Meet the D-Now Speaker and Worship Leader
D-Now is only 2 weeks away! Can you believe it?! Seems like yesterday plans were being formed….This Wednesday, January 25, is the last day to register for this amazing weekend. We hope to see all of you and a friend or 50. 
Download the 2012 Registration Form & 2012 DNOW Info Packet.
I also would like to take a couple of minutes to introduce our guest speaker for Friday night and our Worship Leader for Friday and Saturday nights.
Worship Leader: John Lemonis
John’s experience includes nearly three decades working on church staff full-time in a variety of areas, but primarily as Minister of Music/Worship (in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee). He is a noted singer-songwriter-arranger-worship leader, clinician, panelist, and speaker. His work includes crusades, music seminars, writing conferences (including work for the Gospel Music Association and NSAI – Nashville Songwriters Association International), and industry workshops. He holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and his under-graduate work focused on Music and Composition. John is the husband to Janet and father to Nikki (23), Tony (21), & Kara (8)
Friday Night Guest Speaker: Scott Hill
Scott has lived in East Nashville for five years with his wife Emily and serves as the College Pastor at Mosaic Church in Nashville. Before moving to Nashville, he studied at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS where he received his undergraduate degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations. Currently, Scott is working on his masters in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. Aside from his role as college pastor with Mosaic Church of Nashville, Scott works with a non-profit called Friends Life that focuses on the needs of adults with disabilities as well as writing for Fringe Magazine. He has also been a camp pastor for LifeWay’s M-Fuge
New Year, New Stuff
Welcome to 2012. Be watching for a new look with updated details and information for D-Now and YEC beginning tomorrow Friday, January 6.
Student Ministry Family Outing
On Saturday, October 15, we will be enjoying the outdoors at the Christian WayFarm’s Harvest Praise Day in Hopkinsville. All High School and Middle School students, their families, and friends are invited to attend this family centered outing.
Cost is $6 per person. Families provide their own transportation and students attending by themselves and need transportation must sign up by Sunday, Oct. 9, at the sign-up sheet at the Youth Bulletin board outside E6. The deadline to sign up is Sunday, Oct. 9.
We will leave from the church parking lot at 9 AM and return at 4 PM.
What is Harvest Praise Day?
(Taken from here)
Christian Way Farm would like to invite you to a special day of food, activities and entertainment that will be fun for the whole family.
Our usual fall Saturday activities will continue but on this day we add the availability of food and provide special music. A variety of Christian music brings an uplifting sound throughout the farm.
Our purpose on this day is to provide a family friendly atmostphere on the farm as we celebrate and give thanks for another Harvest season.
Admission includes the opportunity to enjoy all the music of the day plus the following fun activities:
- Explore the straw castle.
- Navigate the corn maze.
- Enjoy a tractor wagon ride.
- Visit the u-pick pumpkin patch (Pumpkins are not included in admission, but the most expensive pumpkins in the patch are $4.00. Other pumpkins and decorating items are available for purchase)
- Shell and grind corn.
- Feed and pet the animals.
- Play in corn-filled antique trucks.
- Browse in the farm’s store, located in an old barn.
- Catch a ride on the lawnmower train.
- Race around the tricycle track.
- Or just relax in the swing or rocking chairs on the porch!
Additional activities will be available such as pumpkin painting, hair spray and face painting. These activities will cost $1.00 each.
Food is available for purchase and will include the every popular burgoo, grilled chicken and pork chop sandwiches.
Apples with caramel, chips, drinks, smores and candy also available.
Picnic areas are available for those who buy food or choose to bring their own.
Contact Bro. Mark with question or for more information.
More Than A Logo – Week 1
We’re trying something new with this series. Bro. Mark was videoed teaching Week 1 and the video is posted below along with the link to the note sheet to follow along.
More Than A Logo
As preparations were being made for this year’s AMPED gatherings, the question that came to my mind was, “What is AMPED?” Is AMPED just a name we’ve decided to call our Tuesday night gatherings or even our student ministry or is it more? Does “AMPED” really encompass or convey everything we want to accomplish under God’s leadership? The more I prayed, listened, read, and contemplated, I began to hear God’s voice and He begin to teach me what AMPED truly is meant to be and become. AMPED is more than a logo, more than a name that we have decided to call our Tuesday night gatherings and subsequently our student ministry. AMPED encompasses a lifestyle, a direction, a drive to see the Kingdom of God expand in Clarksville and to the ends of the Earth. When I think of the word amped in general terms, I think of someone energetic either due to excitement or one to many Monster drinks. When someone is “amped” about something, there is a drive, an excitement, a dedication to see their energies pay off. Through this time of prayer, a drive began within me. The drive to see God’s Kingdom expand, the drive to see our students and their families grow in their relationship with Christ, the drive to see believers connect in meaningful relationships, the drive to ministry multiply as a result of hearts being excited for the things of God. I heard a statement last night, “Evangelism isn’t evangelism until the evangelized begins to evangelize”. This statement encompasses growth (discipleship), a desire to honor God (worship), a heart for those needing to hear the message of hope, forgiveness, and completeness found only in Christ (evangelism), encouragement that comes from true friendships (fellowship), and the desire to meet the needs of people in our community (ministry).
Tonight begins a 5 part series on what AMPED Student Ministries is, our mission, our vision, how we are a part of FBC St. Bethlehem, and the part each person plays in seeing the Gospel of Christ spread.
Prayer Time
In light of the recent events involving the tragic loss of life to friends of many of our students, the worship center at FBC St. Bethlehem will be open from 3-5PM for any students or parents to come and pray and/or have a quiet place to reflect and spend time with God.
When you arrive please enter the church through the office doors.
Youth VBS 2011 Wrap Up Video
Based on the voting results from our Facebook page and here at ampedstudents.com, Hawk Nelson’s Crazy Love:
We are In-Transit
Youth VBS 2011: In Transit kicked off in full gear last night. The Chris Beck band led us in worship and David Greer did an outstanding job teaching the Bible study. We all are looking forward to tonight as Lydia Walker leads us in worship and we have a guest teacher for Bible study. A few things to remember:
- Our missions offering is going to support the tornado relief effort in Alabama. You read more here: http://www.alsbom.org/tornadorelief. Our goal is bring in $800.
- Our one night attendance goal is 75. If we have 75 students in attendance on a single night, Bro. Jeff and Bro. Mark will be the first duo to sumo wrestle on Friday night.
- The sumo wrestling suits make their return this year on Friday night. In order to participate, you must complete the following permission form and have it notarized: Hold Harmless Agreement – Dunk Tank Sumo Wrestling 2011. Note: There are notaries available at the church and your parent(s) must come inside to sign the form in front of a notary.
Fast Facts About Missions Offering At Fuge
In our last post about camp, the new missions emphasis through Fuge camps was briefly introduced. After spending two weeks at Fuge in June, I want to pass along some fast facts about the missions and ministry the missions offering goes to support:
Canada Fast Facts
- About 25% (out of 40% total to fund NAMB missions projects) of the offering collected this summer will go to fund Current Canada, university church plant ministries, and youth related ministries.
- As of May 20,2011, there are 272 Canadian National Baptist Convention churches in Canada! Their goal is 1000 thriving, disciple-making churches by 2020.
- Canada has one of the most diverse cultures in the world. People are invited to come to Canada to live and be themselves. They liken themselves to a mixed salad. People groups receive a lot of government funding for setting up cultural centers for their particular culture in Canadian cities.
- There are 10 provinces, 3 territories, and 34,678,745 people-90% of whom live within 200 miles of the US border. There are two official languages-English and French. Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world in area.
- Of the 34,678,745 people in Canada, less than 8% are evangelical Christians.
- The fastest growing religion in Canada is “No Religion”.
- Quebec is twice the size of Texas with about 7.3 million people-about the population of San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. In those three Texas cities, there are 1,250 Southern Baptist Churches. There are 23 in the entire province of Quebec.
- The largest unreached people group in North America is the French-speaking Quebecois. Per capita, the five most unreached people groups in North America are in Quebec.
- Toronto is considered the most international city in the world. Churches of every kind and in dozens and dozens of languages are desperately needed.
- Montreal has approximate 146,000 university students.
- Since 1990, there has been a 248% growth in churches and mission projects! Praise Him!
- Continue to pray that God will send laborers to Canada. They need summer, semester, 2 year (US/C 2) missionaries, and those committed to sttty long term.
- http://www.currentcanada.com
Sub-Sahran Africa Fast Facts
- 60% of the missions offering collected goes to Sub-Sahara Africa.
- There is great, great need for men to go an equip African men to be Christian leaders in the church, community, and home. Currently, African women are bearing that burden.
- Population: 641,231,195 with 2,938 people groups. 58% are unreached.
- Many of the people groups are small, however:
- 736 are greater than 100,000 people; many are multi-millions
- The IMB is directly engaging 119. The IMB is indirectly reaching 162.
- 455 are unreached (less than 2% are saved). They cannot get the Gospel to their people without help.
- Of the 455 that are unreached, 44 are unengaged, unreached; The Gospel is not being preached there.
Student-aged related statistics for Johannesburg, South Africa
- 70,000 children are born HIV positive each year.
- The average age of children who become victims of a sexual offense is 10.
- The average age of people who commit sexual offenses against children below 12 is 14.
- The graduation pass rate for J-burg is 30%; 40% if you want to get into university.
- The class of 2010 achieved a pass rate of 67.81%. That is up 7.2% from last year.
- There were 18 schools in J-burg where no students passed their end of year exams.
- South African children aged 12 to 17 are more likely to be raped than people of any other age.
- Approximately 5,000 high school girls became pregnant in 2010; more than 110 primary school girls became pregnant the same year.
- Only 54% of the HIV -positive children who should be on antiretroviral treatment are receiving it.
- We have a huge task before us. Please pray not only for laborers for this field, but pray that we open our hearts to giving like we never have before. Though the task is large, our God is infinite. Please pray and give throughout the year so that we can give like Fuge has never seen before! This money goes directly to the field for missionaries and supplies. What seems impossible with man is possible with God.
Camp is upon us
We are 1 week away from the first of 2 camp adventures for our students. Next week is our Centrifuge trip for our middle school aged students and the final week of June sees our high school students headed to New Orleans, LA, for a week of mission work at M-Fuge. Please be prayer for safe travels and changed lives. I do want to take a moment to give information about the new missions focus through the Fuge camps. Each year at Fuge, a mission offering is taken to support our missionaries in North America and around the world. This summer begins a new emphasis that I want to share about.
Taken from http://www2.lifeway.com/fuge/index.php/pages/about/missions/ :
The summer of 2011 we will celebrate the 27th anniversary of the FUGE mission offering. Campers have given more than 9.5 million dollars over these years. This mission offering goes to support the work of both the International Mission Board (IMB) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB). These agencies have allowed us to target specific ministries with which students can identify.
For the past five summers the missions offering has been targeted to specific people groups and projects chosen by IMB and NAMB. Our partnership with NAMB has been and will continue to be directed toward the people of Canada. Click on CANADA below for more information about the work being done as a result of money donated by FUGE campers. Our partnership with IMB has been focused on the ROMA people of Central and Eastern Europe. We’ve seen lives changed as God has honored the investment made over the last five years. After much prayer, IMB is excited to announce a new focus for the next five years that will allow us to invest in the work God is doing among the people of Sub-Saharan Africa. Begin praying now about giving to these incredible ministries at camp this summer!
Again, go to http://www2.lifeway.com/fuge/index.php/pages/about/missions/ for more information.
Resource for Parents: 99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers
For several years, I have followed youth culture expert, Walt Mueller, founder of the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (www.cpyu.org). If you have not heard of CPYU, I urge you to check out the website for a variety of resources on youth culture.
Recently I received an email about a new book Walt has written entitled 99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers. Upon reading the excerpt available, I was very impressed by his goal in writing the book as well as his honesty in the preface for the purpose of the book.
I would like to provide copies of this resource to you. If you would like complementary copy of this book, contact Bro. Mark.
The following link is to download a sample of the book: 99 thoughts sample
Diaper Drive Challenge Details
Our Diaper Drive kicked off last with the details of the challenge being revealed.
The Diaper Drive runs from yesterday, April 19, until Sunday, May 15. The challenge is to collect as many diapers sizes 4, 5, & 6 and pull-ups for this summer’s church wide mission trip to Copper Basin.
The challenge pits boys vs. girls to see who will bring the most packages of diapers. The winner, announced Tuesday, May 17, will enjoy a laser-tag outing.
Note: When delivering diapers, please use a permanent-marker indicating Boy or Girl on the package so we know how to allocate the packages. Contact Bro. Mark for more details.
iLife Begins Next Tuesday, March 1
Relationships are difficult. No we’re not talking about puppy-love, “I think he/she likes me” kind of relationships – we’re talking about everyday, go through life relationships. God has wired us in our DNA to have/need friendships, to go through life – not alone – but with others.
So how do we navigate the relationships we encounter through our lives. Chances are rare that your friends in elementary or even middle school are the same today. Chances are there has been friction between you and a friend, between you and a loved on, between you and your significant other. How do we handle those times of stress? How do we handle making new friends? How does God use our relationships? What is the part God wants me to play in my relationships?
These are just a few of the questions we will tackle for 5 Tuesdays, beginning next Tuesday, March 1. If you are a High Schooler, this study is for you. Don’t miss a week, bring a friend or 50, and join us from 6:30-8:00 PM.
YEC Lineup Videos
To give a more personal feel, below are some videos of the guests at this year’s YEC.
Afshin Ziafat
Derwin Gray
Addison Road
Bean and Bailey
Introducing the YEC Lineup Bios
Friday’s Speaker: Afshin Ziafat – http://www.afshinziafat.com
Afshin was born in Houston, TX. He moved to his native country of Iran with his family when he was two years old. In the midst of the Islamic revolution in Iran, Afshin’s family moved back to Houston when he was six years old. In the second grade, he was given a Bible by a tutor who was teaching him the English language. He read that same Bible 10 years later as a senior in high school and came to faith in Jesus Christ. His conversion to Christianity was only the beginning of his journey to understand what it would look like to follow Christ. Ultimately, his family would disown him because of his faith in Christ. His story illustrates the call of Christ on each of our lives- to follow Him regardless of the cost. Afshin found that the reward was greater than the cost. He found the life Christ had for him. His story is one of hope and inspiration.
Saturday’s Speaker: Derwin Gray - http://www.derwinlgray.com/
Derwin is the Founding Pastor of Transformation Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community in Indian Land, South Carolina. He and his wife Vicki have been married for 18 years and have two children, Presley and Jeremiah.
After graduating from Brigham Young University, Derwin played professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998). During that time, he and Vicki began their journey with Christ and experienced God’s faithfulness and direction as He moved their hearts to know Him and make Him known. They began One Heart At A Time Ministries in 1999, an itinerant speaking ministry dedicated to seeing people transformed–one heart at a time–through the love, grace, and truth of Jesus.
Worship Band: Addison Road - http://addisonroad.com
The stories sound like happenstance, like coincidence. A band without a name is assembled at the last minute, comprised of college friends and acquaintances, because a gig has suddenly become available. Somehow, the members “click” and the music is noteworthy. Years later, the band has radio success and Dove Award nominations. While writing for a new album, they are contacted by TobyMac, who just happens to offer a song with this lyric:
“Will you walk away when the fire gets hot, or fight another day?”
Weeks after recording the song, the band must live it when the rented RV containing all their possessions burns to the ground. Coincidence? Happenstance? Certainly not. The history of Addison Road is a stirring series of stories that fit together so well, God’s signature is undeniable. Read more
Drama Duo: Bean and Bailey - http://www.beanandbailey.com
Bean and Bailey is made up of Bradley Bean and Jackson Bailey. Bradley and Jackson met in 1992 at Carson-Newman College where they were both freshmen living in the same dorm. Along with mutual friends, they began using their leisure time in the dorm to make humorous videos and comedy sketches. This led to official “shows” where the group of 5 guys (brilliantly named “Give Me 5”) would entertain high school students who were visiting the college. “Give Me 5” soon began performing for faith-based events as well as regular campus events at Carson-Newman College. Read More
New Bible study for high schoolers coming March 1.
Relationships are one of the best parts of life and also can be one of the frustrating things in life. How do we navigate relationships both friendships and dating? Beginning Tuesday, March 1, we are going to begin a 5 week study on relationships with our high school students. Bring a friend or 50 as we look at friendships.
Meet the Centrifuge Pastor and Worship Band
Robert Smith
Robert Smith is a Teen Culture Specialist from Lawton, OK who surrendered to ministry at age fourteen. Before entering fulltime youth ministry, He was a basketball coach, Bible teacher and chapel coordinator at a private Christian school, while simultaneously serving as Youth Pastor at a new church start. He went on to serve at Ryan, OK, and Madill, OK, before forming Upside Down Ministries in Feb 05 with his wife Mary. His ministry seeks to train and equip workers and parents in strategies for relating to and mentoring youth. After working with teenagers for the past 7 years, Robert now spends his time traveling and speaking to teens and parents about youth culture. He and his wife are also actively involved in hosting and leading a youth and college bible study at their house. He has worked with several popular national Christian music artists in effort to provide positive entertainment for youth. He believes that this generation will impact the entire world like no other generation before them. Robert feels his calling is to use pop culture to get teens attention then point them to God in terms they can understand. Robert served as FUGE camp pastor at Carson Newman College in 2008.
Thad Burkhalter Band
Over the past 10 years the Lord has given Memphis-based worship leader Thad Burkhalter some incredible opportunities to partner in ministry with various groups around the country. God continues to place Thad right in the middle of the work that He is doing through the local church. Thad gets a little fired up talking about worship and the life change that true worship can bring about in the hearts of God’s people. Thad’s desire is to serve the Lord with the gifts and abilities he has been given. He can’t wait to see where God wants to use him next…
Meet the M-Fuge Pastor and Worship Band
Maina Mwaura
Maina is from the great state of Georgia. He serves as the student pastor at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. When Maina is not hanging out with his students you can find him spending time with his wife Tiffiney. Maina is a graduate of Liberty University and New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary.
SoloFlight 
Based out of Mobile, Alabama, SoloFlight leads worship by creating music that is passionately driven to bring others to the throne of God. Andrew, Stacey, TJ, and Derek have been actively involved in music ministries in Mobile for several years and had no idea what was in store for them when their paths crossed at the University of Mobile. Andrew Buttry, the leader of SoloFlight, has been leading students and adults in worship for years, constantly striving for worship to be a moving, spiritual experience, showing the awesomeness of God. SoloFlight desires to be a channel to which the Holy Spirit flows freely and to be nothing more than mirrors to reflect God’s abundant mercy and redeeming grace to all who reach out to Him. The mission is simple. Spread the word and show the love of Christ.
