Watch Out! 0_o

Dear today's teenagers:

Have you ever read the book of Proverbs? Maybe you have but, have you ever really read it? You know what I am talking about right, the thing you learn in 1st grade, and are tested on until you graduate High School, "reading comprehension?" It is the art of "understanding a text," meaning that you read a text in order to learn or glean something from it, not just to get it done.

Now that you understand what I am asking, I will repeat the question: Have you ever read the book of Proverbs? If you have, you probably noticed its increasingly foreign theme in today's teen world, your world... "Wisdom."

You know me I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teens, so my sarcasm about the lack of wisdom in teens today is not a dig, but an observation. In fact, many teens today will not disagree with my observation, but laugh about it, crack jokes about it, and then do or say something to proudly display it. The truth is, for many of you reading this, lacking wisdom is fun, almost a goal for your day. I can tell, I read your Facebook posts.

Anyway, back to Proverbs. I was reading Proverbs chapter 13 today and felt compelled to share a few verses with you:

13:3- "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." 


13:5- "The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace."


13:16- "In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly."


13:21- "Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are reward with good."


It is one thing to act like a fool for a good laugh, but its is another entirely to act like a fool for so long that you actually become one. My dear friends (and you know if I am talking to you), do you not see what you are becoming? Do you not see that you have traded Godly Wisdom in for a few laughs, some popularity, and literally become a FOOL? Don't lie to yourself, you are not happy, your life is a mess!

I pray for you daily, and I BEG for you to open your eyes. Remember your first love, and the joy of living for your KING!

Read those verses I wrote out above, I mean read them. Are you really going to keep this up? Are you really happy being a fool? Was God's mercy, and grace that easy to trade in for what you have now?

Take heed of God's Word. I fear for you if you don't!

Your loving Youth Pastor,

-Mike

Student Ministries: A year in review 2011

As I was planning out my busy week (Student Ministries has an event happening over each of the next 4 weekends) I was reflecting back on 2011, and praising God for what he has done; then I realized most of you would have no idea what he did. So, I wanted to briefly write about it, that way you can praise God with me!

I want to start by sharing our Values (things that make us who we are, and drive what we do):

1.    We believe that presenting the gospel to teenagers in our community is the single most important task of our HS and MS Ministries.

2.    We believe in relevant, clear, and challenging teaching of God’s Word.

3.    We believe that God cares deeply for nonbelievers, no matter what their lifestyle.

4.    We believe in overwhelming power of relationships in seeing our Vision come to fruition.

5.    We believe in the value of prayer as central to the success of our ministry.

6.    We believe in authentic, engaging, and inspiring worship.

7.    We believe in the inspirational quality of excellence. 

8.    We believe that “teen’s don’t care how much you know, till they know how much you care.” Relationships are priceless to this generation.

As you read through each of those you will see that the all of them flow from the heart of #1. “We believe that presenting the gospel to teenagers in our community is the single most important task of our HS and MS Ministries.” Everything we do is based on that truth. It is who we are; it is who God has called us to be. And we are seeing it happen!

2011 in Review:

·      We took over 150 students on four different trips this year, and expect that number to drastically increase this year!

·      Toward the end of the year we averaged seeing almost 60 students per week at our Epic and Ignite midweek events.

·      In large part because of the previous two stats we saw at least 10 HS and MS students give their lives to Jesus this year. We are hoping to see that number skyrocket in 2012!

·      In March we participated in World Vision’s “30 Hour Famine” and as a group the students raised $9,523.83 to combat world poverty!

·      As our teens continue to understand the Gospel of Jesus, we have seen the culture change amongst our all of our students. As such, it seems as if I am meeting a new face every week as our teens continue to bring their friends to our midweek events!

·      Small groups have become our bread and butter. About 90% of our teens are in a small group! These groups allow our student ministry adult staff to develop relationships with our teens and their friends, all while being focused on God’s word and accountability. One CANNOT underestimate the value of these relationships.

It would be easy to read over those bullet points and feel like we did well. But the truth is, and this is not just me saying this, we want more! As a ministry (myself, staff, and students) we feel like God has called us to reach this generation for HIS Kingdom, and that is what we aim to do. So, join us in PRAISING God for what he has done, but also for what He WILL do!

Finally, I would like to ask for you to pray for Student Ministries in 2012. We are focused on reaching more teens this year and will make changes to our yearly events to reflect that. This summer we will also be focusing on taking teens on Mission trips to deepen their faith and trust in God. Many who go will have known Jesus for only a short amount of time.

Living for the Lord and LOVING it…

Mike Szoradi

Compass Church

Student and Children's Ministries Pastor

480.276.5950 (Cell)

623.935.3060 (Office)