Mark Your Calendars

Parents, please mark July 8-14 on your calendars. This summer Jr. High Ministries is loading up the buses once again and heading off to an incredible life-changing week at Summer Camp. This year we are heading to Hume Lake Christian Camp. During our time at camp, students have a chance to hangout with their best friends, worship God with amazing worship leaders, study God's Word, and have great conversations with adult leaders and their friends. Everyday there will be free time that will include activities such as paintball, skate park, swimming, bike riding, fishing, and much more. This is one of the greatest activities we offer all year. We strongly encourage all 7th and 8th grade students to attend.
Wanna Go? Call Eric at 559-733-3966 ext 32 or bring in the registration form.

Compassion Child

A few weeks ago, I challenged the students to consider donating $1 a month to help support a child in Haiti. Her name is Fiby Ludia Snaelle Castin. She is 9 years old.
If we gather $32 dollars a month, we will provide food, education, Bible teaching, and much more. If you are a student and have not put in a dollar, I challenge you to do so.

Mothers Day in the Park

This Sunday there will not be a Junior High Service. Join your family in the park as we celebrate mothers day!

Jr. High Survey

This past Sunday I had the students fill out an end of the year anonymous survey. I just wanted to see where the students were spiritually, the things they like or don't like about the JHM and other random questions to help me see what is going on the brain of a Junior high church goer. Here is the survey.

1. I am a male/female:

2. I come to church mainly on Sundays or Wednesdays:

3. I come to church with:

4. How much time do you spend each week:
On the phone:
Watching TV
Praying
On the Internet
Playing Video Games
Reading the Bible
Hanging out with Family

5. What’s your favorite:
TV Show
Radio Station
Movie
Sport

6. I believed Jesus died for my sins: Yes/NO
7. I have accepted Jesus into my life: Yes/NO
8. I have been baptized: Yes/NO

9. One thing I would like to hear a message on:


10. I think the biggest temptation facing JH students is:


11. If I could change one thing about JHM service, it would be:

Dealing with Bullies

I think that every students deals with bullying at some point of their scholastic career. Some (like me) have to fend off the bullies, some become bullies themselves. Neither scenario is good. So, these two articles deal with how to talk to your student about being or dealing with a bully. They're from a secular perspective, but they have some good practical advice in them.

Is Your Kid a Bully?

The Book On Bullies

Strange but True

I just started a three week series on Sunday mornings in JHM called Strange but True.
I am teaching on different stories in the Bible that are weird and probably some that the students have never heard before. Here is the outline from last weeks lesson.

Strange But True
Amazing Moments From God’s Word
Balaam’s Talking Donkey!
The complete story can be found in Numbers 22:1-40

The Story…In A Nutshell:

• The Israelites moved into the promised land and were busy eliminating the other people that lived there.
• This made Balak (king of Moab) very nervous so he hired a fortune teller named Balaam to put a curse in the Israelites.
• Balaam agrees to do it for the right amount of money, even though it was disobeying Gods command.

• On the way to Moab, God tries to get Balaam’s attention by sending an angel to kill him.

• The donkey sees angel, goes off path. Balaam beats donkey.

• Donkey Talks.

• Angel opens Balaam’s eyes and he falls to the ground

• Balaam repents from sinning and says he is going home.

• Angel tells him to keep going, but this time obey God.

• When Balaam shows up to pronounce his curse, he instead pronounces a blessing.

What Can This Possibly Mean To Me?

• 1. When temptation comes your way – Run From It
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Martin Luther once said, “You may not be able to stop a bird from landing on your head, but you don’t have to let it build a nest!”

• 2. When God tries to get your attention – Listen Up
“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face down.” Numbers 22:31



• 3. When God tells you something – Just Do It

“Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard on us, but for our good.” 1 John 5:3



Thought For The Week:

Are my Eyes Open or is my Mind Closed?

Adventure Park

Friday, April 20

Meet at Adventure Park in Visalia at 6pm for a night of video games, go karts, bumper boats and miniature golf. Have rides ready to pick students up at 10pm sharp. The cost is $10 at the door. This will include all outdoor activities, a buffet dinner and 15 video game tokens. Laser tag is $5 extra.