Has it really been June since the last update?

Well, I may as well check in a couple of days before Christmas. Riverbend is going through some encouraging times right now. We informed the church that we were moving into a new building. This building will allow us to grow and minister to the community more effectively. (Oh, and, THERE'S A YOUTH ROOM!) Anyway, we needed approximately $32,000 for the "soft costs" of the new building such as tables, chairs, sound equipment, etc... Well, I looked at that number and the whole time I was saying in my head "There is no way we can get that much money for a two week campaign called 'Be A Part of More.'" Well, as I told our pastor, I forgot it was God we were dealing with. Not only did we get the $32,000 needed for this new building, but God included an extra $2,000 just for good measure. We serve a faithful God that will provide for our NEEDS both individually and as a church family. I am looking forward to 2011!

A more immediate event in the youth is our upcoming DNOW January 7-9. I debated whether or not to do an event with another church that would have more people and more flare, but I eventually settled on doing something simple and small with our church. It'll be far different from any other DNOW that I have been a part of, but I pray that the students of Riverbend Church will be impacted by God's Word that weekend as well as some fun ways to serve the community around them.

But that is it for now. I hope you all have a great Christmas!

VIDEO

Time for changes

Tonight was quite challenging... Pat challenged us all to look at ourselves in a new way. He covered us with Scripture showing us that we are a new creation, a chosen race, and a righteous people because of the blood that Christ shed. To illustrate this, he discussed the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Simply stated, butterflies don't live and hang out where caterpillars hang out. So, why do we find ourselves going back to those same old habits that we did before we found our identity in Christ? Christ offers us the fullness of joy, yet we so often settle for so much less. The students responded well to God's Word tonight.

They also had a full day of recreation, ministry, and ball of all sorts. Our church entered a volleyball tournament, and we didn't fare too well (lost 11-4). But the blessing of the day was the fact that several of our students got to go off campus and minister to some kids at the Boys and Girls Club. It was great to hear those testimonies.

Pray that the last full day tomorrow will be productive and refreshing. I am going to be VERY busy, though, so I am not sure if I will be able to update. If I do not, I cannot wait to see you guys Saturday as we return!

Grace and Peace,

Clay

We're still alive

I haven't posted anything yet today partly because of all the running around I have been doing, but all the students are still here and enjoying their time. I think they are looking forward to being home (as I am), but enjoying it still nonetheless. We are looking forward to a great worship service tonight, but first, we hope to go beat up some other churches in a volleyball tournament.

Check back...

Great day today

The students were, again, challenged in new ways through God's Word, and I truly believe that they are all growing together as a unified group. One thing that I have noticed missing in our youth group was unity, and I knew that an event such as this would be the difference maker in that, and I am so thankful for the things that have been done in their lives and mine so far.

Tonight, we got rained out of a lot of free time and got soaking wet attempting to make the campus long trot back to the dorms. However, we pray that God has been glorified under all our circumstances good or bad.

On a lighter note, he'll kill me for doing it, but I don't care.... Meet Lane and all his glorified dance moves.

Her new nickname: "Shiver-me-Kimbers"

Our camp pastor, Pat Kelly (blurry)

More to come... Goodnight

New day; New pictuers

It's been a great morning! Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me and these students in tonight's worship. Some of our students are leaving campus today to go and do missions projects around the city. I'll let you know how that goes. Until then, here's some pictures.

Our group before we went into the "county fair"

Some of our group at the "county fair" last night

REC TIME!

Chelsea and Lane didn't fare too well in the 3-legged race

The band from the AM Show this morning.

Anna's Group has a cheer that won them the "spirit cup" today

Those things have awe, but only Christ is awesome

Tonight was such a great night. Being fully honest, I went into worship tonight not knowing what to expect... However, the Sidewalk Prophets led us to the throne before we heard and responded to God's Word spoken from Pat. Pat challenged us to really review our pursuits, and discussed how Jesus hates anything that competes with him (Luke 9). In our church group devotion time it was a sweet time to get to pray for and unpack some of the student's thoughts on this. I truly believe the group is growing together more which is a GREAT thing, and when discussions are held like there were tonight, accountability is then created.

I'm off to bed... no pictures tonight, but I will update tomorrow morning.

Prayer Request: Some of the students are getting homesick. I pray that this would just be a temporary thing and we would finish the week strong with minimal distractions. I pray that the students would respond with what they have heard tonight throughout the rest of the week. Pray for sleepy eyes! We need rest tonight so we can hit it strong tomorrow!

Just a few short videos of some of the fun your kids are having!

The youth are currently in Bible Study, and I am taking a much needed quiet break! ahh...


Getting excited during rec time!



Chelsea owned this game


Cheer Time!


Rebekah's group with their leader leading them around blindfolded. Poor Rebekah looked miserable! But she's still having fun!



This was a blindfolded game of dodgeball where the blindfolded person had to listen to their leader. Poor Kimberlee didn't last too long... ha



There is no videography or photography during worship so this is a video from last night right before worship.

Anyway, There are approximately 500 students here this week, and everybody is doing great so far. No major snags in anything. I truly believe all of the students are learning a lot so far, as well as meeting new people. Tonight is going to be a big night in worship, and I can't wait to unpack all that is going to be discussed during church group time!

Prayer request: Pray for us leaders... we're tired and very busy. Pray for time to get rest and get work done as well as invest in the kids. Pray that the students would be fully available to what God has in store for them.

We're HERE!

Well, first, let me just say how great today has been. We left the church on time (only something that God could pull off)... We got here safely... The kids, young and old, are having a blast... Everything is going great!

So, what has today looked like for them? Well, we arrived at about 2pm to screaming staffers from Centrifuge camp, and were led through various stations which gave the students information on what was ahead for the next few days. Then, after a short free time, they ate dinner and attended an amazing, yet refreshing, worship service in which the camp pastor (Pat Kelly) challenged us to set aside distractions and focus on the Lord this week. His prayer (and mine) is that God will challenge the kids, and that they would leave this place looking differently spiritually than when they arrived. At our Church Group Devotions tonight, I discovered that all of our campers thoroughly enjoyed their camp Bible Studies in which they got to meet people their age from all across the southern United States.

With that said, we still need your prayers. I ask that you pray for those students here that are first time campers and still trying to learn the ropes of what this is like. Also, pray that we would be rested, and able to hear from the Lord first, but fellowship as a community of believers as well because of that. It's going to be a crazy week!

Hello Parents!

This blog will serve as your eyes and ears for Youth Camp 2010. Assuming all goes well, there will be pictures, videos, and post about what your child or friend will be learning at youth camp in Jackson, TN. I hope you drop by often for updates!

Clay