From now until March 1 there is a CREW 50 Day Bible challenge that I am issuing to all CREW members to get them in the Word and take time to connect with Christ and God. Your challenge is to read one chapter in the Bible every day for 50 days, ending on March 1, 2012. The challenge begins immediately and you must be truthfully in telling whether or not you have completed the challenge. Also, you can partner up with other teenagers to help keep you accountable and to encourage you for the next 50 days. Know that your CREW leaders, those that want, will also be helping, encouraging and praying for you to complete this challenge and answer any questions you may have about what you are reading. Persevere through the next 50 days and I guarantee you it will be worth it. If you complete this challenge, one chapter each night until March 1, than you and all those who complete it will get a meal at a restaurant like Montgomery Inn. This is a reward for your hard work but will pail in comparison to the connection with God you will have.

A couple suggestions: don’t read the following books; Revelation, Hebrews, Leviticus, Numbers, the Prophets until you have spent some time in the Word and feel comfortable tackling some tougher books. I would recommend starting in one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) or even Genesis to get your feet wet before moving on. Mark is the shortest Gospel and you may want to start there so you quickly can say you finished a book. Momentum will be the key in completing this but don’t get discouraged if things are hard at first but in the end it will be much easier.

Use whatever technology, tools, or Bibles you have available to help you complete this challenge and don’t worry about taking notes or anything like that. The goal is to have you connect with God through His Word and learn the discipline of Bible reading. If you have any questions please text, call, Facebook, or ask me.

Praying for you all on this journey and hope you will take me up on this challenge.

Be God’s,
Jeremy

Looking for the latest calendar of CREW activities? You don’t have to wait anymore as the January 2012 edition of the CREW calendar was made available last night during CREW Lifeline. If you didn’t receive your copy or did not make it to CREW please download a copy of the file. However, just a couple things I want to highlight from last night.

Parent Seminar is coming up on January 14, 2012. We will be answering some important questions like: when will my teen grow up? What is “normal” teenage behavior? How can I be a better parent? Is anyone else struggling with ___________? The day will be geared to not only answer the questions but provide a time when you can encourage each other and learn what has been working in another family before deciding if it is something worth trying with your own. Cost is only $5 per person and includes lunch, workbook, and light breakfast items. I need to know if you are coming by January 11 in order to get enough food and information copied off. The seminar will begin with light refreshments at 9:30am and end at 2:00pm.

The CREW is also having their annual lock-in on January 15-16 and includes an outing to The Web in West Chester, activities at the church, food, and another late night activity (most likely Glo Bowling). Cost for this evening is $25 per person and includes the activities and a t-shirt. You can download the permission slip from http://www.facebook.com/CREWMinistries and going to the event found as you scroll down on the wall feature of the group. While you are there make sure you “Like” the page to stay on top of the CREW each and every week.

Lastly, remember that being a light for Jesus means you must behave in a way that others see you are different and then tell them why you are different when they ask. Just like in a dark room you a little light goes a long way and the same is true for you.

How are you being a light for Christ? What are some suggestions you want us to know about being a light? Love to hear from you and see you on Sunday.

Be God’s,
Jeremy

Last night for CREW Lifeline we discussed the famous saying of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Such a powerful statement but one that we Christians must be reminded of at times during our year and journey of following Christ. At times it seems that the only way the gospel is preached is via the words coming from the pulpit or the verbal exchanges with a friend or neighbor. Yet, as I have been reading part of the reason people are “turned away” from our churches and the faith is because we do too much talking and not enough action.

But, we must admit that talking is much easier than it is to act out our Christian faith. It is not that we forget to act like a Christian but I believe we just don’t realize how we do not look any different than those outside of the church. Over the past couple years of ministry I have noticed the continual “blending” of Christians into the broader culture and read many studies on how Christians look, think, and act no differently than those who do not claim to believe in Jesus. I think it is time for us to return back to a period, book of Acts, when Christians were recognized by what they did, and not just the Truth they proclaimed. We are encouraged by Paul in Colossians 4: 5, “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; making the most of every opportunity” (emphasis mine). It is time for the church to stand out because of our love, compassion, and grace we extend to others as well as the truth we proclaim. It is not an either/or discussion but a both/and approach to sharing the Gospel.

With this in mind the CREW will be working hard to have at least one CIA project each quarter to share the Gospel with our actions and not just through our words. The first CIA project will be November 10 and 12 as we help out with the Upward evaluations at church. November 10 the evaluations begin at 6:00pm and will be completed by 8:30pm and on November 12 it is from 10:00pm until 12:00pm (noon). This is a two-hour commitment to help share the love of Christ to those children and families who will participate in Upward Basketball and Cheerleading. This is a great practical way to live out Colossians 4:5 and the love of our Lord.

Let’s take this challenge of Scripture even further and ask ourselves this question: what are we doing as families to show the faith we say we possess? I realize that the CREW may do its best to instill a sense of servant hood and provide the opportunities in order to help those in our church, community and world but we cannot do this alone, we need the help of families. So I want to know how does your family help others by your actions? What are some ideas you have for the CREW as we look to serve others with our CIA projects? Looking forward to reading your thoughts and suggestions.

-Jeremy

As I have been reading through the Old Testament lately I am reminded of a great truth of Scripture: Parents and families are the primary people God uses to develop followers of Him. The book of Deuteronomy is filled with commands to the family about reminding their kids why there is a God and how we are to interact with Him. Yes, there are commands about what the nation is supposed to do as well but those talk about taking care and teaching the orphans, aliens, and essentially those without a family.

Yet, as I look at my the CREW Ministry I see that at times we have failed to effectively partner with parents and families to help them accomplish the task God has given them: raising their teens with a solid faith and becoming a secondary influence. So I want to know parents: How can we help you influence your teen for the Lord? What can the CREW do that would be meaningful to you? What topics do you feel is important that your teen learn in the upcoming year?

As the leader of the CREW I take serious our role to help the family be the primary place of spiritual growth. I also understand the teenage years are rough for parents and teens alike. My job as your youth pastor is not just to be there for your teens, though this is a big part of what I do, but also to help you be there for your teens. My heart is to help families grow in their walk with God.

Hopefully with your suggestions the CREW will be hosting some events for parents, possibly parent and teens, in the future. Your input on what would be most beneficial for you is greatly appreciate. Do you need training? Just want a place to connect with other parents? Learning from those who have been there? No suggestion is too small or large. Please leave comments concerning your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas.

Serving you as you guide your teen,
Jeremy

This past weekend Pastor Den shared with us a wonderful message on how to create a strong family.  If you have not listened to the message please either listen to it online or download from http://www.firstbaptisthamilton.org/resources/multimedia/ it will be well worth your time.  I also encourage you to take notes as you will want to remember the points he mentions in the message to start living out in your family.  After you have done this please sound off and let us know how the principles show up in your family.

I particularly mention this message because it plays into the heart and vision of the CREW Ministry.  We want to help students become Disciples of Christ but we realize that this responsibility means we must partner with families, parents, siblings, and others to create a team.  The CREW cannot accomplish our mission and vision without the family, and larger church community.  Parents cannot expect their teenager to become a solid Christian by just leaving everything up to the youth ministry, youth pastor, youth leaders, or even the church community at large.  Yes, we will be vital in helping your teenager grow and mature but we are not the “primary” shapers; you are.  We will provide the extra people to mentor and help lead your children to Christ and a deeper faith; that is our promise to you.

This point is made very clear in Deuteronomy 6 when Moses is telling the people how to have strong families.  Not once does he mention it is the whole nation’s job to teach the laws and commands of God.  Instead he repeatedly mentions how it must start in the home, with the family.  However, I have noticed in my 10 plus years of ministry that in America the shift has gone from the home being the primary place of spiritual discussion to the youth ministry.  At the same time, I have noticed that those students, who have both, generally are more mature in their faith.  This does not mean that some students can’t mature without discussions at home but it is the exception to the rule.  Could this be one reason why Christianity in America has become what it is?

But what about those who grow up in non-Christian homes?  This is where the youth ministry becomes vital but then it is only a part.  Any good youth ministry must point teenagers to the larger church body where other disciples can help to model and deepen their faith.  In the larger church many individuals can step into the role that may be lacking at home.  We must provide mentors and role models that will take the extra time to show what being a Christian looks like.

As I prepare for a child in my home, due June 16, Aleesha and I have already told our son how much God loves him and what the Bible says.  Yes, it is strange at first to speak to him in the womb but can it really start at any better time?  I think not!  This is the first of many conversations but what is important is that faith discussions must be a part of “normal” family life, not just something that happens on certain days.

As part of a community of faith called: First Baptist Church Hamilton; I want to know what you think.  How do you live out this message each week?  What can the CREW Student Ministries do to help you in this venture?  Students how do you initiate this conversation with your parents?

Praying for us as a community to rise up a new generation for Christ,
Jeremy