Hi Student Ministry Families!

I hope you're all well! April is here and it's full of anticipation! We just started a new teaching series called The Last Words of Jesus as we lead up to Easter. You can find out more about what we're learning below.

Speaking of Easter, make sure you plan to join us at Crossroads for Good Friday and Easter Sunday services! In the meantime, our Laredo team continues to prepare to serve in Texas this June. We'll be starting to talk with our graduating seniors and getting ready for Senior Night and Graduate Recognition Sunday in May. Summer Blast happens in June, and that means we'll have applications ready for teens who are looking to serve in all kinds of ways. We'll currently planning what summer looks like and should have a calendar coming your way in May.

One of my favorite moments from the past month was the night we took off for Spring Break. No, not for the reason you're probably thinking. Let me explain... While it was nice to have a night without youth group, our small group leaders met for lunch and team-building together. We've got such an amazing team of small group leaders who pour into students and families every week. It was so good to get time to invest in each other. Plus, a strong and connected team can more effectively serve students!

We're praying for you all as we head into the final stretch of the semester. Reach out to me or any of the group leaders if you ever need prayer, encouragement, or questions!

 - Pastor Rich

Our new series is called “The Last Words of Jesus.” Throughout this series, we’ll look at three stories that recount the final words Jesus offered before His crucifixion and one where Jesus shared His final instructions to His disciples (and us!) before ascending into Heaven.

Series Overview

This four-week series challenges students to ask themselves how they might apply the last words of Jesus to their lives today.

March 30 - Session 1: “My God, My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me?”
Big Idea: Even in tough times, God is always with us.
Question for Discussion: What are some situations when someone your age might need to be reassured that God is always with them?

April 6 - Session 2: “Father, Forgive Them”
Big Idea: Through His suffering, Jesus offers forgiveness.
Question for Discussion: Which do you think is more difficult for you personally: asking for forgiveness or forgiving someone else? Why do you think that’s more difficult for you?

April 13 - Session 3: “It Is Finished.”
Big Idea: Jesus did what no one else could.
Question for Discussion: Why do you think it might be difficult for some people to accept the idea that there is nothing they can do to earn or repay Jesus’ sacrifice?

April 27 - Session 4: The Great Commission
Big Idea: As His disciples, we have a responsibility to share Jesus' message with others.
Question for Discussion: What would your story sound like if you answered the three questions: Before I met Jesus, How I met Jesus, and My life since Jesus?

Our hope is that the discussion questions provided above might lead your family to open conversations about what it looks like to trust what Jesus told us the final hours before His death. As always, please feel free to reach out if you ever have any questions!

Holy Week is a time to reflect on God’s grace given through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Use this reading plan to explore and remember the last week of the life of Jesus according to the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Download the resource here. For more parenting resources like this, check out empoweredhomes.org.

Need to contact a small group leader? Here are the phone numbers for each small group leader at Dive for this school year. If you have prayer requests, need encouragement, or just want to talk to a friendly person, they're here to help! 

JR HIGH (7th and 8th Grade)

Claire Carnes - (574) 952-1517

Kem Myers - (574) 780-6041

Anna Lawrence - (260) 209-0103

Darren Demis - (574) 315-0091

Jesse Huerta - (574) 780-7630

Zach Pickens - (574) 835-5881

Rich Gamble - (574) 540-6736

SR HIGH (9th-12th Grade)

Breanna Morrow - (574) 780-1091

Elizabeth Aggertt - (574) 933-4074

Liz Collins - (574) 952-3780 

Zach Dean - (219) 730-9273

Roger Krynock - (317) 697-7746

Michael Wagner - (574) 316-9105

Blaine Jenney - (574) 780-7679