Redeemer Youth Ministry

Archive for the ‘Videos’ Category:

For Parents: “To Save A Life” Movie

Published by Mike Fennema in Information, Jesus, Upcoming Events, Videos on January 22nd, 2010 | No Comments »

A movie came out today called “To Save a Life.” It is aimed at teenagers and the issues that many of them are dealing with everyday. Many youth groups in the area and across the country have bought tickets for their students to go see it this weekend since the opening is always very key to a movie’s success. We were a little late in getting on the bandwagon (I take the blame for that, and I’m sorry). I would like to gather a group of students to go see the movie in the next week. As soon as we come up with a day and a time, I will let you know. If you have any suggestions for a day and a time, please let me know.
If you have not heard of the movie, you are in the majority so don’t feel left out. Please take a little time and read up on it. Pluggedin.com gives a fairly detailed review. Click here to read the review. Also, you can click here to go to the movie’s website and see the trailer.
From what I have read, from the trailers, and from the other youth pastors that I have talked to, the topics addressed appear to be extremely relevant for our teenagers. It deals with so many of the issues they are dealing with on a daily basis, whether we want to admit it or not.right now. Without having seen it yet–but having talked to a fellow youth pastor who has–the message is positive and hits students right where they are at. What I am not saying is that every student needs to see this movie. That needs to be a call made by the parents, and Stephanie and I are learning that parental decisions are rarely easy. What I am saying is that it may be beneficial for students to see this movie if it is seen with discernment (which goes for all movies and media, not just this one). If you allow your child to see this movie, I would highly encourage parents to see this movie as well so that you may discuss with them the topics that are addressed. That is so important. If need be, I can also provide insight and discussion questions after I see the movie to help with that. Please let me know if you would be interested in that, and I will make it available.
In closing, I just wanted to relay that thoughts of the writer of the film, who just so happens to be a youth pastor himself: “We never really set out to make a Christian film,” he says. “We said we wanted to make a film for teenagers that would never set foot in a church but would go to the movies—something that would reach them. … We wanted to make a movie that really mattered, and that empowered students to be able to reach out to their friends.”
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I know that this is a sensitive issue, so please feel free.
I will let you know when we decided to take a group to see the movie as soon as it is decided.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Costumes–an RYM Original Production

Published by Mike Fennema in Bible, Jesus, Videos, Youth Group Talks on December 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

Here is the first video produced and directed by RYM. As you can tell from the video, we have plenty of talent in our group! We plan to do more of these in the future.
Thank you to Hannah Basta, John Cotton, Sydney Umstead, and Sam Reid for playing the different parts in the film. A special thanks and recognition goes out to Sam Reid who editted the raw footage. Thank you Sam!

Halloween Party from Redeemer Youth Ministry on Vimeo.

This next video is the song by BarlowGirl entitled “I Need You to Love Me.” Take a listen…and look.

I Need from Redeemer Youth Ministry on Vimeo.

Popularity: 19% [?]

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% [?]