FUEL Small Groups

Introducing a new blog! FUEL Small Groups is now official! Check it out:

FUEL Small Groups

That's it for this post, just check it out for more.

Later!

Redirect!

Alright, we're goin' pro! I may keep up some posts on the blog here, but most content will be added to our new website. It's real simple and easy to remember. The new site of FUEL - Oak Grove Baptist Youth is:

www.ogby.org

It doesn't get any easier than that!

See ya there!

Later!

Project Unity Pics

I finally have all of the Pro U pictures posted to our flickr account! All 165 of them! Plus, I have some other pictures from a couple of events posted. The best way to navigate to the Pro U pics is to go to the Project Unity set listed on the right side of the main flickr page. So check 'em out and leave some comments on them. Later!

http://flickr.com/photos/60534337@N00/

Cappuccino is Coming!

Hey guys! Be ready, we have a cappuccino machine coming! Once it is set up, we will be selling them for about a $1.00 or so a cup in three flavors (Vanilla, Mocha and Hot Chocolate). We will also be giving out punch cards where you'll get a free cup for every so many that you buy. We'll need to get a waterline run to it to get it up and running and that's about it. So we should be in the coffee business within the next handfull of weeks! So be looking forward to it, I know I am and I don't even care for cappuccino. Later!

Yep, it's true. . . I made a MySpace page!

So I figured, why not go where all of you guys are at? I sat down and, very quickly, made a MySpace page. It's not much yet, but it'll get there. I just need to try to work all of the bugs out (I told you guys it was not user-friendly). I can do anything with a blog or a website, but myspace kinda stinks! Regardless of those facts, I will keep it up-to-date and will post messages and the such. Who knows, may start running video during our Wednesday Worship services or podcast them or something. Just friend me and we'll get started! Thanks! Later!

www.myspace.com/parkeryouth

Project Unity & The Guitar Hero Tournament

Man, there's a lot of things going on in the next couple of weeks!

First thing coming up is the Project Unity Night at Pizza Inn tonight (Monday)! You can help serve from 5-8 pm.

Tomorrow night, April 1, we are hosting the first stage of Project Unity's Guitar Hero Tournament. This is to raise money for PU. Entry fee is $3.00. You can even enter as many times as you'd like, just pay the $3! Other locations include:

Oak Grove Baptist - April 1 - 5:00 pm

Grace Community Church - April 3 - 5:00 pm

New Harmony Church - April 5 - 1:00 pm

Salem United Methodist - April 8 - 5:00 pm

First Baptist - April 10 - 5:00 pm

The winners from each tournament site will go on to play in the semi-finals the night of PU. First place overall winner will earn bragging rights, be able to play on stage during PU, and an awesome prize pack!

Then on April 11, Project Unity will be held for grades 6-9 at the Salem Sr. High gym. The gate opens at 6:30 pm and lasts until 12:00 midnight. It going to be an awesome night of worship, praise and fun! More information will be given during youth and at school. Hope to see you there!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone reading this! Without thinking about the BBQ you're going to, or all the Easter candy you're going to eat, or the eggs you're going to hunt (those little cousins won't get you this year!); why do we really celebrate today? Yes, the family gets together and spring is here; but why? I already know what you're thinking, "it's because Jesus died and rose again." Yeah, you're right. But do you realize how sgnificant that is and how it plays such a huge roll in the life you live today? Your faith, your belief, is based on the death and resurection of Jesus Christ. Without it, we would be so detached from God because of our sins that all we would earn is the punishment of death. Jesus paid the ultimate price for you and for me; death. Because that is what we deserve. But that debt was paid on the cross. And because death could not hold Him, he rose again three days later! This shows us that death cannot hold us either, Jesus conquered it! He went through it so we wouldn't have to. So we wouldn't find ourselves in that real place called hell. What an amazing picture of love! Keep in mind though, this doesn't meen it is an automatic free pass. it is a gift of grace that is freely given. All you have to do is accept it. Asking Christ to come into your life and live through you.

So this weekend, take some time to think about why we all get together, why people who haven't been in church for a while suddenly go, why we tend to dress up a little more for church and why we celebrate this Easter holiday.

God bless!

Help Needed!

Hey! We need some help on a few things. First off, this Friday, the youth are serving as waiters and waitresses during the Senior Adult Spring Dinner. This a great way for the adults of the church to see you guys. Show up at the church fellowship hall a little before 6:00.

Also, on Monday, March 31, Project Unity will be doing another fundraiser at Pizza Inn. The last one went well, we just needed more help! Thanks a ton to Anna and Jacob, they were the only ones from our group that came. These two are amazing, thanks guys. But we have another opportunity, March 31! We'll begin at about5:00 and go until 8:30. That doesn't mean you have to stay the entire time, just what you can. This fundraiser goes to paying for Project Unity, that means it is for you guys. Don't want to lay a guilt trip on you, but we need more help!!! Not only is it for PU, but it gives you a whole new appreciation for foodservice people. Just ask the people that worked it, I'll bet they tip more the next time they go to a restaraunt!! Later!

Correction!

Hey, I've said it in youth the last few meetings, but here it is again. Even though it is in the church newsletter and on an earlier blog post, we will not be having the movie/game night on March 14. But we've got something better planned! That night we will be helping serve the senior adults during their spring dinner. We will begin service at 6:00pm and finish up at about 8:00pm. Dress "waiter style" and come ready to serve.
We will reschedule the movie night sometime soon. Remember that Silver Dollar City Young Christians Weekend is fast approaching - March 29-30. Project Unity is set for April 11. And even before that, on March 10 and March 31 is a fundraiser for Project Unity at Pizza Inn from 5-8. There, you'll be serving drinks and clearing table. We need your help if you can make it! Last thing; on April 1, we will be having a Guitar Hero Tournament for grades 6-9 as another fundraiser for PU. Details will follow soon!
I think that's it for now, this is also day two of our latest snow day. Hope you are enjoying part of your summer now! Take care! Later!

Welcome back!

Welcome back to school! I don't know about you, but I'm sure glad you guys are back in school! What that does though, is put me back in school too. But I'm ok with that. Think of it this way; better to go now than in June when the weather is a lot nicer than it is today!
Also, to break the boredom that we've experienced lately, I've scheduled a movie/game night on Friday, March 14. Bring some games and some snacks at about 6:00 pm.
Young Christians Weekend is also coming up: March 29-30. Some of you still owe for that.
Change is coming! We're getting closer! The response of the new name is good, so if there are no objections. . . OGBY is now Fuel Student Ministries!!! Let me know what you think.
I'm excited about the prospect of spring and all the great opportunities in ministry we'll experience. Hope you guys are on board too!
That's it for now. Welcome back again, Later!

Congrats Giants!

Yep, the New York Giants wanted it more. To me, it really didn't matter who played against the Patriots as long as they won! Allow me to bash on the Pats a bit: 18-1 is not a perfect season; Belichick, you should have kicked that field goal; and it sure stinks to get beaten by a wildcard team. Thanks for hearing me.
But I really did enjoy the party and the time spent with a lot of you guys. It was a great time! Thanks for coming. Pictures from the party will be up soon so be looking for that. Later!

New Name?

Hey! I've been thinking for a while now about all of the changes that will be taking place in youth soon. And with that, how about a new name for the youth group? For a while now we've been calling it OGBY. Let me pitch my idea at you: OGBY becomes FUEL Student Ministries! FUEL, or some variation of it. It is based off of Proverbs 26:20 - Where there is no fuel a fire goes out (CEV). Let me know what you think. Like it, don't, suggestions, whatever.

Post your comments here! Thanks guys! Later!

Project Unity

Hey guys! I have the tentative date for Project Unity 2008! Tentatively, the event will be April 11, 2008 at the Salem High School gymnasium begining at 7:00 and lasting until 12:00 midnight. This year, it is directed toward grades 6-9. Sorry upper class, there will be an event for you in the spring. I'm really looking forward to the night. It looks to be an awesome time! Carl and the rest of the Unity Alliance is putting together an amazing time for you guys! I'll let you know more details when they become available. Hope to see you there! Later!

Try again!

Let's try this again. If you are visitor to this blog, part of the youth group or not, please leave a record of your visit here in the form of a comment to this post. Name, comment, something please. What would you like to see here? How much, if any, should I update it? What would you find useful on here? Maybe a chat? Post your ideas or just to say hi! Later!

Welcome to Winter!

Man it's cold out there! I didn't have school today, but you guys sure did! Sorry.
Let me give you a bit of what has been on my mind lately: God is Awesome! He really has blessed us as a youth group! Just looking back at the last year, we have grown in number and we have experienced spiritual growth. God has also been putting in some overtime with me. The changes to the program that I've been talking about for a while is really starting to take shape. And I'll tell you, Bro. Tom coming as our pastor had God's hands all over it! Bro. Tom has been the spark that our church has needed. He has been a driving force for me as youth director and as a church member. But just the way that God has been working recently is an answer to my prayers! I am thankful for our church, our youth group and being allowed to work in youth ministry. And thank you to the youth for being the group that they are! You guys are a blessing to my wife and I as we work with you. I can't say all of that enough!
A few things coming up: Sunday, February 3 - Let's watch some football huh? Yeah, you know, the Super Bowl! Even though the Patriots are going to be there! We'll start at about 5:00. And at the end of March on the the 29-30 we will be going to Silver Dollar City for Young Christians Weekend. I'm looking forward to that and the big group that we'll be taking.
Don't forget to check out the new pics that I posted to Flickr, they are from game night last month: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60534337@N00/ Thanks Dee for taking those for me!
Keep checking back and leave some comments! Later!