You Become Who You Hang Out With

I recently read something Rick Warren wrote that got me thinking ”, The moment your kids start going to school, you no longer have the primary influence on their life. They start to become influenced by their peer group. And the older they get, the more they look to their peers. 

So, as a parent, you need to continually have a conversation with your kids about who their companions are going to be. You need to help your children understand the impact friends have on them and the importance of choosing good friends.

We need to encourage our children to make friends with others who will pull them up instead of drag them down; who encourage them and be positive influences in their lives. Because the number one factor that will determine whether they succeed or fail in life is the kind of friends they choose – friends who hold them back or friends who spur them on.”

As our local schools wind down the academic year and Fort Hays State University and Hays High School prepare for graduations this weekend, I got to thinking about how thankful I am for the awesome student ministries we have at Celebration Community Church. Encounter our College ministry led by Dr Jeff Burnett right down to DeLynn Rice’s Go-Fish Children’s church with Nick Eiden and previously Derek Mayfield in between leading CrossCurrent, C3 is totally committed to teaching students not just information but more importantly the formation of Christian character in the context of a community of faith . As we conclude our first year of private Christian pre-school and elementary education at Hays Victory Christian Academy we are modeling for even our youngest children to live their lives as Christians in a world that doesn’t. 

As the school year comes to an end I want to personally thank and encourage you to do as well all of the teachers in public and private education alike who are committed to being positive role models living out the Gospel  and influencing young people to make good  and Godly choices in their lives. 

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle