Where did it go.

Summer 2011 is almost over, there are only 2 weeks left until school starts for most of our students. all I can say is wow that was fast.

This past week I took the High School Students to the CIY MOVE conference and it was intense.

Day 1 we learned about Samuel and how it was important to listen to God and that he still can speak to us. Day 2 we talked about Rahab and how she was a prostitute in Jericho. Rahab was willing to be used by God saving the spies sent into the city and it was that willingness that led to her salvation. Day 3 we talked Josiah along with the validity of God's word in our life and how it can answer every problem that we ever have. By the way, it was also proven how God's word is still alive today. Day 4 we talk on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedigo along with the persecuted Church. We watched a great film called Love Cost Everything, it puts into perspective how trivial our problems are in American churches. We have christians in 3rd world countries dying for their faith, while we in America complain about music, carpet, or some other silly thing. It was very enlightening and challenging to see. Day 5 we talked about John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Jesus. We Christians today need to remember our job is to prepare the way for Christ's return. We are the ones to point to the ONE to come.

Summer Time

Summer Is here and wide open. Up to this point we have been to the Zoo,, we have swam, we have gone to Splash in the Boro. We have gone tubing, we have had the first movie night, we are headed to ED Venture tomorrow, and Camp is in full swing. All this and it is only June 16th.

This past Monday we had two upcoming 2nd graders (Payton Fuller & Skyler Kitchings) accept Jesus and be baptized. Last night Maddie Lopez was baptized after church. Three new siblings in Christ, please pray that they will grow in Christ and he will place Godly people in their lives to influence them.

Upcoming Events that you need to know about:

MIDDLE SCHOOL LAKE DAY June 28th see me for more info.

MOVIE NIGHT July 1st. This may not actually be a night movie it may be a day movie. CARS 2 is the movie and we have various prices. Check your Email if you have not for more details.

BLITZ is July 6th -8th it is our version of VBS. BLITZ is a time for your Child to grow spiritually in a safe environment. BLITZ will run from 9am- 12pm each day. Our Middle School and High School Students will be helping me lead this program.

CIY is coming up July 18th- 22nd- Parents we need to have the remainder of the balance in by July 3rd to no incur late fees.

That's all for now folks,

Stephen McMillen

Sounds of the Beach

Well it has been over a week since we got back from Velocity. We are all back in the swing of things and I wonder how is it going for you. I know I am sitting here in the office trying to come up with some ideas of things we can do this year. Personally I am tired of the same old same old, I want things to be different. I want teenagers to come to the realization of who Jesus is and what he has done for them in a deeper way then ever before. I really want to go back to Saturday night of Velocity on the beach, do you remember?

For those of you not with us let me try to paint the picture. It was around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night, that is correct it was dark thirty. The stars were not out due to the fact that the fog was so heavy. I have been going to Hilton Head for close to 15 years for this convention and I have never seen it so foggy or as thick. It was like one of those scary movie kind of fogs. We were out there alone and by ourselves for the most part. There were some night fisherman who were looking for baitfish in their boats which made it a little creepier. Their lights occasionally shining across us. It was windy and cold and we were on the beach sitting on the sand. Yes, we are nuts.

We just sat there and talked for a while about what we would like to see happen with our group and our with church. We then asked God what he wanted us to do for Him. I had the teenagers that went all spread out by their selves on this creepy beach, that you could not see just twenty feet in front of you. They prayed and talked to God and listened to the sounds of the beach. What happened next was amazing I had them pray by their self for ten minutes. Thats an eternity for a teenager in the technology world we live in. Don’t worry they were not on their phone or listening to music, their parents and I didn’t let them bring them on the trip. When I called them back they could not remember the last time they had been that quiet before God. There were even some that thought they may have heard God talk to them.

That’s the stuff I want this year for the youth and for our church. When they reflect back on 2011 in a few years they say, I met God and experienced Him in so many ways that year!!!!

This is a growing problem among teen and adults watch the video.

Stop

Seems like yesterday 2010 started and tomorrow it is already February 1, 2011. Where did the year go? As we begin this year I would like to challenge the youth and adults to slow down.

With all our modern conveniences of cell phones, texting, i m ing, facebook, twitter, blogging and such. It is hard sometimes to just disconnect and be quiet. I know I see it every Wed night and Sunday morning out of the youth at C4. I am just as guilty as anyone else. Take time and be still.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says to Be still, and know that I am God. If we as Christian’s slow down, and realize that the God we worship today is the same God that made the Heavens. What can He do through us? Just think about that for the moment. Recognize who we are talking about the God that created everything out of nothing. That is my challenge for you this week is just simply stop and realize who God is. Will talk more

What does it take?

Every week we do the traditional church services. We have church on Sunday morning and on Wednesday Nights. I look at the youth that come and wonder is this coming generation getting it. Do they understand that without Christ in their lives this life is meaningless. I wonder what is it that can make the youth that come to C4 on fire for God.

Recently this past week we remembered the Anniversary of our second son's death. He died on October 6, 2003 seven years ago. Honestly their is not a day that goes by that I do not miss that little boy. This past Wednesday there was a group of Middle/ High School students as we were closing the Wednesday Night Service that asked to pray for me and Stephanie. I was blown away,these guys are getting it. They know my strength to face this situation daily starts with God.

This generation that is coming up has to face the hardest situation since the great depression. We have a deficit that their grandchildren will be paying off. They have grown up with the threat of terrorism since 9/11 and war that has been going on as long as some of them are old.

Parents if your kids are not in church, what do think they will turn to when the harder times come in their lives? Get them in church, make the tough calls, stop letting them lead you and you what they want to do. It is time to make a stand and lead them. One day we will stand before God and answer for the things He has given us this includes our children. You will answer one day for how you raise your children they are a gift from God.

This generation needs to know Jesus. That's what it takes.