Wes' Week for 6-14-09

What I am working on

Preparing for The Trip, designing a youth brochure, playing laser tag, preparing sermon for Sunday night, celebrating Father’s Day with a new kid, and maybe a little disc golf.

The Flip

Student Life camp was great. Even though I am a Fuge veteran, I was impressed by Student Life. The camp we went to was for middle school only. So our 28 people were joined by 500 other middle school crazies. Lots of students made decisions and God did some big things while we were there.

Currently Reading

Still reading “Let the Nations be Glad” by John Piper. (90% done)

Finished God wants to save Christians by Rob Bell. I have always been a Rob Bell fan. Really enjoyed this book, not as good as his last two, but still good.

Reading “Following Jesus into College and Beyond” by Jeff Baxter (80% done) I am getting ideas from this book for our new Senior SS class we are starting in the fall. When SS promotes in the fall, we are going to make a Senior coed SS class. It is going to be part regular SS, part college prep. We will teach the students how to survive/thrive as Christians in college.

Untouchables

Our current Wednesday night sermon series is called “The Untouchables.” It is dealing with topics that are uncomfortable to talk about so most people do not even touch them. During our four weeks we will be talking about Homosexuality, Death, Prejudice, and Disability.

Wes' Week 5-10-09

What I am working on

Preparing for The Trip, helping Craig clean out the Adam’s property, making a grad DVD, and planning out summer schedule.

Cancelled

Last week I had to cancel our trip to M-Fuge. We only had 4 people sign up to go. So what killed this trip? It could have been a number of things. 1. We have gone to M-fuge a lot, so maybe the youth were tried of it. 2. We changed locations. Maybe Alabama was not as attractive as Charleston. 3. I think that this is the real reason: Ocean City, MD. We offered our Ocean City mission trip up to our 17 year olds and above. This meant that our seniors and most of our juniors could go. This only left two grades for M-Fuge.

After we cancelled M-Fuge, we decided to open up Ocean City to the whole high school. This bumped registration from 14 up to 25. It should be a great trip and I am realy looking forward to it. Be in prayer for July 4-11. We will get to minister to a large array of people (children, carnival workers, lifeguards, internationals, etc.) Pray that God will open doors for us to present the gospel. All we have to do is present it, God convicts and changes the heart.

Shocco Anyone?

Student Life is fast approaching. It is now less then a month away. I am so excited! I have never been to a Student Life camp. It is going to be awesome! We still have one spot left if anyone would like to join us. June 4-7, $100 for students, free for adults.

Currently Reading

Still reading “Let the Nations be Glad” by John Piper. (70% done)

Finished Refuel by Doug Fields and “It is Easy being Green” by Emma Sleeth.

Reading “Following Jesus into College and Beyond” by Jeff Baxter (50% done) I am getting ideas from this book for our new Senior SS class we are starting in the fall. When SS promotes in the fall, we are going to make a Senior coed SS class. It is going to be part regular SS, part college prep. We will teach the students how to survive/thrive as Christians in college.

The Final Countdown

5 days out and still no baby. And still no name. Which will come first?

Wes' Week

Last week

was my first Holy Week in Greeneville and it was amazing. I was humbled to be in the drama Thursday night. We have so many talented people here. Sunday morning left me speechless. What an experience! It is one thing to hear the gospel, but to experience it visually. It cannot help but change you. How can we ever say thank you enough to Jesus? His passion for us and His love for His Father is amazing.

What I am working on

Preparing for The Trip, putting together music books for our youth praise band, booking our 20s ministry spot to the Passion Conference, planning the G4 retreat for the youth, fixing two staff computers, sending out letters for Student Life, and making a brochure for your college and youth ministry.

What’s on the iPod

Just bought Jack Johnson’s CD “In Between Dreams.” I discovered him after watching Curious George with my son. Nothing mellows you out better then listening to a surfer/singer/songwriter.

Currently Reading

Still reading Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper. (40% done)

Started reading a short book called Refuel by Doug Fields (60% done) It is going to be most of my talk for the G4 retreat. It talks about how one can reconnect with God. Just bought “It is Easy being Green” by Emma Sleeth. It is a resource for our next sermon series, Save the Planet.

The Final Countdown

Right now my wife is due with our fourth child in 4 weeks and we still have not decided on a name. I wonder how long a kid can go without a name. Right now we just refer to it as number 4. This is what the kids are calling it. George Castanza wanted to name his kid Seven. Maybe Four will stick.

Wes' Week

What's new ...

Welcome to Holy Week. I found out on Saturday night that I am a late addition to the the Easter drama, so this week consists of a lot of practices and a scramble to learn my lines. So come Thursday and see me play Philip, one of the twelve disciples.

What I am working on ...

Memorizing lines, preparing for The Trip, putting together music books for our youth praise band, booking our 20s ministry spot to the Passion Conference, planning the G4 retreat for the youth, fixing two staff computers, and making a brochure for your college and youth ministry.

What’s on the iPod ...

Just recently re-bought the Forrest Gump soundtrack. I bought it when the movie first came put, but had the CDs stolen from my car during seminary. 34 classic songs for $17 is a steal on iTunes. Also downloaded Matthew West’s new song “The Motions.” This is going to be our theme song for the G4 retreat.

The Hills are alive ...

I downloaded some songs that our praise band have been singing and some that I hope we will learn in the future. Here is the playlist:

1. Love is Here by Tenth Aevunue North
2. By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
3. Let it Rise by Big Daddy Weave
4. You must Increase by Matt Redman
5. The hand that holds the World by Starfield

Currently Reading ...

Re-reading Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper. This book is one of our requirements for the Ocean City, MD mission trip this summer. I have always loved Piper and this is a great book explaining why God uses missions.

Tonight I will be ...

Rooting for the Tarheels, even though I am a Duke fan. UNC players and their coach are a class act. If Duke can’t win it, at least a team from the ACC should.