Hello Everyone,
Last week the Generation-Linkers had a retreat up in Gatlinburg, TN. We all stayed in a three story cabin with a loft. Some pleasant attributes of the cabin included: hot tub, sauna, foosball table, air hockey, pool table, king size beds, a wrap around porch, fireplace, rocking chairs, and a great view of the mountains. Needless to say, the trip was filled with fun and relaxation.
From Monday-Thursday, we sought the Lord through quiet times, discussed our past semesters as Generation-Link staff, evaluated the Generation-Link program, encouraged one another, played together, and ate well (most importantly...Apple Barn).
To hear the testimonies of everyone's past semester was encouraging. Everyone shared what was going on in their personal life and in ministry. It is awesome to hear of God's faithfulness through trials and celebrations. After everyone shared their testimonies, we spoke encouragement into that person's life of how God has used them, how they are maturing, and how God has blessed them.
This past week was a great time to recharge for the semester.
We also saw some snow. The mountains were beautiful!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Student Ministry Fall Retreat
A few weeks ago, our student ministry had a fall retreat that was also at Camp McCall. We took around 45 students and 15 leaders. The weekend included three sessions of teaching, low ropes activities with small groups, capture the flag (along with other games), and a bon fire with smores to end the weekend. We had so much fun!
It was a great time of fellowship and learning for everyone. It’s trips like these where relationships between leaders and students are strengthened which is huge when it comes to our small group times on Sunday nights, and the level of impact we will have as we pour into them and point them to the Word. These trips are also extremely beneficial for the students as they make new friends to feel more included in the youth group, and grow closer to each other. When they grow closer as friends it’s also very beneficial to the effectiveness of their small group times as they hopefully feel more comfortable sharing with one another what’s going on in their lives.
Doug Hunt taught on authentic faith and what that looks like lived out in our lives. The sessions were a great reminder of the beauty of the Gospel. One student confessed to his leader his brokenness over his sinful state, and they got to go through the gospel together. Afterwards, he prayed to surrender his life to Christ. That is why we do what we do as a student ministry, so it makes all the planning and serving for the weekend even that much sweeter!
Overall, it was a great trip! Enjoy a few pictures!
It was a great time of fellowship and learning for everyone. It’s trips like these where relationships between leaders and students are strengthened which is huge when it comes to our small group times on Sunday nights, and the level of impact we will have as we pour into them and point them to the Word. These trips are also extremely beneficial for the students as they make new friends to feel more included in the youth group, and grow closer to each other. When they grow closer as friends it’s also very beneficial to the effectiveness of their small group times as they hopefully feel more comfortable sharing with one another what’s going on in their lives.
Doug Hunt taught on authentic faith and what that looks like lived out in our lives. The sessions were a great reminder of the beauty of the Gospel. One student confessed to his leader his brokenness over his sinful state, and they got to go through the gospel together. Afterwards, he prayed to surrender his life to Christ. That is why we do what we do as a student ministry, so it makes all the planning and serving for the weekend even that much sweeter!
Overall, it was a great trip! Enjoy a few pictures!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Student Appreciation Day
At the end of the semester, Crosspoint has Student Appreciation Day where we honor those graduating and commission those serving in missions over the break during the morning service. Also, in the evening we host a party for students right before their exam week. In doing this we hope to provide a way for students to have a break from studying and enjoy a free meal while sending them home with a packet of goodies to have throughout their exam week. Although we overestimated in our predicted numbers, we probably had close to 100 students come and many more people who helped make the event happen!
Graduates Being Prayed For
In the morning, we recognized eight graduates who are transitioning into a new phase of their lives. We presented them with a copy of John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. At the end of the service, we commissioned four missions teams and one individual going to countries such as India, China, and Thailand. As a church, it is our desire to continually be a part of fulfilling the Great Commission. We certainly delight in seeing those who are willing to sacrifice of themselves by going to foreign lands with the Gospel, but we also hope that as a church we are helping to develop mature, worshiping missionaries in each of our members including college students. Whether these graduates and short-term missionaries give their lives for the Gospel in another country or remain in the U.S. for most of their lives, we hope their lives will be characterized as one that gives all for the sake of the Gospel.
Missionaries Being Commissioned
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Season of Thankfulness
As I reflect on my time in Generation Link, I can’t help but notice God’s hand in the past year and a half and how I have so much to be thankful for. Even in just looking back on this semester, I can see so many of God’s blessings on Crosspoint Church and in my life. We kicked off the semester with a celebration of Crosspoint’s five year anniversary. It’s been a blessing to be part of the congregation for the past four and a half years of that celebration and to watch how God has grown the church.
Crosspoint 5th Anniversary Video from CrosspointClemson on Vimeo.
We celebrated with a faux lake fellowship (it was relocated to the auditorium because it was rained out). It was a blessing to listen to the testimonies of life change within the congregation over the past five years.
Listen to Testimonies Here
Our sermon series for the semester has been in Ephesians. We have been studying God’s plan of salvation and how salvation is not something that we can do to earn but it is a gift of God’s sovereign grace. It is such a blessing to be at a church where God’s word is not only preached on Sundays, but that the pastors also equip the congregation to dive into the word deeper daily with a planned study guide and the accountability of small groups.
As we just celebrated Thanksgiving, one of my favorite events of the year is the thanksgiving fellowship, because it is a time where the entire church comes together to share a meal. Now that we are at two services it’s not as common to gather together as one body so the times that we do come together are valued.
I’m also thankful for by CP group and having the opportunity to celebrate thanksgiving with them. They have definitely become a family to me as we walk the Christian life together through good times and difficult times, holding each other accountable, encouraging one another, and praying for one another.
I’m looking forward to the Christmas series as we are about to start digging into Isaiah and studying how Christ was the one prophesied to come. Jesus is God’s biggest blessing to us and I most thankful for the gift of salvation that God has given to me.
Crosspoint 5th Anniversary Video from CrosspointClemson on Vimeo.
We celebrated with a faux lake fellowship (it was relocated to the auditorium because it was rained out). It was a blessing to listen to the testimonies of life change within the congregation over the past five years.
Listen to Testimonies Here
Our sermon series for the semester has been in Ephesians. We have been studying God’s plan of salvation and how salvation is not something that we can do to earn but it is a gift of God’s sovereign grace. It is such a blessing to be at a church where God’s word is not only preached on Sundays, but that the pastors also equip the congregation to dive into the word deeper daily with a planned study guide and the accountability of small groups.
As we just celebrated Thanksgiving, one of my favorite events of the year is the thanksgiving fellowship, because it is a time where the entire church comes together to share a meal. Now that we are at two services it’s not as common to gather together as one body so the times that we do come together are valued.
I’m also thankful for by CP group and having the opportunity to celebrate thanksgiving with them. They have definitely become a family to me as we walk the Christian life together through good times and difficult times, holding each other accountable, encouraging one another, and praying for one another.
I’m looking forward to the Christmas series as we are about to start digging into Isaiah and studying how Christ was the one prophesied to come. Jesus is God’s biggest blessing to us and I most thankful for the gift of salvation that God has given to me.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Student Ministry Fall Retreat
A few weeks ago, our student ministry had a fall retreat that was also at Camp McCall. We took around 45 students and 15 leaders. The weekend included three sessions of teaching, low ropes activities with small groups, capture the flag (along with other games), and a bon fire with smores to end the weekend. We had so much fun!
It was a great time of fellowship and learning for everyone. It’s trips like these where relationships between leaders and students are strengthened which is huge when it comes to our small group times on Sunday nights, and the level of impact we will have as we pour into them and point them to the Word. These trips are also extremely beneficial for the students as they make new friends to feel more included in the youth group, and grow closer to each other. When they grow closer as friends it’s also very beneficial to the effectiveness of their small group times as they hopefully feel more comfortable sharing with one another what’s going on in their lives.
Doug Hunt taught on authentic faith and what that looks like lived out in our lives. The sessions were a great reminder of the beauty of the Gospel. One student confessed to his leader his brokenness over his sinful state, and they got to go through the gospel together. Afterwards, he prayed to surrender his life to Christ. That is why we do what we do as a student ministry, so it makes all the planning and serving for the weekend even that much sweeter!
Overall, it was a great trip! Enjoy a few pictures!
It was a great time of fellowship and learning for everyone. It’s trips like these where relationships between leaders and students are strengthened which is huge when it comes to our small group times on Sunday nights, and the level of impact we will have as we pour into them and point them to the Word. These trips are also extremely beneficial for the students as they make new friends to feel more included in the youth group, and grow closer to each other. When they grow closer as friends it’s also very beneficial to the effectiveness of their small group times as they hopefully feel more comfortable sharing with one another what’s going on in their lives.
Doug Hunt taught on authentic faith and what that looks like lived out in our lives. The sessions were a great reminder of the beauty of the Gospel. One student confessed to his leader his brokenness over his sinful state, and they got to go through the gospel together. Afterwards, he prayed to surrender his life to Christ. That is why we do what we do as a student ministry, so it makes all the planning and serving for the weekend even that much sweeter!
Overall, it was a great trip! Enjoy a few pictures!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
International Student Association Fall Break Trip
We began Monday morning with a beautiful hike. Once we got to the top of the mountain we ate our lunches and spent time getting to know one another better. The rest of the day, we did the ropes course, swing shot, and other fun things that camp McCall has to offer. That night, we had a campfire and many international students had their first experience eating a smore! The Camp McCall staff also took us on a night hike to a spooky house called "the rice house."
On Tuesday, we spent the day doing more fun activities around Camp McCall. Unfortunately, fall break quickly ended and that afternoon we departed and made our way back to Clemson, SC.
It's a great blessing to be able to participate on trips like this one with Clemson University. It is our prayer at Crosspoint that the relationships built will continue on well into the future.
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| Cynthia (Ghana) and Sai (India) getting geared up! |
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| The whole group! |
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Spring Break DC
No matter what school you go to, spring break has always been a big part of the college experience. While many head to the beach to get a tan, or back home to catch up with family, most college ministries usually take a mission trip of some sort. The usual fare is a trip to the beach to witness to tourists, a work trip to help with disaster relief, or to the inner city to minister to the poor. I have personally been on each of these types of trips, and all have been great experiences.
This year, however, our college team wanted to do something different. In light of our developing international ministry, Jenna Wayment came up with the idea to take international students on a sightseeing trip during the break. So last week our team took 46 students to Washington DC for five days. Half of these students were from China and India; the other half were American students from Crosspoint Church. The result was a wonderful trip – probably the best one I have ever been on!
Our trip began Sunday, March 14, and after a day of travel, we arrived in Annapolis, MD and headed to host homes set up through Weems Creek Baptist Church. The host homes were what made the trip so great. Not only did we get to share rooms with students from different countries, but they were able to experience life in the home of an American family. We had breakfast each morning with our family, and spent one night eating dinner together. I heard several stories from the internationals that this was a great time of fun for them.
Our trip began Sunday, March 14, and after a day of travel, we arrived in Annapolis, MD and headed to host homes set up through Weems Creek Baptist Church. The host homes were what made the trip so great. Not only did we get to share rooms with students from different countries, but they were able to experience life in the home of an American family. We had breakfast each morning with our family, and spent one night eating dinner together. I heard several stories from the internationals that this was a great time of fun for them.
Monday through Wednesday, we spent our time in the DC area. Together, we saw the Capitol and Mount Vernon; the rest of the time groups split up and saw everything from the monuments, the Smithsonian museums, Arlington Cemetery, the White House, Chinatown, and the International Justice Mission. At the end of the day we were all worn out, but it was worth it! Wednesday night, we ended with a potluck dinner provided by Weems Creek and then walked around downtown Annapolis.
A big thank you goes to the folks at Weems creek for being so hospitable to us and cooking us great southern food! You all were great!
The next day, we headed home and made it back safely. Overall, it really was a great trip. So many friendships were formed and we were able to have endless conversations about what we believed, cultural differences, and ultimately, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the reason we went out of our way to show love to these students.
Please pray these friendships continue and that the Gospel will continue to be displayed to the nations through our church!
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