Tag Archives: Youth

Great Things at Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore church of Christ, Youth

Our elders have announced that Jonathon Ling will be assume responsibilties for our youth program at Eastern Shore. Jonathon and Susan are fine Christian parents themselves and have been heavily involved in our education in the past. Previously, they served the Hoover church of Christ with duties in their education department.

Jonathon will continue his work as a teacher at Daphne High School and will serve us as an associate minister on a part time basis.

We are thrilled to have Jonathon on board and look forward to working with him and our young people.

Thoughts on the Poor

Eastern Shore church of Christ, Youth,

We enjoyed another great evening of VBS with a fine lesson from Ray Reynolds

Ray Reynolds speaks to our adults.
Ray Reynolds speaks to our adults.

of the Gulf Shores church of Christ. Ray spoke on Solomon’s advice regarding the poor. I think we all profited from his comments and will hopefully be more attentive to those whom Jesus regarded so highly. It may be that many of us, already so blessed by our Father, actually look at the poor ith some contempt. Ray reminded us that our task is to serve and assist when possible. People may find themselves impoverished for many reasons not all of which are their fault. Let us serve them as Jesus did.

Jerry Brown teaches the youngsters in VBS
Jerry Brown teaches the youngsters in VBS

While the adults were studying in the auditorium, our youngsters were learning in the fellowship hall. Jonathon Ling has done a fine job coordinating our summer-long VBS which comes to an end next Wednesday.

We especially thank all of our youth and adults who have given so much to make this a great summer. We sure hate to see it end!

Next week, our youngest will review the summer teachings from Jesus’ parables. Our youth will head to an event at the Regency church in Mobile.

AAA at Home

Youth

It was good to have three of our girls back home this week. Anna Lloyd and Anna Isenhower are home from college and Alex Hartman is visiting from her new home in Washington state.

They were all three at our youth cook-out Tuesday night and it was so good to see them together.

Meanwhile, Jonathon Ling is doing a fine job organizing our youth activities. It’s been a busy summer and with only about three weeks left until school resumes there is still much scheduled. Jonathon has worked so well with our teens and with our pre-teens. Thanks! We also deeply appreciate our parents who play such a big role with our youth. You certainly understand the importance of training your children well.

The next event on the youth calendar is tonight at 7 with our VBS. Sunday night we have an outing planned and in August we will be traveling to the Conquerors Youth Rally in Pensacola.

I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It

Culture, ,

(This article is from David Courington, a friend and preacher from Polishing the Pulpit – JBE)


The song entitled “I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It” is number one this week on Billboard’s Pop chart. While lyrics like “I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it,” may sound pretty innocent, the next line might really wake you up, “I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” The song is sung by a girl, Katy Perry. Actually this song is pretty tame compared to her 2007 release of “Ur So Gay.” It didn’t take Katy long to go from a “preacher’s Kid” in the “Christian” music industry to this raunchy MTV/VH1 bill of fare.

The point of this article is to give further warning to parents and teens about what you listen to and how you allow it to influence you. Not only is our culture being filled with gay experimentation, but gay rights are being pushed militantly. The Zondervan company(Bible Publisher) has recently been sued by a man who contends the Bible has made his life miserable. With the state of Massachusetts approving “gay” marriages, the onslaught of pushing this kind of “alternate lifestyle” will likely continue to flourish.

We need to be aware of this push, not only in music, movies, TV, etc., but we need to know what the Bible says about such a lifestyle. Paul did not say it was an “alternate” lifestyle, but that it was an “unrighteous” lifestyle (Rom. 1:18). This is the way he described it, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” (Romans 1:24-27 (NKJV).

In 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (NKJV) Paul also made it plain that practicing homosexuality was sinful, saying, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor 6:9-11). Please note that Paul was not “Gay Bashing,” as some would put it, but he offered that some of those in the church had practiced such, come to Christ, been washed, and were now “sanctified” and “justified.” This must be our desire for all who have chosen this ungodly way of life.

ICYC: Better Than Ever

Eastern Shore church of Christ, ,

I make my living with words but today I find it difficult to express just how great Indian Creek Youth Camp really was this year.

Clark Sims begins planning this week at least 6-8 months in advance. He has handpicked a staff of assistants and counselors that is second to none. At 252 campers, this is the largest week during the camp season. This year, 29 young people put on their Lord in baptism and another 25 rededicated their lives to Christ. Among those responding were our own, Anna Isenhower and Travis Purser who were both baptized into Christ. Anna Lloyd asked for prayers and was restored.

Travis Purser (L) and Anna Isenhower were baptized at ICYC
Travis Purser (L) and Anna Isenhower were baptized at ICYC

Our activities included a thorough study of Colossians with speakers each morning and each evening taking a passage from the book for their text. Campers studied Colossians in age-divided classes and in their teams in preparation for Bible bowl.

Teams participated in sporting activities and in wacky games. Congratulations to TEAM ANDY for their victory in the team competition.

Some underestimate the importance of Christian camping. As part of a year-long youth strategy, a week at camp will stand as one of the greatest moments in any child’s life. Lifelong friendships are established at camp and are renewed year after year.

The 2008 Eastern Shore ICYC group
The 2008 Eastern Shore ICYC group

Many campers will stay in touch with each other throughout the months. Camp allows a youthful network to build.

By weeks end we were all tired and dirty but were renewed in our faith. Next year will be even better as we build on our record-setting year.

Thanks to all the staff and to those parents who took vacation time to make this a great week.

Planning for next year begins soon. Tell us what you think about camp!