Published September 1, 2016
Grace Baptist Church, Batavia, New York
Corey
Ministry Highlights
This month has been great for getting to know our student ministry leaders as well as gear up for our fall kickoff. We had some great leader meetings that were critical in the development and planning for what will happen this student ministry year. We are realizing how blessed we are to have such quality leaders who are willing and excited to be a part of student ministry.
Jaycee and I both have some great opportunities to be involved in our community. Jaycee is currently helping coach varsity girls volleyball at the high school. I met and talked with the athletic director about coaching boys lacrosse this coming spring as well as boys ice hockey. I meet with the hockey coach next week to discuss the possibility to be involved. We are so excited for these avenues the Lord has given us to be involved with our community and even some students from youth group.
We have started to plan a community outreach event for this Halloween. We will be doing a trunk-or-treat for our community. This is exciting because this is one of the first church-wide events that I get to do the bulk of the planning/do as an internship project. We are so excited to see how God uses this event to reach people in our community.
This month was great for forming stronger relationships with students. I was able to have four significant one-on-one time’s with four different students. Two of which were discipling/coaching for leadership opportunities in this upcoming student ministry year, and two were for the much needed spiritual growth that needs to take place in these student’s life. Regardless of the occasion, each meeting was super encouraging and just so exciting to be a part of. I love that there are students who are at various points in their walk with God, who are then willing to meet and talk about their necessary next steps.
Key Prayer Requests
For our friends Josh and Courtney who are dealing with the loss of their son Eli. They have been handling this very difficult situation with such grace, are drawing near to God, and have had such a godly response in all of this. Pray they continue to draw near to God, grow through this trial, and that God uses this little boy’s life/death in amazing ways.
The launch of youth group is this month. We will have our kickoff party September 9 and then the regular start of youth group is September 11. We are really looking forward to what God will do this year in our student ministry. Pray that our leadership team continues to grow closer together as well as become more effective in ministering to students.
We are planning a community outreach event for Halloween. We will be doing a Trunk-or-treat for the community of Batavia. Pray that our people fall in love with serving our community, that we gain avenues and platforms to share/display the love of Christ to our community, and that as a result we ultimately see our community come to know and love Christ.
Jaycee continues to do well with the pregnancy, our baby boy is super healthy, and Jaycee is as well. In fact, Jaycee is even helping coach girls high school volleyball. Pray for continued health with the pregnancy and opportunities to share the gospel with her fellow coaches and the different players she has a relationship with.
Prominent Lessons
I learned that there is no price tag on the value of retreating and recharging with your wife. Getting away for a weekend with Jaycee was so needed! As a result, we were spiritually charged, emotionally relaxed and eager to get back to our normal ministry life by the end of our time. We will be sure to plan these little trips into our ministry calendar!
I learned that people watch closely and that my ability to impact others is directly related to how I conduct myself. I was greatly impacted by how many people commented about my reaction to a technology glitch during my sermon, thankfully it was a positive reaction. But it made me realize just how closely people are watching, and that one moment of a fleshly response can significantly subtract credibility in ministering to others.
I learned that all “home life” situations are not always as they appear. No matter how well a family appears to be “solid” or “have it together,” there is no assurance of a genuine, authentic Spirit-led life. I am continuing to meet with a student who is in a terrible home situation, a family that “outwardly” shows no sign of discord. The bottom-line is that members of this family are in serious need of surrender to the Spirit in their life in order for things to get better.
Jaycee and I learned that sometimes all you need to do is be there for people who are hurting/suffering from a loss. For people who “know, believe and live out” the truth, sometimes don’t need you to say anything, quote a verse, give input, they just need you to be there for them, cry with them, etc. I learned that in some situations you need to just love on people, pray with them and encourage them in them in the simplest way possible. I do not always need to give some “elaborate, pastoral, word of counsel” to people. Sometimes you just need to be there.
Jaycee
Ministry Highlights
Our first few youth leaders meetings and building our relationship with them.
Helping out with my high school varsity volleyball team.
Key Prayer Requests
Baby boy Hancock to continue to grow and develop.
Opportunity to share the gospel with the volleyball team and my old coach.
The kickoff of youth group this Friday night and Sunday.
Prominent Lessons
God is always good and able to comfort in hard times.
There are always opportunities to take to point people to Christ if we’re willing and ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Set up a day/devotional opportunity for the senior high girls in youth group.
Continued relationship growth with students, leaders, and girls from the volleyball team.
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