SETTING THE PACE / Living life with an eternal perspective
As a pastor, I deal with all kinds of different situations. Some things I encounter are very difficult, but some things are incredibly rewarding. The summer is often a season where I get to see some of those rewarding things.
Statistics vary, but most reports indicate that if a person has not begun following Jesus Christ by the time they graduate from high school, the odds are very slim that they ever will. This is one of the reasons we take children’s and youth ministry so seriously at First Baptist Church Newcastle (FBCN). All year long we attempt to offer programs and activities that help children and youth encounter God and grow closer to Him. In the summer, those opportunities are at an all-time high.
This summer has started off with a bang as 50plus of our high school/college students went on a very impacting mission trip to Costa Rica. It was life-changing for all of them. Our children (babies-6th grade) had their annual Vacation Bible School where we had an enrollment of more than 700, with 15 children becoming followers of Jesus.
This week, 80 of our leadership students (grades 7th-12th) go to Super Summer at Oklahoma Baptist University, and our children (grades 3rd-6th) head to kids camp, where we will take a total of 100 kids and sponsors. As you can tell, it has already been a great summer. Even as I write these totals, I am amazed at all that God has done, and it is not over yet.
July 10-14, we will be taking our high school students (9th-12th grade) to Falls Creek youth camp, and then July 17-21, we are taking our middle school students (6th-8th grade) to the same camp. We will take a record of 315-plus total for both weeks. If you have a middle school or high school child, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting your youth to one of these camps. God changes lives at places like this and you need to make sure and have your youth in a place where they can hear from God before they get out from under your roof.
If you do not send your student with us, then make sure and send them with another church. Youth camp is truly one of the most incredible events that happens all year long.
We must raise up a generation who will make a difference in this world. Parents and grandparents, stay in church and get your kids and grandkids in church. You will never be sorry for raising your kids with a solid spiritual foundation, but you will regret it if you do not. Trust me, as a pastor, I see this first hand every single day.
Join me on the awesome journey of helping kids meet Jesus and begin following Him!
See you next week.
