What a difference a year makes...

I spent the past week with 25 seventh graders in Kentucky serving on a mission trip. It was a really good trip and a privilege to be a part of. This was the first year we took an all 7th grade trip and I made some observations. First of all, I realized why we don't take 6th graders on these trips. Secondly, there is a big difference between a 7th and an 8th grader. They did a great job, but I definitely could tell the difference between this trip and past trips with 8th graders. Even when we had 7th graders with 8th graders, it seemed that the 8th graders brought the level of maturity up quite a bit. Now, by no means am I saying that 8th graders are really mature and 7th graders aren't. However, the difference in maturity level was noticeable. Just another reason why this age group is so unique and why I enjoy ministering to them. They are changing every second it seems. It always seems like they teach me just as much or more than I team them. All in all, there was a lot of life change on this trip. My prayer is that it would stick. Also, my prayer is that these same students would come back next year because I can't wait to see what kind of difference a year makes!

Partnering with schools

Today, I received a call from someone at Hudson Middle School. She said that she was scheduling all the dances for the next school year and wanted to make sure that their dances didn't conflict with any of our Edge ministry events. First of all, I couldn't believe that she actually cared about this. Secondly, I love the fact that our events are actually taking enough students away from the dance that the school is actually concerned about it. That's a great encouragement to our ministry and the Edge students who are getting the word out at school.

With all of that said, I love the opportunity to partner with public schools. With the middle school in this community, there have been unbelievable chances to partner such as FCA, coaching, teachers who attend our church, the superintendent attending our church, and now this. I treasure the times I am at that school because it changes the whole ministry from "come to our territory" to "we'll come to your territory." Isn't that the way Jesus did it? He came to this earth to our territory to live among us. I am so grateful to God for the opportunities that have opened up in the schools the last couple years. My prayer is that God would use the interaction I have with students, teachers, coaches, and principals for his kingdom.

Now that the dances don't conflict with our ministry, maybe I will volunteer to chaperone at the dances...now that will be entertaining.

Thanks for letting me share my joy with you.

Time to step up to the plate, parents

A parent recently sent me an link to an article and news clip from goodmorning America. It's about how teens are viewing oral sex as no sex at all. It's a very acceptable thing to do among teens right now. On top of that, there are teenage girls actually getting paid for sexual acts, taking off clothes, etc. I am not even talking about inner city kids...I am talking about wealthy affluent community kids. It's always been bad, but it's getting really bad.

My fear is that by the time students get to high school, it's too late! With each day, I feel that middle school ministry is getting more and more vital so I am working to do my part. Honestly, I think high school is the new college and middle school is the high school. The girl in the goodmorning america video is 14.

This is stuff is happening at your kids school and maybe to your kid. Even if it's not happening to your kid, they know someone that's doing it. It's vital that parents do not choose to bury their head in the sand as so many do. Who is going to educate these kids? Who is going to tell them that oral sex is sex? Who is going to define prostitution for them? Who is going prepare them for the battle of pornography? The church? Yes. Parents? Absolutely. High school is too late for the sex talk. Middle school might be too late. What are you afraid of? It's your kids life. Step up to the plate and have the talk. It's seriously time. Christian school? I don't care. Yes, even you.