Christmas is Coming...

Getting gifts for kids always makes Christmas just that much more enjoyable. In my family we have two kids, but when you start counting up the neices and nephews, that number rises to a 11 (ages 2-13). Trying to find the right gift is alway a challenge, especially with the ever changing taste of 10-13 year olds. It's funny how life repeats itself in different ways.

Just last week we had the opportunity to help Operation Christmas Child prepare shoeboxes of gifts for kids ages 2-14. We're not just talking 11 kids, but thousands upon thousands of children. The warehouse we were working at had pallets of shoebox gifts destined for children in Panama, Peru, the Philippines, China & Guyana. What an amazing site to see hundreds of pallets piled 5 ft. high with box after box of gifts. We're not just talking about toys, but also essential hygiene items that we often take for granted. We even heard the testimony of a 15 year old girl, who just ten years ago was a recipient of such a shoebox gift, and that day was there to help just as we were.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas and be reminded of the most precious gift of all, Jesus Christ, than to be a part of a ministry that brings joy and smiles to the faces of children all over the world. If you want more information about Operation Christmas Child check out their website by clicking on the OCC logo above.

Going into Overtime...

Friday, November 21 (10p to midnight), High School Revive goes into Overtime!

We have been talking about it for some time now. You have been praying for your friends. The time is here to give that extra effort and not just invite your friends--bring them this Friday night!

We have great food and fun games ready to go. We will give away a some T-shirts and a mini-fridge that night. Don't forget, we also have the Gladiator Joust available to challenge your friends.

Remember, this is your chance to open the doors of your church to your friends. You have the tools, you have the confidence, and I know that you can make it happen. What's gonna make this Overtime different? Everyone can come away a winner!

November Calendars are available!

When you get your calendar in the mail, you may notice a certain theme to the month's activities--serve. Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 1, and continuing throughout the month, there will be opportunities to discover what you enjoy doing, and then serving God in that way.

This Saturday (Nov. 1; 9:30 am to 1:30 pm), we will assist with "Loaves & Fishes" which is a ministry of TFB to those in our neighborhood and community who need a little extra assistance. Later in the month (Wednesday, Nov. 26; 12 Noon to 7 pm), we will join with Samaritan's Purse--Operation Christmas Child--as they prepare shoeboxes for children all over the world. What a great way to kick off the holiday season of giving by giving of ourselves.

Take note also of some weekend fun for both Jr. High & High School. On Nov. 14, Jr. High Quest will host a Pizza & Movie night. As I said earlier, I'm open to your suggestions for what to show that night. Email me your ideas at tfb.crux@gmail.com. For High School Revive, Nov. 21, will be an Overtime Outreach event right here at TFB from 10 pm to Midnight. We're working on making this a great time of fun and activities that you won't want to miss. Don't forget to invite your friends today and make plans to join us that night.

For those who missed out on some of the events in October, here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!

Ready to lead?

We are about 35 days from selecting the next US President. The question of leadership is on many people's minds. What qualifications matter most? What issues are important for that president to have a grasp of? What do each of these men bring to the table? Who can I really trust? On Nov. 4, voters across the country will have reached answers to those questions and many more and have decided who shall lead.

The question I ask you to consider is this: am I a leader? With the focus on McCain & Obama, I think we forget that the responsibility that falls to each one of us, is to lead where and when we can. For our High School Students, I have challenged you to consider your leadership capabilities. I'm asking you to step up and be a leader. I understand some of the hesistancy and reluctance to make a committment to lead. Wearing the bulls-eye and shouldering the responsibility that comes with leadership is not always easy. Nevertheless, I believe in you!

I've been praying that this ministry will not just matter to the families of TFB, but to this community. The efforts of a handful of quality adult volunteers and myself are not enought for that to happen. Students like yourselves are a vital component to building a ministry that matters. I know you can do this--God has gifted you to serve Him. I hear students lament that they don't have a voice in what happens. Unfortunately, too often their voices are silenced by their own fears and self-doubt. I say, let your voice be heard and make a difference for God's Kingdom by being a leader in Crux Student Ministries!

Jr. High Quest is on the move...

Beginning Wednesday, September 24, Jr. High Quest will be moving from Thursday nights (7 pm to 8:30 pm) to Wednesday nights (6:30 pm to 8 pm). This move accomplishes a number of things. For families with students in both Children’s Ministries (Veggie Connections) and Jr. High (Quest), moving to Wednesday adds a measure of transportation convenience, as well as eliminating one more night out in the middle of the week. Also, Fridays have typically been days when tests take place and assignments are due. I have discovered that too often, a Thursday night meeting time was in conflict with preparation for school the next day, keeping students and their friends from being able to attend Quest. And finally, the new meeting times (6:30 pm to 8 pm) will assist in getting students home earlier on a school night—another added benefit.

I understand that for some families, changing their weekly routine will take some time, and that for some families, this change is a huge inconvenience. Please know thatI have weighed these considerations in deciding to make this change at this time. In the long run, I believe that this will not only benefit Jr. High Ministries, but bring continuity and excitement for students as they move from Children’s Ministries into Student Ministries in the years to come.

Please let your friends know about our NEW Night & Time! We don't want anyone to miss out on the exciting things to come!

Bear Fruit!

Having spent many years living in California’s central valley, I have seen fields of fruits and vegetables dominate the landscape. Most memorable has always been the grapevines, particularly at harvest time when the fruit, hanging from the leafy vines, are unmistakable. Such images remind me of John 15 where Jesus once again, teaches spiritual truth in a most memorable way.

Jesus tells His followers that He is the vine and that it is important that they, the branches, bear fruit. He goes on to say that only the branches that stay connected to the vine can produce fruit (verse 4). This concept of basic gardening is not new or hard to understand for even the beginning gardener. The analogy continues in verse 5 where Jesus similarly states that the key to fruitfulness for us is connection to the true vine, Jesus Himself—“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

As you begin a new school year, I encourage you to “Bear Fruit”. Fruitfulness this year may come in the form of pointing friends to faith, serving our church and community or the evidence of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5). Yet remember that fruitfulness will not occur without a solid connection to the true vine—Jesus.

Let me offer a final observation about grapevines. I’ve noticed that some fields have older vines with newer branches sprouting out from them. Then there are other fields with older vines where you can’t tell where the main vine ends and the branch begins. Clearly those branches have been connected to that vine for a long time and have begun to even look and feel like the main vine.

So as you strive to be fruit-bearing followers of Jesus, pray that your connection to Him will grow stronger each day and that you will be more like Him in every way. Pray that your time in God’s Word will not only be more of a priority, but that you will have greater understanding as you read. And pray that the “fruit of the Spirit” will be clearly evident in your life and that others will see Christ-like character developing in you.

[Remember that FREE YouthWalk Devotionals are available each month in the HS Room.]

Servant Week & Magic Mountain

Summer camps have come and gone and it was amazing. Both camps focused on what it means to be a Christian, whether it was understanding our new identity in Christ or re-discovering the basic doctrines that are the foundation of the Christian faith. I really enjoyed the time to get to know some of you better and look forward to watching what God will continue to do in your lives as you apply the lessons you learned at camp.

Next week there will be no HS Revive or JH Quest in the evenings due to Vacation Bible School. However, we will meet Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday (July 15-17) for Servant Week. Each day from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm we will take a look at what Jesus taught about servanthood and then immediately go out and serve our church and our community. All you need to bring is your Bible, a water bottle, and lunch (or lunch $$). Come one or every day and you'll find the joy that comes with serving others.

Magic Mountain is just around the corner. On Tuesday, August 5, TFB Crux will head out for the day at the park. The cost is $25 ($5 if you have an annual pass). You must bring your money and sign-up by Thursday, July 31, so that we can make sure we have enough transportation for everyone. This is a great opportunity to bring your friends and introduce them to the ministry of TFB Crux and our great volunteer staff.