Youth Camp is on!

June 21 will be a special day...a day in which the youth rental van will pull out and head to Fuge 2010 at North Greenville University in South Carolina.

In some ways the camp itself is a miracle of God. Just the fact that we are taking a van load of students and 2 adults is amazing. This summer camp is the camp that almost wasn't. I seriously considered cancelling camp due to a lack of registrations. I worried, I fretted, I became frustrated that youth were not signing up for camp. I never had this problem before, why now?

After a couple months of bickering within my soul and some spiritual warfare where the devil won a couple of fights, I resigned to the fact that I might have to cancel camp. You see, Satan is hard at work at trying to confuse and frustrate the effort of today's children and youth pastors. Why? Because he knows that if he can startle and scare us he will perhaps be victor of an incredible battle on the front lines of ministry...for the hearts, minds, and souls of today's young person. If he can discourage, frustrate, even anger the hearts of the pastors odds are his side will be closer to victory in the battle. And he almost won this one.

Almost! That's a key word in the last sentence of the above paragraph. And then I received a phone call from a fellow youth pastor in a nearby large Southern Baptist Church in Walker County. He asked, "Tommy, I'm calling you to ask you a question...something is happening here and after talking to some of my youth minister friends, I have become concerned about something...are you having a difficult time recruiting students to your summer camp?" I almost dropped the phone...who told him?... He continued, "...the reason I ask is because I've only had 8 youth sign up for my summer retreat. We normally have over 100 students attend but this year only 8...I am thinking I might have to cancel this year's summer retreat!" I don't know if he could hear my rushing blood or my thumping heartbeat, but I was stunned. I wasn't alone. Satan had me convinced the problem must have been me or my leadership. Almost! I suddenly realized CVBC was not the only church having a rough time recruiting youth to camp. It was like drowning until I realized I had a "swimming" partner. And God tossed in the life preserver!

Yesterday, June 11, I recieved a text message from Greg Spradlin, area director of the Lookout Mountain FCA. Every summer Greg's ministry has hosted an amazing week of sports ministry for 1st through 5th grade students called "Power Camp". His email suprised me almost as much as the phone call earlier. Greg texted, "I have had to cancel next wks FCA Power Camp. Too few pre camp registrations. Thank u for trying to get me high school athletes to be our huddle leaders!!!"

I in no way am rejoicing over the difficulties these 2 ministers are having within their ministries...its a shame, really. But, the news was God's way of showing me two things:

(1) I am not alone in the struggle...there are other pastors and ministers who are having the same issues.

(2) the 10 youth and 2 adults going to our camp are God's chosen 12. This is not to say anything...other than to say that God has something in store for us at this camp.

As to #2 I do not have the foggiest idea what He has planned. But, I am glad He led me to reconsider cancelling the camp. No, we won't have 25-40 youth as normal, but we will have the 12 He wants there.

So, please pray for these 12: Amie Hill, Tucker Hill, Chris Cronnon, Austin Bowen, Jordan Epperson, Blakely Epperson, Sara Edwards, Brittany Andersen, Kailey Ford, Peyton Vowell, Jessica Collins, and myself. Its not 25, not 50, not 100. Its 12...12 people chosen by God.

Pray also for my two friends mentioned above. Pray for all youth and children's pastors...any pastor for that matter. Prayer actually works. Encourage your pastors...they need it. Trust me on that one!

The reasons behind why church camps and FCA efforts are stalling still go unanswered. Perhaps the economy? Perhaps shorter summer break? Perhaps a lack of priorities? Perhaps none of the above?

I don't know what's happening, but all I can do is watch God work in these 12 and pray we won't have to go through this again next year.

OrangeVisual

Christianity Today Entertainment Blog: Jennifer Knapp on Larry King Live on Friday

Christianity Today Entertainment Blog: Jennifer Knapp on Larry King Live on Friday

Spring Update

There is a newsletter coming to each parent of a young person on our Sunday School roll with information on April 2010 and a few extra dates. Be looking in your mailbox for this newsletter.

I request parent's email addresses. While I actually enjoy creating a decent little monthly newsletter and this will continue, there are times I wish I could send a quick email about details about the youth ministry and/or special events. Often things come up last minute that I need to get out to you (For example, we had to change our scheduled time for the last paintball outing we had...while it did work out and most everyone was able to hear the changed times, it would have been easier on my mind if I could have emailed parents quickly). SO, if you have an email, please email it to me at Tommy@cvbchurch.org or aeiouandy@gmail.com (Sometimes the cvbchurch one sends message of your email being undeliverable, so perhaps the gmail one is best). Thanks ahead of time for your email address!

Some upcoming dates of special activities here:
April 23 -- We're off to the ballfield to see the Lookouts. Yes, the whole family is welcome to meet us there. Have the youth meet at the church at 6:00 PM and make sure they have at least $10 bucks (Tickets are cheap and this leaves some room for snacks, etc). We'll be back to the church parking lot as soon as the game is over (We'll call by cell phone as we are leaving the park to head to our vehicles to give you a heads-up as to when we'll be back).
May 15 - Chattanooga Ducks and Mellow Mushroom. Again, yes, the entire family is welcome! I've never participated at the Ducks before so I figured this would be a good chance to do it. We'll meet at the church at 2:30 and head downtown to the Ducks first ($20 bucks). After the Ducks, we'll walk over to the Mellow Mushroom on Broad Street to enjoy some pizza together (Yes, they'll need money to buy their food here too).
May 16 - Graduating Senior Recognition Day at AM morning worship service.
June 5 - Chattanooga Zoo and Lunch - I am trying to find simple and affordable activities and the Zoo is perfect. Costs are $6.00 (Kids 3-15 pay only $4.00 I think). Afterwards, we'll eat somewhere cheap...like fast food. Again, the family is welcome!
June 21-26 - Summer Youth Camp. Our intent was another joint effort of area churches as last year, but location issues held this at bay and therefore I am working hard at locating an alternative camp location. For sure, this date will be the week of the camp. This has been the set date for over a year and I do not intend to change the dates at this late time. Parents, aside from Summit, which occurs in January, the summer camp &/or mission trip are vital to your child's faith development. I promise it is extremely important. You can guarantee that the weeks around June 20 - 26 will always be our camp time. This way you'll be able to schedule all the rest of your family vacations around this week.
Saturday Night Live - Every other Saturday night of the summer through mid-August(minus the nights I'll be on family vacation in July) we will open the gym and Youth Ministry Center for games, food (if people bring some to share!), movie nights, battleball games, etc. All of it is for the entire family...the times will be 8:00 - 10:30 PM. Spread the word and join us...the whole family is invited!
Finally, we are planning on a special family event to occur in the Fall...we haven't given it a name or a date yet, but it is generally a weekend revival with the family in mind (specifically youth, parents and siblings). We are working on a plan to include a fantastic, motivational, inspirational Christian speaker/preacher who specializes in family ministry as well as including a worship leader who is gifted at leading youth and their families to true worship. It should be a weekend to remember and a major goal is a special way to impact the families of young people in the areas surrounding our church. If you would like to join the special LEAD TEAM to help plan, promote, and prepare for this weekend revival, please call me (Tommy).

706-820-1911 Church Office
Tommy@cvbchurch.org
aeiouandy@gmail.com
TommyVowell (Twitter)
I also keep a Facebook account

God bless you all!

Bro. Tommy

Upcoming Youth Lockin

Yep, I did say we are doing an old-fashioned lockin...Friday, November 20 from 9:00 PM - 8:00 AM. I am seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

1:00 AM - 5:00 AM

5:00 AM - 9:00 AM (or earlier, depending on if all the youth are with their parents)

Of course, I'll accept any adult who wants to join me for the entire 11 hours too (Those who do so win all my adoration and support).

What we need? Food...a bunch of food (chips, brownies, cookies, cakes, pies, finger foods, dip (as in chip dip), sweet tea, coke/pepsi products, etc.

What to bring? a friend, a smile, a sleeping bag (if you think you're gonna want to sleep), board games, cards, clean movie DVDs, kickballs, etc.

What will happen? plenty of free time, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, ping-pong tournament, crazy relays, food, friends, more friends, memories to create and remember.

Why? That's a question I've been asking myself!! Just kidding! The real reason is to have a fun night together, fellowship, play, smile, laugh, enjoy Christian company, beat Bro. Tommy in ping-pong (I dare you!).

Parents, I really need your support AND presence. I cannot do a lockin without at least a 1 to 8 adult to student ratio. Choose a time slot, email it to me at Tommy@cvbchurch.org, promote this with your kids, tell them to invite friends, bring friends with you when you come, pray for us. And pray for us! Lockins are very hard on adults, but the relationships we build with the kids are great. Pray for our stamina to complete the task and our ability to build relationships with the kids as we point them to a life-long relationship with Jesus (This is the real "Why" for the lockin).

Thanks!

See You at the Pole is Coming!!

There is a special day on the calendar in September you need to be aware of:

Wednesday, September 28

Two parts to the day: (1) Student-led prayer at the campus flag pole at your child's school. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) normally plans this event. Ask your child to seek information from the FCA in regards to official time and location for the day -- Sometimes SYATP occurs before the bus arrives to the school and parents may have to drop off the kids at the school in order for them to participate; (2) We are travelling the evening to Heritage High School for an area-wide student prayer rally where 700+ students from Walker and Catoosa County join together. We leave the church at 6:00 PM sharp on this Wednesday evening (ELEVATE youth worship is cancelled so we can attend this rally). We will return to the church by 9:00 PM this special night -- so ask your kids to finish homework before coming to church that night!

Thanks for your support...Parents are welcome to join us at Heritage High School.

See You at the Pole™ History

A small group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas, came together for a DiscipleNow weekend in early 1990. They came seeking God. Little did they know how powerfully God was about to move. On Saturday night God penetrated their hearts like never before. The students were broken before God and burdened for their friends. Compelled to pray, they drove to three different schools that night. Not knowing exactly what to do, they went to the school flagpoles and prayed for their friends, schools, and leaders. Those students had no idea how God would use their obedience. God used what He did among those teenagers and others who were holding similar prayer meetings at their schools to birth a vision in the hearts of youth leaders across Texas.

The vision was that students throughout Texas would follow these examples and meet at their school flagpoles to pray simultaneously. The challenge was named See You at the Pole at an early brainstorming session. The vision was shared with 20,000 students in June 1990 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. Only God had envisioned how many students would step up to the challenge.

At 7:00 a.m. on September 12, 1990, more than 45,000 teenagers met at school flagpoles in four different states to pray before the start of school. A few months later, a group of youth ministers from all over the country gathered together for a national conference in Colorado. Many of them reported that their students had heard about the prayer movement in Texas and were equally burdened for their schools. No other events had been planned, but it was clear that students across the country would be creating their own national day of student prayer. There was no stopping them. On September 11, 1991, at 7:00 a.m., one million students gathered at school flagpoles all over the country. From Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California, students came together to pray. Some sang, some read Scripture, but most importantly, they prayed. Like those first students, they prayed for their schools, for their friends, for their leaders, and for their country.

As in all great movements of prayer, See You at the Pole™ did not begin in the hearts of people. It began in the heart of God. God used the obedience of a small group of teenagers to ignite what has become an international movement of prayer among young people. Since 1991, See You at the Pole™ has grown to God-sized proportions. Within only a couple of years, students were praying in several countries around the world. Now, more than 3 million students from all 50 states participate in SYATP. Students in more than 20 countries take part. In places like Canada, Guam, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and the Ivory Coast, students are responding to God and taking seriously the challenge to pray. (The complete history of SYATP is documented in a segment available on the promotional DVD. To order, please visit our Online Resource Center or call 817.HIS.PLAN (447.7526).)

God is continuing to call His people to repentance and prayer. Countless inspiring testimonies of how He has used See You at the Pole™ to bring students to Christ and to change lives affirm God’s power to answer those who cry out to Him in humble dependence. Bible clubs, weekly prayer meetings, and other ministries have begun on campuses where students participated in SYATP.

Community Family Night (Back to School Bash)

It's coming...this Saturday night (August 22) at 6:30 PM...Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church...Fellowship and Conference Center...90 Nick-A-Jack Lane, Flintstone, Georgia.

FREE!! As in zero cost; no fee; zilch; zip; nada; nothing (Other than a love offering to be taken during intermission)

ARRIVE EARLY TO GET A GREAT SEAT (There's no bad seats!) Come with a good attitude, bring some friends, and prepare to LAUGH! If you've seen them before, you know I am not kidding. If you haven't seen them before, then trust me. I wouldn't lie to you!

See you Saturday night!