We wanted to give you a list of dates that you should know about this summer as well as an overview of what we will be teaching this summer. Both groups will be studying the same topics with a little different twist for each group. Hopefully this will help you as you talk to your children about what they are learning. These dates are subject to change, but it should give you a good idea of what is happening. We will keep you updated if there are any changes.

Hello Everyone! My name is Molly Myers, originally from Waterloo, IA. I have spent the last year in Des Moines as a Nursing Student working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. In the past I spent time at Buena Vista University as a Biology major and then was called to give God my education. After surrendering more of myself to Christ I took two years to focus on doing youth ministry and building relationships for God’s glory! End of last summer God called me back to school to continue my education and be a missionary on my campus. This summer I asked God, “Where can you use me?” And He called me to Harvest! I am excited to see what God is doing and what He has yet to do in each of our lives!

What is your favorite food? I enjoy meats, potatoes, and corn on the grill! And lets not forget icecream!

What are some things you love to do in the summer? Be outside in the sun, biking, walking, water sports, and quality time with famiy and friends.

Where is the furthest away from Iowa you have been? Went to Nepal for a month long mission trip.

What is your favorite verse? Ephesians 3:20

What are you hoping to see God do this summer? Awaken our hearts more and more to see, hear, understand, and follow more closely! For God to reveal Himself to each of us in a real, tangible way and for our lives to be changed forever! May God do WAY above what we can ask, think, or even dream!

We wanted to give you a list of dates that you should know about this summer as well as an overview of what we will be teaching this summer. These dates are subject to change, but it should give you a good idea of what is happening. We will keep you updated if there are any changes.

If you will be in 7th grade next year, Sunday, June 3rd is the day you have been waiting for. We want you to join us in the jr. high group. The group meets on Sunday nights from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Sunday nights are high energy and lots of fun. There is food and games. We have some really great leaders and a great group of teenagers.

Also, you will be moving up into the Jr. high Sunday school class.  Dave Granzow teaches our Jr. high Sunday School class, and they just love him.

If you will be a freshman, It’s time for you to move into the high school group. Sunday, June 3rd, will be the first day for you to move up. You do have a choice. You can attend the jr. high group until August, you can attend the high school group that meets 7:30 – 9:00pm, or you can attend both. The choice is all yours, but you should consider going to the high school group so that you can begin to build relationships. I am excited about what God has planned for the group this summer. I hope you are too!

Also on June 3rd, if you attend our church, you’ll be moving into the high school Sunday School class.

If you have questions, please talk to Pastor D. We are excited about what God is going to do this summer.

There is no youth group on May 13th because of Mother’s Day! Do something nice for your moms!

Have you heard about “sexting”? It’s when someone takes nude or semi-nude pictures with their phone and sends it to someone else, or sending sexually suggestive messages to someone else. I read an article recently that said up to 20% of teenagers have sent nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves to someone else and up to 39% of teenagers have sent sexually suggestive messages to someone else! This is article is 2 years old! The numbers aren’t getting much better. Once those messages are sent, there’s no stopping them from going out to everyone! In fact, they don’t even have to send these pictures to someone, just taking them is dangerous. Apparently there has been a bunch of celebrities who have had their cellphones hacked and the private pictures posted on the internet. I would love for you to read the article and look at the statistics and begin a dialogue with your child. http://www.youthministry.com/scope-sexting

Here’s another one with some great insight as well. http://www.covenanteyes.com/2012/01/10/sexting-statistics-what-do-the-surveys-say/

Also, with the rise of smartphones among teenagers, access to pornography is in their pockets. I hope that you will begin some difficult conversations with your child. There is help as well. XXXchurch.com has a tool called X3watch that can be used on your computer as well as on a smartphone that can help block sites as well as report inappropriate sites.

Technology is advancing fast, and it is making its way into the hands of teenagers. We have to be aware of what is going on, and begin to discuss the dangers of this behavior, and how it could impact their walk with God. We can’t ignore it and hope it goes away, we have to confront it head on, and more than likely, your child isn’t going to come to you first. Set up some guidelines, create some accountability, and use this as a way to disciple your kids and teach them what it means to walk in purity and holiness.

April 8th, is Easter. We will not have any youth activities on this day. There will be no Sunday School, and both the Jr. High and High School youth groups will be canceled for the evening as well. Have fun with your families! We will resume our normal schedule on April 15th.

You only have 4 short summers during high school and lots of choices of how to spend that time. I know what you’re thinking . . . you’ve got softball, baseball, vacations, football camp, church camp, basketball camp, summer leagues, drivers’ ed., summer jobs, and a host of other good things to do with your time.

But, would it be worth 7 days of your summer if you knew God would show up and change your life?

Challenge is a conference for EFCA students that uses high energy worship, powerful and challenging speakers, training and ministry outreach to help students connect with God and what He is doing. If you are currently in 8th – 12th grades, you can go with us to Challenge this coming summer.

• Brochure
• Insert

CHALLENGE 2012:
when: June 30 – July 7, 2012
where: New Orleans, LA
cost: TBD (should be around $650) a $100 deposit is due by March 25th.
who: students currently in 8th -12th grade

If you would like to find out more information about Challenge 2012 go to the Challenge website.

Check out the video from Challenge 2010!

We won’t have normal youth group on January 29th. Instead, both jr. high and high school students are invited to help serve at our annual Teacher Appreciation Meal. If you are going to come, please be at the church by 5pm and wear black pants and a white shirt. (look nice!) If you have questions, please contact D!

There will be no youth group on February 5th because our jr. high group will just be returning from Winter Blast, and it is also the Super Bowl™. We will resume youth group fun-tivities on February 12th.

If you would like to keep up with what I am doing during my sabbatical, I will be blogging about it on my website, dikrankoundakjian.com. I am praying that God will use this time to be refreshing, and prepare me for what lies ahead. I would love for you to be praying for me during this time.

If you have questions about the youth ministry during this time, please talk to me. You can email me at d.koundakjian@harvestefree.org or call the office (515.733.5360).