Parents update for 3/17/10

// March 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Youth News

This week we had an Agape feast.  Many of our youth worked really hard to bring other youth.  In total we had 35 youth at the feast.  We had plenty of food and the kids ate well.  There were a lot of great conversations and I think that the visitors felt welcome.  After everyone finished eating, Jason Vermeer joined Jason Ruis and Marly in leading a time of praise and worship.

Thank you to everyone who prepared food for this feast and we could not have done it without you.  All the food was delicious and we had more than enough.

Next week we finish the To Save a Life series.  The hope is that the youth will continue to look for the hurting and be willing to help them.

Remember that we will not be meeting on March 31 because of Spring Break.  We encourage you to use this night as a family night.

-Geoffrey Bazuin-

Parent Night

// March 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Youth News

Parents you will get the chance to hear Jolene DeHeer, a nationally known motivational and inspirational speaker, at a parent get-to-gether on Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Her theme that night will be “The challenges parents face in today’s teen culture.”

The event is co-sponsored by the church youth leaders of Princeton and Rum River Life Choicees.

Teen Rally

// March 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Youth News

The opportunity of a lifetime awaits you on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. when you will get to hear nationally renowned motivational and inspirational speaker, Jolene DeHeer, at a teen rally for grades 9-12 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Princeton. She will motivate you, inspire you, encourage you, and entertain you. She will touch your life and heart forever. The evening will begin with music by a really great local band. The rally is co-sponsored by the church youth leaders of Princeton and Rum River Life Choices.
Email Jason Ruis for details.

Parents update for 3/10

// March 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Youth News

This week in continuing our To Save a Life series our purpose was to show them that God can actually use our small acts of service for the hurting and lonely to save peoples lives and change the world.

We started the night by having a back scratch circle so everyone got to have a relaxing back scratch.  Following that we played a game called Ships and Sailors in which commands were called out and the youth had to follow the command.

Next we watched a clip form the end of the movie where Jake reads Jonny’s letter.  In the letter Jonny is thanks Jake for saving his life.  Following that, I (Geoff) shared some stories about me and how I came to be who I am now.  Next, the youth watched a video of a drama where a girl is falls in love with God but then is distracted by friends and others and she is brought down.  At the end of the drama when it seems that all hope is lost God fights for her and he saves her.

Next we split into family groups and discussion.  Following that Jason gave the first half of his message at the end of which we watched a clip from the movie Freedom Writers where they toast for change.  We then gave all the youth a chance to propose a toast for change with sparkling apple juice.  When that was finished Jason finished the message.

To finish the night we prayed and gave the youth a chance to grab challenge cards and to write letters of encouragement to each other.   Also we announced that next week we will be having a potluck.  Every youth was assigned a dish they were in charge of.  We asked them to bring as much food as they felt called to bring.  Each youth was also encouraged to invite people they see who need some one or who are alone and hurting so if everyone does this we could need a lot of food.

Geoff’s Group – Main Dish

Rachel Ruis’ Group – Salads (of noodle or lattice variety)

Troy’s Group – Fruit

Rachel Bazuin Group – Dessert

Jeremy’s Group – Beverages

I hope everyone has a good weak and encourage your kids to invite the lost and lonely for next week.

-Geoffrey Bazuin-

Taking a Week Off

// March 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Youth News

Ignite will not be meeting on Wednesday March 31st due to Spring Break. Take the time to spend some extra time as a family and enjoy the extra night available to you. We will resume meeting the following Wednesday (April 7th) with the start of a new series.

Parents update for 3/3/10

// March 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Youth News

Tonight we continued our series on the movie To Save a Life. The purpose of the night was to empower students to meet their peers in their hurt and to help others rewrite their stories based on how God sees them. We began the session tonight with Jason directing the youth in making a human thunderstorm, (sorry if you were down stairs) it sounded really cool. Next Jason gave a update on his Darfur diet challenge and gave a little more history of what has been going on in the region.

The game tonight was a challenge between family groups. Each group had a list of 25 tasks they had to complete. All the tasks were either impossible, very hard, or no fun to do with out other people. The point was to show the youth that they were made by God to help one another.

Next we watched a video clip from the movie To Save a Life where Jake gives up his dreams to help Amy and to show her that she is not alone. We then watched another clip called got service. In this clip, a man is able to see how everyone is hurting because labels show up saying how they are hurting. At the end of the clip he does something to help one of the hurting people.

We then had the privilege of Jeremy Creasy sharing his story followed by an activity based on the movie clip. Each of the youth put a paper on their chest that was a tagline of something they dislike about themselves or that they are struggling with. Then each of the youth went around and wrote new tag lines on another piece of paper on their back. The goal was to show they youth that they need each other and that they can help each other.

We then had family group time where we talked about what they had just experienced. Jason then told the story of Margaret who at a young age had been insulted by her entire class and how 30 years later a councilor helped her realize that Jesus will always be there for her and be kind to her. He then told the story of Zaccheaus and how Jesus had inspired him to change.

We concluded the night with prayer and singing a song. Once again the youth were given the opportunity to take a challenge card (and remember if they took it the committed to doing it during this week) and also to write notes of encouragement to each other.

Next weeks purpose is to show that God can actually use our small acts of service for the hurting and lonely to save peoples lives and change the world.

Jason will be spending a couple of days this week in solitude praying and figuring out what the next step is for Ignite when this series done. Please pray for him and that God will guide him.  Also it is Jason’s birthday on Saturday so make sure you wish him a happy birthday.

-Geoffrey Bazuin-