Student Ministry - March
Dear Church Family,
There are some really exciting things going on in the life of our Student Ministry, and I want to make sure you know about them! Here are a few reasons you need to know: First, if you are a parent or grandparent to a student (6th-12th grade), then these are the things that will help he or she have a deeper commitment to and a more faithful and fruitful walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Second, these are ways to get your students’ friends involved and plugged in so they can hear the gospel and be influenced by a Christ centered community. Thirdly, whether you have a student or not, adult volunteers are necessary… not just because we need help setting up and tearing down (which is so helpful!), but also because students need meaningful relationships with adults who are investing in them. Statistics (and wisdom) tell us that those relationships are what keep students engaged in church after high school… volunteering isn’t just about doing things, it’s about presence and relationships. And finally, we need you to pray for the students, their families, and this ministry. Without us calling on the name of the Lord, we are just spinning our wheels. So, as you read about what is happening in the Student Ministry, please pray that God would be present and active so that lives will change and He will be glorified!
Coming April 3-5 is our Student Retreat. The theme is “Restless.” We are going to spend a weekend at Crossings, Cedarmore learning about God’s desire for us to rest in Jesus. The world will run us ragged if we are not disciplined about rest. In Christ, we have an everlasting rest for our souls that begins now! My hope and prayer is that through this retreat students will be set free from the burden of pressure, anxiety, and depression as we intentionally relax in Christ. Information and registration are online at oakhillbc.org/events or in the Lobby. Registration and payment are due by March 22. Please don’t let a student miss out on this.
We’ve begun a new study during our Sunday night Student Gatherings (5pm-7pm) that has the potential to drastically strengthen someone’s faith and answer genuine questions about Christianity. The study is called, “What’s So Great About the Bible?” Many students don’t know the answer to that question. And because they don’t know why the Bible is so amazing, they have a harder time taking it seriously. We want to bolster our understand of God’s Word so that we will want to hear it more and more. Also, we spend 45 minutes playing in the gym after our study, so it’s just a great time overall!
Finally, our Wednesday night Life Groups (6pm-7:30pm) are starting a new study this month called “The Prodigal Son.” Obviously, it will be about the parable that Jesus told, and it will focus on how a fulfilling life is found only in the arms of the Father. We don’t need to look to popularity, good grades, skill in sports, relationships, or appearance to find fulfillment. And when we try to find it in those things, they leave us depressed, upset, and feeling worthless. But because of Christ’s saving work on the cross, God’s arms are open to embrace us no matter how far away we have roamed. That is a message students need now more than ever.
Please pray for us as we seek to point our students to Christ in these ways and more. I am praying for you as you do the same in your homes.
Sincerely,
Brian Van Doren
