Spring Events (a retreat, a conference, and mayhem)

This spring we are packing a lot in a short amount of time. There are three events coming up that are going to be awesome.

Spring Retreat (April 22-24)
If you can only pick one thing to do this spring, this should be it. We've been advertising this at VIBE, but haven't had final confirmation on where we are staying until about a week ago.

There will be all kinds of shenanigans happening (Sky Zone, late night activities, open gym, etc...). Rod Tackett will be with us as well.

Here's the best part about this event: KLMC is subsidizing it in a big way. To do everything we are planning to do, it would cost about $90/person. However, we are only charging $25/person.

The reason we are doing this is simple. We believe that it is that important for people to be able to be a part of this retreat. It's going to be transformational for our youth group.

More details will follow soon, but here's what you need to know:

Where: Youth For Christ Building, Auburn, IN
Cost: $25 (a $90 value)
When: April 22-24 (leaving after school and returning late afternoon)

Never 2 Young (May 6-7)
Never 2 Young is an event just for Middle Schoolers. We open it up to anyone currently in 6-8 grade. It's kind of like a shortened 3dyc. We leave Friday after school and return Saturday afternoon.

There are all kinds of activities (inflatable games, basketball, dodgeball, wallyball, gaga ball, laser tag, etc...). The main sessions are always incredible.

The cost is $35 (that covers the registration, all food including dinner Friday night which they don't provide, and transportation).

You can pick up a registration form this week at VIBE. Forms need to be turned in by April 24.

Where: Indiana Wesleyan University
Cost: $35
When: May 6-7

Mayhem (May 14)
Mayhem has gotten a face lift this year. We will be at the Kroc Center in South Bend, and it runs from 7-11 pm fast (6-10 pm slow).

Tournaments this year include dodgeball and futsal (modified soccer). The cost will include registration and pizza. It's going to be a blast this year.

Where: Kroc Center (meet at KLMC at 5 pm slow/6 pm fast | back by 10:45 pm slow/11:45 pm fast)
Cost: $10
When: May 14


That's a lot of stuff happening in a short window, and it's coming up quickly.

Here's the deal, we don't want anyone to miss out on anything, especially the Spring Retreat and Never 2 Young. And I know that's a lot of money to spend in a short amount of time. So, if you are planning on doing all three events (this deal is for Middle School students only), we'll take $10 off ($60 for all three instead of $70). That's almost 15% off.

As always, if anyone needs help financially, we do offer scholarships. You can access a scholarship form by clicking here and scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page.

I hope you can join us for at least one or all three of these events. It's going to be a fun spring! All the registration forms will be available at KLMC Sunday or on the church website next week.

Girly-Burly

Hey guys. I'm getting pumped about Girly-Burly. There has been info on Facebook, but let me get it out on here too.

• Bring warm clothes (especially the guys), something to sleep on (may need an air mattress if you have one)
• Bring some fresh clothes and shower stuff
• We'll be leaving right after VIBE and getting back around 4 slow/5 fast on Monday
• All food will be provided
• The cost is FREE

If you have any other questions, email me at no.more.name.calling@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

3dyc 2015: What to Bring

I'm getting pumped for the final 3dyc. I am expecting God to do big things this year. I hope that you come anticipating and praying for God's work in your life and in our group.

Here are some logistical things for 3dyc:

What to Bring

• Bible, notebook, pen
• A couple changes of clothes
• Soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste
• Extra money for merchandise, ordering pizza, or additional food for the meals (Optional. All meals are taken care of. Read below))
• Camera
• Watch (won't have phones, so this will be your time-keeper)
• Breakfast bars/food for Tuesday and Wednesday morning (breakfast)

What Not to Bring

• Cell phones (The adults will have cell phones. We will provide the numbers when you drop of your teens on the 28th)
• MP3 players and other electronics
• Weapons (knives, guns, etc...)
• Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes

You will probably want to eat breakfast before we leave on Monday because we won't eat until we get to Fort Wayne and sit down for lunch. 

The meal system at 3dyc will be the same as last year. You will get tickets for each meal (dinner on the 28, lunch and dinner on the 29, seven tickets per meal). If you want to purchase more than seven tickets worth of food, you may want to bring a few extra dollars. However, we found that last year we weren't even using the tickets we had. CLICK HERE for the menu for 3dyc.

Dec. 28: Meet at KLMC at 7:15 am slow/8:15 am fast (parents, stay for a time of prayer)

Dec. 30: Arrive back at KLMC at 12:30 pm slow/1:30 pm fast

If you have more questions about what to bring or other things about 3dyc feel free to contact me. I look forward to spending these few days with you all!

-Norm

Merry Giveaways

In light of the Christmas season, the last two VIBES will be marked with generosity. We will be giving away a ton of goodies, including up to four Kindle Fires, a Blu-ray player, some Christmas movies, and much more!

Be here December 6 and 13 in order for your chance to win some of these prizes. You may even be able to increase your chances if you bring someone who has not been to VIBE yet this year!

Tis the season for giving, and we're following suit.

VIBE | 5:45-7:15 pm central (slow)

Merry Backwards

Christmas seems so backwards, doesn't it? People suddenly become extra generous (except my 3 year old who would rather get than give). We give to organizations that help under-privileged people. We drop money in the Salvation Army buckets. We give our time to serve at soup kitchens and food pantries. Companies give their employees bonus checks.

But where did all of this backwards thinking begin? Why is this holiday known as Christmas so much different than any other time of the year? Why is this season marked with generosity?

We're going to unpack this idea over the next couple weeks at VIBE. We're going to look at the most generous gift ever given to our world. Join us Sunday nights from 5:45-7:15 pm central.

Upcoming Dates

• December 6 - Last chance to turn in 3dyc forms/money (click here for more details)
• December 6 & 13 - Last two VIBES of the year
• December 13 - The Jerusalem Project (summer mission project) student and parent meeting (read about it here)
• 10:45 am OR 4:45 pm (choose one)
• Meet in Fellowship Hall

Last Chance for 3dyc

We all need a little ridiculousness in our lives. You know...that, "What! I can't believe what just happened! Did I really see that?" That kind of ridiculousness.

Over the last 20 years 3dyc has provided those moments. I have seen God do ridiculous things in students' lives. I have seen relationships formed that last for a ridiculous amount of time. I have seen groups come together to accomplish ridiculous tasks. I have seen people respond to God's ridiculous call in their lives.

It seems fitting that the theme for 3dyc this year is Embrace the Ridiculous.

Want to know what else is ridiculous? The fact that the final deadline for 3dyc is just under two weeks away. Yes, you read that right. Our final deadline is December 6. The cost for the final deadline is $230. But if money is an issue, please don't hesitate to talk with me about that. It would be ridiculous for us to allow money to come between you and 3dyc.

Again, THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR THE FINAL 3DYC IS DECEMBER 6. Don't miss out on this. It really is going to be ridiculously awesome.

The Jerusalem Project

Ever wonder what it would be like to have been one of Jesus' original followers? They got to see first hand how Jesus lived, what He did, the miracles He performed. They got to experience the power that He possessed.

But then, somewhat unexpectedly, Jesus left His disciples. He told them that He was going away, but that He was giving them the authority to do what He had been doing. He called them to go out and do the things that He had done (Matt. 28:18-20).

How nerve-racking that must have been to a group of misfits. These guys were just beginning to understand what Jesus was about, then He leaves it up to them.

One of the last pieces of instructions that He left the disciples is found in Acts 1:8:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jesus wanted them to start where they were currently placed...in Jerusalem. He wanted them to start from home base, then spread out from there.

Fast forward about 2,000 years. Here you are, trying to figure out what it means to follow Christ in your everyday life. And this call sits before you, to be His witness starting with your home base (Koontz Lake, Walkerton, Hamlet, Grovertown, etc...).

It's the reason why we build into our mission trip routine a home-based experience. We need to start with our Jerusalem if we are going to be Jesus' witnesses to the world. That's why we call this THE JERSUALEM PROJECT (TJP).

Every third year we stay at the church during VBS week. We are Jesus' witnesses to the kids who come to learn and hear more about Him. In the afternoons we go out and bless our community in various ways. We have helped the elderly clean their yard, painted, performed small repairs, and much more.

TJP has easily become my favorite mission experience because it is so close to home (literally). We have no idea what kind of impact our work has had on our community, but I've seen glimpses. I've seen people open up to God in their lives. I've seen people shed tears of joy because they didn't know how they were going to do the work that needed to be done.

I rarely say this, but if you are eligible to do this (just finished 7-12 grade) then you need to. This is a must do kind of experience. If you only do one thing with the youth ministry, this is it.

We have a meeting for students and parents on December 13. Actually, we have two meetings that day so you can choose which one you would like to come to. It is MANDATORY to be at the meeting that day. If you can't make it Dec. 13, then you can reschedule with me. The info you will receive is critical to success of TJP.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Meetings: December 13, 10:45 am OR 4:45 pm (central/slow time). For parents AND students.

The Jerusalem Project: June 19-24