Refuge Student Ministry

Summer Refuge Events - Register Online!!!

2009-06-01T20:45:00.003-05:00

Parents,

In an effort to try to enhance the participation of students registering for Refuge Student Ministry (RSM) Events, we are providing an easy way to register online at our fbcwillar.com website. The online registration form for RSM can be found by clicking on the following link: Refuge eRegistration

This form can be used to register for any event on the RSM Summer Calendar. Please contact Pastor Miles if you have any questions.

REFUGE - Summer 2009 Calendar

2009-05-20T09:50:00.003-05:00

Dear Parents,

If the hot weather, your student's bout with senioritis (even in the 7th grade), or the call of the lake is any indication, summer is coming--and coming quickly. Here is the Refuge Student Ministry Summer Calendar of Events. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer to host a lake day and/or chaperon a trip to Valley Fair or Wild Mountain Water Park. Thank you.

Miles

Open publication - Free publishing - More youth ministry

REFUGE Concert of Prayer

2009-05-20T09:38:00.001-05:00

June 2009 - Parent Link Newsletter

2009-05-20T09:35:00.002-05:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More youth ministry

May 2009 - Parent Link Newsletter

2009-05-03T09:01:00.001-05:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More teens

Overstressed Kids

2009-04-21T14:27:00.003-05:00

Parents,

For many of you stress in your own lives is a fairly normal part of your existence, but for your student, it can be almost too much for them to handle. Seeing your student stressed often times leads you to more stress and the dynamics of your family become immediately stretched to its limits.

Last month I came across some articles that speak to this issue of teens and stress. I would encourage you to take time to read the articles and hopefully gain more understanding as to what your student(s) may be presently experiencing in their everyday lives. I am sure that there may be the few parents who may feel that their kids have nothing to be stressed about, if that's the case, I implore you to pause... read... and talk to your student--you might just change your mind.

The articles are:
(1) Our Kids Are Stressed and It's Getting Worse - Walt Mueller, PhD
(2) Ministry to Overstressed Kids - Chap Clark, PhD

Blessings,

Miles

Faith & Parental Success

2009-03-30T08:50:00.002-05:00

Here is a very interesting article about passing on faith to your teenager:

Most parents want their children to grow up to lead successful, good lives. A new study from LifeWay Research, however, suggests that many don’t consider faith as a measure of parental success. The study surveyed over 1,200 adults with children under the age of 18. The survey found that the most common definitions of parental success were their children having good values, being happy, and gaining success in their lives. Having faith was mentioned by only 9 percent of respondents. Although parents who attend religious services regularly see faith as important, only 24 percent said that it was a measure of their parental success. In addition, while about 83 percent of respondents said that they should be responsible for their children’s spiritual development, most parents did not list their own faith as an important influence on their parenting.

As Christians, we have the opportunity to be a positive influence on children’s spiritual development. While having happy, successful children can be a goal that we have, God also calls us to share our faith with the children in our lives. Seeking to pass our faith along can provide the best foundation for adulthood that any child can ask for.

Source: Baptist Press, March 17, 2009, Mark Kelly

April 2009 - Parent Newsletter

2009-03-30T08:37:00.004-05:00

Good morning parents,

For many of you, Spring Break has come and gone, I hope it was a restful and enjoyable time with your student (that is if he or she spent it with you). We are quickly coming to the end of the school year and to encourage you as parents, here is the April 2009 Parent Newsletter. I hope it brings provides you with helpful insight into the lives of teenagers and encourages you as you parent your own.

Blessings,

Miles

2009 District Blitz Registration Deadline - This SUNDAY (3/15/09)

2009-03-10T15:39:00.004-05:00

Hello Parents,

This is a reminder that registration forms and money is due this Sunday for any senior high student going to Duluth on April 24-26 for the 2009 District Blitz. Registration forms can be found by using the following links:

Conference Schedule
Conference Overview
Conference Line-Up
Participant Packet

If you have any questions, please contact me ASAP.

Thanks,

Miles

March 2009 Parent Newsletter

2009-03-03T16:10:00.001-06:00

Hello Parents,

Here is this month's Parent Newsletter for March 2009. I hope you find it encouraging, challenging, and useful. Have a great day!

Blessings,

Miles

SEXTING - Newsweek Article

2009-02-17T10:46:00.005-06:00

Teens, Nude Photos and the Law
Ask yourself: should the police be involved when tipsy teen girls e-mail their boyfriends naughty Valentine's Day pictures?
Published Feb 14, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Feb 23, 2009
THE VERDICT by Dalia Lithwick

Say you're a middle-school principal who confiscated a cell phone from a 14-year-old boy, only to discover it contains a nude photo of his 13-year-old girlfriend. Do you (a) call the boy's parents in despair; (b) call the girl's parents in despair; or (c) call the police? More and more, the answer is (d) all of the above. Which could result in criminal charges for both of your students, and their eventual designation as sex offenders. "Sexting" is the clever new name for the act of sending, receiving or forwarding naked photos via your cell phone, and I wasn't fully convinced that America was facing a sexting epidemic, as opposed to a journalists-writing-about-sexting epidemic, until I saw a new survey done by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. One teenager in five reported having sent or posted naked photos of themselves. Whether all this reflects a new child-porn epidemic, or just a new iteration of the old teen narcissism epidemic, remains unclear.

Last month, three girls (ages 14 or 15) in Greensburg, Pa., were charged with disseminating child pornography for sexting their boyfriends. The boys who received the images were charged with possession. A teenager in Indiana faces felony obscenity charges for sending a picture of his genitals to female classmates. A 15-year-old girl in Ohio and a 14-year-old girl in Michigan were charged with felonies for sending nude images of themselves to classmates. Some of these teens have pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Others have not. If convicted, these young people may have to register as sex offenders, in some cases for a decade or two. Similar charges have been brought in cases reported in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

One quick clue that the criminal-justice system is probably not the best venue for addressing sexting? A survey of the charges brought in the cases reflects that—depending on the jurisdiction—prosecutors have charged the senders of smutty photos, the recipients of smutty photos, those who save the smutty photos and the hapless forwarders of smutty photos with the same crime: child pornography. Who is the victim here? Everybody and nobody.

There may be an argument for police intervention in cases that involve a genuine threat or cyberbullying, such as a recent Massachusetts incident in which the picture of a naked 14-year-old girl was allegedly sent to more than 100 cell phones, or a New York case involving a group of boys who turned a nude photo of a 15-year-old girl into crude animations and PowerPoint presentations. But ask yourself whether those cases are the same as the cases in which tipsy teen girls send their boyfriends naughty Valentine's Day pictures.

The argument for hammering every such case seems to be that sending naked pictures might have serious consequences, so let's charge these kids with felonies, which will surely have serious consequences. In the Pennsylvania case a police captain explained that the charges were brought because "it's very dangerous. Once it's on a cell phone, that cell phone can be put on the Internet where everyone in the world can get access to that juvenile picture." The argument that we must prosecute kids as the producers and purveyors of kiddie porn because they are too dumb to understand that their seemingly innocent acts can harm them goes beyond paternalism. Child-pornography laws intended to protect children should not be used to prosecute and then label children as sex offenders. We seem to forget that kids can be as tech-savvy as Bill Gates but as gullible as Bambi. Even in the age of the Internet, young people fail to appreciate that naked pictures want to roam free.

The real problem with criminalizing teen sexting as a form of child pornography is that the great majority of these kids are not predators. They think they're being brash and sexy. And while some of the reaction to sexting reflects legitimate concerns about children as sex objects, some perpetuates legal stereotypes and fallacies. A recent New York Times article quotes the Family Violence Prevention Fund, a nonprofit domestic-violence-awareness group, saying that the sending of nude pictures, even if done voluntarily, constitutes "digital dating violence." But do we truly believe that one in five teens is participating in an act of violence? Experts insist the sexting trend hurts teen girls more than boys, fretting that they feel "pressured" to take and send naked photos. Paradoxically, the girls in the Pennsylvania case were charged with "manufacturing, disseminating or possessing child pornography" while the boys were merely charged with possession. If the girls are the real victims, why are we treating them more harshly than the boys?

Judging from the sexting prosecutions in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana this year, it's clear that the criminal-justice system is too blunt an instrument to resolve a problem that reflects more about the volatile combination of teens and technology than about some national cybercrime spree. Parents need to remind their teens that a dumb moment can last a lifetime in cyberspace. But judges and prosecutors need to understand that a lifetime of cyberhumiliation shouldn't be grounds for a lifelong real criminal record.

Lithwick is a NEWSWEEK contributing editor and a senior writer for Slate. A version of this column also appears on Slate.com.

URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/184814

Deep Impact in Students Lives

2009-02-10T11:47:00.003-06:00

Dear Parents,

Please take a look at this video done by Fuller Youth Institute regarding the struggles students face when finding themselves in the "college scene." I would appreciate any feedback, insight, or concerns that you might have regardless of the age your student(s). What are some of your expectations for the youth ministry that you might have regarding this transition for students?

Thank you.

Miles

February Parent Newsletter

2009-02-02T08:56:00.003-06:00

Good morning parents,

The Feburary 2009 Parent Newsletter is available. I hope it is encouraging and useful for you.

Miles

New Teaching Series for February

2009-01-29T15:51:00.005-06:00

Dear Parents,

I wanted to let you all know the direction the youth ministry is going this February when it comes to the teaching element of our ministry. Starting next week, our Senior High will be engaged in a series called UNCENSORED: Dating, Friendship, and Sex. Our Junior High will be going through a series called STUFF: Using Ordinary Stuff to Reveal an Extraordinary GOD. We will meet together for worship as we have for the last few months, but after worship we will be divided in to two groups.

I will be teaching, along with our sr. high leaders the UNCENSORED series, and my jr. high leaders will be teaching STUFF. Please be in prayer for our new format for February and for ways our students can be drawn closer to the reality of Christ in their life. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (miles@fbcwillmar.org).

For His Kids,

Miles

February - May 2009 Calendar

2009-01-27T09:09:00.001-06:00

Hello Parents,

The following is the link to the new calendar. Print editions will be made available at church by this Wednesday, check your family box. Thanks.

Miles

No School Tubing Trip Reminder- Jan. 19th

2009-01-16T07:49:00.008-06:00

This is just a reminder to all those who are planning on going on the tubing trip. We will be leaving the church parking lot @ 10am so please be there a few minutes early. You will need to have filled out a medical release form for this event and turn it it with your money before we leave the church. If you wish for your student(s) to have other travel arrangements when we come home (back at FBC @ 3:30pm), please have a note detailing their arrangements so I can know specifically what is taking place. Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or enough money to purchase lunch at the food court. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me ASAP (miles@fbcwillmar.org).

Thank you,

Miles

Ticket Rates:
Adult 13+ ($34)
Children ($27)

Equipment Rental Rates
Standard Ski Package - $19
Performance Ski Package* - $26
Snowboard Package* - $26
Snowboard Boots Only - $12

District Blitz 2009 - April 24-26, 2009

2009-01-15T13:21:00.011-06:00

Parents, students, and leaders,

This Spring brings with it a wonderful opportunity to retreat and experience an incredible youth ministry conference right here in Minnesota. The Minnesota Baptist Conference and the North Central District of E-Free Churches are teaming together to gather students (and leaders) for this year's District Blitz 2009 in Duluth, MN April 24-26.

Our youth ministry is planning to attend and this post is created to provide you with as much information as possible to be able to have students and leaders attend this conference. In this post there are documents detailing the conference schedule, overview, line-up, and packet for participants. Please read through carefully. Sign up information will be coming soon.

Conference Schedule
Conference Overview
Conference Line-Up
Participant Packet

Blessings,

Pastor Miles

Januray 2009 Parent Link - Recognizing Signs of Teenage Depression

2009-01-12T11:41:00.002-06:00

Parents,

The January 2009 Parent Link Newsletter is now available. I hope it is useful for you.

Have a great day.

Miles

REFUGE Reminder - January 2009

2009-01-08T09:57:00.000-06:00

Click Image to Read Reminder.

Thanks,

Miles

Becoming Series Intro Video

2009-01-05T16:22:00.000-06:00

New REFUGE Series Begins...

2008-12-31T15:09:00.005-06:00

Starting in January, REFUGE will begin a series called BECOMING. We will look at the transformation that Jesus Christ brought about in the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul was so changed by his encounter with Christ that by the end of his life, this former Pharisee and persecutor of the Church could make the statement, “For me to live is Christ.” Becoming will take our students on the journey of discovering their true identity and begin to help them come to the realization that who they are as individuals is bound in the person of Jesus Christ.

We start Wednesday, January 7th @ 6:30pm.

Happy New Year!

Miles

Teens send 10,000 text messages per year, study finds.

2008-12-17T06:59:00.001-06:00

The average teenager sends almost 10,000 text messages per year, and is so worried about missing an important call that they leave their mobile phone switched on overnight, according to the latest survey into the digital habits of young people.

By Claudine Beaumont (telegraph.co.uk)
Last Updated: 1:28PM GMT 12 Dec 2008

The average teenager sends almost 10,000 text messages per year Photo: ELEANOR BENTALL
The research, which was carried out by Bebo, a social networking site popular with teenagers, reveals that more than two-thirds of young people use their mobile phones and digital cameras to keep a photographic record of their lives. Almost 75 per cent of those surveyed said they used social networking websites to share photos and keep in touch with friends.

Around half of those questioned said they had as many as 250 "friends" with whom they kept in regular contact via the internet. Most of the teenagers who responded to the survey, which was posted globally on the Bebo website, said they spent the majority of their spare time on the web, with almost one third saying they watched more than 50 online videos per week, usually on sites such as YouTube and Bebo, and other social networking websites such as MySpace.

But watching traditional, broadcast television is still a popular pursuit for many young people, with 31 per cent admitting to watching more than five hours of television per day, and 32 per cent stating that they watched TV for between three and five hours per day.

"Communicating with one another is one of the most popular hobbies among teenagers today," said Sarah Gavin, global director of communications for Bebo, which has more than 11 million users in the UK. "If technology enables them to do this more easily, then it makes the experience all the more appealing to them."

And new research suggests that using social networking sites might even be beneficial to youngsters. A study by the MacArthur Foundation in the United States concluded that use of sites such as Bebo, Facebook and MySpace helped young people to learn crucial life skills.

"Their participation is giving them the technological skills and literacy they need to succeed in the contemporary world," said Mizuko Ito, one of the lead researchers behind the study, entitled Living and Learning with New Media. "They're learning how to get along with others, how to manage a public identity, how to create a home page."

This Wednesday's Refuge is CANCELLED!

2008-12-14T15:36:00.002-06:00

This Wednesday night's Refuge (and HWY 252) is cancelled to make way for the rescheduled Children's Christmas Program @ 6:30pm. It would be nice to see as many of you and your students in the audience supporting the children and their Christmas program. The following is the upcoming Christmas Break schedule for the students at FBC:

(1) NO SURGE (Sunday School) 12/21 and 12/28
(2) Next Youth Group will be 1/7/09

If you have any questions, please contact the Church (235-2326).

Thank you,

Miles

Christmas Blessing 2008

2008-12-08T10:11:00.003-06:00

Good morning parents,

This Wednesday is our youth ministry's night of being a Christmas Blessing to families in need in our community. I, along with social workers from both the junior and senior high schools, have identified a couple of families who are in need. Last year, our students donate over $700 dollars which provided for a very special Christmas blessing. Your youth ministry is hoping for another incredible year of generosity in order to be a blessing to more families. My encouragement to you as a parent is to challenge you and your student(s) to give generously to this ministry opportunity. If you are writing a check, you can make it out to FBC or your students can bring cash.

The plan for Wedneday night is to load all of us on a Willmar Bus Service school bus and travel to Walmart where students will shop in their respective small groups according to lists identified by me for the various families. All monies will be turned in at the beginning of the night and we will use our Walmart account and tax exempt status to pay for all the items. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me ASAP. Thank you for your support and your generosity.

For His Kids,

Miles

The Immersion Project - Video Gaming's Influence

2008-12-07T07:15:00.004-06:00

Good morning everyone,

In preparing for a class with parents of teenagers about Developing Media Discernment, I came across a startling video about the influence video games have on children. It comes from the UK's Telegraph Newspaper and does an amazing job of showing the simple facial experiences of children playing violent video games--the games in this video are: Halo 3, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto 4, Tekken and Star Wars Battlefront.

Miles

Here's an intro from the Telegraph: Robbie Cooper's film stills capture children's faces as they play violent videogames and form the basis of an art project that could also help us understand the effects of spending time in a virtual world.

Important Parent Resources Available!

2008-12-05T15:52:00.004-06:00

Parents,

I just wanted to let you know that the December ParentLink Newsletter is now online. Please follow the link and get your copy.

Also, there is a very interesting document that just came out called The 13th Annual MEDIAWISE Video Game Report. This a very valuable resource that I wanted to make available for you to gain a greater awareness about video gaming.

Hope these end up being helpful for you as a parent.

Miles

Who Has Authority?

2008-12-04T13:05:00.003-06:00

This is a great video that asks the question: Who Has Authority? It is very telling about the cultural soup that students and young people are swimming in today.

Enjoy!

Miles

Mark Your Calendars!

2008-12-01T11:02:00.001-06:00

Sunday's SURGE & Butterbraids

2008-11-28T08:30:00.003-06:00

Good morning everyone,

I trust that your Thanksgiving went well and your time with family enjoyable. I have a few things to bring to your attention regarding this weekend's schedule. First, we will be having SURGE this Sunday (11/30) at normal time. Parents in the Parenting Teens for Positive Results will also meet at normal times. Second, I need ALL Butter Braid forms turned in this Sunday please. Thanks for taking the time to sell and help raise funds for this summer's mission trip. Have a great rest of the holiday.

Miles

Sr. High Discipleship Conference @ Bethel, Jan. 9-10, 2009

2008-11-17T15:54:00.004-06:00

WHEN:
Friday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. to
Saturday, Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Bethel University

WHY GO?
Amazing worship
Highly interactive
Discipleship training
Small-group discussions
Student discipleship conference notebook
And much more!

WHO'S GOING?
The first 10 students to sign up with Pastor Miles. Bethel is only allowing 10 per youth group to attend... don't delay!

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS...
$45 per student - cost includes:
- two meals
- a pizza party
- all materials
- an overnight stay at Bethel University

TO REGISTER:
Contact Pastor Miles

This Friday Night!!!

2008-11-17T15:06:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone,

This Friday night (11/21) we are having a couple of things going on:
1. The girls are decorating the youth center for Christmas
2. Guys will be playing various games of dodgeball and anything else we can come up with.

Everything begins @ 6pm and will last for at least 2 hours. We will be having pizza and pop for $5. I am also asking for students to bring a treat to share for the night--it can be anything!

We hope to see your students here this Friday night--bring friends!

Miles

Parent Spiritual Assessment Survey

2008-11-16T08:26:00.003-06:00

Good morning parents,

I have created a survey that I have tasked our youth leaders to participate in and I am finding the information to be very valuable. Therefore, in trying to understand the spiritual climate that our students reside in, I am asking that you (as parents) also participate in the survey. It is completely anonymous and only 10 questions. The assessment will only be used to understand how to better minister to our youth and their respective families.

Directly to the right of this blog, you will find a link to the survey "view survey", please click that link and take the survey. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Blessings,

Miles

An Opportunity to Show Compassion

2008-11-11T14:29:00.002-06:00

Over the next few weeks as we draw to a close our Vintage Jesus teaching series, we are turning our eyes to the "least of these" (Matt. 25). We will be teaching the students Vintage Compassion: Doing What Jesus DID! This will be a stretch for many of our students (and us adults as well), but it is a stretch that I am looking forward to. This Saturday, we will be having a concert performed by Sheltered Reality and after the concert, there will be opportunities available to be made aware of ways you and your students can show compassion. One of those ways is by volunteering to be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer. How wonderful would it be for our parents and their students would get together and share in this unique priority-altering experience? Would you please consider helping our local Salvation Army and minister to the countless people in our very own community who are in need of help? Let's truly become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Miles

Be a Bell Ringer
Get involved with The Salvation Army and change lives this Christmas season. If you would like to bell ring in the Willmar community, please call Mickey at 320-235-2033. Various shifts are available.

Sheltered Reality Coming this Saturday (11/15) 5pm!

2008-11-10T14:10:00.002-06:00

A Must Read for Parents of Youth and Young Adults

2008-11-10T09:18:00.003-06:00

There is a fascinating aritcle in this morning's Star Tribune that I would encourage every parent and youth leader to read. The article is titled: Here's the Steeple; open the door, and where are the young people? This article offers a glimpse into the difficulty and challenge that is before parents and churches passionate about reaching young people for the Lord. I hope you will take the time to read and offer your comments/thoughts reagarding how you feel we as a church ought to be approaching this issue of "Spirituality" among youth and young adults.

Have a great day!

This Sunday's SURGE - David Lanning

2008-11-07T08:45:00.001-06:00

This Sunday's SURGE will feature David Lanning, candidate for FBC's Minister of Music and Worship. He will be talking to students about worship and how it impacts them. He will also be taking questions from the students. My encouragement to you as parents is to talk to your student about what questions he or she might have for David concerning the area of worship and youth ministry. While most of our kids will not have an opportunity to vote on whether or not to call David, they (and the ministry that serves them) are affected considerably. Worship is a large part of what our ministry to students is about and it is important for your kids to be engaged in the process. I hope you will have your student be in attendance this Sunday.

For you as parents, we are continuing in our Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results discussing how to navigate sexuality with your students. We have had some very interesting discussion and I would like to invite any of you who have not been a part of our time together to join us at 10 am in the old kitchen/fellowship hall.

Have a great day!

Miles

Parent Newsletters & Calendars are available!

2008-11-04T08:17:00.002-06:00

Good morning parents,

First things first, go VOTE!

Second, your parent newsletters and Nov-Jan Calendars are available.

Thank you!

Miles

WARNING! What you are about to watch is provacative but necessary.

2008-11-02T07:06:00.002-06:00

Parents,

MTV has been airing for a few months a relatively new reality show called Sex with Mom and Dad. In light of the Parenting Teenagers with Positive Results class we have been engaged in over the last few months, I felt it necessary to bring this show to your attention. One of the reasons I bring this to you as parents, is because this Sunday we address Navigating Sexuality in our study. While I understand that your child may not be watching this program, it does reflect the culture in which they live and socialize.

I also understand that as we begin this dialogue, that many of you have apprehensions talking about sex, let alone talking about sex with your students. The following is a video with Dr. Drew a celebrity of sorts as an internist and specialist in adolescence health as he addresses why this particular show is important and about parents opening up the channels of communication about sex. I hope you will watch.

Thank you,

Miles

Sex...with Mom and Dad - MTV Shows

October Parent Newsletter

2008-10-15T11:28:00.003-05:00

Good morning Parents,

I just wanted to inform you that your October Newsletter is ready for viewing. I hope it is informative and helpful for you. Also, there is no Refuge tonight for the MEA break, enjoy a night off for you and your family.

Blessings,

Miles

Bill Maher and his attack on Christianity...

2008-10-07T09:37:00.004-05:00

Last night as I was watching the news and flipping the channel to catch the Vikings' pregame show, I tuned in to Comedy Central to watch the beginning of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I occasionally watch this because for many young adults and teenagers they get their news on current events from this program. Of course, Stewart is funny and filthy all in the same breath and I would encourage parents to engage their students in discussion if they ware watching this kind of program.

Nevertheless, Stewart had as his guest Bill Maher who is a comedian turned political pundit/activist and self-proclaimed agnostic. He has a film called Religulous (taken from Religious and Ridiculous)that is already in theaters (thankfully in limited showing). He claims that he is attacking all religions where orthodox belief and adherence is found. When it comes to Christianity, he is no friend. I want you to see a brief interview done on The Daily Show with Jon Stweart with Maher speaking first about Scientology and then Christianity--young people are going to be (if not already) influenced by such things and we as youth workers and parents of teenagers need to be able to address such questions and attacks. Thanks for watching and reading.

For His Kids,

Miles

Jr. High - Quest Fall Retreat

2008-10-05T07:55:00.005-05:00

Well, it's Sunday morning at Trout Lake and the kids are still pretty much asleep--at least the guys are. We have had a great time seeing God work in ways that only He can. We have seen him challenge some of the things that our kids are thinking in terms of how they talk to their parents and friends, what kinds of things they watch and listen to, and how seriously they need to pursue this relationship with Jesus that He so deparately wants to have with them. We have played, we have joked, we have laughed (and sometimes cried... hurt big toe...), so it is no surprise that this year's retreat is another huge success and I am grateful for the Lord providing these kids and me with life-changing memories. Thanks to all the parents who allowed their children to attend, I hope your kids express the same thanks.

Blessings,

Miles

See You At The Pole - This Wednesday 9/24

2008-09-22T11:37:00.002-05:00

Dear Parents,

See You at the Pole is September 24, 2008

“CONNECT: Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) is the theme for See You at the Pole this year, with the event scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 at schools throughout our community, the United States and in many other countries.

My encouragement to you as parents of teens within our ministry, is to talk to your student about this prayer & worship event taking place at their schools. Many of the schools (WHS, WJH, NLS) are starting at 7:30am, Wednesday. Please work towards helping your student juggle the travel arrangements needed to get to school early for SYATP. this event will be led not by youth pastors or other adults from the schools but by students who desire to make a difference and be an example to their friends by living out their faith.

If you (or your student) have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Miles

TIME Magazine - The Truth About Teen Girls

2008-09-16T09:53:00.007-05:00

Dear Parents,

Periodically, I come across articles, blogs, books and the like that I feel you either need to know about or (at the very least) read. This article published in this week's TIME Magazine is one such article. The Truth About Teen Girls is a very interesting snapshot at today's teenage girl (as well as tweenage girls). I hope that you will take the time to read this and maybe even have some conversations with your daughter about some of the specifics. If you don't have a daughter, please read and talk this over with your son concerning the self-image of teenager girls. Thanks and have a great week.

Miles

Vintage Jesus & Parent Help!

2008-09-15T15:32:00.002-05:00

Hello Parents,

First, Wednesday night we begin our series called Vintage Jesus and out of all the topics we have covered over the last three years, I have never been more excited about what we are going to learn than I am with this series. Doors open @ 5:30pm for kids who want to come and hang out, but we officially begin @ 6pm and end @ 8pm. Our kick-off was a huge success and we hope that God will bless us with even a greater night as we deal with the question: Is Jesus the Only God?

Second, I would like to ask your help with procurement of some things that would be very valuable for the youth ministry. If you have around the house, or are will to purchase, we could use the following:

1. Hula Hoops
2. Ballons
3. Rope
4. Masking Tape
5. Old Nylon Stockings
6. Tennis Balls
7. Lawn Ornament Gnomes
8. Bags of mini candy bars and/or hardy candy
9. Lifesavers
10. Marbles
11. Nerf Balls (small and fairly soft)

It would be greatly appreciated if you come across these things (and are willing to donate them)to bring them by my office any time. This would help our ministry budget greatly. Thanks for considering this.

Have a great week!

Miles

Parents... Thank You!

2008-09-09T20:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents,

What an amazing turnout this past Sunday for our Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results class. Thank you for being willing to participate and for the privilege of facilitating the group.

Due to the large turnout we are moving our class to the Old Fellowship Hall where we can spread out and feel more comfortable. We will also continue discussing the topic of Attitude is Everything this Sunday when we come back together. I look forward to our discussion and the many things we can learn together and from each other.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me @ 235.2326.

For His Kids,

Miles

SURGE This Sunday!

2008-09-02T15:27:00.002-05:00

Hey Everyone,

The school year has officially begun and next week we kick-off our new year of REFUGE. However, this Sunday we begin our SURGE fall program where we will continue to look at what Character is all about through the lives of various people found in the Old Testament. Parents, I will be leading a class on Parenting for Positive Results in the upstairs youth office during this time. I hope to see some of you.

Have a great day!

Miles

Refuge Parent Link Newsletters

2008-08-26T15:11:00.004-05:00

Parents,

In the past, I have emailed or included in our First Facts a parent newsletter that is called The Parent Link. Starting in September (actually just before) we will be providing this newsletter via our website on the Information for Parents page. his is just another way for you to not only stay connected with the ever-changing climate your teens live in, but be able to learn practical ways to engage them in the spiritual lives. I pray that this will be a part of normal reading for you as a parent and partner with Refuge Student Ministry.

For His Kids,

Miles

Annual Ministry Kick-Off Parent Meeting - 8/24/08

2008-08-26T08:21:00.004-05:00

Good morning everyone,

I want to inform our parents that there is another way of finding out information that you may have missed if you were unble to attend our regular parent meetings. On our FBC Willmar website, you will navigate to the Youth Ministry page and on the page you will find a button that states "Information for Parents." Click that button and you will find the latest meeting agenda and items I discussed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great day and remember to check this blog & website often for Refuge Student Mnistry updates.

Blessings,

Miles

IMPORTANT!!! Fall Retreat Reminders!!!

2008-08-19T08:45:00.002-05:00

This is a reminder that this Sunday, August 24th is the day to register your student for Quest or Breakaway. Please do not DELAY!!!

To register, please fill out a Refuge Fall Retreat Form and an FBC Medical Release Form. Turn in both forms by August 24th with a $50 deposit per student. Leaders, please fill out form and turn in on August 24th with $30 registration fee.

Any questions, please contact Pastor Miles (235.2326)

Jr High Quest & Sr High Breakaway

2008-08-07T10:21:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder: This Sunday, August 24th is the day to sign your student up for Quest or Breakaway. Don't Delay!

To register, please fill out a Refuge Fall Retreat Form and an FBC Medical Release Form. Turn in both forms by August 24th with a $50 deposit per student. Leaders, please fill out form and turn in on August 24th with $30 registration fee.

Any questions, please contact Pastor Miles (235.2326)