June article in "The Call" -- CCCOG Newseltter

            Well, we made it again. We made it through one of the busiest seasons in youth ministry. It starts with egg making in February, and ends with graduations in May. This year was a successful busy season. Eggs went extremely well and state youth convention was one of the best that I had ever taken part in. All of these successes are to the glory of God, with the assistance of the prayer warriors and supporters of the Cedar Creek Church of God and beyond. I cannot believe May flew by as quickly as it did. It has been a very productive May. We started with our all-church fellowship dinner that I think was a great success. We had a good time with the cook out and the movie projected on the wall in the Christian Activities Center. Times like these are priceless, as good Christian fellowship is one of the glues that hold relationships together. It was also a great opportunity for fundraising for the youth group. Thanks for your support in this endeavor. Later in May came graduation time. On the 15^th of May, I had the opportunity to assist in the United Baccalaureate service of Greene County. This is an important event that should be supported heavily by local congregations. It is the last truly Christian event within the local county school systems. We are concerned with the lack of Christ in our school systems, so we need to support this event as much as possible. This year’s baccalaureate was a good one as Mr. Steve Fitzhugh brought the word preceded by the Advanced Chorus from Greeneville High School. Both venues were amazing and the Lord spoke during the service. It is also during this service that the Doer of the Word Scholarship is presented. One male and one female from each school are presented a $1000 scholarship earned by their sincerity to walk with Christ day in and day out. This is not a political award, as it is student-chosen to avoid such an issue. I am proud to say that one of the recipients of this year’s Doer of the Word Scholarship is from our youth group here at Cedar Creek. Congratulations to Mr. Dallas Malone. The following Saturday was graduation for several of our students. I am proud to have been a small part of their lives during this time. I have really enjoyed watching them grow and mature in the Lord as well as in life. I continue to pray that God will bless them as they continue onward in this crazy journey we call life.

 

            Right after graduation is a great time to get the summer ministry started. We had two “kickoff” gatherings for two of our ministries. On the 26^th of May, we had a pool party/Bible study at the home of Micky and Tammy Reaves. This was to kick-off our Sunday night youth group series. The numbers are not as big on Sunday nights as they are on Wednesday, but it is still a welcoming environment for the students as well as the Holy Spirit. On the 24^th, we had our College-Age summer kickoff at the home of Kevin and Julie Kinser. It is an overwhelming epidemic throughout the church that students are kind of dropped after they graduate from youth group. I refuse to allow this to happen at Cedar Creek. We have poured too much into the lives of these young men and women to merely abandon them after graduation. God has directed me to do all that I can to keep these students connected. Therefore, I will do my best. Because of their busy schedule with college and/or the work place, and because my main focus must remain on the youth group, I cannot offer a great deal of time. However, I do not think it requires a great deal of time to be successful. We have a wonderful college-age Sunday school class and we are starting this monthly bible study. College age students (along with anyone else) are also invited to observe during youth group on Wednesday evenings. These students know that they have graduated and are no longer youth group members, but they also know that we here at Cedar Creek welcome them in all facets of ministry. Please continue to keep both of these ministries in your prayers.

 

            The summer is usually a regrouping time in youth ministry. Many families are on vacation and are absent from church. Many of our students are gone to camps or are attempting to hold down a summer job. This makes for some vacancies within in our group during this time of year. I do not allow that to hinder ministry. I do not slow down much during the summer. Some do, and that is perfectly fine. However, there are still students out there who, quite frankly, have nothing to do. I take advantage of that. I am planning some day trips and a retreat for the summer. The number of students may not be huge, but I expect a good twenty or thirty to participate in these activities. My philosophy for the summer is this: plan ministry opportunities often, and those that can come may come. It may be a different twenty every time, but that is perfectly alright. So, if you will, please continue to pray for our group. Pray for the safety of the students and for the success of the ministry. Said success is completely related to our allowing Christ to work through us. Success in ministry is measured by the will of God being accomplished. That is my goal, as I am sure it is yours as well.

 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. May God bless you during this warming time of year and may we all continue to remember the source of all blessings and prosperity.

 

 

With love and prayer,

 

Pastor E.J.