Helping spiritually hungry students experience God and discover purpose and destiny.
// August 28th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Elevate Update, Technology
Please respond ASAP (in the next two weeks). We’re considering a new text service and want to know the level of interest. Thanx!
Oh, if you’re OLD and prefer to e-mail (just kidding!), you can e-mail your “yes” vote to shawn@elevationgeneration.org.
// July 8th, 2008 // No Comments » // Elevate Update
WHEN: This Saturday, June 12th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WHERE: The garden area of the K-Mart parking lot
WHY: To raise money for next summer’s missions trip to Creel, Mexico; all funds raised will be distributed evenly to those who need help raising money for the trip. We’ll be ministering at a childrens’ home, doing some service projects, distributing food and clothing, and sharing the gospel with the Tarahumara people.
PRICE: It’s up to you! Cash or check donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
NOTE TO STUDENTS: If you are participating in this fundraiser/event, please arrive at 9:30 AM to help set-up for the day. Lunch will be provided (courtesy of Ray-Ray) and adult supervision will be provided. You will probably want to bring your own water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please come prepared to serve with a grateful heart.
// June 13th, 2008 // No Comments » // Youth Ministry
Okay, maybe some of you youth workers have got budgets that cover things like mission trips, camps, and outreach projects, but the list of youth workers whose budget covers it ALL is likely very short. That’s where the necessary evil — as I like to call it — of fundraising comes in. We’ve got a few great events that we’ve come up with over the years that are pretty pain-free, fun, and don’t feel like we’re pulling people’s teeth asking for money (such as this weekend’s 8th annual Elevation Talent Show — wink, wink!). But I’m always looking for new and creative ways for students to raise monies for their individual fundraising efforts, too — such as an upcoming mission trip we’re planning with our camp speaker this year.
Fund the Nations looks like a winner to me. Now, I’ve never personally tried it, but we do have a long tradition of selling T-shirts to help students with their summer camp balances (through LivingEpistles.com). That’s worked well for us. People like getting new T-shirts and supporting our students at the same time. That’s the same idea behind this site, but Fund the Nations is exclusively missions-focussed. Their T-shirts all have the same grayed-out, kind of grungy-look featuring the flag and/or state/country of where your team will be ministering. So, not only do people get a cool T-shirt and get to support you in your students’ personal fundraising efforts, but they’ll also be wearing a T-shirt reminding them and others to pray for your students while they are away. Great idea!
By the way, I discovered this gem through another new site passed on by YM friend, Mark Matlock of PlanetWisdom fame. The site is YMNow. This has been a good week of Internet discovery for me!
// May 26th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Elevate Update, Music, Spiritual
This year’s Black Hills area Baccalaureate Service was so inspirational and moving. BIG THANKS to Pastor Nate for hosting it at Crossroads Wesleyan Church; you did such a great job of planning and making everyone feel welcome! Here’s a few short video clips from the evening featuring an original song from Caleb Grenz…
…and closing comments from Deanna, my best friend and lovely wife…
// May 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Spiritual
I thought this video was especially fitting for all the graduating seniors this week. We can never challenge ourselves enough to go beyond our comfort zones and reach for the unreachable. God’s dreams are so BIG for us; it’s my prayer that my life fulfills ALL that He has for me. God, help me to not be afraid of taking risks in life.
I just got back this evening from a very inspiring community baccalaureate service at Crossroads Wesleyan. Caleb Grenz sang an amazing new song he had written, some area youth workers shared from their hearts, a passionate student band led us in worship, and there was even a great Nooma video — it was the best baccalaureate service I’ve ever attended, imho. I hope to post some video snippets in the next couple of days.
ht Marko for the video
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