How many middle school students can say they moved 16.57 tons of bricks this summer?  Sixteen, to be exact. Moving the bricks was just one part of the learning process that took place on our middle school missions trip to Evangel University in Springfield, MO.  After months of preparing our hearts and minds to serve God on this missions trip, we finally put it all into action, by serving the University’s students and staff in practical ways. We completed a project that the University had put on hold for three summers while waiting for the funds for labor and installation. Here is a summary...

Score big points with your son and/or daughter and sign them up for FLAKE 2011.  FLAKE is a fantastic growth event that helps middle school students connect with Jesus while deepening God-honoring friendships.  Download your FLAKE REGISTRATION FORM & turn it in by February 13 for the early-bird rate of $85.  This year, FLAKE 2011 is traveling to Sunstream Retreat Center February 25-27 to play together (skiing at 7 Oaks) worship together and be challenged to live for Jesus together.  Scholarships are available. Print an application. See you there!

Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas with family, friends, and United as ONE.  There will be no mid-week youth services for the rest of December.  HOWEVER, don’t miss out on the first Wednesday of the new year as we start 2011 with a blast.  Old man winter is here to stay, so let’s play.  Join us for a fun night of tubing at Sleepy Hollow Wednesday, January 5 from 5:30 - 9:15 PM.  Cost is $3 for pizza and $10 for tubing. Don’t have time to fix dinner?  Throw the family in the car and eat Papa John’s Pizza in the Fellowship Hall from 5:30 - 6:00. Remember to turn...

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:” Now, therefore,...

It’s official…ONE Middle School has decided to GO!  Go where?  This year we are headed to Springfield, MO for our annual mission trip, June 26 through July 2, 2011.  Evangel University is our destination to show God’s love in a practical way.  Our intent is to serve the Assembly of God university by working on various projects chosen by their staff to fill needs that otherwise might go unmet.    Click on the “read more” to continue reading and download an application.) This is a great Level 1 Mission Trip.  Your young person will learn the value of humility...

Every year during the holiday season, ONE Middle School students and leaders emphasize the need of local missions.  This year, we have chosen to bless a single mom and her two small boys by providing the basics for their family and a little “extra” Christmas cheer.  Click on “needs list” to download the items we intend to shop for on Saturday, December 4, 1-5 PM at our Bowla-Shoppa-Wrappa-Snacka-Delivery-athon.  The minimum cost is $10 to cover the bowling, snacks and shopping, however, anything beyond the minimum will go toward the purchasing of the needs.  The “Bowla…”...

Every now & then we have what some people describe as a “mountain top” experience.  The reference is from Matthew 17 when Jesus took Peter, James, & John with him atop a mountain and there, they met with Elijah & Moses.  As you can imagine, the disciples were blown away by the experience, as would you and I! Red Culture Convention is such an event.  The teaching your student will hear, the intense worship, the service opportunities, and the friendships that will take place can only be described as a life-altering, transforming experience.  Download the registration flyer...

So you want to play paintball.  You’ve made the right choice!  There are two forms you must fill out in order to play.  Click “read more” and download the first form in order to play.  Here is the paintball waiver.  The other form, which will take much longer to fill out and requires a notary is the parental consent form.  You can find that form in the downloads file located on the right side of the blog.

If you were in our last parent meeting, you heard me talk about Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages.  In it, he shares the idea that we all commonly give and receive love in five different ways.  They are (1) Quality Time (2) Words of Affirmation (3) Gifts (4) Acts of Service (5) Physical Touch.  Consequently, when you discover a person’s primary love language, you can choose to love them in a way that you know they’ll best receive it!  For example, if I know my daughter’s primary love language is quality time, then investing time with her, via reading to...

If I told you that I knew of an opportunity that would potentially cure the self-centeredness in your teen’s life, deepen your student’s relationship with Christ, help them discover and practice their new found  leadership skills, strengthen their work ethic, make God-honoring friendships that would last a lifetime, and have fun all at the same time, would you be interested in knowing more?  If you answered “yes”, then may I suggest you and your young person make plans to go on the 2011 Middle School Mission Trip?  Very few things in all my experience of student ministries...