God's Teen Squad

YEC 2006 Photos (More on the Way)

2006-03-16T06:57:00.001-08:00

Can You Take The Quake?

2006-02-11T06:26:00.000-08:00

YEC is coming soon! GTS will be celebrating with the annual YouthQuake Lock-In at the Youth Building.
.
.
This is the only lock-in that is held on a Thursday night, and it's always been the perfect set-up for YEC Weekend.
.
.
Please begin praying NOW for the Lock-in and YEC. We're believing God for some wonderful things!

Annual Super Bowl Party

2006-01-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Permission Slip for YEC 206

2006-01-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

Youth Evangelism Conference is fast approaching!

Here is a copy for the permission slip for those of you who didn't get a hard copy at church.

Remember: IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP, YOU DON'T GO!

2006 Youth Evangelism Conference
It’s time for YEC in Nashville once again! The date this year is March 3 & 4. The total cost this year for each youth and sponsor will be as follows:

$15 for YEC Registration DUE FEBRUARY 10
$20 for hotel fee DUE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26
$20 to $30 for spending money (Meals, souvenirs, etc.)
$60 to $70 total

The registration fee ($15) needs to be turned in to Bro. Robb by FEBRUARY 10.

We are asking for some important information from you. Just fill in the form below and turn it in with the $15 Registration fee. Simple!

There will be four youths to a room with one sponsor. List your choices and we will try to honor them, but NO GUARANTEES.

Your name_______________________________

Your choice of sponsor_______________________

The three lucky roommates

1.______________________

2_______________________

3.________________________

PERMISSION AND MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM

Your name________________________________________Age____________Birthday_______________
Parent’s name______________________________________Phone Number_________________
Emergency contact person_______________________________
Phone number______________________
Medical Insurance Company________________________________
Policy #________________________
Are you currently taking any medications?__________ If yes, then please list them below:

Are you allergic to any medicines, food, or dyes? ___________
If yes please name them:_________________________________________________________

I do hereby grant permission for _______________________________________(child’sname) to attend the 2006 Youth Evangelism Conference in Navshville, TN. Permission is also granted for him/her to be given emergency medical services if needed.

X__________________________________________________________

Merry Christmas to All!

2005-12-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Christmas this year, you're invited to stop by The Perspective:

Click here

UPDATE: Bro. Jim's Condition

2005-11-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

Brother Jim underwent angioplasty to insert a stent in his circumflex artery. He is at home, resting comfortably, and is deeply thankful for all of your prayers.

Thank you everyone out there who went before the Throne on our Pastor's behalf.

Prayers are Coming in From ALL OVER

2005-11-22T18:26:00.000-08:00

After recieving news of Bro. Jim's condition, I posted a request for prayer on a religious message board.

People from across America have been chiming in with written prayers and encouragement.

Here's a sample:

Lord, be with this man, who has worked for you in loving faith. Be with those who love him as they wait and worry and pray. Bring your healing touch to all those, and guide the hands of those who care for him, and to all who listen to your voice, O Lord, touch them with your peace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I pray that your pastor may recover fully. May the Lord bless him and hold him.

May God quickly help you to heal, Brother Jim. And may you keep on preaching for years to come.

Prayers being sent for this man who is so dear to you, and to the spreading of God's word.

Gracious Lord, please heal Rev. Witherington of his chest pain problems and bring him back to good health if it be your will. Thank You for Your Son and Calvary.

God takes care of His own! Prayers for Pastor Jim, his family and friends. May God hold Jim safely in His protective and loving embrace, comfort his family and uplift their spirits. Amen.

More can be seen at the following link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1526143/posts?page=45#45

UREGENT PRAYER REQUEST FOR BRO. JIM

2005-11-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

PLEASE HELP US PRAY FOR OUR PASTOR!

Our pastor, Rev. James Witherington, of East Acres Baptist Church, Millington, TN, was just admitted to Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, TN, for CHEST PAINS.

He has been preaching the gospel for over 50 years.

I have seerved under his ministry as Youth Leader for the past 7 years.

He is a great man of God and I BEG my fellow Believers to join us in prayer for Bro. Jim.

Mark Your Caldendars

2005-10-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

October 2005 Lock-In

2005-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

This was actually EASIER than it looks....

Friends 4 Ever

Danny Boy......

DeAnn and Matt (College is making him CRAZY)

FINALLY a picture of Jackie!!!

...and Cassie!

Big Mike holding court.

Do you smell what The Robb is cookin'?

VBS 2005...The Lord Bless us

2005-07-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

The Vacation Bible School for 2005 got off to a wonderful start for GTS. The Youth Room was packed pretty solid when the Holy Spirit began to move in response to our worship.

In case you missed the lesson, here's part of what we talked about:

One of the greatest gifts God gives to students is the
ability and the opportunity to worship Him.
However, many students are confused about what
worship really means. They often think worship is
based on certain styles of music or church-related
experiences, or that it can only occur on Sunday
mornings or Wednesday nights.

Youth sometimesthink that because they liked the songs and enjoyed
the feelings and emotions of a particular service, then they have truly worshiped. Students need to understand that real worship involves their whole
lives. It’s much more than singing songs on Sunday morning; it’s living out their lives to please God.

During this session, students will observe the
various ways the wise men worshiped Jesus. By
examining elements of the wise men’s worship,
students will discover that they have the
opportunity to worship God in every moment of
every day. Students will learn what it means to
truly worship Christ and will also be challenged to
commit to a life of authentic worship.

These men whom Matthew referred to as “wise
men” probably came from far eastern Babylon,
since the study of astronomy and astrology had
been a part of that culture from ancient times.
Perhaps they were willing to make the long journey
because they had discovered the hope of a coming
Messiah through the influence of the Jews who had
lived in Babylon as captives of King
Nebuchadnezzar. Six hundred years before this
time, we read that “the king promoted Daniel and
gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler
over the entire province of Babylon and chief
governor over all the wise men of Babylon.”
(Dan. 2:48). Daniel, a godly Jew, no doubt shared
his faith with the Gentile Babylonians, including the
hope of a coming Messiah.

We do not know how many men were in this
party. We traditionally think of three wise men, a
number probably prompted by the number of gifts
mentioned. It is also unlikely that they were kings,
because they paid homage to King Herod as soon
as they arrived in Jerusalem. The wise men
confirmed that they were Gentiles when they called
Jesus “the King of the Jews.” They referred to the
star as “His star,” which was proof to them that He
had already been born. This was not a normal star,
for it appeared and moved ahead of the men as
they traveled, finally remaining stationary over the
house in Bethlehem where Mary, Joseph, and the
Baby Jesus were living. In a miraculous way, God
revealed to these men that His Son had been born
and called them to come and worship Him.

By this time, Herod was old and in bad health. To
make matters worse, he was constantly afraid of
losing his position as King over the Jews. When the
men from the east told him they had come to
worship the One born to be “king of the Jews,” he
was deeply troubled. His reaction caused “all
Jerusalem” (v. 3) to be troubled, also. They weren’t
upset at the possibility that Herod would be
deposed or frightened of the possible coming of
the Messiah. They feared this news would cause
Herod to resort to unreasonable violence. His
suspicious nature had already caused him to kill
his favorite wife and several of his sons.

Herod quickly called in the chief priests and
scribes and asked them where the Jews’ Messiah
was to be born. They reported to him that the
Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, quoting the
prophecy from Micah 5:2. Herod then secretly
called the wise men to meet with him. He told them
to proceed to Bethlehem to find the young child.
He instructed them to then return to Jerusalem and
tell him where the child was under the guise that
he could also go and worship Him. Herod was so
cunning and deceitful that he would have made the
wise men, who were sincere worshipers, serve as
his tools in carrying out his devious plan.

The movement of the star that guided the wise men
from the beginning of their journey once again
became a major part of this drama. Apparently the
star had not been visible during their detour to
Jerusalem. However, as they began the short
journey to Bethlehem, “there it was—the star they
had seen in the east!” (v. 9). As they glimpsed the
moving star, “they were overjoyed beyond measure”
(v. 10) because they knew God again was directing
them. They understood they would soon reach their
destination and worship the King. The rays of this
miraculous star lighted the particular house in
Bethlehem where Mary and the Baby Jesus were
located. When the men entered the house, they fell
down and worshiped Jesus and presented gifts to
Him—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

These men had just come from the majestic
splendor of Herod’s palace where the king no
doubt had been dressed in his royal robes. In
Bethlehem, they bowed before Jesus in a house
that was probably humble and plain. True worship
of God can be experienced in a fabulous cathedral,
in a humble hut, or alone in a desert!

From Mary’s conception of Jesus to instructions
concerning the escape from Bethlehem to Egypt,
God used miraculous ways to communicate with
Jesus’ family. He had spoken to Mary through the
appearance of the angel Gabriel and to Joseph in a
dream. Then, He had appeared to the shepherds by
way of a messenger angel supported by a host of
heavenly beings. A miraculous star had led the
wise men from the east to Bethlehem, and a dream
had disrupted the wise men’s plans and instructed
them to return home by another route.

Once again an angel appeared to Joseph in a
dream. The angel told him to immediately remove
Mary and Jesus from Bethlehem and go to Egypt to
escape Herod’s wrath. They were to remain in
Egypt until Herod’s death. Matthew added that this
flight to Egypt would be a further fulfillment of
Scripture (Hos. 11:1).

The shepherds first worshiped Jesus in the
manger, then they shared the good news
everywhere they went. The wise men first
worshiped Jesus in the house in Bethlehem, and
we can rightly imagine that all the way home they
told what they had experienced. True worship not
only strengthens our individual faith, but it also
motivates us to share Christ with others.

Happy Easter from GTS!

2005-03-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

HE'S ALIVE!

YEC Photos

2005-03-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

YEC Photos

2005-03-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Important Info for 2005 YEC

2005-01-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
2005 YOUTH EVANGELISM CONFERENCE

Pray for this trip for God’s protection and His help at all times.

Be sure to bring your Bible.

A Pre-Registration fee of $20.00 IS DUE BY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20

When we arrive at the auditorium, Bro. Robb will take those who haven’t pre-registered to the Registration Desk to get their wristbands, where we will wait in long lines to get them. Turn your money in on time to avoid this. You cannot enter the building without a wristband!

The hotel fee for this year will be $20. This will be due by February 27.

It is recommended that you bring about $20-30 for spending money. The church is not responsible for money that is lost, so keep it safe!

Bring only ONE SMALL BAG because of the limited space in the vans. You will only need ONE CHANGE OF CLOTHES. Dress code is casual for the whole weekend (blue jeans, t-shirts, etc.) Since the weather in Murfreesboro is unpredictable, bringing a coat may be necessary.

ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 CAUGHT SMOKING WILL BE SENT HOME. (refer to #10 below)

Bring only medicine prescribed by your doctor.

Radios and cd or tape players are permitted, but only if headphones are used.

You are to stay with your sponsor AT ALL TIMES.

REMEMBER: We are representing Jesus and East Acres Baptist Church. Be a good example for both in your conduct and attitude. If your behavior is out of control, Bro. Robb will contact your parents, and then discuss your misbehavior with your parents when we return.

If you want to call home, USE ONLY A PAY PHONE and use 1-800-CALL ATT. It’s free for you and cheap for them!

Permission Slip for YEC

2005-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

2005 Youth Evangelism Conference
It’s time for YEC in Murfreesboro once again! The date this year is March 4 & 5. The total cost this year for each youth and sponsor will be as follows:

$20 for YEC Registration DUE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20
$20 for hotel fee DUE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27
$20 to $30 for spending money (Meals, souvenirs, etc.)
$60 to $70 total

The registration fee ($20) needs to be turned in to Bro. John or Bro. Robb by SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20.

We are asking for some important information from you. Just fill in the form below and turn it in with the $20 Registration fee. Simple!

There will be four youths to a room with one sponsor. List your choices and we will try to honor them, but NO GUARANTEES.

Your name_______________________________

Your choice of sponsor_______________________

The three lucky roomates 1.______________________

2_______________________

3.________________________

PERMISSION AND MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM

Your name________________________________________Age____________Birthday_______________
Parent’s name______________________________________Phone Number________________________
Emergency contact person_______________________________Phone number______________________
Medical Insurance Company________________________________ Policy #________________________
Are you currently taking any medications?__________ If yes, then please list them below:

Are you allergic to any medicines, food, or dyes? ___________
If yes please name them:_____________________________________________________________
I do hereby grant permission for _______________________________________(child’sname) to attend the 2005 Youth Evangelism Conference in Murfreesboro, TN. Permission is also granted for him/her to be given emergency medical services if needed.

X__________________________________________________________

Check Out This Link

2005-01-13T18:15:00.000-08:00

If you have friends that have doubts about Creation, here is a link that you can point them to:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/qa.asp

This is a Christian site that provides well-researched answers to tough questions about how this world was created.

I'll have more links like this in the future.

Thanks for the Butter

2005-01-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

The Sunday night meeting was made memorable for what happened BEFORE we got started.

Several of the teenagers thought it would be funny if they ganged-up and "over-applied" shaving cream on one of the unsuspecting members. When this member of GTS walked in, he was met with an onslaught of Gillette shaving cream.

After the youths cleaned up, the incident was blamed on Bro. Robb, who was lured outside and attacked with partially melted butter. In what can only be described as a serious mis-use of Parkay, Bro. Robb was...uh...buttered up for the evening.

Later on, Bro. Robb taught us that through the Bible, God had used several events to show us just how much we really need the Lord. All of these particular events occurred on a mountaintop.

He reminded the youth that our annual Youth Evangelism Conference is one of the "mountaintops" in our lives that God uses to help us in our relationship with Him. The things we get on the mountaintop often help us when we are in the valley.

-----------------------------

REMINDER:

YOUTHQUAKE Lock-in: March 3

Y.E.C.: March 4-5

Godspeed, My Brother

2005-01-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

Obituary: Robert Edward Pike

This past Thursday January 6, my brother-in-law, Robert Pike died of heart failure in his home in Millington, Tennessee. He was 32.

Robert had always been involved in youth work to some extent his entire life. At his church in Oklahoma, he was part of a large youth group and played an active role in witnessing and youth games and activities.

About two years ago, Robert came to me and told me of how he felt God wanted him to help with GTS. I found quickly that he was always ready to teach when I could not be there. He brought a unique perspective to table, and I was happy to have his input. He had a straight-forward style that some thought was abrasive at times. But soon they discovered that what he lacked in eloquence, he more than made up for in love.

He had a long battle with diabetes since his teenage years. The struggle seemed to define his life, because he refused to let it beat him spiritually. Even though it claimed his life in the end, his spirit and strength-of-will live on.

He is survived by his wife, Robin, and his five year old son, Adam Dalton Pike.

Funeral services were held at Bartlett Funeral Home at 1:00pm today.

Godspeed, my Brother.

2005: GTS Reloaded

2005-01-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Year Everything Changes

Sometimes, God likes to shake things up.

Whether it’s a minor incident, or a major tragedy, God wants us to see the difference between what CAN be shaken and what CANNOT be shaken.

Sometimes it’s a matter of just simply doing something different. Other times, God wants to see a TRANSFORMATION in our lives.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 " and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…"

In the coming year, God’s Teen Squad will be undergoing a transformation. We like to call it:
GTS RELOADED.

Everything from the carpet up will be upgraded, and there is so much to look forward to:

The annual "YouthQuake" Lock-in will be held on Thursday March 3

Youth Evangelism Conference is March 4-5 at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.

The most intriguing visitor contest in the history of GTS.

A refreshing approach to our Youth Services

The Road to YEC begins Sunday January 9, 2005.

We look forward to seeing you there!