Our Youth Ministries Blog
John Joseph, Director of Youth Ministries
2010 July 21
There are no words that can adequately describe this past week’s events. All I can say is Isaac John Joseph is a miracle, and Kimberlee and I are so blessed to be entrusted by God with baby Isaac. It was exactly a week ago, Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 11:18am that he officially came into the world, a day that Kimberlee and I will never forget. We praise each day for the overwhelming joy God has brought into our lives! Isaac is a healthy and happy baby boy, as long as his diaper is clean, his stomach is full, and he’s in Mom or Dad’s arms.
Just the other day, Mom laid down for a short nap while Isaac and I watched a little Sports Center and did some reading. It was not long before Isaac settled down on my chest and took a little nap. I cannot remember a time in my life when all the world’s stress and concerns seemed to fade into distance like they did at that moment. All the cares and troubles were gone, and wonderful peace settled in my heart and mind. Maybe that’s because I was falling asleep, too. All I know is that when Isaac is close, there is nothing that can take my attention from him. Moments like these only deepen my understanding of God’s unconditional love for us. When we sons and daughters of God are close to the heart of God, we can truly rest in the sovereignty of God. God is good all the time. Amen!
It’s funny. We were at dinner at the Brigantine restaurant with Isaac’s great-grandparents and grandparents the other day. We would all stop talking for just a few seconds and eagerly watch Isaac almost waiting for him to say something or do something spectacular. The anticipation was quite comical because all Isaac needs to do is yawn or sneeze, and he has us oohing and aahing. It is safe to say that we are enamored of and deeply in love with Isaac. We cannot wait to introduce all of you to him. Kimberlee and I have a new joy in our lives!
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”
Psalms 36:7–9 ESV
New trivia question: What was the original height the nurse measured Isaac at before it was corrected?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 July 12
This is proving to be a fantastic summer, and we’re only in July—even though the weather is no indication of that. What’s up with that? Nonetheless, Crosswalk summer camp at Forest Home Ministries (FoHo) was absolutely amazing. And Big-5 summer camp at Forest Home is around the corner. It’s going to be awesome! If you’re still interested in joining us for Big-5 FoHo, we would love to have you! Get in touch with Lisa Creech sooner than later.
We’ve added a new component to our summer schedule—BBQ Beach Days. Every Thursday, we go to the beach and have a great time. But instead of going to the beach first, come to the church campus at 11:30am to hang out and eat some great BBQ, compliments of my friend O.G. (short for Orval Glynn). Then we head off to the central lifeguard tower at 12:45pm. By the way, the food is free! The more the merrier, so bring a few extra friends with you.
If that's not enough, there are two summer Crosswalk small groups active now. One for the girls and one for the boys. Both groups are meeting on Wednesday nights at 8:00pm. The girls are meeting with Megan Smith in the Center for Christian Education youth room, and the boys are meeting with Taylor Hankinson at the Snyder house.
Many of you have been asking how Kimberlee is doing and if the baby has arrived. Kim is doing very well and, nope, baby Isaac hasn’t arrived just yet. Baby Isaac is really loving it right now. I can only imagine how comfortable he is. He has everything he needs, when he needs it, all the time. It’s a constant connection to food and nutrition, 24 hours a day. I wouldn’t want to come out either. The problem is that he will continue to grow each and every day, and God never intended for us to be inside our mom's womb forever. We need to keep growing, but, in the womb, for only a short time. We can only grow so much there, and God wants so much more for us.
For us to grow into the men and women he wants us to be, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, we need to be with others and in his Word, along with those who love and care for us as Jesus does. The only way to do that is to come into the world. When that time (for Baby Isaac) comes, it will be a great day of celebration and excitement. It’s all in God’s hands, as it’s always been in his hands. So thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. We promise to send out an e-mail with pictures to announce his arrival.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalms 139:13–14
Next trivia question: What name will we give to baby Isaac if he's not a he but actually a she?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 June 11
School’s out, and summer is finally here. Hooray! So why was it drizzling this morning? I guess the term June gloom is tried and true. Anyway, how was it . . . being able to sleep in this morning? Was it all you dreamed it would be? (Pun totally intended.) Days like this, I love sleeping in. The cold breeze blowing though the window only makes me want to stay in bed a few more minutes, which usually turns into about two more hours. There is almost nothing better than staying in a warm bed for a few more hours, considering the alternative is getting up and facing a cold, cloudy, drizzly day.
Who says we can’t stay in bed all day? Well, maybe not all day. Can you imagine what life would be like if we stayed in bed all day? If I stayed in bed all day today, I would have missed out on what God had in store for me. When Moses didn’t believe God would speak for him, God allowed Moses to take his brother Aaron along, and Moses ended up parting the Red Sea. I wonder what God would have done through Moses had he just agreed the first time?
Today ended up being a pretty great day! The details of the Summer Kickoff block party are coming together, and it’s completely not because of me. I believe that God has been planning this for a really, really long time. I’m totally excited about what God is going to show us and the way God will challenge us this summer. This year’s going to be big œn better than last year in so many ways. I know. You probably wonder how we could top last year’s block party, right? Well that’s exactly the point. We cannot out-do God.
Do I have you hooked yet? Come out on Tuesday, June 15 from 5:00–8:00pm to check out what God is doing here at Graham Memorial. Be sure to download or pick up a flier—you’ll need one—and bring a friend or two or three or fifty! Download Flier»
Not only do we have the Block Party this month, but Forest Home summer camp is only a week away. God always does something special in my life when I’m there. With baby Isaac coming, I wonder what God has in store for me this year at Forest Home? Can you imagine what God has in store for you?
Lastly, the Summer Kickoff block party is when we welcome the new freshman from Big Five into Crosswalk. Do you remember your first day at Crosswalk? For some, their first experience of anything can be exhilarating. For others, it can be a little intimidating. The block party is a perfect time to help our new freshman class feel welcome, to make new friends, and to share the love of Christ, or as those in the Episcopal church say, “pass the peace of Christ.” Help me pass the peace of Christ to our freshmen.
New trivia question: From what tribe is Aaron, Moses’s brother? Hint: Exodus 4:14! Does it get any easier than that? I think not.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 June 08
What a great year it’s been. This has been a year filled with “God moments.” We’ve seen students commit their lives to Christ, we’ve seen students excited about being the light on their campus, and most importantly, we’ve seen lives be transformed! All of these are God moments, and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for us over the next three months.
Moving into the summer, our youth ministry staff adds two new members to the team—Megan Smith and Taylor Hankinson. Both Megan and Taylor have a deep appreciation of the role of family and the impact they will have on the lives of our Big Five and Crosswalk students. This is another God moment. Only God could have put together such a team with the gifts appropriate for our summer needs at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Second daughter to Graham Memorial church members Reed and Jan Smith, Megan just completed her first year at Fresno Pacific University with aspirations of becoming a missionary teacher. Megan comes to us excited about the opportunity to give back to the church while exploring what it means to be in full-time ministry.
Taylor Hankinson, whose home town is Bakersfield, is a first-year University of California, San Diego bioengineering student with his eyes set on pre-med. He is an active member of the Upper Room ministry on the UC campus, and is grateful for another chance to work with our young people.
As we experience a minor transition in staff, families are experiencing a slightly different transition as their children are promoted to the next level of learning. This time of year, there are lots of moving parts. The school year is coming to a close, and along with it come graduation ceremonies and celebrations of achievement. Let us stop to recognize our graduating seniors:
| Kayleigh Axtell | Greg Gennick | Colette “CoCo” O’Brien |
| Krista Baszak | Rachel Hengst | David Rodriguez |
| Michael Chizek | Andrew Ireland | Mark Steuer |
| Denis Everett | Chris Maskevich | Emma Williams |
| Micah Fischer | Lainey Mebust | Kris Zapatka |
To all our graduating seniors, congratulations! We are so very proud of you. Our prayer is that this next chapter in your life will bring you great joy and success. As the success comes, remember to give the glory to God as you continue to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
New trivia question: Who is the son of Alphaeus? Hint: Check out Mark 2. You might find something there. Bonus points to the first person to give me both names!
John Joseph2010 May 14
Every week I receive an email from Parents Connect updating me on the stage of baby Isaac’s development. I love reading about what Isaac is doing. For example, at seven weeks, baby Isaac’s brain was growing at 100 cells per minute. That’s simply mind-boggling! Now that we’re (I’m using the we very loosely) at approximately 31 weeks, baby Isaac is using all five senses. He can hear us talking and laughing. Isaac has been touching and pushing on things as he fights to make more room. It’s simply amazing. And before we know it, we’ll be holding him in our arms and caring for his every need.
Last week, we celebrated Mother’s Day, and I challenged you to do something special for your mom. It was great to hear some of the creative ideas you had for your mom. Some of you made her breakfast in bed, some wrote a poem, and some of you took mom out to dinner. Kudos to you! All of these are wonderful ideas, but the challenge still stands. Be sure to express your gratitude for mom every day. Why do moms deserve all this, you ask? Why do dads deserve a special day? They don’t deserve it, they earn it, just like you and I earn the respect of our friends and teachers.
As I was thinking about what moms and dads do to earn their son or daughter’s respect, it is simply mind-boggling. Life is no longer about John, but it’s about Kim and Isaac. Everything that happens in our house now revolves around preparing for baby Isaac and helping Kim, to a certain degree, and carrying the responsibility of nurturing baby Isaac.
How much more does our Father in heaven care for us? Infinitely more! So much more that God sent His only Son to save us from our sins. So when you feel like no one cares, your parents care and most of all, God cares about who you are and who you are becoming. Be sure to spend some time with God today. God misses you already, even if you talked to Him this morning!
Spirit West Coast is coming in two weeks. Be sure to pick up a medical-release form, and turn in your money to the office before, Friday, May 21. It's a great time filled with concerts, comedians, outstanding speakers, and tons of food. Spots are limited.
New trivia question: How in the world did the Boston Celtics defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game series?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 May 07
Moms are amazing people. I remember as a child, there was no stain too tough for my mom to get out of my clothes. It was almost like she spit 409 (I know that 409 and clothing do mix). But after doing my own laundry for several years, I knew I didn't have the touch of a mother. And there is nothing more comforting than a mom's hug. When my mother hugs me, she never wants to let go. I imagine some of you might be thinking, “Man, my mom gets on my last nerve.” Just wait! The cliché, “you never know what you have until it’s gone” was never more true. Moms are amazing people.
The best part of being a dad-to-be is seeing Kimberlee with baby Isaac. Even before she can hold him, she's holding her stomach. Before she can say to him, "eat your vegetables,” she's eating more vegetables. Every minute of the day, Kimberlee is finding ways to show baby Isaac how much she loves him, and he's not even here yet. Guess what. Your mom did that with you. She wrapped her arms around you before you could even open your eyes in the womb. So don't let any time pass without telling your mom how much you love her. Better yet, show her on Sunday, Mother’s Day and every day after! Happy Mother’s Day!
We have a full month of May. Lots of things happening before we kick off the summer, so be sure to check out the announcements and mark the calendar.
New trivia question: What is my mother's name? Bonus points if you can find my grandmother's name, either of them.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 April 30
As a guy, I love working with my hands. I enjoy using and playing with power tools to build anything. Last week was a fairly new experience for me. A team of five of us went out Saturday morning to plant a tree in Coronado to celebrate Arbor Day. I figured a shovel, some water, and a new . . . tree-piece of cake. By now, one would think I would have learned my lesson that projects are never as easy as planned, and they always take twice as long. So the five of us, Jonathan, Brianna, Mike, Mr. Snyder, and I set out to plant a tree, when it was all finished, we planted three that morning. Not only did we plant three trees, but we used a pick axe to tear out a massive root from the previous tree. I was feeling pretty manly by the end of the day.
Not only did I feel pretty manly after we finished, I was very proud of what we accomplished. I pride myself in doing my part to care for God's creation, but this was special. It was special because together, the five of us believe in Jesus Christ. No matter what difference we might have, we are united in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We believe that He alone can save us from sin. And together, we were caring for the Earth in which God has entrusted us as caretakers, or stewards.
Eugene Peterson does an excellent job putting this section of the Bible in contemporary language, "God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature. So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
As a team we were obedient to God's call in our lives. So, thank you, team, for allowing me to be with you on Saturday morning as we played a significant role in obedience to our Lord!
If you have not heard, Forest Home registration has officially begun, and spots are moving faster than Superman. So sign up now before it's too late!
New trivia question: What band is playing at the National Day of Prayer on May 6?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 April 23
Confirmation Sunday was a huge success, thanks to a ton of people. To all that who were a part of the services, thank you! To those who participated from the pews, thank you! And to those who were students in the class, you know I love you, and I will have a special place in my heart for you forever! A special thanks to Mrs. Jan Smith for walking with us for this short time. Your suggestions were very helpful as the class took shape.
The Lord is doing wonderful things in our youth ministries, changing and challenging the lives or our young people. To say the least, I am overwhelmed by the Lord's faithfulness. Let us continue to learn from one another and continue to be united in Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow is a special day. Here in Coronado, we celebrate Arbor day by planting trees around the island. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are given care and responsibility over God's creation. God entrusts us with a beautiful gift as God spoke to Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden: “Be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and for every living thing that moves on the face of the earth.” (The Message, Genesis 1:28). We are the gardeners, or as one person put it, we are the landlords until Christ returns. No matter what we call ourselves, we are God's children, and we are responsible for this beautiful home we call Earth. It is God's creation for us to enjoy! So come join us at Spreckels Park at 8:30am to plant a few trees around Coronado. No shovels are required. I hope to see you there.
For those of you planning on joining us at Forest Home Summer camp, spots are filling up fast. We have six spots left, and we cannot guarantee a spot if we do not have a medical-release form and deposit on file. Do not wait for tomorrow. It will be too late. Now is the time to sign up.
Lastly, be sure to mark your calendars. It’s official. The Summer Kickoff block party is set for June 15, 2010. It's on!
New trivia question: Who is the good-looking man standing in the photo in my blog page?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 April 16
Tomorrow is Confirmation Sunday! What an exciting time in the life of the Church, in the families of our youth, and especially in the lives of our youth. On Sunday, at all three services, we will confirm ten students who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! We invite you to join us at one of our services to encourage and support them. You know them very well as Brett, Brianna, Connor, Drew, Ian, Jason, Johnny, Justin, Laura, and Scout. As we confirm their faith in Jesus, we welcome them into membership at Graham Memorial.
You're probably asking, “what makes them different?" or “how come they get a special service?" Well, I'm glad you asked. For the past 13 weeks we have journeyed together. We promised one another to ask tough questions about our faith—basically, why we believe what we believe. It's a ton of fun, and a lot of work at the same time. We covered some pretty difficult topics and asked questions like, who is God? why did Jesus have to come? and this is my favorite: how come bad things happen to good people?
Now, don't get me wrong. We asked the tough questions, but some of the answers we're still working on. And I believe that's the most important part of confirmation to remember: faith is a journey toward Jesus. We will never, this side of eternity, have all the answers, but we can find most of them, otherwise the gift of the mind is wasted!Be sure to encourage your friends being confirmed this Sunday. Ask them one of the questions you're having trouble finding the answer to. They may be of some help. See you Sunday morning or evening.
By the way, Forest Home summer camp registration has officially begun. Spots are limited. Sign up now before it's too late!
New trivia question: As you know, Kim and I are expecting a baby boy. What is his full name?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 April 15
If you were unable to attend worship services on Sunday, March 21, when our friends from the Middle East visited us, you may not be aware of a moving and articulate Minute for Mission message that Tabitha "Tabby" Hems delivered to the congregation that day.
Tabby attends His Way Academy, is a member of our Crosswalk Sunday AM class as well as our student leadership team. Her faith is strong, and she seeks opportunities to share her testimony with others. This summer, Tabby is joining a Teen Missions International, Inc. team bound for Ndola, Zambia. For seven weeks and two days, Tabby will be training for, traveling to, and participating in the African mission field. Teen Missions International boot camp will include Bible study, evangelism, personal testimony, music, drama, and puppetry. Her team outreach will focus on Zambian orphans.
If this young woman's Christian passion speaks to your heart, please consider being one of her 40 financial sponsors to donate $100 each to help cover personal travel expenses. Contributions are tax deductible. Download Sponsorship Form»
| Teen Missionary | Tabitha Hems, age 17 |
|---|---|
| Mission | Teen Missions International, Inc. |
| Destination | Ndola, Zambia, Africa |
| Dates | June 24–Aug 15 |
| Boot Camp Training | Bible study, evangelism, personal testimony, music, drama, puppetry |
| How to Help Tabitha | become a $100 sponsor |
| Sponsorship Deadline | Sat May 15 |
| Sponsorship Form | Downloadable Here» |
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 March 28
For those of you who emailed a response to last week's trivia question, thanks for humoring me. Through the results, I feel like I know you that much better. I was a little shocked by the results: 67% said they would rather fly than breathe underwater. Go figure.
In my “professional” opinion you can fly in an airplane, but there are ocean depths that we will never see this side of eternity. So I'm all about breathing underwater. We probably should have added to the trivia question that no matter how high we fly or how deep we dive, we wouldn't be affected by the barometric pressure. I still would rather breathe underwater. Imagine the discoveries! Simply endless!
Those of you who replied, thanks for helping me see that more people are interested in flying than breathing under water, and that I'm in the minority. Don't worry, I don't feel left out because I'm in the minority. God likes to use the few to humble the many. Or in more youthful words, God likes to use the underdog to show up the favored team. Or the simpleminded to outwit the genius. Being in the minority is never being counted out in God's economy. There are so many examples in God's economy when the underdog defeats the giant.
I immediately think of David defeating Goliath or of Caleb and the spies who were sent to check out the Promised Land. Caleb came back excited about what the Lord was going to accomplish through Israel while the rest were too terrified to take on the Canaanites. What did David and Caleb have in common? They clearly saw that it was by the Lord's power and might, and not their own, that victory was possible.
Let the lives of Caleb and David remind us that all things are possible though Jesus Christ. Let their lives be a constant reminder for us that the outcome is in God's hands while we are called to be obedient. It is a beautiful day when we come to grips with freeing ourselves from always having to be in control and relinquishing the results to God. Actually, control never belonged to us.
Allow tonight, at Ignition Point, to be the day in which you let go and let God. Tonight can be the ignition point for your freedom!
New trivia question: Which two Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church staff members attended the same seminary? Bonus points if you provide both pairs!
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 March 19
So, I was sitting at Nado Gelato with Gabe Fischer this afternoon, and we played the "would-you-rather" game. First he came up with, "Would you rather have 75% off a purchase or buy one, get one free?" Then we went to, "Would you rather walk on hot coals or sleep on a bed of nails?" Interestingly, we disagreed on both. This one is the kicker: "Would you rather fly or have the ability to breathe underwater?" We both weighed the pros and cons. We even asked several passersby what seems to be an unanswerable question. So we thought we would ask you what's not really a trivia question, per se, but inquiring minds want to know.
New trivia question: Would you rather fly or breathe underwater?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 March 12
What would you do with $100? I'm sure people have asked you that type of question. I've probably been the one that's asked it. If you were at CHS FCA (Coronado High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes) on Thursday, you were given $100. Well, not everyone got $100, but as a group of students or the club, FCA was entrusted with it.
Along with the money, there was a booklet. In this booklet, we were challenged to use our gifts to share the good news of Jesus with our friends and our neighbors. It was almost like a James Bond movie with a top-secret mission. "This is your mission, if you choose to accept it." Our mission is to share our faith and touch the lives of the people around us with the hope of Jesus. And to get us started on our mission, we have a real live Benjamin. Yup, that's right—100 bucks. That 100 bucks can be used however we want to use it! Sweet!
After we come up with a plan and make it happen, Rock Church is going to put our video on YouTube. Could it get any better than this? Yes! They will pick the three most creative, impactful, and moving stories and send them to our local news station! What?! You can be on TV—that's right—you! So what are you going to do with the gift God has given you?
Alright, so last week's trivia seemed to be a little more challenging than I suspected. So, this week's is going to be a no-brainer!
New trivia question: How much money was donated to CHS FCA to spread the Gospel? Don't worry. It's not a trick question.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 March 05
Forest Home Winter Camp was powerful! We were challenged to be in a real three-dimensional relationship with Jesus Christ. What does that mean . . . a three-dimensional relationship with Jesus? It means we allow Jesus to have a deep impact on who we are now and who we are becoming. To invite Jesus into our lives is to accept the fact that we are a broken people in desperate need of a Savior. As Easter is quickly approaching, be reminded of the first time you met Jesus and found God's unconditional grace, His creative love, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. I challenge you to set aside time in God's Word, making your relationship with Jesus 3-D.
Those of you who frantically searched for the famous Mrs. Susan Arnott, she is our church business administrator, and her favorite verse is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. You can learn more about this wonderful woman here. Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Staff» Congrats to Brianna.
New trivia question: What day and time does the Men's Prayer Group meet every week?
Be sure to mark your calendars with the upcoming events! Ladle Fellowship is coming up soon!
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 February 26
Props to Johnny K for answering last week's trivia question. Be sure to check out today's question. It's about one of my favorite people!
Every Tuesday night, we listen to music at Crosswalk and compare the message of the song with the message from God's Word—the Bible. We ask questions like these: Does the message of the song agree with God's Word? Do the lyrics challenge us in any way to draw closer to God? Those are just some of the questions we ask at Crosswalk. If you have any songs to share with everyone, send me the title and the name of the band, and we'll add it to our playlist. Plus, I'm always looking for new good bands to add to my iTunes library.
New trivia question: What is Mrs. Susan Arnott's favorite verse? It's a good one! To win this, you have to quote it to me, including the reference! First one to recite it to me wins the prize! Have I told you about my new favorite candy store . . . Fuzziwig's?
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 February 19
Congratulations to Kayleigh A for texting the correct answer. James—my "bigger" little brother—and I determined nine pearly whites in my mug shot. So that was the correct answer. I don't know where some of you got 21 and 30 . . . that's just funny! (Kayleigh, whenever you're ready to collect on your reward of free Yogurt Escape, just let me know.)
If you did not get our packing list for Forest Home Ministries, we've attached it for you! Be sure to pack warm. It just might snow!
New trivia question: Count them up. How many fingers and thumbs are in the Big-Five picture on the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministries page? To win the sweet prize, be the first to text me, call me, or email me the correct answer. This should be an easy one.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 February 12
First, let me say thank you to all those who came to last Tuesday's T.R.A.S.H. night. I'm always moved by your prayer requests. It's evidence of God's heart revealed in your heart! Our next T.R.A.S.H. night is at the Snyder house, just down the way from the church.
Forest Home (Forest Home Ministries) was epic last week with our Big-Fivers. I can't wait to hear the word that separates the Crosswalk FoHo from the Big-Five FoHo experience. The bus is leaving at 3:00pm on Friday, February 26. We will return to the church at 3:00pm on Sunday.
Alright, I told you on Sunday we'd have a "Where's Waldo?" or trivia question about our new church website. So here's the question, and the first person to text me, email me, or tell me the correct answer gets free Yogurt Escape.
New trivia question: How many pearly whites are showing in the youth ministries blog mug-shot? Ready, set, go!
In Christ,
John Joseph
2010 February 05
I can't believe it's already the first week of February. Do you realize, that we leave for Forest Home (Ministries) in three weeks. Amazing! Be sure to get all of your paperwork and final payments in, because they were due like yesterday (actually January 22). If finances are a bit tight, come talk to me about scholarship opportunities.
Attention all graphic artists. Earlier this week I got an email from Roger Christiansen, the director of Presbyterian Urban Ministries. Roger is hosting a competition that I thought you might be interested in. The winner will be invited to paint a mural on the front porch of the office. Here's your chance to shine!
So, the last I checked, the (Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church) youth ministries page is still number three. The number one spot is the home page. How cool would it be if we were number one? In all seriousness, we are number one! So be sure to click the link to go straight to the youth page. Here»
In Christ,
John Joseph
2009 June 01
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5–9 (NIV)
Click to listen to a reading of this Scripture.
This is a bittersweet time in youth ministry as we see our seniors graduate and welcome the new sixth graders into Big Five. I know when Kim and I have our own children that statement will take on a whole new meaning for us. As we send off our seniors and pray the Lord continues to reveal His plan for them, we are excited about promoting our sixth graders into Big Five. We have so many great plans for them. I would like to take time to challenge our seniors before they are off to the college life.
Dear Graduating Seniors,
This a great time for you and your family as you celebrate such a wonderful achievement—graduating high school. As you look onto college, there are probably many mixed emotions within you. For some, leaving home is intimidating, while for others, leaving home is a time to spread your wings and show the world that you are ready to fly. With great aspirations to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, veterinarians, leaders in your community, we know for certain that your goals will be reached, as you have already excelled in what you put your mind to do. As each of you reaches new heights, my challenge is this—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and share that love for the Lord with all whom you come in contact. Do it with compassion and tenderness in your heart, for we are all created in God’s image. Talk about how great God’s love is when you are eating in the cafeteria, taking a break from studying, or just hanging out at the local Starbucks. Talk about the wonderful things the Lord has completed in you, through you and around you; and remember the good work He started in the beginning will come to completion.
Congratulations to . . .
| Kristin Almquist | Anthony Herzog | Sean O’Brien |
| Amy Andreasen | Melissa Humphrey | Lauren Ribant |
| Marielle Askew | Nora Kaminski | Rachel Rodriguez |
| Isaac Blaxton | Dan Kieffer | Dani Sadorf |
| Garrett Clark | Jacob Landers | Victoria Sand |
| Joseph Clarkson | Jessica Lewis | Ryan Stickel |
| Timothy Conway | Charlie Masters | Tom Snyder |
| Lexi Coon | Cole McLean | James Street-McQuade |
| Krista Feallock | Taylor Moore | Greg Wilson |
| Claire Hejl | Siobhan Murillo | Alley Wolfe |
For those of us who will be sending our seniors off, let us all continue to pray for them, our sons and daughters, as God continues to guide their growth spiritually and intellectually.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2009 May 01
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)
For the past several weeks, Lisa Creech and I have been purging the youth room and our offices. The goal is to prepare for the renewed direction allowing the Holy Spirit to usher us into the future—a future that challenges the current message that truth is subjective. As the Church, we have the Truth rooted in Jesus Christ as our personal and corporate Savior.
During the cleaning-out process, we have uncovered some very unique treasures. Some are timeless, others have been offered up to the big bin in the sky. What we found revealed a great deal about where the youth ministry has been, and through a great deal of prayer, where the Lord is leading.
Among the treasures was a notebook filled with statements of faith, written by Crosswalk students. The creativity each young person used to proclaim his or her faith in Jesus Christ was like a breath of fresh air. Another precious discovery was a box filled with photos taken during the past five years of events from Forest Home and Girls’ Night In to Chew and Chat. Having spent time with Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church students, I am not surprised that each picture captures Christ’s eternal presence in every moment. Lisa and I were blessed by each image. Please come by the youth ministry office to see these photos for yourself!
Through these recent discoveries, the Lord revealed to me a new understanding of what my treasure is—bringing up our young people in the Lord. Jesus taught his followers not to store up earthly treasures where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but rather, to invest in eternal things. As adults, parents, elders, deacons, and church leaders, our duty is to teach our youth the precepts that were taught to us—to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
This ought to be the topic of conversation when we are walking together, in our homes, and at the dinner table. I cannot think of anything better than talking about the Lord’s unconditional love for His children and passing on that love and fervor to our youth. The rewards are eternal. It is exciting for sure. Now is the time join the mission of building our treasures up in heaven—our youth need it!
In Christ,
John Joseph
2009 April 01
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV)
Inquiring minds want to know! The questions never stop—sometimes they come late into the night via text message. The minds of our youth are always working. The challenge we face in our current culture is not science, but, instead, our willingness to be open to forums where the difficult questions can be asked.
Just a few weeks ago, around 10:30pm, the cell phone vibrated. When I looked at the phone to see who was calling, it was a text message. Brett, one of our sophomore boys was thinking, which does not surprise me one bit, because I was thinking too. But I was thinking about going to sleep, whereas Brett was thinking about if it is possible for a human being to love the same way that God loves.
The Holy Spirit begins spinning my wheels, first with questions for Brett, then real life examples of how great God’s love is for us. The only problem is I cannot seem to reply fast enough for him. I am out matched—Brett’s what I call a Thumb Warrior. But I was fortunate. Brett was patient with me. The Holy Spirit points us to 1 John 4, and we explore what God’s Word has to say about love.
If we never ask the difficult questions, we will never find the answers. I am not saying I have all the answers. What I am saying is, it never hurts to ask. Our Lord and Savior longs for us to ask. In this short passage, Jesus boldly challenges us, “Ask and it will be given to you . . . .” For if we are willing to ask, our Father in Heaven is eagerly waiting to give us the “good gifts.” For Brett, I believe that good gift came with a peace, an assurance of the depth and breadth of God’s unconditional love for him.
There is never a dull moment in youth ministry. There is nothing like walking with a young inquiring mind. The rewards come in so many ways. More often than not, the blessing of searching the Scriptures together brings new insight and understanding. This recent conversation with my brother in Christ will continue and take many differ- ent shapes and forms.
This is the time to join the conversation, because on their own, our youth can find answers that are empty, answers that lead to destruction. We have a hope in Christ that brings everlasting life. It is exciting! There is always room at our table. Come join the conversation, and ask the tough questions. Let’s seek the Lord’s face together.
In Christ,
John Joseph
2009 March 01
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
As many of you know, or have heard, this is a return trip to Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church after I completed my seminary training at Bethel Theological Seminary. My wife, Kimberlee, and I have a special place in our hearts for your congregation, from the colorful sermons by Pastor David, to the careful love and attention given to God’s little children. Not to mention the beautiful weather. We have always felt that this church is our home away from home. I will never forget what Kimberlee said to me while praying for the Lord’s guidance.
She said, “John, I’m not completely sure what the Lord has in store for us, but this is a church family that has always welcomed us with open arms, and the Lord’s peace is clearly evident in their hearts!”
The same peace of Christ we find in you is also evident in the youth ministries. We have never been so welcomed by students like we have here. Students are actively seeking to reach out to us. Our very first night with the youth, Kimberlee and Emma Williams bonded to each other immediately after finding a shared love of books. I could not pry them apart, because Emma was sitting in my seat! (I never did get my seat back, now that I think of it.)
This past February, both the middle school and high school ministries participated in Forest Home Ministries’ Winter Camp programs. We are grateful for all your prayers. Our students have returned with a renewed desire to keep growing, while some found the same peace in Christ that lives in your hearts. All praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to be together in this transforming process.
Coming up on Sunday, March 15, the youth ministries are partnering with Ladle Fellowship at First Presbyterian Church in downtown San Diego to serve the homeless community. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Lisa Creech or me.
In Christ,
John Joseph