I love it when this happens...

It happens every once in a while in youth ministry. 

We do a couple of trips every year that are pretty expensive.  (Like $250 expensive!)  We always have some students who can't go because of finances.  We try to make sure that doesn't happen... but sometimes I just does.

Over the weekend, I was buzzing around the building following evening service like I usually am.  A person walked up to me that I didn't even know and said... "Hey, when I was in the youth ministry, there were a lot of times that I didn't have money to go to CIY or Summer in the Son.  Someone always came through and helped me go.  Now that I'm grown and can afford to help others, I would like to.  Do you have anyone in youth ministry that could use some financial help with the conference?"

Um... (.0000005 seconds later)... YEAH! 

Then last night, she walked up to one of the members of my volunteer team and handed them cash in an envelope for the trip!

I just love youth ministry stories like that!  Just thought I'd share a little good news on a warm, February day!

Jim


Tweet

Middle School SITS is coming!!!!

Summer In The SON JH from Kentucky Christian University on Vimeo.

Here's a little taste of what Middle School Summer in the Son looks like (although there are a couple of places in the video where they used high school footage). 

Jim


Tweet

High School Summer In the Son 2011

Summer In The Son HS from Kentucky Christian University on Vimeo.

Here's a little taste of High School week of Summer in the Son!


Tweet

Middle School Summer in the Son - Video!!!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Here is the Middle School Summer in the Son video that we used as a countdown on Sunday!

Summer in the Son - Thursday (MS)

The last full day of Middle School Summer in the Son arrived today!! Hannah enjoyed her start with a mouth full of cereal!!














Brock found himself up a tree... on purpose!!












But everyone had a great time tonight at worship. We had an incredible experience and the students raised $5255.68 to push the three-week giving challenge over $15,000 to build a well in Haiti!!! Awesomeness!!!










Matt and Alex were surprised at how much we raised... and what great seats we had in the far back!!!
















Emily paused for a quick picture!


It has been a great week. Tomorrow morning is breakfast and morning wrap up. Then we'll be on the road heading back to North Terrace around noonish. Pray for good travel... that bus can be hot!!!


Jim

Summer in the Son - Wednesday (MS)

Wednesday went by fast.


But it started off slow... Alex started off the day slow with some Bible reading. Morning encounter time is one of the highlights of the day.










Emily, Jericha and Jozie had a good morning. We had breakfast, worship, workshops, freetime, and lots of stuff.



We had dodgeball... which despite all the dodgeball that we play at church, we never seem to be too good at dodgeball at a place like this.








Hunter made a new friend. Wanda is the cafeteria lady who makes sure that every student has their lanyard when they come into the cafeteria... and sends them away if they don't have it. Hunter posed for a picture with her. She's kinda of a celebrity for the week.








Hannah spend some time with a real celebrity... Aaron Pelsue of the Aaron Pelsue Band. He was busy texting with Rachel Murray back in Ohio... she was criticizing him for not playing a specific song when they were at North Terrace a couple of weeks ago.











All in all... which the day was busy... and fun... it was a great day. Tomorrow is Thursday and I feel another great day coming on!!! But one last picture with Hannah (Hall), Vilma and Paige!


Jim

Summer in the Son - Tuesday (MS)

Tuesday arrived in full force...

So hard that Emily couldn't find one of the lens of the glasses she found on the table.

But she was smiling anyway...











One of the highlights of the day is Encounter Time. Brock gets some quiet time in on a bench outside of Lusby.















Hannah and I were feeling a little goofy!












Colton, Ian and Wesley got the best seats for the night!!! They were pumped!















"Remedy Drive" put on a good show tonight! After the show, Lori, Jackie, Alex and I got into a pretty long and casual conversation with their lead singer David. It was very cool!!!




Tomorrow is Wednesday!!! Time for some sleep!!!



Jim

Summer in the Son - Monday (MS)

Monday arrived!!!


Jericha was surprised to see it arrived already.











But the day got rolling with a session and some morning quiet time. Most really enjoy the designated time to connect with God. Alaina is digging into the material.












Ireland isn't turning red... it's the tent. It makes all the pictures red.















Tonight was a great session with a powerful message from our speaker Danny. Jericha, Emily, Ireland and Jonah posed for a picture... well, Jonah did less posing than the rest.













But it's on Monday and these kids are driving me 'crazy!!!' Just kidding... everything is great!!! More pictures coming tomorrow.

Jim

MS Summer in the Son - Sunday

We have arrived.

The ride down was long and hot, but we made it. (Thanks to Tom... our excellent driver's skill!!!).


Alex enjoyed the ride. At least some of it.










Emily and Hunter enjoyed it more after we stopped at McDonalds... they picked up Frapps...













But we arrived... all of us (Ian, on the right, was the last to join us). And the night got kicked off well.















Hunter, and Vilma's thumbs, approve of the worship!!! It was a great night kicked off by the Aaron Pelsue band and some great speaking by Danny!














Hunter, Paige, Vilma and Emily are all smiles after the first night!!!

But now... I think it's time for bed. The first full day of Middle School Summer in the Son awaits tomorrow!!!



Jim

High School Summer in the Son - Video!!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Summer in the Son - Wrapup

We had an amazing week!!!

We had a challenging and powerful week of Summer in the Son. The students were great. The weather was great. The speakers and bands were great.

It truly was a great week!!!

Thanks to those who made it happen (Terril, Penny, Jackie and Paul). Thanks to those of you who prayed for us all week. God's Spirit truly moved this week. We truly appreciate it!!

Jim

Summer in the Son - Thursday

Today was the last full day of Summer in the Son. And it was a great, great day!!!

The morning was awesome. This afternoon, we headed over to Brian and Melody (Angie Gergely's sister and brother-in-law who live nearby)'s house for some swimming.

Most kids hit the pool... Several just hit the snacks... Paul (Sr.) jumped into the Ale81.




Several enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine!!!















Sadie hit the pool... Jackie didn't. But they were all smiles none the less.














We had a great evening... followed by a powerful group time.


The last full day of Summer in the Son is complete. We've got a celebration service in the morning and then we'll be home tomorrow evening.

Jim

Summer in the Son - Wednesday

Miranda is excited that it's Wednesday!!! She actually might be excited about her gum or something else... but it was a good picture nonetheless.
















Today was a sunny day. The girls broke out the sunglasses for the day. Julie and Reagan check out Rachel's shades.















Max checks out Austin's glasses as well.












Todd's highlight of the day was picking up some "Toy Story 3" stuff today during the annual "K-Mart" run... including his new "Buzz Lightyear" cup.


Man... I can totally tell that today is Wednesday. I'm starting to wear out... tomorrow is the last full day!! It will be a great day!!!


Jim

Summer in the Son - Tuesday

Today was Dodgeball day.

Peyton, Jacob, Paul, Curtis and Cameron went to the final 4 in the dodgeball tourney. The other team, however, didn't make it out of the first round.

But these guys did awesome!!









Some big smiles at evening worship!!
















Max and the boys got into the worship tonight.












The Crowder concert tonight was awesome!!! Everyone seemed to enjoy it!!!



Jim

Summer in the Son - Monday

Terril was surprised... not really... in this picture with Reagan from this morning.












Faith was excited about breakfast.


















Miranda and Amber paused for a picture this morning as Audrey, Shayla and Lexi look on.














The crew (led by Austin) were ready for worship tonight. There are a few interesting faces in the crowd. Aaron Pelsue did an incredible job and the speaker was super challenging.









And Jackie took us to the "gun show". Look at those guns!!!!!!




More tomorrow!!!

Summer in the Son - Sunday

We have arrived.

We are settling into our dorms and finding the accommodations quite nice. (It's always a blessing to be able to do this from my bed rather than outside of a dormitory or someplace...)

Julie, Sadie, Reagan and Audrey are enjoying the accommodations.








Several of the girls are enjoying their's as well...












The rage seems to be "Ninja." Several students are engaged in a game here (Reagan, Jacob and Matt). Our group has been teaching other groups the rules of the game.













Peyton, Paul and Jacob give their approval to SITS already.














Curtis found a good way around campus... on Kyle's back. But hey, you've gotta get around somehow.



So far, things are off to a great start. Aaron Pelsue rocked the worship tonight. The speaker was great. And the group is jelling well already. Looking forward to a great, great week.


But now, I think I need to go and break up a soccer/dodgeball game that seems to have broken out in the hallway... 3 minutes before bedtime...


More pictures tomorrow.

Jim

Summer In The Son - Arrived

We have arrived...

at Kentucky Christian University...

Just in case you wondered...

Summer In The Son

I must apologize to my regular blog readers... unless you're from North Terrace, in which case you're in for a treat starting tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the first day... and travel day for our Summer in the Son trip to Grayson, Kentucky.

We've got 29 incredible students and 5 insane leaders heading down to Kentucky Christian University for this intense week of awesomeness.

For those of you who are regular readers, you will be seeing lots and lots of pictures (hopefully... given that I can get Internet there somewhere). Those of you from North Terrace, keep an eye on the blog for some pictures of our week.

Feel free to pray for us often as this week will definitely be intense!

Jim