Bridgett and I are taking a few students to Gatlinburg, TN for Accelerant 2012.  Good times wait ahead.

I’m excited about what God is going to do.  There are some great speakers scheduled, a concert, and Bridgett and I just want to enjoy our time with the students going.

Please pray for us as we make the 6-7 hour trip there and back, and that we’ll have an awesome and safe trip.

I’ll hopefully will have some pictures to post soon, too.

I want to share a few quick thoughts with you from this morning:

• You aren’t defeated by your problems.  Philippians 4:13 may be from an old book, but it is still true so we need to live by it.  “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
• Now, go back and read Philippians 1:6.  You can never stop becoming a better person.  You may be an amazing person now, but the closer you get to God, then the you’ll go from amazing to fantastic to phenomenal to invincible.
• Surround yourself with people who will build you up with prayer, love, and encouragement.  Get rid of the people that will tear you down with ridicule, false hope, and discouragement.  Even if you need to make new friends.
• With the previous point in mind, consider Hebrews 10:24-25, which states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  In other words, getting together with other believers is important in public places and in church.  It is where we can encourage each other, have a good time, and help each other walk with God.
• I want to watch you and help you succeed.  So, if there is anything I can do for you, then please contact me.
• I love you.
• God loves you.
• I’m proud of you.
• Keep advancing.

In Him,

Pastor Dewaine

To help you understand a small portion of what I’ve stated watch these videos from last Sunday’s talent night.

Doug, Wesley, and Tyler

I will have a youth band one day!  I’m declaring that now!

Crossover Drama – Give Me Your Eyes

I want a traveling drama team, too.  Is that too much to ask?

It was a great time.

We had 22 students (awesome), which was up from 15 from the last lock in and 12 from our very first this time last year.

I love being a youth pastor.

Can’t see the video.  Click here.

I’m really not sure what to say.

We invaded Chick-Fil-A.  Always a good choice.

While waiting on the haunted hay ride, a few of us enjoyed the snake pit.

Then came the hay ride.  I wish I had pictures of it, but it was too dark.  Brook was the funniest.  She could watch a masked man walk up to her, and still scream when he said boo.  Haha!  Awesome.

I love the Beyond Youth students.  I love spending time with teenagers.

I was also very proud of the 2 teen performers: Tyler and Hannah.  Check out their videos.

Tyler’s Bike Tricks

Can’t see the video?  Click here.

Hannah’s Flags

Can’t see the video?  Click here.

1) I got to watch his passion at work

Pastor Paul stopped by for prayer.  After helping him get a CD playing, I retreated to the youth room, but stopped for a few minutes to watch him pray (creepy huh?).  It was amazing.  His passion for God and for Life-Givers radiated the room.  This was truly the man who God wanted for our church.

But he’s not just trying to lead a church.  He’s trying to lead us.  People.  In our services, he wants us to connect with God.  He wants us to be ushered into God’s presence.  He wants the Word of God to pierce through our thick skin and into our hearts and minds to change us into better people.  He wants to change Moncks Corner and Berkeley county.

Amazing.

2) I got to hear his passion

While talking with him, I would hear his passion, too.  There are a lot of ideas floating around about what, when, and how we can do things as a church, but ultimately, he wants to do what God wants.  And being around Pastor Paul for 5 minutes will allow anyone to hear that he’s not saying words, he’s casting a vision and presenting his heart.

Exciting.

In the end

I love having this good of a relationship with my Lead Pastor.  It’s good to be able to open up to him and he to me.  I’ve been blessed as a student pastor to have such a relationship.  This will only allow for great things to happen at Life-Givers and in the Beyond Youth.  God is up to something BIG.

By-the-way, every Life-Giver needs to spend some time with Pastor Paul just to hear him talk about our church and what’s in store.  You need to hear his heart.  It will truly move you.

Please watch this if you’re a Beyond Youth student, parent, or leader, or if you play any part in Life-Givers Ministries.

Over the past 2 years, the Beyond Youth has grown tremendously, and I’m expecting more great things to come.

Time to take it to the next level.