Youth, College and Career Committee Timothy A. Barrett
2017 saw continuity of ministry with our youth, new energy with ministry to collegians and our transition from intern leadership to ordained pastoral leadership with our Careers.
Youth: There were several highlights of the year for our student ministry. Early in the year the theme for the Winter Retreat was“ Who is on the Lord’ s Side.” Dennis Boatright taught three lessons on the biblical figures of Abraham, Ruth, Joshua and Caleb. Paul Rodgers led the youth through another lesson on how to do a character study on a biblical figure. Thirty-six students and eight chaperones participated at the retreat held at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, Georgia. In June, twenty-one middle school students and eight chaperones launched our first ever Apex. This event was held in Blue Ridge, Georgia and was a big hit. The theme was“ The Test You Do Not Want to Fail” and was taken primarily from 2 Corinthians 13:5. Apex is hoped to be a harvesting event where our middle schoolers will be confronted with the gospel and the claims of Christ and offered an opportunity to own Christ. In July, we held our fourth Mission Savannah at Point Pleasant and throughout our community. The theme for this event was“ Anything, Anywhere, Anytime.” The subject of our studies was the call of God and primarily examined the life of Abraham. Caleb Galloway, a PCA Pastor in Alabama and an old friend of Paul’ s, was our speaker. Ministries and organizations we served during Mission Savannah included Coastal Jail Ministry Transitional Program, the Fresh Air Home, painting at Point Pleasant, and odd jobs for some needy recipients. Teaching series taught by Paul Rodgers through the year included Relating & Dating( to high schoolers), The Fruit of the Spirit and God’ s Role and Ours in the Pursuit of Holiness. We continued with our regular annual events as well. We hosted a Friday morning Chick-fil-A Prayer Breakfast at Point Pleasant for our youth and collegians during the summer. Our youth assisted several of our members in the clean-up efforts from hurricane Irma.
The ministry was made possible by a large team of volunteers who taught Sunday School, led small groups, served as chaperones, cooked meals, and much more. I speak not only as chair of this committee but for Paul Rodgers and all our church family in thanking all volunteers for their service. May the seeds you have sown reap a harvest greater than you could ever imagine.
College Ministry: Prior to the Gears’ arrival, Tim Shaw and Peter Gibson gave themselves to the college ministry among the covenant children who come home for the summer. This included weekly Bible study( through the book of Daniel), kick-ball games, and many other informal gatherings.
The Gears arrived mid-summer and Evan stepped into the weekly teaching and Sunday School class. Peter Gibson remained part of the work until August and the return of the students to their various, scattered places of study. As the covenant children departed; SCAD students arrived, and with their arrival the task of forming a ministry for them began. Though somewhat set back by hurricane Irma, the ministry to SCAD has gotten off to a good start with a solid group of students coming faithfully to Sunday School, morning and evening services, as well as Saturday morning coffee at the Carriage House.
In December Evan and the family had the opportunity to deepen relationships with the returned students as they opened the Carriage House for a Christmas party and other informal times of fellowship. In addition, Evan has continued to teach Sunday School, focusing on the parables of Jesus.
Thankful for the small beginnings, the Gears look forward to the new year, prayerfully and expectantly trusting the Lord to bless and give increase to this work. May He be pleased to produce good and lasting fruit among the college students, adding to their numbers and maturing those He has brought into fellowship.
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