Junior High Calendar

Hello Junior High Parents,
 
    This summer has been very encouraging to me in seeing you JH students serving one another during Destination Unknown2 and loving one another during SandBlast '08!  I know that we have a great group of students who will do great things for God if they allow Him to use them!

    Lately, God's been teaching me a lot about patience and trust; He keeps on telling me that I need to trust in Him to provde the people to serve in His ministry.  It's been hard and challenging, but I know that we have a BIG God and He will answer in BIG ways.  JH ministry is a great task that I've been given to lead, and I want what is best for your children so that they may know God and know Jesus Christ in whom He sent.

    In fact, Amped's passion for your students to know God and know Jesus Christ (John 17:3) is so deep, it is our emphasis for this coming school year.  We will focus on fostering a community of love whre students feel accepted and are loved by their peers.  We'll also focus on who God is, answer some of the "why" questions, and then focus on how we can best reach and serve those around us and around the world.

    Knowing that some students are confused about who God is, and some students dont' even know Him at all, it is our goal that they may know eternal life in Jesus Christ!  With this being our emphasis, we want to kick the school year off with some new classes and outlets that your students can get involved in.  Some of those include Club6, JH Home Groups, Do Hard Things, and a Bible Reading Plan.  All of these outlets will always come back to our vision and purpose: We are a ministry of students who seek to love unconditionally, serve wholeheartedly, and worship God in spirit and truth!

    I wait in anticipation to see where God is going to lead this youth group.  I look at our students, and I see so much potential for people being reached and for students feeling loved.  Our leaders are amazing people, and I look forward to growing with them and leading them as well.

    Parents, I cannot thank you enough for what you do, and for how much influence you play in your student's life.  I pray that we may be able to come alongside you, and help you guide and lead your child to walk as closely to Christ as they know how!  Let us keep on praying for our students, and let us ask God to do BIG things in this youth group, and that they may "know Him-the one true God, and in whom He sent-Jesus Christ!"  Let's Do It!



Bee Vang
Student Ministry Director
Junior High
                                             

Amped Game-Show Extravaganza:
     "I Survived Kick-Off Night!"

 September 10th- 6:30-8:30

Please bring a fun spirit and all of your JH friends!  This will be a night where you will have the chance to connect with other JH students of the Valley while having lots of crazy fun.  There will be food, drinks, and plenty of Mt. Dew to go around!  See ya'll there @ 6:30 sharp, and wear clothes that can get messy!

Dress-Up in the color of your grade.  (wear shirts, shoes, socks, hats, anything in your color that is appropriate). 
    6th Grade- Blue
    7th Grade- Orange
    8th Grade- Pink


New News
   Junior High Home Groups
JH HG is an outlet for students who have a desire to dig deeper and grow in an intimate atmosphere while being mentored by an adult.  Students will be taught how to study the Bible and be held accountable while being challenged to walk as close to Christ as they know how.

Why is JH HG important?:
    - It's More intimate (a smaller context and more small group oriented)
    - Mentors have a longer allotted amount of time to spend with the students
    - Students will be taught about Basic Christianity and how they can walk, serve, and worship God with their lives
    - Students are there because they WANT to be!  They desire to grow, and are also challenged to invite others to come along with them.

The first day of our JH HG is Sunday, October 5th.  Tentative time is 4-6:30pm.  Sign-ups will be available on Wednesday nights before October 5th. 



Meetings
   
    Parent's Meeting

8:45-10:00-ish AM in Room L106-108
    Parents, please put this date on your calendars.  It's very important to communicate with you and answer any questions about Amped.  Please bring yourself and your curious questions to the PQM.
    Leader's Meeting

September 6th, 9:00-4:00 (Lunch & Dinner Provided)
    Leaders, please put this on your calendars because this is a day designed just for you.  It's going to be an interactive day of training that will help prepare us as a team to serve our students well.  We'll be providing the food, fun, and laughter that will last until the moon turns red! 


Special Events
   
    8th Grade Retreat
          - @ Camp Onaway
          - October 10-12
          - More Info to come
   IceBlast '09
          - Just wanted to fill you in early about IB '09.  This year IB will be held @ Fort Wilderness Camp in McNaughton, WI.
          - Cost will be around $95 (because of the rise of prices in food & gas)
          - Ideas for paying for IB '09: save $5/wk from Sept. to Feb. (5x22= enough!), have a   fundraiser, have a garage sale, etc...

   Silver Birch Ranch (Service Project)
          - A weekend away serving the camp by meeting their needs such as washing dishes.  This will be a great time to learn about serving and also bonding with one another.

    Rake & Run (October 29th)
          - This night will be focused on serving within our local community.  We will head into the Fox Valley and rake yards, build relationships with people, and have fun doing it in the name of Jesus!