*Another stellar weekend at Foothills. This was the last week of "Sticky Church," and the focus was on serving. We had close to 150 people show interest in some area of ministry! The exciting part were the 11 that are interested in working with our students!
*Week 3 of our student series "Do Work Son!" is off to a fast start. We had increased attendance at COLLIDE, and a load of fun with the karaoke contest. Congrats to Amber Langston for killin' her rendition of "I Will Survive."
*I still have the image and audio of D.G., Jr. singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" burnt into my brain. Definitely the funniest part of the night.
*Can't wait for MERGE tomorrow night. Those middle school students are jacked! How do I know? They're bringing friends every week. We even had a high school student who came to COLLIDE because a middle school student invited him!
*The Tigers are back on track after two defeats. VT is gonna be a tough one.
*Had a great time hanging-out with our two worship pastors (Eric and Dave) and their wives last Friday night. Copper River will never be the same.
*Bye week for my team in the Foothills Bball league. We're 1-0 and looking for a victory this Sunday. Hope you're ready Greg ;)
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Funny Stuff (0)
Bullet Point Tuesday (1)
* Our second week of COLLIDE was great. While our numbers were off due to the long weekend, there was an incredible vibe.
* Two first timers, and they got to enjoy the VIP treatment: we feed them and they tell us what they didn't like.
* Hey high school students: bring a first time guest this week, and you'll get the VIP treatment as well. Free food, baby!
* I taught on combining our passions with our purpose. It's important to remember that God wants us to be passionate, but He wants to be the driving force behind those passions.
* Response from some the students was awesome. They were amazed that something like riding dirt bikes can be used to serve God and others.
* Clemson couldn't throw it in the ocean on Saturday. Still played Wake pretty close, though.
* Went to see "Paul Blart-Mall Cop." I thought it was pretty funny...Michelle did, too.
* We finally have internet service at home!
* If anyone is trying to email me, the email server at the church is down. You can reach me at rhodes.briank@gmail.com
* www.foothillsstudents.com is up and running. Check it out on a regular basis to see what's being added. Labels:
* Two first timers, and they got to enjoy the VIP treatment: we feed them and they tell us what they didn't like.
* Hey high school students: bring a first time guest this week, and you'll get the VIP treatment as well. Free food, baby!
* I taught on combining our passions with our purpose. It's important to remember that God wants us to be passionate, but He wants to be the driving force behind those passions.
* Response from some the students was awesome. They were amazed that something like riding dirt bikes can be used to serve God and others.
* Clemson couldn't throw it in the ocean on Saturday. Still played Wake pretty close, though.
* Went to see "Paul Blart-Mall Cop." I thought it was pretty funny...Michelle did, too.
* We finally have internet service at home!
* If anyone is trying to email me, the email server at the church is down. You can reach me at rhodes.briank@gmail.com
* www.foothillsstudents.com is up and running. Check it out on a regular basis to see what's being added. Labels:
Big Things Poppin' (1)
Who has two thumbs and was totally blown away last night? This Guy!
MERGE (our weekly worship event for middle school students) kicked-off last night, and was ridiculous! We had a 71% increase in attendance from the last time that all of our student met together. The night was fast paced, high energy, and full of the unexpected. The students left fired-up, but not as much as I did.
This change in our methodology has been in the works for seven months. From the time that Michelle and I arrived at Foothills, I felt that God some crazy plans in store for our students...especially those in middle school. After a ton of prayer, planning, and conversation, the move was made to two worship events, one for high school and one for middle school. We are already seeing some incredible results after one week: 71% increase in middle school, 15% increase in high school, 12 first time guests, and an excitement level we haven't seen in a while.
The goal through all of this is to design two distinct nights that meet the spiritual needs of two distinctly different age groups. While the programming may differ, the message is the same: Reach people who are far away from God, and help them become fully devoted followers of Christ.
BTW...if you want understand that last line a little better, check-out THIS MESSAGE! Labels:
MERGE (our weekly worship event for middle school students) kicked-off last night, and was ridiculous! We had a 71% increase in attendance from the last time that all of our student met together. The night was fast paced, high energy, and full of the unexpected. The students left fired-up, but not as much as I did.
This change in our methodology has been in the works for seven months. From the time that Michelle and I arrived at Foothills, I felt that God some crazy plans in store for our students...especially those in middle school. After a ton of prayer, planning, and conversation, the move was made to two worship events, one for high school and one for middle school. We are already seeing some incredible results after one week: 71% increase in middle school, 15% increase in high school, 12 first time guests, and an excitement level we haven't seen in a while.
The goal through all of this is to design two distinct nights that meet the spiritual needs of two distinctly different age groups. While the programming may differ, the message is the same: Reach people who are far away from God, and help them become fully devoted followers of Christ.
BTW...if you want understand that last line a little better, check-out THIS MESSAGE! Labels:
Bullet Point Tuesday (0)
*COLLIDE met for the first time. It was awesome! Our high school students enjoyed "the lack of middle school students" as one student said.
*MERGE will be here tomorrow. Middle School students: this is your night! Own it. Bring your friends and expect the unexpected (is that even possible).
*The "live animal" aspect of Sunday night went better than anticipated. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow.
*Struggled through some ridiculous pain in my gut on Sunday night. Must have been the pizza from the night before. Speaking was tough, but still a lot of fun.
*Looking forward to breaking some Guinness World Records in a couple of weeks. Don't know what I'm talking about? Text "record breaker" and your name to brhodes-foo4@joopz.com for more info. Standard text rates apply. Wow. That sounded like something Ryan Seacrest would say.
*Speaking of Seacrest...Idol starts-up tonight. Can't wait to watch some of those folks massacre some incredible songs.
*Working on a new website for Foothills Students. It should be up and running in a couple of days. I'll let you know when it's ready for viewing. Labels:
*MERGE will be here tomorrow. Middle School students: this is your night! Own it. Bring your friends and expect the unexpected (is that even possible).
*The "live animal" aspect of Sunday night went better than anticipated. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow.
*Struggled through some ridiculous pain in my gut on Sunday night. Must have been the pizza from the night before. Speaking was tough, but still a lot of fun.
*Looking forward to breaking some Guinness World Records in a couple of weeks. Don't know what I'm talking about? Text "record breaker" and your name to brhodes-foo4@joopz.com for more info. Standard text rates apply. Wow. That sounded like something Ryan Seacrest would say.
*Speaking of Seacrest...Idol starts-up tonight. Can't wait to watch some of those folks massacre some incredible songs.
*Working on a new website for Foothills Students. It should be up and running in a couple of days. I'll let you know when it's ready for viewing. Labels:
WOW (0)
As previously posted, I'm not a big fan of church signs. You know the ones: the "clever" little sayings that are supposed to get you thinking. While my disdain is well documented, it is now at its all-time worst after reading this story. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
I pray that God continuously reminds me that I should be putting that type of commitment into spreading the Gospel and making disciples. I am a "city on a hill" that is responsible for shining the light of Christ, and that's where I want to focus my efforts. Labels:
I pray that God continuously reminds me that I should be putting that type of commitment into spreading the Gospel and making disciples. I am a "city on a hill" that is responsible for shining the light of Christ, and that's where I want to focus my efforts. Labels:
COLLIDE and MERGE, Video Blogging (0)
I'm stoked about the changes that have been made to the Student Ministry at Foothills. In order to meet the specific spiritual and relational needs of both high school and middle school students, we are moving away from one large group to two worship events. Our high school students will now meet for COLLIDE on Sundays from 6:30-8pm, while our middle school students will meet for MERGE on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm. I have already heard some great feedback from both parents and students. Here is an important aspect to remember: Only high school students are invited to COLLIDE, and MERGE is only for middle school students. The nights are being designed for each specific age group, so if you were to come to the wrong night you won't enjoy it nearly as much. We can't wait to see you guys this week as we start our new series "Do Work Son!"
OK, so I said that I was going to try something new today, but I've decided to wait. Apparently, the new craze on the Foothills blog circuit is to do video instead of type. You can see it for yourselves HERE, HERE and HERE. This really intrigues me because I would much rather talk than type. I don't know. Maybe I'll sprinkle that in here from time to time. You'll just have to keep checking it out to see. Labels:
OK, so I said that I was going to try something new today, but I've decided to wait. Apparently, the new craze on the Foothills blog circuit is to do video instead of type. You can see it for yourselves HERE, HERE and HERE. This really intrigues me because I would much rather talk than type. I don't know. Maybe I'll sprinkle that in here from time to time. You'll just have to keep checking it out to see. Labels:
Bullet Point Tuesday (0)
*The reason I haven't blogged in two weeks stems from the office being closed for a week. No, blogging is not always an "office activity," but our internet service has yet to be connected at our house.
*Christmas was cool. Hectic, but cool. With all of the rushing around as we were moving-in, we didn't even think about Christmas until the 23rd.
*It's always nice to spend time with family. That was without a doubt my favorite part of the holiday.
*Got a GPS for Christmas. Thank goodness! Now I won't get lost in Oconee County anymore.
*Clemson lost another bowl game. At least the Gamecocks got smoked...that always eases the pain of a loss.
*Actually stayed awake to countdown to 2009. I did everything short of dropkick 2008 out of the door. God did some crazy stuff in my life, but I am glad to see it go.
*Had the opportunity to speak in our main services on Sunday. It was awesome! God is doing something amazing at Foothills, and I thank Him everyday that He is allowing me to be a part of it.
*Excited about the beginning of COLLIDE and MERGE on January 11th and 14th, respectively. I'll share some more on this tomorrow.
*New series for our students is called "Do Work." With some of the stuff that we're going to be doing in January and February, Rob and Big would be proud!
*I try to stay ahead of the curve in a lot of ways, but several guys on staff have discovered a better way of blogging (in my opinion), and I think that I'll try it out tomorrow. Labels:
*Christmas was cool. Hectic, but cool. With all of the rushing around as we were moving-in, we didn't even think about Christmas until the 23rd.
*It's always nice to spend time with family. That was without a doubt my favorite part of the holiday.
*Got a GPS for Christmas. Thank goodness! Now I won't get lost in Oconee County anymore.
*Clemson lost another bowl game. At least the Gamecocks got smoked...that always eases the pain of a loss.
*Actually stayed awake to countdown to 2009. I did everything short of dropkick 2008 out of the door. God did some crazy stuff in my life, but I am glad to see it go.
*Had the opportunity to speak in our main services on Sunday. It was awesome! God is doing something amazing at Foothills, and I thank Him everyday that He is allowing me to be a part of it.
*Excited about the beginning of COLLIDE and MERGE on January 11th and 14th, respectively. I'll share some more on this tomorrow.
*New series for our students is called "Do Work." With some of the stuff that we're going to be doing in January and February, Rob and Big would be proud!
*I try to stay ahead of the curve in a lot of ways, but several guys on staff have discovered a better way of blogging (in my opinion), and I think that I'll try it out tomorrow. Labels:
