know money may be tight (especially if you have siblings attending camp). If you know you are going to camp but can't give me a deposit now, just let me know by e-mail or writing me a note. Now this is not an option for people who have the $75 but procrastinate or want to spend it on stuff like candy (that's a lot of candy). But if you would like to go, and you can't get the deposit in, you will still be able to be a part of the "original group".

All checks need to be written out to Oak Ridge Baptist and be hand delivered to me.

If you have any questions or need to tell me that you can't have the money in yet, e-mail me!

$5 Deals are ALWAYS the best

I hope everyone is recovering well from the Lock-In this past week. We had over 30 students come out for a night of paper throwing, blind fold dancing, and loving everybody especially people who...

For those that were not able to make it, come and see Bro. Thom about a calendar. I will try and put a downloadable version of it online.

This calendar has many important dates coming up. For example, if you had a calendar you would know that the afterschool program starts on January 26th. You would also know that in February we have a mystery activity (which will be chosen by our Lock-In winner Morgan Chenot).

When you get the calendar I want you to look at three HUGE months this year: April, July, and September.

April will be our big fundraiser, as well as our Disciple Now.

July 5-10th is camp at J-Creek

September will be our Northern Kentucky Youth Revival - please start praying now for this one!

And finally...

We have already started a new fundraiser for camp this year. For every visitor you bring to The Point Service on Wednesday (at 7pm) you will receive $5 off your camp balance. So start inviting!!!

A little rain never hurt anybody...

Good morning everyone!

Yesterday was pretty rainy but as you can tell from the photos it didn't stop our campers from having an awesome time. We had kids catching fish, playing soccer, and shooting hoops in spite of the rain.

Afterward, they took a lot of our kids inside and had a time of games and dancing (and yes that is a man dressed in a chicken costume.) Then we finished the day with slurgefest.

We are coming home today, we should be back around 2 at the latest.

We will also be posting some AMAZING photos from slurgesfest.

Good morning (rainy) campers!

Good morning everyone!

Our students are ready to go this morning. They slept really well last night. It looks like its going to rain off and on today but the staff hear is doing an excellent job at preparing.

The kids Bible study leader, Spencer, has turned into a hero for some of them. They have enjoyed shooting poisonous darts at one another, as well as turning each other into moose.

Keep them in your prayers that the kids are safe and refrain from injuries.

More photos and stories to come soon!

Bazookas and blobs...

So its late afternoon and we about to head to worship. The kids are full of energy (they decided that since this camp is shorter they would squeeze as much fun out of it as possible).
We blobbed and swam in the lake. The students then went back to do their TAWG's (Time Alone With God).

Some of the guys had an amazing time in their POI - bazooka ball. It's like Paint Ball minus the paint and with larger balls. I will have to brag that our kids dominated the game, winning 4 out of the 5 games.

We are focusing tonight on how God is Father of our lives (sound familiar youth?).
Keep our kids in your prayers. Tonight the Gospel will be presented. Pray for the speaker to be clear and the students to be receptive.

More pics coming soon!