Welcome to our Youth Newsletter! If you have any questions or suggestions for future newsletters, please contact us @ [email protected] or call the church office @ 501-745-6113
Welcome to our Youth Newsletter! If you have any questions or suggestions for future newsletters, please contact us @ [email protected] or call the church office @ 501-745-6113
Super Winter Camp 2020 Review
We took 13 students to Super Winter 2020, which is a four day camp over the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday weekend. The camp is currently being hosted at the Spring Lake Camp in Lonsdale, AR. The camp says it can house 400 campers but there were over 400 students there! Not sure where the other students stayed but our group had bunkhouse style dorms. We met a lot of students from all over the state and even Louisiana!
On Saturday night we had a session that they called a “Late Night Adventure”. This adventure was entitled “Underground Church” it was like a scavenger hunt or escape room. But the point was that this was to be an 'experience'. The students were shown a real-life video explaining the Christian persecution in India and then sent out in small groups to complete tasks and to witness to/and lead “citizens” to Christ. All while avoiding being “arrested” and put in jail. My wife and I played the role of citizens.
After being passed by most of the groups with very little interaction, I decided to add to my ‘role’. I went to the jail and found a young man that had been arrested. I said that he was my son and I was his atheist dad. After asking him why he was in jail, if it was worth it. I explained that he could be killed (remember we’re role playing another country where Christians are physically persecuted). The young man said he was sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to others and that yes, it was worth it. He was willing to die for Christ. I asked where he learned these things about Jesus. He told me about the Bible and going to church. Then he explained how someone could be born-again.
Several of our students really enjoyed this experience and commented that they actually got scared when they in the jail because they imagined what those Christians in India might have experienced. This was just one of the many sessions students participated in during the camp. There were also about six different classes that were very appropriate for today’s students. The worship band Pursuit of Light did an awesome job of leading us in worship and Daren Neely brought some funny yet thought provoking messages to our students.
Overall, we all had a great time and looking forward to what 2021 might bring!
Winter Jam Concert
Well, as of the day of the deadline signup time, there wasn't anyone signed up to go. A lot of our students went to an overnight trip to Hot Springs for the Beta Team (of which they are now going to Nationals in Texas!). Since no one had signed up and I had just spent four days the previous weekend at the Super Winter Camp, I decided to cancel the trip to Winter Jam. I did hear from a long time attender that this year's Winter Jam was not as good as previous years. But if you were able to go, I hope you enjoyed it, and hopefully we can go next year.
Inclement Weather Policy
Well, it's not so much a 'policy' but if there happens to be bad weather and we cancel services there will be a church-wide text sent out from our check-in software. Which if you have elected NOT to receive texts from us or we have the wrong mobile number, you won't get said text. If you would like to change that option or update our records, please contact the church office.
If it is a Wednesday, the 'policy' is that if our schools cancel due to inclement weather, ALL services at church will be cancelled as well (i.e. Awanas, Youth, Adult Prayer Meeting). Any other days, there will be social media updates, church-wide text messages, and our digital sign in front of the church will display that message.
We want everyone to be safe at home if the weather does not permit us from meeting. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact our church office.
Thank you all for the understanding!
No person, from a Christ-follower to a staunch atheist, is exempt from the challenges and struggles that come along with the journey through this life. Still, I think one of the biggest differences between the Christ-followers and those who are not -- is that the Christ-follower has access to an incredible source of hope. This type of hope is powerful. It makes a difference. It is a key component of the Christian life. The Christian's hope is more than just a fanciful wish. It's the assurance that God will keep his promises to us. We read in Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
If you are a mother, there have likely been days when you've struggled with hope. Perhaps your kids have been misbehaving, or you aren't feeling the kind of support from your family that you need in order to thrive. You might be concerned about what kind of adult your child will grow into. Maybe you just can't see beyond this "season" in life. If any of these scenarios ring true, let me share some special words of encouragement. If you can raise your head above the waterline of anxiety and look to the Lord as your source of strength and hope, I believe you will find relief for your soul.
The hope you have makes a big difference on your children. You can give your kids a tremendous gift by sharing hope with them. Passing along hope is a wonderful legacy. It begins, of course, by modeling the Christian life openly before your children. You plant these seeds of hope in their lives as you respond with hope even in the midst of life's most difficult challenges. When you live life with hope, you teach your kids that God holds your (and their) future safely in His hands.
Let me leave you with some practical characteristics of moms who exhibit the power of hope:
- Hopeful moms are optimistic. They look for the best in situations and in their kids instead of picking out the worst.
- Hopeful moms focus on the future not on the past. They look forward to opening new doors when other doors have closed.
- Hopeful moms view problems as opportunities.
- Hopeful moms have a real view of circumstances but refuse to resort to cynicism.
- Hopeful moms understand that God still cares for them and their families in the midst of difficult situations.
Many parents look for the latest parenting fad to help their kids grow into mature adults. Yet one key component for building kids' lives is right in front of them: investing time, energy, and a commitment to "be there" for their kids. A regular, one-on-one 'date night' with each of your teenagers is a great place to begin intentionally investing in the overall health and growth of your child.
Here are five tips for having a great 'date night' with your kids:
1) Choose to do something your kids want to do. Sometimes, when parents want to do something together with their kids, they'll select an activity that they have interest in, but their kids do not. If you really want to create a positive "date night" culture where your kids want to hang out with you, try doing things that the kids are interested in. And remember, "date nights" don't have to be complicated! They can be as simple as taking your child out to get an ice cream cone or throwing a Frisbee around in the yard.
2) Communicate. Be sure to engage your son or daughter in conversation during your "date night." Don't start by talking about your "list" of concerns you have about your child. Instead, talk about anything and everything. Ask your kids about their interests, opinions, and feelings.
3) Listen. Don't dominate "date night" conversation. Communication is a two way street, so be sure to work at listening. Listening is the language of love. Through listening, you demonstrate that you value your kids. When you take the time to really pay attention, show empathy, and listen---you are taking a key step in connecting with your kids. When kids know that their parents will really listen (instead of immediately "correcting") they will be more willing to talk.
4) Display affection. Even though teenagers are in the process of becoming adults and separating from their parents, they still need your affection. In fact, sexual promiscuity in teenage girls can often be traced back to a desire for (and lack of) affection from their fathers. Dads, be sure to offer your kids genuine affection through loving words, affirmation, encouragement, small gifts, and appropriate touch.
5) Never embarrass your kids in front of their peers. A "date night" activity might take you onto your son or daughter's "territory" -- to a place where they may run into some of their peers. Gentle teasing is one thing, but embarrassing your kids in front of their peers can destroy all of the connection you are working to build with your teen. Show respect to your kids and they'll be more willing to hang out with you---and your "date nights" will be much more enjoyable as well.
Upcoming Events:
Feb. 2 - Super Bowl Party @ the Farmers! 5pm
Feb. 29 - Lead/Defend Conference - $30 signup deadline Feb. 17
March 21-29 - Spring Break!
April 22 - 6th Graders visit Wednesday night Youth
May 3 - Graduate Recognition Pictures/Forms Due
May 17 - Graduate Recognition Sunday
May 24 - Welcome 6th graders to Life Groups!
May 27 - Welcome 6th graders to Wednesday night Youth!
June 20-27 - Super Summer Camp!
July 5-11 - NOLA Mission Trip (tentative)
For more info and to Signup for Events - Click here: https://clintonfbc.org/youth_forms
Regular Schedule:
Sunday @ 9am - Life Groups (Ladies Study: Kingdom Disciples -- Guys Study: Kingdom Disciples)
Sunday @ 10:15am - Worship Service in Sanctuary
Sunday @ 5pm - Connect Groups @ Br. Darin's house (dinner, Bible study, movie)
Wednesday @ 6pm - 7:30pm - Youth Bible Study (Studies: How to be a Christian, Creation)
Prayer Requests
We are in need of 1 Lifegroup Leader for the Jr. High Ladies. We would like to eventually get 2 leaders for each Youth Lifegroup. So we would need 2 for Jr. High Ladies, 1 for Sr. High Ladies, and 2 for Jr. High Guys.
We ask that you pray with us that God would bring the right leaders for the right places.
Thank you!!
Contact Us!
Ðarin Farmer - Student Pastor
o. 501.745.6113
c. 501.253.0500
Follow Us!
Instagram : @fbcyouthclintonar
Twitter : fbcyouthclinton
Facebook group : FBC Youth
Email : [email protected]
Wednesday Night Leaders: Dara Hensley, Anita Dawson, Shiela Farmer, Darla McJunkins, Ginger Morgan, Tizzie Stewart, Meredith Morgan, Sheila Durham, Chris Dufrene, Will Dawson, Jerry Pico, Joe Hudson, Darin Farmer
Life Group Leaders: (7th-12th) Jr. & Sr. High Ladies - Bev Davidson; (7th-9th) Jr. High Boys - Darin Farmer; (10th-12th) Sr. High Boys - Will Dawson, Doug Davidson
Youth Committee Members: Darin Farmer, Kyle Hensley, Lacey Standridge, Randi Newland, Anita Dawson, Becky Mills