Summer Missions Deposits

hey folks!

just a reminder that you can reserve your spot on one of our 2 summer mission trips now. a deposit of $50 will hold your spot for either mission trip. be praying for God to give you discernment concerning where you should serve next summer! contact me with any questions!

Senior High Mission Trip Interest Meeting

hey gang!

just a reminder that our Senior High Mission Trip Interest Meeting is THIS Sunday night, November 22, in the Worship Center immediately after our time of worship. if you feel like God may be calling you out to participate in either our New York City team or our Cajamarca, Peru team then please come and get some information! let me know if you have any questions!

Fall Retreat 2009 Pictures

Fall Retreat 2009 was an incredible weekend as we spent some time away at Pine Cove Camp in Tyler, Texas! God did some great stuff in the lives of a lot of teenagers. Check out these pics from our Intern Kendall's camera..... click here for pics.

Fall Retreat Is Here!

hey gang!

well...we had an INCREDIBLE rally tonight and we are pumped about FR09 this weekend. be praying for God to do a great work in us this weekend as focus in on His Word! look for pics and updates next week!

Lunch for 8 Table Pictures!

these are our pictures from our 1st ever Lunch For 8! it was an awesome day as over 140 students and adults had the opportunity to eat lunch and have great conversation together! we look forward to the next Lunch for 8 in the spring!

Fall Retreat 2009

FR09 is only 15 days away!  november 6-8 are the dates for the weekend in the fall that our student ministry always looks forward to.  we will be heading back to Pine Cove Camp to The Shores for a weekend of renewal and worship with the Lord.  Andy Tilly from Denton, TX will be preaching and The Refuge Band will be leading worship throughout the weekend.  

registration closes wednesday, october 28th!  forms are available in the Upper Room and in the Student Ministry Offices!  be praying for God to do something special!

Lunch For 8

hey team!

we are kicking off a brand new event on Sunday afternoon, October 25th, and it is called "Lunch For 8".  we are asking groups of 4 students to make up a team and 4 of our older FBC adults to form a team.  we will then make tables of 8 for a lunch immediately after the AM worship service. lunch will be in Selph Hall.  

this will be a great way for many of our students to get to know some of the adults in our church and let them pour wisdom and life experience into us!  

just bring a couple of dollars to put in the bowl for lunch and that's all it costs!  the deadline to register is Sunday, October 18th!  do not miss out on this!

Midnight Madness was a blast!

thanks to so many parents who came and served during Midnight Madness!  we had over 175 students and many of them were first time guests at FBC!  just wanted to say a BIG thank you to so many of you who helped out.  click here to look at Kendall's pics from Midnight Madness!

Midnight Madness!

Don't miss out on this first for the Upper Room.  All Junior High and Senior High students are invited to come up to the Upper Room after the Benton-Pine Bluff game on Friday, September 25 for a breakfast explosion, followed by some sweet giveaways, followed by a trip to Little Rock where we have the entire Skatium rented out for roller skating and broomball on ice til 1 in the morning!  the cost is only $10, but you MUST have a blue form filled out in before you can enter the Upper Room on Friday night.  registration forms are available in the Upper Room and the Student Ministries offices!  contact clay with ANY questions about MIDNIGHT MADNESS!

Blazing Center Bible Study

hey folks!

sorry for the summer delay! it was a wild and crazy summer, and i apologize for not updating as I should!

i'm excited about our new SENIOR HIGH ONLY Bible Study that kicks off on Tuesday night, September 1st @ 730 PM at Steven Rutherford's house (806 Miller Cove)! we will be studying John Piper's "The Blazing Center"! i believe that God is going to work in us in a powerful way as we dig into God's Word!

don't miss out on this opportunity to grow deeper in your faith!

clay

Day 2 @ Mission Arlington...Through the eyes of Steve-o and Dylan

Well...the day kicked off at 7 in the morning and we went and ate some yummy eggs and hash browns.  Then we headed off to the Green Oaks School, and then learned the "to do's and not-to-do's."  Since we didn't know exactly what our schedule was going to be, because we had the privilege of working with down syndrome children, we had to be very flexible.  After the orientation, we found out where we would help out at and we separated into our groups that we called "stations" and went deeper into what we would do from there.  Then, around 9, the kids started piling in.  Starting off the rotation of the 9-3 school day, we went into what was called the music room and started getting to know the kids there.  At around 9:30 we started singing some songs of joy towards our wonderful Savior.  Our theme for the week was that God is with us, and every time we head someone say "God is with us," everyone said "FEAR NOT!" with a little fist pumping action.  It was sweet!  

From there, we moved to our stations to start the rotation.  Dylan and I were in the science room and we showed the kids that seeing isn't always believing.  We had the kids close their eyes and we put things like brownies in front of them for them to smell and cotton balls for them to feel.  We told them that even though you couldn't see these objects, you still knew that they were there and what they were.  We made sure they knew that this was the same with God and that even though you can't see Him, you can feel and sense His presence.  On the last activity we had the kids dip their fingers in baby powder and put their fingers on tape so you could see their fingerprints.  This showed the evidence that we are here and that we are someone.  It also showed that God had fingerprints around the world that we could see all over.  

After three rotations of this we went to lunch and then went to the music room again and watched a Veggie Tales movie.  By this I had a girl that was a little sweet on me and i got to sit by her and watch it with her.  After a long Veggie Tale movie we learned a couple more songs including my personal favorite, "this little light of mine."  Then we went on the last rotation of activities and then went back to the music room, reviewed the songs and Bible verse, and then started getting ready to leave.  Once everyone started heading out we found out that our van was broke down and we had no chance of going anywhere, so we were stuck at the school for a little while longer.  We made the best of our time by playing some serious foam ball dodge ball and an intense game of cow racing on Wii.  After about 2 hours of waiting for the bus to get back we finally started heading back to the greatest hotel on earth.  Hawthorne Inn and Suites!  When we got back here we cranked up the A/C, some took naps, others took showers, and some like Clay watched Sportscenter.  We had dinner at 7 and a meeting at 9 preparing for tomorrow.  That's all I've got for today! I love you!

Much love, 

Steven (typed this wonderful story) :D and 

Dylan 

Mission Arlington-Day One

Hello from the Metroplex!

Today was day one of traveling for Mission Arlington!  We jetted early this morning around 8:00 AM and made it to Mt. Pleasant before girls started crying out for a bathroom break.  SO....we kicked in to the Braum's parking lot and it just so happened they were open for lunch.  It was muy delicioso!

We arrived at MA (Mission Arlington) and headed out to canvas an apartment complex where a Rainbow Express (Backyard Bible Club) will be held tomorrow.  We stopped at a convenience store for a quick liquid break and much to our dismay the ol' faithful FBC step up van would not operate correctly!  sad day!  after God sent a kind angel to fix it we went on to worship at MA and then on to dinner.  BUT....once again the mechanical demon reared its' ugly head and we finally realized that we had an ineffective battery!  so we made a quick dash to Wally World RIGHT before the automotive department closed and got a new battery!  YEAH!!!  

so we went on to dinner.  i chose panera bread (i love this place..especially the soft chocolate chip cookies!) others chose taco bueno!  then it was on to make our crazy wal mart run and then on to check into homebase here at our hotel.  after a brief prep meeting tonight we've headed to our rooms and we're going to get some shut eye. 

be praying for God to do great things in us and through us.  pray that God would give us eyes and hearts of compassion and mercy.  pray for people that we meet to be convicted by the Spirit and turn from a life of darkness to a life of light in Jesus!

see ya tomorrow!

PS....Caleb and Tanner W. say HI to their moms!!

Choir Tour Wrap Up

WOW!  that's all i can say as i sit here this afternoon trying to process all that God did in us and through us during Choir Tour 2009.  our time at camp was incredible as we slowed down a little bit and allowed the Holy Spirit to refresh us and renew us and teach us great things about Him.

do not miss out on the Homecoming Concert THIS Sunday evening at 6PM in the Worship Center.  it is going to be a great night of worship!  to God be the glory!

Click here for Camp Pics.

Click here for more Camp Pics!!

Choir Tour 2009-Day 5/6-Church & Camp

hey folks...

Sunday, June 7th

Our day began very early, even before breakfast was served at the hotel. We loaded the buses at 6:30 a.m. to leave for morning worship.  You could tell who the morning people were.  We arrived at First Baptist Church New Braunfels, Texas around 7:15 a.m. . The first service began at 8:15 and then they ate breakfast.  Our menu consisted of Mrs. Bethel's rolls and chocolate chip cookies with juice and milk.  After our breakfast, we had a special prayer time for our accompanist and friend, Retha Kilmer.  Retha is having surgery Wednesday at noon, so please pray for her.  She plans to be with us Sunday evening for the homecoming concert, what a trooper!  The second service began at 11:45 and was a thrilling time of worship. The act of worship comes in many forms and it is not the same for everyone.  The presence of our Lord was felt by all in the service.  Some stood, some raised their hands to heaven, some remained silent and still but it was evident that God was speaking through us and to us.  

After worship, we ate at yet another mall and Doug took Retha to the airport and picked up Pastor Rick, Janice, Kristin, and Josh.  We traveled to the Flying L and bus 2 had joke time.  An hour of jokes.  The insanity of it all.  After arriving to camp and finding our rooms, we were treated to a meal that did not come from the mall food court.  Our first meal at camp was spectacular.  It was also talent show night.  The sponsors took us through the decades and spared no expense for the show.  The expense might have been their dignity but a fun time was had by all.  John Bethel (aka Edwin Starr) sang "War" with background dancers, one of which was our very own Pastor Rick.  He's got skills.  

Monday, June 8th

Breakfast began at 7:30 but I don't think many were actually awake at that point. Our first Bible study began at 10:00 and Clay began in Psalms 3:3-4. A Shield for Me.  The highlight for me was the realization that God is not just a shield in front of me or behind me but around me.  Every part of my being is protected by the shield of God.  What an awesome and comforting promise of God.  He is my protector!!!!

See you tomorrow!!  Click below for Day 5/6 Pictures

Day 4-Choir Tour 2009-Sea World

hey folks...

quick post tonight before we go to bed!  we have to be up and at em EARLY in the morning as we we will be worshipping with FBC-New Braunfels, TX.  today we traveled from the metroplex to san antonio, ate lunch, and then spend the day at Sea World.  we loved watching Shamu and the other shows as well as hitting up some roller coasters.  tonight we are spending the night in San Marcos before heading toward camp tomorrow afternoon!  continue to pray!

Click Here for Sea World Pictures!

Day Three!

Greetings from the DFW Metroplex again!

Today was a BUSY day as we had 3 times of worship and took in a great movie.  The weather was hot, but God gave us some nice gusts of wind every once in awhile to make it very bearable!

We began this morning by traveling to Cook's Children Hospital in Fort Worth.  We had the privilege of singing in their beautiful atrium and as we sang patients, doctors, and nurses would stop in and listen.  It was a very moving experience for our students and for those who were patients there at the hospital.

We then moved to the University Christian Church on the campus of TCU.  This is where we had our concert with God.  As we loaded the busses at the hospital a 'no talk' order was executed and our focus quickly was on what was about to happen.  A concert with God is where we go into an older church and there are no other individuals in the church.  It's us and God.  This was an incredibly moving time!  

After lunch we headed to Mission Arlington.  Every summer our students have the opportunity to spend a week at this incredible missions center in the heart of the metroplex, so it was cool to see all of our youth choir serve as we helped with a Tent Revival.  A bunch of children came and the Gospel was presented clearly and passionately!  It was a great night of worship and ministry!

We capped off the night with a Jason's Deli boxed dinner and a viewing of the new Pixar movie "Up" in 3D.  The students and adults loved it!  It was a great way to cap off a great day!  We are getting up early in the morning as we head to San Antonio and Sea World!  Continue to pray for God to do great things in us and through us!  To HIM be the glory!!

Click here for Day 3 pictures

Choir Tour-Day Two-FBC Sachse, TX

greetings from the Lonestar state!

hope all is well in BTOWN!  we had another GREAT day as we traveled much of the day from El Dorado to the DFW metroplex.  after we traveled down I-20 from Shreveport to Dallas we stopped and ate lunch at the Town East Mall in Mesquite, Texas.  we then traveled on to Sachse, TX and settled in at FBC-Sachse.  Matt and Chelsea Jones welcomed us there.  Matt is the worship pastor and his wife Chelsea is a Pure Energy alumni.  it was a joy to see her!

our time of worship tonight was powerful.  "Revelation Song" was especially meaningful as the entire congregation stood in worship as we proclaimed the Scriptures of Revelation that describes our future times of worship of our Father in our heavenly home!  it was a great night to say the least.

we actually get to keep our suitcases unzipped 2 nights in a row here in Arlington!!  tomorrow will be an eventful day as we have 3 concerts!  there will be lots to talk about tomorrow night!  enjoy the pictures below!

Click here for Day 2 pics!!

Choir Tour 2009-FBC El Dorado, AR

Hey Folks!!

Day one is in the books, and it was a good one!  Excitement was felt all over the building at FBC as the day that we had been working so hard towards had finally come!!  After some last minutes instructions and a prayer by Pastor Rick we filled the busses and headed out.  

We arrived at FBC El Dorado around 3:30 and set up in their sanctuary.  It was a beautiful sanctuary and we enjoyed the people there a lot.  After a quick rehearsal we spent some time in their student ministry building and enjoyed a great dinner.  After dinner we got ready and headed to the sanctuary for an incredible night of worship.  There was such a neat spirit of worship!

After worship we snuck a quick round of bowling in at El Dorado Lanes before heading to our hotel!  Tomorrow we venture to the DFW metroplex for a little shopping and our second time of worship at FBC Sachse, TX.  Former Pure Energy Chelsea Crowson Jones' husband Matt is the Worship Pastor.  We are looking forward to seeing Matt and Chelsea!

Look for more updates tomorrow.  Click on the link below to look at pictures from Day One.  Feel free to leave a comment!

Blessings!!

Click here for Day One Pictures!

CHOIR TOUR!

hey folks!

well Choir Tour 2009 is just hours away!!  check back here for updated news and pictures from tour!  be praying for God to do a great work!

Parents Meeting

Hey Parents!

Just a reminder that our Summer Parent Meeting is THIS Sunday, May 17th at 4:45 PM in the Upper Room!  We will look at the Summer Calendar and talk about what's coming up over the next few months!  Plan on being there!!

MISSION ARLINGTON

hey gang!!

we still have some spots open for Mission Arlington, our JH/SH mission trip to the Dallas Metroplex.  the dates are june 21-26, and the cost is only $165.  registration forms are available in the Upper Room!

Breakaway Wrap Up

BREAKAWAY 2009 was an incredible week of worship and refreshment on the coast of Alabama.  Joel and Rebecca Winters did an incredible job of leading worship and Jeremy Nottingham did an outstanding job preaching the truth of God's Word and specifically sharing about the miracles of Jesus.  we had 3 students make professions of faith and many others that made decisions that will impact their lives for the glory of the Father!  here are some links that will take you to pictures of the week...

Album 1

Album 2

BREAKAWAY....so far....

hey folks...

WOW!!  what a week so far at camp.  incredible weather, fantastic food, and an amazing God working in wonderful ways!  we've had a blast so far in Orange Beach.  today is our last day of camp programming.  last night was one of the most incredible nights of worship that i have ever experienced.  hard to put into words.  continue to pray for God to do good things as we focus on the powerful person of Jesus and the difference that He wants to make in us and the difference that He wants to make in our world through us!  

Mother/Daughter Brunch

hey gang!

just a reminder to not forget to purchase your mother/daughter brunch tickets!!  they are $5/ticket and the last day to purchase tickets is this Sunday!  it's going to be a great morning together as moms and their girls spend some quality time together!  don't miss out!!

DODGECITY!

we are just a couple of weeks away from our 3rd annual Dodgeball Tournament!  registration forms for your team are available in the UR and the deadline to sign your team up is sunday, march 15th!  there will be a Parent Division, a JH Division, and a SH Division!  the cost is only $5/person, $30/team.  it's going to be a great night.  we will be at the Benton Junior High again and we'll kick everything off at 6:30 PM.  even if you don't play you can come and support.  admission is only $3/adults and $2/students.  all of the proceeds go towards scholarships for camp and mission trips.  

BREAKAWAY

hey gang....

just a reminder that this wednesday is the deadline for our Spring Break Camp @ the beach known as BREAKAWAY.  the dates are March 20-25 and we'll be hanging out together at the Phoenix X in Orange Beach, Alabama.  Joel and Rebecca Winters will be leading in worship and Jeremy Nottingham will be preaching our sessions as we focus on Jesus Messiah!  it's going to be an incredible week!

registration forms are in the Upper Room and the Student Ministry Offices.  the non-refundable deposit is $75 and is due by this Wednesday, February 11th!  don't miss out!

Mother/Son Date Night

Don't miss out on our first ever Mother/Son Date Night.  It will kick off at 6:00 PM on Saturday evening, January 31st.  This will be a special night where Moms and their Sons get the opportunity to spend some quality time together over dinner and a short program at the church.  The cost is $5/person with a $15 max/family.  Tickets are available at the church and in the Upper Room.  Deadline to purchase tickets is next Wednesday, January 28th!

Reality Weekend Wrap Up

WOW!  what a weekend!  God was faithful to move and work in the lives of our students, college students, and adults!  to Him be praise for His unfailing love, His unyielding mercy, and His abounding grace!  David Nasser and Billy/Cindy Foote did an awesome job in worship leadership this weekend.  we also had the opportunity to raise a lot of money to go to help children all over the world with food, clothing, education, and the opportunity to hear the Gospel!  below are a couple of links to see some pictures of the weekend!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2031631&l=109dd&id=82202204

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2031632&l=8c327&id=82202204

Reality Weekend is on!!!

it's only days away.......

one weekend.  one worship.  one body.  over 500 students will come together for a time of renewal and refreshment as we study God's Word together and worship the Lord together this friday, saturday, and sunday!

don't forget to meet in Selph Hall this Wednesday night, January 14th, for our Reality Weekend Rally.  the doors will open at 6:55 PM and then we'll spend some time eating, fellowshipping, and worshipping together!  we'll hand out t-shirts at the end of the night!  

be praying for God to do some amazing things during our time together!  pray for people to be saved and for hard hearts to become sensitive to the Lord!  to Him be all praise!

Happy New Year

Hey Folks!

Well, we brought 2009 in with a bang in Branson!!  We had a great time on our 1st ever New Year's Eve Blow Out.  You can see pictures by clicking on the link below....

Branson Pics

Don't forget that THIS Wednesday, January 7th is the deadline for registrations for Reality Weekend 2009!  You do not want to miss this intense weekend of worship and Bible Study. Details on the weekend are in the post below.  It's going to be an incredible 3 days!  Get your forms in!

Here's to a fruitful 2009!!