Overflow Beach Retreat!!!

Hey Mom and Dad,

Just wanted to let you know that plans are in full swing for our annual fall retreat!!!

The weekend of October 30th - November 1st we will be heading to Gulf Shores, Alabama for an amazing weekend full of fun times and God moments!

The cost of the trip will be $180 that will include all of the their transportation, lodging, food, t-shirt and much more. A deposit of $100 will be due October 3rd with the balance due prior to leaving. Please make sure that your student can be a part of this amazing weekend!!!

God Bless,

Pastor Scott

Series starts tonight!!!!

Hey mom and dad,

We have a new series starting tonight entitled "Bing....what are you searching for?" You don't want you kids to miss it! Check out our new website momentum.ccc-connection.com, it's brand new! It's still being fine tuned but check it out anyway!!!

BING!!!!!!

Hey parents,

Can you believe that school is just around the corner?! You may have mixed feelings about that but regardless......it's here!!! Our prayer is that this school year will be the best ever! Not only for academics but for your students being used to impact their school for Christ!!!!!

Next week we will starting a new series entitled 'Bing'. As you know 'Bing' is a new search engine on the web that has been advertised as a 'decision engine'. This helps to keep the searching to a minimum by providing key info on each link that relates to a specific search.

I think sometimes students who are searching for answers tend to make decisions on little or no information. Sometimes they make decisions based on feelings, the past or even advice from friends who don't have any more info than they do. A lot of times this spill over into spiritual decisions as well! During this series we will be discussing the search for Authentic Relationships, Peace, Identity and Significance and searching God's word to help us choose better.

You don't want you kids to miss this so make sure they are there Wednesdays a 7pm in August!!!

Thanks for being such amazing parents!

God Bless,

Pastor Scott

Upcoming Events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Mom and Dad,

Just wanted to update you on some things that are coming up for Momentum!

February 26Th and 27Th we will be going to Griffin, Ga for the Movement Conference. This event is going to be amazing! From the speaker line up to the worship band, we believe this will change your students life!!!!! The cost is $70, as most of you know, and we will need to have that paid by Wednesday the 24Th. If your student has not signed up but still wants to go then just let me know and we'll make room! I will email specific departure and arrival info this week.

Then April 2ND, 5:30 pm, we will be going to the Good Friday Service with Louie Giglio. The cost will be $10 and anyone who wants to go is welcome! The event is just down the road at the Verizon Amphitheater and will prove to be an amazing night. Sign up asap at the table in the sanctuary Wednesday nights.

Finally, for now, we will be going to Six Flags on April 8Th. The cost is $30 per person, not including food, and we will leave the parking lot at 7:30AM. The park closes at 8PM so we should be home by 9:30 if not sooner. Please be sure your student signs up ASAP! Money is due March 24Th! One last thing........THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO LEAD 412 AND ANY 5TH, 6TH OR 7TH GRADER INVOLVED AT CCC!!!!!!!!!!

We are so excited about what God is doing in our student ministries and want to thank you for being amazing parents and encourage you to keep doing what your doing! We love you!

God Bless,

The Momentum Staff

Teenagers And Their Faith

Help Teenagers Live Out Their Christian Faith

It’s one thing to say you believe in Jesus yet quite another to reflect that faith in your everyday life. Teenagers may have been raised as Christians and readily claim that title. But, according to a recent survey by Group Magazine, a big chunk of Christian teenagers switch back and forth between several identities, depending on their particular environment.
When Group surveyed almost 30,000 Christian teenagers this summer, almost half (46%) said their definition of success doesn’t match God’s definition. And when asked about specific life choices, kids admitted that when others aren’t looking, they engage in many behaviors that don’t honor Christ. For example, 71% of respondents disagreed with this statement: “I mostly read magazines or go to Web sites that honor or support my relationship with Christ.”
Being a Christian is more than an identity; it’s a relationship that needs to be nurtured, applied, and lived. Knowing biblical facts and names is good, but it isn’t enough. Teenagers need to hear that Christ wants to be at the center of their lives—and reflected in everything they think, say, and do. As kids (and adults) get to know Jesus better, they’ll also discover more about themselves and their God-given purpose.


Try these ideas that will start growing some “legs” on your teenagers’ faith:

Remind kids of their key role. Let them know that they have the privilege—and responsibility—of offering other people a taste of Jesus.

Help kids “own” their faith. Talk about your faith often, using conversations, not lectures. Apply what you hear in church by building bridges between teachings and kids’ real lives.

Use teenagers’ culture to spark talks about how to live as a Christian. Become familiar with who and what your kids like. Then get kids thinking critically about all these outside influences. Share faith stories within your family. Give people each an opportunity to talk for five minutes about their life with Christ and what it means to them.

Walk the walk. Set an example by living out your faith each day. Model service—and give kids opportunities to serve, too.

February Speed The Light Challenge

If you have a student involved in Momentum you probably know what Speed The Light is. In case you don't, Speed The Light is an avenue through which students can give to missions. All of the money raised through Speed The Light is used to provide missionaries with vehicles, audio visual equipment, literature and much more! Last year our students gave almost $8000 to Speed The Light, which I think is amazing!!!!!

This year we have set our goal for $10,000! I realize that this is a sizeable amount but very attainable nonetheless. I've asked the students to do something to start 2010 strong. For the month of February I've asked that the students make some sacrifices, work a little extra, go without a few Starbucks lattes and try to meet an individual goal of $100 for the month. Many of the students have taken the challenge and I want to ask you to possibly take that challenge with them. Please encourage your students to do what they can for missions. Even if they don't reach their goal, just playing a part in reaching people for Jesus at home as well as world wide will have long lasting effect in their lives. We are so excited for what God is doing in our students and want to encourage each of you parents to keep praying for Momentum and we will be praying for you!

God Bless,
Pastor Scott

Here it is....The first installment Insight for Parens

What’s Up With Kids

At SimplyYouthMinistry.com, youth-culture expert Walt Mueller chats up social-networking sites.

Millions of teenagers now expose themselves, their feelings, and their thoughts in personal blogs (web logs) posted on one of the many social-networking websites. Public online journals have replaced hidden, locked private diaries. Today, both teenage girls and their male peers are openly sharing their "secrets" for anyone in the world with Internet access to see. Kids use blogs to vent and share commentary about every aspect of teenage life. They also post pictures of themselves, artwork, and personality profiles. Self-expression is encouraged, and the sites are highly interactive. Here are suggestions for dealing with this phenomenon:
First, know what your kids are doing online. Ask if they have their own blog page and if you can see it. Otherwise, spending some time online can usually get you to their online home. Register for free at the homepage of Facebook.com, Xanga.com, or MySpace.com. Then use the site's “search” capability to find your town or school. You’ll be flying through a Web of local kids’ sites with familiar names and faces. Eventually, you should find what you're looking for.
Second, read carefully without overreacting. You’ll probably find some things on these sites that are surprising and alarming. While some of it might be marked by exaggeration and embellishment, most depicts what’s going on in kids’ lives. Look for clues that will help you discover their problems, challenges, concerns, and struggles. Remember, you’re looking through a window into their world.Third, carefully and prayerfully prepare your response. Warn teenagers about Internet predators. Discuss what you’ve read with your kids. Assure them that your concern is motivated solely by your love and care for them. Most importantly, bring the light of God’s Word to bear on kids’ issues and struggles.

New for parents in 2010

Good Afternoon!!!!! I hope you all have survived the holidays and are ready for what the new year will bring!!!

2009 was an amazing year, not only for Kelly and I personally but for our student ministry as well! We have been able to see growth not only in numbers but IN the students that are a part of Momentum and we are believing for even greater things in 2010!

One thing that Kelly and I are excited about is the opportunity to partner with you in developing the spiritual and personal lives of your students. One of the ways we will do this is through sending you a current copy of 'Insight' via our parent link each month. 'Insight' is not a guide to parenting but it will, we hope, better equip you to deal with, understand and head off many of the issues that teenagers face.

We understand that parenting is not an exact science and that every situation can't have a cookie cutter answer. So our prayer is that 'Insight' will help you as parents stay informed and encouraged as you raise you kids!

You're all amazing parents and we love serving you and your students! Keep watching, the first 'Insight' update is coming soon!

God Bless,

Pastor Scott