Tuesday, June 30, 2015

How He Loves Us

At this year’s Youth Conference I had a couple of revelations. I was remembering one of the first Youth Conferences when during my keynote address on a Friday night I confessed that one of my greatest regrets in life was “knowing the truth about Jesus, yet turning away and searching for the truth elsewhere”. I shared with the group that after coming to my senses, one of my greatest joys in life was accepting the reality that Christianity really is the truth. That Jesus really did love me and out of that love died for my sins. I suppose that for a Christian this should be obvious. But for me it was a fresh revelation that Jesus was in fact really the Son of God and that He really loves me. Experiencing that truth was very liberating.
Jonie Yoder, writing for Our Daily Bread recalls Os Guinness telling about a young, searching Christian who exclaimed, "I always knew the Christian faith was true, but I never realized it was this true!"
“As a believer searching for a greater understanding of the gospel, you will discover and continually rediscover what Jesus promised: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
This last Saturday night I had another revelation. As the C3 Worship Team was leading us in singing David Crowder’s song, “How He loves us, Oh how He loves us, How he loves us so.” I re-experienced in a fresh new way the reality of Jesus’ love for me and for everyone there. It prompted me to walk around the room and put my hand on the shoulders of many fellow worshippers, looking them in square in the eye and with a smile on my face sang to each one of them, “He loves us, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all.” It was exhilarating!
Do you need a fresh realization of that truth in your life? Then spend time searching the Scriptures (the written truth), and earnestly seek Jesus Christ (the living truth).  Sing songs of praise to the One who paid the price to set you free and then live in that freedom.  Soon the old, familiar truth of Jesus and His love will become refreshingly new to you and will make you free indeed.”  “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”John 8:36
This Sunday at the Celebration we will be starting a new series on Jesus Christ and his Revelation to His Apostle John. We will learn to recognize the reality of Jesus Christ and also learn about how to live while awaiting Christ’s return. We will also be celebrating our freedom as Americans but even more, our eternal freedom that comes from knowing and accepting God’s truth.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle

Monday, June 29, 2015

12th Annual CrossCurrent Youth Conference

This weekend's 12th Annual CrossCurrent Youth Conference was AMAZING! According to C3 Colby’s Rachael Meyers, “God showed up in a big way and kids accepted Christ and turned their lives over to Him! Christ is moving and He WILL be glorified in these lives all over Kansas, in surrounding states, and the nation! What a blessing to serve Christ and be able to be a small part to what God has done and is doing!!”
Thank you to all of the Celebration members who served faithfully the 225+ attendees throughout the weekend.  This was exemplified by 18 C3 men who put on a barbeque for the students and their sponsors after an evening at Hays Aquatic Park.

C3 students receiving the Jordan Claiborn scholarships were Trystan Knapp & August Phlieger. MaKenzie Giess won the Jordy C Worship award. Pictured with the recipients are Rick, Mary & Aly Claiborn along with C3 pastors Derek Mayfield and Nick Eiden.
Special thanks goes to Nick Eiden, Alicia Hunter and their YOCO team for planning and putting on such a God honoring event.
I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful church family.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle  
PS
Longtime C3 member Rod Rohn passed away in Dodge City. Services are Tuesday 11am at First United Methodist Church of Dodge. Our prayers go out to wife Kellye, daughter Hollie and son Trevor.

Friday, June 26, 2015

C3’s 12th Annual Youth Conference Begins Tonight!

Break Out YOCO 2015
Celebration Community Church’s Youth Ministry CrossCurrent is hosting its 12th annual Youth Conference tonight and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday). The conference theme is “Breakout”. A couple hundred middle school and high school youth will be challenged to break out of their fears, doubts and comfort zones to experience the freedom that comes from an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
Conference speakers, Kyle Bloom, Nick Eiden and Derek Mayfield will encourage youth to explore relevant strategies for life change. Break Out workshop sessions on a variety of practical subjects will also be offered, and the Ignite Band will provide fist-pumping worship music. A pool party and barbecue are planned for tonight. Nick Eiden, Alicia Hunter and their vast team of C3 volunteers have planned a great experience for all with every penny raised going to missions.
It’s not too late to tell a teen to come to YOCO. Registration is from 3-4pm today and the cost is just $40.
For more information, contact alicia@celebratejesus.org.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Prayer Request:
Former C3 member Rod Rohn has passed away in Dodge City. Our prayers go out to wife Kellye and her family.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Our Identity

Identity theft is a problem most of us didn’t think about 10 years ago. Today it is common to hear the stories of victims who are trying to salvage their name and credit rating after learning that someone has stolen and misused a password, social security number, or charge card. None of us can escape TV commercials and telemarketers who inundate us with fear producing fraud protection offers. Being alert and knowing the danger of identity fraud helps us think twice before giving personal information that could permit others access to our bank account.
I got to thinking about this from a Spiritual perspective. When we identify ourselves as children of God, and even more when we let it be known that we are followers of Jesus, we assume the identity of Christ.  His credit rating gets mingled with our own. Our faithfulness and fruitfulness reflect to others His character. God Himself takes a risk with His identity whenever He allows us to use His name. But He must believe we are worth it. Protect God’s identity, live life today with integrity, humility and love.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Break Out YOCO 2015
June 26-27
Host homes and donations still needed.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Isolated From The Herd

When lions hunt zebras, they look for the ones who are isolated from the herd – often the sick or young ones. As soon as the lion sees a zebra that’s become isolated, it attacks. It’s the same way with people. Some people are particularly prone to isolating themselves and trying to do things on their own allowing Satan to work in their lives. One of the purposes of a healthy church is to connect people in fellowship. In small groups, men and women realize that they are not alone and don’t need to try to live life on their own; they find a place to share their struggles without judgment and to learn from each other.
For men and women to be all they were created by God to be, they need to connect with a team of other like-minded people with shared values and purpose.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Break Out YOCO 2015
June 26-27
Host homes and donations still needed.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Fatherloss

My father was killed by a drunk driver when I was a teenager and it changed my life. I was confused, angry, I felt abandoned, I lost my compass when my Dad died and I went off course for over a dozen years. In 2001 Author Neil Chethik wrote a book “Fatherloss: How Sons of All Ages Come to Terms with the Deaths of Their Dads.” He commissioned a survey of 300 men and found that 65 percent said the death of their father affected them more than any other loss in their lives. Chethik said, "Each man experienced a significant reordering of his inner landscape."
In the Old Testament when Jacob died, Joseph experienced a great loss. We read that "Joseph fell on his father's face, and wept over him, and kissed him" (Genesis 50:1). The period of ceremony, mourning, and burial lasted more than 2 months.
For most of us, our fathers will die before we do. And we should feel free to grieve our loss, whether our memories are happy or painful. In the meantime if our Dads are still with us, I hope you took some time this weekend to express to your Dad thanks for giving you life. Even if you have had a rocky relationship with your Dad, honor him as the Bible instructs.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Break Out YOCO 2015
June 26-27
Host homes and donations still needed.

Monday, June 22, 2015

A Godly Father or Mother


There are many titles of responsibility I carry in this life. “President” of C3 & VCA boards, “Pastor,” Husband, “Father”, “Coach” or “Big Guy” (that’s what Debbie calls me). A title I have been hearing regularly for the last couple of weeks has been very important to me… “PapPaw” It’s what my grandkids call me. Raising children is the most formidable role we have in life and there is no more important task we have been given by God than to help raise godly children.  It is a job too difficult to do alone which is why ideally God gives us a mate to help.  More importantly, God has also given us in His word and through His Spirit the power to accomplish this awesome responsibility.
As Father’s Day has come and gone let us not forget that to be a godly father or mother for that matter, we must strive to have a close personal relationship with God so that we in turn can have those kind of relationships with others. The Bible teaches that our heavenly Father has loving affection toward His children.
In Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6 we are told we can cry out to our heavenly Father with the words, "Abba! Father!" This title for God is like a small child calling his father "daddy" or "papa." It denotes warm-heartedness and fondness that is indicative of a tight-knit relationship. A godly father or mother realizes that a tender loving relationship is one of the important God-like character traits in our relationship with our children.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Break Out YOCO 2015
June 26-27
Host homes and donations still needed.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Fathers - Part 5

As we approach Fathers Day I have been thinking about what are the character traits of a godly father? What are the main responsibilities of an earthly father who wants to be a good example of the heavenly Father. I believe these are the questions with which every father must wrestle.
Fortunately God has given His Word and His power to accomplish this important task.  To be a godly father we must strive to be a selfless provider
In the Book of Genesis God made the man out of the dust of the ground and put him to work in the Garden of Eden. It might be hard to imagine but God-pleasing work was established before sin entered the world. And Paul told the believers in Thessalonica, ...if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either. (II Thessalonians 3:10) He also told the Colossians believers, Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord. (Colossians 3:23) A godly father does everything in his power to provide for the physical needs of his family.
An earthy father must also be willing to sacrifice his life for his wife and children. Yet physical guarding is only a part of a godly father's protecting duties. He must also protect his family from evil spiritual forces, such as the devil and false teachers, who will tempt his family to believe falsehoods or become discouraged. Paul told spiritual leaders of the church and family to do the protecting job of, ...holding fast the faithful word (Titus 1:9).  He also encouraged putting on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) A godly father realizes that there are enemies in both the physical and spiritual realm and that he must be sober and alert in his protecting responsibilities.
This Sunday being Father’s Day is a great day to invite a father and his family to the Celebration. At all of our services we will have great music, inspiring videos, and a drawing for our “Dad of the Day”.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Men's Breakfast - New
Make Dads Day

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Fathers - Part 4

As we approach Fathers Day I have been thinking about what are the character traits of a godly father?  One of the best things a married father can do for his children is to faithfully love his wife. For it is in this very act that children consistently witness an example of Christ's "I-have-your-best-interest-in-mind" kind of love in action.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.“ Ephesians 5:25
 A godly father recognizes that his relationship with his wife is his second most important priority, and only follows his relationship with Jesus Christ. We not only model for our kids what it means to be a good spouse, we teach them that giving ones self up for someone else is how Christ lived and how He wants us to.
This Sunday being Father’s Day is a great day to invite a father and his family to the Celebration. At all of our services we will have great music, inspiring videos, and a drawing for our “Dad of the Day”.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle  
Men's Breakfast - New
Make Dads Day

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Fathers – Part 3

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 
Yesterday in this devotional we talked about the importance of Dads in the Spiritual lives of their families. If Dad doesn't go to church, chances are very slim that his children will become regular worshippers. If the kids see religion as "Mom's thing" they are more likely to become disenchanted. But if Dad leads by example, children are twenty-two times more likely to become lifelong churchgoers.
Curtis Burnam, a 20-year veteran of youth ministry has seen it time and again. "Kids who are taken to church by Mom but not Dad are harder to keep in church. They tend to drop out at higher rates when they reach adolescence. They are also harder to engage when they do come to youth group. This is true for girls as well as boys."
Why are these findings so alarming? Because men are dropping out of many of America's churches.
Consider this:
In 1952, the typical U.S. protestant worship service drew an adult crowd that was 47 percent male. Today that figure is 39 percent -- and falling.
On any given Sunday there are 13 million fewer men than women in U.S. churches.
Almost a quarter of married, churchgoing women attend services without their husbands each Sunday.
According to the Barna Research Group, men lag behind women in every area of Christian endeavor (except the senior pastorate).
At Celebration Community Church even though we have dozens of women who are faithful followers of Christ, we make it a point to be a man-friendly environment. As a result we have SO many committed men who lead in worship, fellowship, teaching and service.
This Sunday being Father’s Day is a great day to invite an unchurched father and his family to the Celebration. At all of our services we will have a drawing for our “Dad of the Day”.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Men's Breakfast - New
Make Dads Day

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Fathers - Part 2


You've heard it said that fathers are the spiritual leaders of the home. Now there's a study to prove it.
Researchers from Switzerland examined whether parents' religious habits were transmitted to their offspring. They studied different variables, but one critical factor towered above the rest: the practices of the father determine whether children grow up attending church or not.
When Mom is a regular churchgoer but Dad attends infrequently, just 3 percent of their kids go on to become regular churchgoers.
When Mom is regular but Dad never attends, just 2 percent become regular attenders.
Now, let's flip the chart. What if Dad is faithful?
When both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 33 percent of kids grow up to attend regularly.
When Dad is regular but Mom only goes once in a while, the figure jumps to 38 percent.
Here's the real bombshell: when Dad is faithful but Mom never attends, 44 percent of the kids end up as regular church attenders!
Bottom line: in spiritual matters, kids take their cues from Dad.
This Sunday is Father’s Day and at the Celebration we will honor our Dad’s and affirm the important role they play in the Spiritual lives of their kids. Be sure to bring a man to church with you this Sunday.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Make Dads Day

Monday, June 15, 2015

Fathers - Part 1


For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.    1 Thessalonians 2:11-12   
With Fathers Day approaching we look to what the Bible has to say about how fathers are to behave with their children. We are to encourage, comfort and urge our children and grandchildren to live lives worthy of God. We learn this from the example that God sets for us.
God is like a loving father who encourages us through His word, the Bible. He comforts us through the presence of His Holy Spirit. God urges us to live lives worthy of Him through the challenges and accountability of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the church.  
Be sure to attend services this Sunday at C3 as we celebrate our “ Dad of the Day” and conclude our series A.D.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Make Dads Day

Friday, June 12, 2015

Honor Your Parents – Part 2

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- Ephesians 6:1-2
The Greek word for honor means “to revere, prize, and value.” Honor is giving respect not only for merit but also for rank. For example, some Americans may disagree with the President’s decisions, but they should still respect his position as leader of their country. Similarly, children of all ages should honor their parents and grandparents, regardless of whether or not they “deserve” honor.  
If our faith in Christ is real, it will usually prove itself at home, in our relationships with those who know us best. Children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Children are to honor their parents even if the parents are demanding and unfair. Parents are to care gently for their children, even if the children are disobedient and unpleasant.
Ideally, of course, Christian parents and Christian children will relate to each other with thoughtfulness and love. This will happen if both parents and children put the others’ interests above their own—that is, if they submit to one another. At least that is what God’s plan for them is.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Danny McMillin passed away on Thursday. Visitation will be at Hays Memorial Chapel this Sunday between 5 & 7pm.
A Celebration of Life service will take place at Celebration Community Church on Monday at 10:30am followed by a lunch for friends and family.
Danny’s ashes will be interned at the Veteran’s cemetery in Wakeeney at 2pm.
If you would like to help prepare a dessert for the luncheon please contact Phoebe Ferlund at 785-635-8368
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Honor Your Parents – Part 1

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 
Of all Ten Commandments, ‘honor your father and mother’ is the first commandment with a promise attached. In order to live in peace for generations in the promised land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. And honoring those over us is the first step. But what does it mean to “honor” parents (and if I may add, grandparents)? Partly, it means speaking politely to them and speaking well of them. Nothing is worse than hearing a child smarting off to their parent.
It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect (but not to obey them if this means disobedience to God). It means following their teaching and example of putting God first. Parents and grandparents have a special place in God’s sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle 
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Imitate Christ

A game I like to play with my grandkids is the imitation game. I will say or do a certain thing and then encourage the kids to mimic me. To imitate someone is to copy his or her actions as closely as possible. It is to model our lives after the characteristics of someone we look up to.
Children imitate their parents. Consciously or not, they pick up from Mom and Dad a way of speaking, walking, and relating to people. Through what the parents do and say, the children learn how to respond to the many circumstances of life. If Dad comes home and kicks the dog, his child may think that's acceptable behavior and do the same. And if Dad is careful to be absolutely honest in all his conversations and dealings, then the child often will pick that up too.
As children of God through faith in Christ, we are to imitate Christ. We are to learn what it means to obey God by living as Jesus lived. If we are living in dependence on Him, spending time with Him in prayer and learning about Him in the Bible, we will want to imitate His way of life.  As believers, we are to follow the example of Christ becoming more and more like Him in attitude and action.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

God Has The Final Say In Our Plans

A Japanese proverb says, “When you're dying of thirst, it's too late to think about digging a well”. What’s the moral behind this nugget of wisdom? We need to be thinking ahead and planning for the future. God's word encourages us to plan. But all of our planning needs to be done with a certain attitude: It is God who has the final say in all our plans.  Proverbs 16:9 reads, "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." God is sovereign and everything is working out for His glory and our good. But this must never cause us to become fatalistic, thinking it's no use to plan since God has everything designed already. James says we should plan with the attitude, "I'll do this or that, if it is the Lord's will!" James 4:13-15.
As we entertain our Grandkids this week Debbie and I realize that many of the plans we have for them might not be accomplished but we also trust that “God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Our plans must always be held loosely in light of God's overarching, sovereign plan.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Monday, June 8, 2015

Grow as Jesus Grew

The Bible says that one of the goals for parenting is to prepare your kids for life.  God intends the family to be a learning center for life.  You learn things in your family that you don't learn anywhere else.  You learn life's basic skills in the family -- walk, talk, eat, use a T.V. remote -- all the basic skills of life you learn in the family.
The Bible says this about Jesus in Luke 2:52 "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man."  Those are the same four ways you, we as parents and grandparents help our children to grow. 
First it says Jesus grew in wisdom.  That's intellectual growth.
He grew in stature.  That's physical growth.
He grew in favor with God.  That’s Spiritual growth.
He grew in favor with man.  That's social growth.
This is the kind of growth that we encourage in our kids through our Go-Fish Children’s ministry, who just returned from three days of Kids Camp. This is also our goal for of our youth in CrossCurrent Student Ministry and in our College age group Encounter.
But growth doesn’t stop then. All of us are called to grow as Jesus grew.  That is why we have small groups and Sunday morning classes for adults. But real growth starts at home. Ask yourself this question, ”What can I do today to grow in my relationship with God and with others?"
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Friday, June 5, 2015

Be a Barnabas

In the NBC Miniseries A.D. and in the Book of Acts, we hear about a Levite from Cyprus named Joses whom the apostles called Barnabas. That nickname, translated means “Son of Encouragement. It was probably given to him because of his inclination to serve others and his willingness to do whatever church leaders needed. He is referred to as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” Through his ministry, “a great number of people were brought to the Lord”. The Book of Acts uses Barnabas as an example of one with a proper perspective on money and property. When he sold his land, he brought the proceeds to the apostles and laid it at their feet. Barnabas is an example of a generous spirit when it comes to giving sacrificially to the work of the Lord.

Like Barnabas, as Christians we are called to be encouragers, particularly of those who are weak in the faith or struggling. In the Book of Acts we see Barnabas as a man who was delighted to see others exhibiting the grace of God in their lives, encouraging them to remain faithful. In the same way, we should look for opportunities to praise and encourage those who bring glory and honor to God through lives that reflect their faith.

This Sunday in all four services at C3 I will be sharing how we can be a Barnabas in the lives of those around us.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Fun and Nourishing Meals


My wife Debbie and I are going to spending the better part of next week and the one after that enjoying the company of our four grandkids from Atlanta Georgia. We look forward to playing with, reading to, singing along with, and feeding these miniature gifts from God. God has entrusted us all with children for the purpose of growing them up in the knowledge and love of His Son Jesus Christ.

Debbie is busy planning menus that will be fun and nourishing. I got to thinking that the same thing goes for Christians. If we are well nourished we will be healthy and we will yearn to grow even more. When our kids are babies their need for milk is a natural instinct. For a baby it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. Once we see our need for God's Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature.

1 Peter 2:2 says “Like newborn babies crave spiritual milk so by it you may grow up in your salvation.”

At Celebration Community Church we want to nourish all children and adults with healthy Biblical, spiritual food. This is the motivation behind our Go-Fish Children’s Ministry Kids Camp. Each year DeLynn Rice and her Children’s Ministry volunteers feed a couple dozen kids the spiritual milk that is vital to their growth.

Please pray that over the next couple of days that DeLynn and her crew will impart to the kids gathered that daily servings of worship, praise, learning God’s word while being seasoned with loving and fun will help grow these kids in body mind and spirit.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle
Hope and Anchor
LADIES BRUNCH
Please plan to join us for our summer ladies brunch!
The brunch will be potluck.
Sat., June 13; 10 am – 12 pm; Celebration Community Church

You may RSVP by selecting "going" in the Facebook event page or email us at womens@celebratejesus.org

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Greatest Returns

C:\Users\Kyle\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\Barna-Study.jpg
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me…for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
The Barna Research Group have shown that the majority of people give their lives to Christ before the age of 18, but this recent study is the first that has shown the probabilities at various ages.  It also has shown that the evangelistic impact is getting younger.  
The study points out that children and adolescents are most impacted evangelistically by family members, peers and their churches activities like Sunday school, Kids Church, VBS, etc .  In fact, the years prior to age 12 are when a majority of children make their decision as to whether or not they will follow Christ.
This is why we at Celebration Community Church concentrate so much of our time and resources on Children, Youth and College ministries.  We invest in programs like our school, Victory Christian Academy, our G0-FISH children’s ministry which puts on a summer camp June 4-6, Vacation Bible School July 20-23rd and KIDFEST Aug 16. SO many kids get connected and grow in their faith through these events.
Even though the Barna study says that only 4% of teens have a likelihood of trusting in Christ we at C3 believe it is a good investment to pour a tremendous amount of time and money into a relevant youth and college ministry. Our CrossCurrent student ministries goes on mission trips, puts on summer camps for Middle School and High School including the upcoming non-camp, July 7-13 . This summer also makes our 12th Annual Youth Conference June 26-27 that attracts hundreds of Middle and High School students to a weekend of great music and challenging messages.
Our Encounter College Ministry has in the last year been reaching around 300 FHSU students every week and continues to operate throughout the summer since returning 59 students from a Haiti mission trip.
There is no summer slow down when it comes to doing whatever we can to reach  young people for the Lord at C3. Thank you to all of you who support these ministries  through your ongoing tithes and offerings.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle

C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\Haiti trip 2.jpg

Members of the Chance, Haines and Melvin families get ready to take off for an adult mission trip to support “Open Hands 4 the Fatherless” Orphanage 3 hours north of Port Au Prince in the jungles of Haiti. Please pray for their protection and progress.


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Hays Victory Christian Academy OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT 6:30pm

C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\christian Education.jpg
Throughout this week we have been looking at the advantages to the value of a Christian education.
1. You are accountable to God for what your children are taught. 2. Christian schools offer a better level of instruction.
3. Children grow spiritually stronger Christian environment.
4. Christian schools take wisdom from the Bible. 5. Educators teach all subject matter from a Christian context.
6. Christian schools support the family as the number one institution of society.
7.  Christian school educators maintain discipline in the classroom and on the playground. 
I truly believe that our children are gifts of the Lord and we are responsible to train them according to His Word not only at home and in church, but in school as well.  More and more parents, especially Christian parents, are coming to the conclusion that secular public education and most of its teachers, principals and curriculum no longer represent their personal parental views.  These parents are exercising their freedom of choice and sending their children to Christian schools.   
At Victory Christian Academy, Celebration’s Pre-School and Elementary learning center, our teachers strive to provide the very best education your child can receive; all while doing it in a loving Christian environment.  
Come find out more about Victory Christian Academy at our OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT (Tuesday) June 2nd at 6:30pm
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle

Monday, June 1, 2015

The Value of Christian Education Part 5

C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\christian Education.jpg
Throughout this week we will be looking at the advantages to the value of a Christian education.
1. You are accountable to God for what your children are taught. 2. Christian schools offer a better level of instruction.
3. Children grow spiritually stronger Christian environment.
4. Christian schools take wisdom from the Bible. 5. Educators teach all subject matter from a Christian context. 
6. Christian schools support the family as the number one institution of society.  Christian school educators train students to respect their parents.  These educators agree with the early American patriot, Noah Webster, who said, "All government originates in families, and if neglected there, it will hardly exist in society."
7.  Christian school educators maintain discipline in the classroom and on the playground.  Without a reasonable standard of discipline, the process of education is severely hampered. According to a recent Gallup poll of public attitudes towards education: Lack of discipline in the public schools again heads the list of problems cited most often by survey respondents.  Discipline has, in fact, been named the number one problem of the schools in seven of the last eight years.  New evidence of its importance comes from the special survey of high school juniors and seniors.  An even higher percentage of this group names discipline as the leading problem faced by the public school.
At Victory Christian Academy, Celebration’s Pre-School and Elementary learning center, our teachers strive to share their love of learning, their love of the Lord, respect of our parents and appropriate loving discipline of your children.  
Come find out more about Victory Christian Academy at our OPEN HOUSE tomorrow night (Tuesday) June 2nd at 6:30pm
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Continued prayers for CrossCurrent’s Middle School Camp MAKE WAVES May 30 to June 1, 2015
C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\Tatim Lang.jpg
It’s A Girl! Congratulations to Julie and Cody Lang on the birth of their daughter Tatim Ava 7lbs 7oz 19 ½“.

C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\encounter baptism.jpg Welcome home to our 59 Encounter students and sponsors after a week long mission trip to Haiti. While there, 37 Haitians and Haysians were baptized. PTL!