Redeemer Youth Ministry

Archive for the ‘Event Reflection’ Category:

Tools for the Tall Task of Training Teens

Published by Mike Fennema in Event Reflection, Jesus, Youth Group Talks on August 17th, 2009 | No Comments »

This past Saturday, we had a great Parent’s Meeting with Brad Hambrick, the Executive Director of Crossroads Counseling in Augusta, GA.. For those of you who couldn’t make it, the audio of can be heard or downloaded by clicking on this link (you will be directed to another website). If that link doesn’t work or if you simply would like a CD with the recording on it, please let me know.
As always, Brad did a great job of encouraging and equipping parents on how to engage and disciple their teenagers. Contrary to popular opinion, a good relationship with your teen is not beyond our grasp. It does take a lot of work and prioritizing of our time and energy, but that is what God has called us to as parents. This talk is not just for parents of teenagers. Discipling our children starts long before they are teens. If you are about to be a parent or if you have little ones at home, please take the time to listen. It will be extremely beneficial!
I want to emphasize how I view my role as a youth pastor. I see myself as a tool to assist parents in their raising of their children. I am honored to be able to come alongside parents and assist them in the sacred calling of raising children to know and fear the Lord. Please don’t hesitate to use me in any way!

Popularity: 71% [?]

14 Students… 30 Hours… No Food

Published by Mike Fennema in Event Reflection, Pictures, Videos on March 30th, 2009 | Comments Off

This past weekend, fourteen brave teenagers took up a seemingly impossible challenge: fasting for 30 hours. It all started at noon on Friday the 27th of March. Students ate their lunches at school, knowing it would be there last meal for a long time. After-school snacks were passed by, and we all met at the youth room at 6 pm for a night of games. The theme of the weekend modeled “Survivor.” Four different Latin American countries were represented by the students as they participated in different challenges. The winner of each challenge won a survival card. The team with the most survival cards would be declared the winner.
Games were interrupted by coveted water and juice breaks and time to simply rest. Not eating for a long time makes one very tired. At midnight, we called it a night and slept—our stomachs empty.
On Saturday morning, we volunteered at Golden Harvest Food Bank. We helped them sort food and medical supplies for the hungry right here in Augusta. Despite not having eaten for almost 24 hours, we were able to work diligently. Larry, one of the employees of Golden Harvest, thanked us profusely for our hard work as we left to head back to the Youth Room.
We completed our game of TRIBE on Saturday afternoon as we became more and more tired. It became clear that skipping multiple meals in a row is not only difficult, but it affects you in so many ways. Your energy level decrease, your irritability increases, and you become focused on one thing: filling your stomach.
Our fast was broken at 30 hours after it started with a delicious meal provided by Sandy O’Neal. Complete silence consumed the O’Neal home as the students filled their empty stomachs with delicious food.
All in all, the 30-Hour Famine wasn’t the most pleasant experience. However, it gave us a new perspective on what people around the world are going through right now. God has blessed us richly. Too often, we take too many things for granted and aren’t thankful for what we have. This experience has opened our eyes to see the needs of people around the world and how we can help them.
If you want to look at the photos, please click here.
For more information about the 30-Hour Famine or World Vision, please click here.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Caroling

Published by Mike Fennema in Event Reflection, Jesus, Pictures on December 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

To renew an annual tradition with RYM, about 15 of us met together last night to go caroling! Yes, it was the middle of exams for most people, and yes, it was about 70 degrees outside (hardly winter weather), but nonetheless, we headed over to Westwood to sing to the residents there. After a brief mix up on the time that we were supposed to be there–corrected by my amazing wife, Stephanie–we were able to sing to three different groups of residents. Our group was not filled with professional vocalists by any means, but I dare say that we sounded pretty good! The people that we sang to were extremely grateful to have a group of young folks come and sing to them. Many of them were even singing along with us when they knew the words. It was fantastic. After each performance, we had a chance to talk to the residents directly and wish them a Merry Christmas. The thankfulness shone on their faces.
Thank you to all of you who were able to make it last night. I appreciate it, but the people that you ministered to appreciate it even more. Thank you for spreading the joy of Christ this Christmas!

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tags: caroling, Christmas, Events