True Love Waits and The Silver Ring Thing

It has been a while since I have posted anything on here but I am going to try to stay on top of it this year. In 2008, our middle school group went through the True Loves Waits curriculum. Now, our senior high group will be going through it. True Love Waits® challenges teenagers and college students to make a commitment to sexual abstinence until marriage. Created by LifeWay Christian Resources, True Love Waits encourages moral purity by adhering to biblical principles. This youth-based international campaign utilizes positive peer pressure by encouraging those who make a commitment to refrain from pre-marital sex to challenge their peers to do the same. Then at the end of February, we will be going to an event called "The Silver Ring Thing." The Silver Ring Thing is a 2-2.5 hour stage performance that incorporates high energy music, special effects, fast-paced video, personal testimonies, and comedy all delivered in a concert-style approach with which teenagers can respond and relate. The program also presents an evangelistic message focused on forgiveness and new beginnings with an opportunity to embrace a "second virginity." Students who make a commitment to abstinence may purchase a silver ring as a symbol and reminder of their decision. A parent's session is also held at each event to educate parents about what is happening in today's youth culture and how they can encourage and support their child's abstinence commitment. I would like to encourage all youth and parents to attend this event on Friday, February 27. We will leave at 4:30 and return around 10:30. The cost of the event is free and if you want to buy a ring to show your commitment to abstinence, it will cost you $20. If you are planning to attend (both parents and youth) I would like for you to go to http://www.silverringthing.com/streetteamintro.asp and register for the street team so they can follow up with you to help support you and keep your commitment to abstinence. If you have any questions about any of these program please contact me.

Taking a Stand

On Wednesday, September 24, the youth went to school and "took a stand" by meeting at their school's flagpole to pray. Christians, all over the United States, met before school started to pray for the students, teachers and administration at their school.

This Sunday, October 5, we will have another chance to "take a stand" at Life Chain. We will be meeting after church to go to a specific location to hold signs against abortion and pray. Please join us to "take a stand" and help save a life.

True Love Waits

Parents,

Our Middle School Ministry (THE ROCK) will be introduced to the TRUE LOVE WAITS sessions beginning Wed, Oct 15th. This is a 6 week plan teaching your child about the Biblical standards for sexual purity. The boys and girls will be separated for these classes.

If you would like more information on what we will be discussing, you can go to www.truelovewaits.com. If you would rather your child not go through this 6 week lesson on the Biblical standards of sexual purity, they can attend the Sr. High’s Bible study. If you have any questions, please contact Shawn Fitzgerald.

Thank you for sharing your child with us each week!

Your brother and sisters in Christ,

Shawn Fitzgerald – Director of Youth

Steve and Candy Bentley, Martha Burgess, Amy Fitzgerald, Candi Greene, Rhonda Walker, JJ McClish
The Rock – Middle School Ministries

Information

I am writing this blog to let everyone know about some exciting events that are taking place in our church. Starting last Wednesday, September 10 we kicked off our new College and Career Class, led by Billy and Dana Merritt. Since several of the college student are leading our youth in praise and worship, their class will start joining the youth for praise and worship. Once we are finished with praise and worship, the college and career class will go to a seperate room for their own Bible study.
God is really moving in our youth group. This past Wednesday we had 42 youth (17 belonging to the new middle school class) and 4 college and career students. Then we had 13 adults helping out in all three programs. This was a huge pray answers. Please be in prayer for all of these groups. God is really working in these groups and Satan is not happy about it.

A New School Year

This past Sunday, August 24 I held a luncheon for the parents and youth to show everyone all the things I have planned for this year. I have many events/activites planned for the year so check back here to get all the information you may need. At this luncheon I told everyone about my plan to expand the youth. This year we are allowing 6th graders to come to Youth, IF both the parent and student feel that he/she is ready for youth. If it is decided that he/she is not ready for youth then they will continue to attend R.A.'s or G.A.'s. After announcements and a time of praise and worship, all 6th and 7th graders will move to another room for a Bible study geared for their age lead by a group of wonderful people: Martha Burgess, Amy Fitzgerald, Rhonda Walker, Candie Greene, Candy Bentley, Steve Bentley, and Fred Acevedo. God have really blessed me with all these people stepping up to volunteer to help the youth program. If you would like to help out with the youth program please contact me. I am excited about this year and what God is going to do with our youth. Please be in prayer for them as they face many temptations each day.

Night of Joy

On Saturday, September 6 we will be going to Holloywood Studios (aslo known as MGM) for an event called Night of Joy. Night of Joy will have numerous concerts throughout the park as well as all the rides and attraction that you will be able to attend. The bands that will be there are: Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Mandisa, Marco Witt, Red, Fred Hammond, Aaron Shust and Pure NRG. We will be leaving Bartow First Baptist at 3:00 and returning around 2:00 a.m. If you would like to go, the cost is $50 and it is due by August 24. Get your money turned in ASAP because this event seels out quick.

The Challenge is on

You may have heard the youth talking about how they are going to make me bald. This little rumor is true only if the youth fulfill their end of the agreement. I have put my hair up on the line by challenging the youth to invite their friends that do not attend a church. They must have in attendance, 50 people or more on any 3 Wednesdays in a row. The youth must be in grades 6-12. Adults and college students will not count. So if you happen to see me bald congratulate the youth on their accomplishment.