This year’s 30 Hour Famine is coming up really soon!  Basically it’s an event where students go 30 hours without eating and get a taste of what the world’s poorest children and families face every day.  Prior to the weekend, students raise funds with the knowledge that every $30 they raise can help feed and care for a child for a month.

This will be our 4^th year participating in this event.  Over the last 3 years our students have raised around $26,000, which turned into almost $111,000 because of the US government matching grant World Vision received.  That’s enough money to feed and care for 123 children from 3 years.  This year World Vision has received the same grant, but will be able to match everything donated by 10 – yeah that’s right 10!  So every $10 turns into $100.  Every $100 turns into $1,000 and so on.

Will you help?

About World Vision:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.  For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

Since 1992, 30 Hour Famine has raised close to $130 million, representing countless lives saved. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries, helping approximately 100 million people every year.

This Sunday we are going to take our yearly GROUP PICTURE (all 7th-12th grade students and adult small group leaders). The picture will be framed and hung on the wall in the Cafe

PLEASE do your best to make it because it would be great to have all of you in the picture plus it would be good to see you.

See you Sunday and spread the word!

Tommy

This summer a portion of our high school students will be going on a mission trip to Mexico (July 4-11).  In a nutshell we will be working with Mexico Caravan Ministries building shelters for homeless families, but that isn’t the most important thing about this trip.  It’s very important, and certainly a worthy cause, but that’s not the MOST IMPORTANT thing.

The most important thing about this trip is what God will do in our lives.  A life with renewed eyes for God and a passion for the world can effect people for a life time.  That’s our goal beyond helping families.

This will be my third time serving with Mexico Caravan Ministries and consider it an honor to work alongside them.  They are a great organization and have an amazing passion for the world.  As you might be able to tell, I’m totally pumped about this trip and can’t wait to see how God will work in the lives of our students and adult leaders.

If you have any questions about our trip or would like more information, you can either get in touch with me or check out Mexico Caravan Ministries’ website.

Tommy

Youth groups (7^th-12^th graders) from various churches in our area will be   coming together for a special youth rally at Elkhart Christian Academy on Wednesday, March 31 from 7:15-8:15pm (25948 CR 22, Elkhart).

The night will be a mix of fun, worship through singing, and teaching by the youth pastor from Granger Community Church. 

Try to arrive by 7:00pm so we can sit together.  You will need transportation to and from ECA.

I hope to see you there!

Tommy

Open Mic Night 3 is coming April 25th.  This is an opportunity for any 7th-12th grade student to perform on stage before an audience, and judges for prizes.

What can you do?  Sing a song, play a song on an instrument, do a comedy sketch, lip sing dance, etc.

Sign-Ups are available in the black room starting this Sunday Night, March 21st.

Here is a video from Open Mic Night 2.

Tommy

This past Sunday (3/14/10) we started a new tradition by doing Crazy Announcements.  Here is our first one called “Sundae Announcements”.

Tommy

Sundae Announcements with Megan & Haley (The link will take you to Youtube.  Depending on your internet speed, you may want to let it load for a minute or so before you play it.)

This Sunday night we’re starting a new HS (High School) series called “AM I HAPPY: the search for something more.”

In this series we’re going to deal with questions like:

• What is happiness?
• Can we really be happy?
• Why do we fake being happy?
• Where do we try to find happiness?

HS students – I hope you can make it.  By the way, can you think of a friend that could really benefit from this series?  If so, take a few minutes to pray for your friend.  After you’ve prayed, take a risk and invite your friend.

Tommy