So this is how the sermon goes:  we talked about kids being on a sports team, we explained that when you sign up and fill out all the paperwork and show up for practice; you are on the team.  In the same way when you ask Jesus into your heart you are on God’s team.  Now on a sports team once you join that team there is a way to identify as one of the players of that team; it’s the jersey.  The jersey lets everyone know who’s team you play for.  Once you ask Jesus in your heart you are saved, you want to let everyone know you are a Christian.  That’s when Water Baptism comes in.  Water Baptism is you going public that you are on God’s team.  Also, like sports there is an audience to cheer for you.  So after you get baptized your church family is going to go wild and cheer for you.  I also shared my personal testimony and we shared the fact that we don’t want to be private Christians; we want everyone to know what Jesus has done for us.

We normally do the sermon towards the end of the service but this time we did it immediately following a few praise and worship songs.  This way the students would have time to sign up for water baptism and to record a short testimony video.  The videos will be played next Wednesday during their water baptism service.  So here is where the win comes from the church, we will be doing this Wednesday night in the main sanctuary and we have invited the entire church.  This gives our church the chance to celebrate with us and the kids of Fuel.  What I’m finding is as we share the testimony’s of what God is doing in Fuel, Rangers, MPact Girls Club, and the Bus Ministry we are finding more and more people who are volunteering to help us run the many aspects of these Wednesday night ministries.

Below are invites for the students to pass out to their family and friends and the small group study guide:

Small Group BAPTISM

Congratulations to all the winners, if you didn’t win you can buy the book here:

Nathan Anderson is a writer, speaker, radio host,and musician intent on teaching families the Bible in ways that grab their souls and set them on fire to know God. He graduated from Bethel Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and spent ten years pastoring in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nathan host a nightly radio show for kids, Nite Lite and he is the author of a young adult/tween fantasy novel series called Jak and the Scarlet Thread that will take readers through the entire Bible.

Follow Nathan Anderson:
Blog: http://www.bighungryplanet.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nathanandersonj
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1190508947

Buy his book Jak and the Scarlet Thread:

Sermon: Jesus heals physically, emotionally and spiritually.

-How many of you have a favorite story/book with a raising of your hands.
Well tonight I think it is extremely important to learn about the person who, most of you just gave your life to…we sing about him, we talk about him, we pray to him…but who is Jesus. WHAT MAKES HIM SO IMPORTANT
a brief history we know that Jesus is Immanuel, he is the son of God that came to earth…but what about his time on earth? Some of us may have heard some sunday school stories about what he did, others might not have..so I’m going to share with you…my favorite story of my Jesus.

But before I read from the word of God, the bible, I want to give you a brief education on the man I’m about to tell you about. Tonight we’re going to be talking about a leper. A leper is someone who suffered from a disease called Leprosy, to give you a better graphic image of what leprosy is…I figured as a visual culture we all live in…It’d be better to show you. <SHOW IMAGE> leprosy covers the body in forms of lesions and or/open sores. It is a very stinky disease do the wounds. at times the mucus membranes in the eye socket would become so broken down from the disease that eyes would either go blind..or worse…fall out. the nerve endings in the body would become damaged and feeling in the fingers and toes would end…they wouldn’t be able to feel anything, they wouldn’t feel if they burned themselves…they couldn’t feel pain…well let me rephrase that…they couldn’t feel physical pain. EMOTIONAL PAIN…they could feel. In biblical times I’d like to read to you what the bible says about leprosy.. in Leviticus 13:45-46<READ>If pictures were not good enough for you…I’m going to ask my helper (kids from audience) to come up here to give you more of a visual image(…put lesions on..put wig on….rip his shirt…and put face mask from surgery on..tell him that he has to go due to his uncleanness…) you can exit stage now but you must let everyone in the crowd know that you are unclean. I know that this is all fun and jokes…but in all seriousness…people in that era thought that you received leprosy from sinning. Last week if you were here we learned about sin…our baggage…lying, stealing, rage…which were all sin. They thought that if you had leprosy it was a curse from God. So they were told to go into the wilderness…Do you know what this means?
NO SHOWERS
NO FRIENDS
NO JOB
BEGGARS
WILDERNESS…ALONE….SICK. CONSTANTLY IN PHYSICAL PAIN FROM THE DISEASE. NO COMFORT, NO PEACEFUL SLEEP, SOME OF THEM HAD NO BED. THEY WERE BEGGERS, THEY’D HAVE TO BEG FOR MONEY.
WELL in Biblical times…there was no one to beg for money outside of the villages. So this means what….that the lepers had to go into the towns to ask for their survival. Food, water, money. Sometimes they’re family would leave these items of survival in a place where at a later time the leper could come and pick up the items…but other than that…they were alone, beggars, they smelled because some of them did not shower for YEARS. could you imagine even going a month without seeing a bath or a shower? I can’t. They were outcasts.
So lets fast forward to Luke 5:12-15…lets read it…
read verse 12..STOP…
Do you know what this means? ok well if you don’t let me again give you a visual…man comes into a town….NOT ALLOWED!!! some men would keep rocks in their pockets so that when the lepors came around them they could throw the rocks at them to keep them away…because they thought that if even their SHADOW cast on them…they’d catch leprosy…so Unclean leper is announcing he’s coming into the village..”UNCLEAN…UNCLEAN” and he sees who…..Jesus….pause ) This leper who is no doubt assumingly already having a hard time walking due to the soreness, the hassle, rude bystanders…he falls to his knees….this is painful…with sores covering his body he HUMBLES himself to ground level before Jesus and begs him….he pleads with Jesus…now if you’ve ever pleaded for a video game…or to go somewhere with friends…then you might know what this means..but this mans life depended on a healing action to take place from Jesus….he is CRYING OUT IN DESPERATION….it goes on to say he is begging him by saying “LORD”…he is calling him son of God which many of the religious leaders were not certain that Jesus was the son of God..but this leper knew…IF YOU ARE WILLING….YOU CAN MAKE ME CLEAN”…he’s not asking if the Lord is capable of healing him, he’s ASKING if he’s willing…not able. This leper with no friends, life, job, significance has one thing right….he knows Jesus can make him clean. He knows who can make him clean?
MY FAVORITE PART…LETS CONTINUE READING..VERSE 13…
WHAT’D IT SAY? he touched him. Jesus….touched…the…leper. I understand that touching someone in our day and age might not be a big deal…but in their custom…you don’t even look at a leper, and you definitely don’t let their shadow fall on you…and most certainly…..you don’t touch them. How long do you think it had been since this leper had been touched? months? years? decades? This man had this disease for a long time….this man just needed a touch.
But i want you to walk this out with me in order for Jesus to touch him….he has to get on his level…he has to do what….BEND down….get down to his level…and touch him. Be Healed he says…and IMMEDIATELY…the leprosy left him. Healed. not just physically but free emotionally and spiritually. this man can walk through the streets, healed, this man can take a bath and not hurt. This story is just a mere glimpse of one of the many miracles Jesus did when he was alive…But tonight I want to challenge you once again, many of us have said the prayer of salvation and now we are saved…but in these next few minutes…I want to challenge you to talk to the Jesus that I described to you tonight..the one that touches unclean diseases and heals them. Jesus is here, perhaps not in the physical way that I am, but he is here. So with all the respect we can, at the altars tonight…what would you say to Jesus? Perhaps you want to do this alone, maybe you’d like to pray with someone? This is not a time of playing or laughing if someone begins to cry, because we all know I’m a cryer, that is Jesus doing a work inside of us. Come on down tonight…and I want YOU to talk to Jesus, perhaps you want to talk to Jesus in the form of writing. If you are not praying I want to see you writing…Jesus is here…what do you want to say to him?

We Did This Make-up And Added Scars:

This contest is over! Check out the winners @ http://creativekidspastor.com/and-the-winner-is/

Two autographed copies of Jak and the Scarlet Thread will be given away to readers of Creative Kids Pastor.

You have 3 chances to win!
1.) Tweet this message: @kidzpastor is giving away @NathanAndersonJ ‘s new book “Jak and the Scarlet Thread” http://goo.gl/nlshZ #jakbook #kidmin

2.)Tweet this message: @kidzpastor interview w/ @NathanAndersonJ about Jak and the Scarlet Thread. CHANCE 2 WIN FREE BOOK http://goo.gl/5qau9 #jakbook #kidmin

3.)Share this Post on Facebook (http://creativekidspastor.com/win_an_autographed_copy/) or the book review (http://creativekidspastor.com/jak-and-the-scarlet-thread/) Leave a comment on this post to let us know you share on Facebook.

Nathan Anderson is a writer, speaker, radio host,and musician intent on teaching families the Bible in ways that grab their souls and set them on fire to know God. He graduated from Bethel Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and spent ten years pastoring in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nathan host a nightly radio show for kids, Nite Lite and he is the author of a young adult/tween fantasy novel series called Jak and the Scarlet Thread that will take readers through the entire Bible.

Follow Nathan Anderson:
Blog: http://www.bighungryplanet.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nathanandersonj
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1190508947

Buy his book Jak and the Scarlet Thread:

This summer I got to preview a brand new book called Jak and the Scarlet Thread by Nathan Anderson. This book caught my attention and held it all the way to the very last page. Jak and the Scarlet Thread is action packed and captures the reader imagination. The story begins with Jak losing his grandmother and him finding a magical book that transfers him, his cousin, his grandpa, and even his little dog into one of the greatest books ever written – the Bible. The reason I love this book is that it is geared towards young readers who are looking for fantasy stories such as Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or even Twilight. It presents one of the greatest messages ever given to us which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only does it introduce these young readers to this incredible message but they also meet historical biblical characters such as Adam & Eve, Cain, Noah, and many more. Jak and the Scarlet Thread deals with elements such as: death, good vs. evil, and sacrifice while at the same time presents a story that is completely filled with life and hope.

This week I’ll be giving away signed copies of this book, doing an video interview with the author, and teaming up with other ministry blogs to get the word out about this book.

Here is my reason why: I believe that we as Christian, need to do more than just mimic culture; don’t get me wrong I’m not saying we shouldn’t use the culture that kids live in to try in reach kids for Christ. I just believe that it is time that we also start creating culture, we serve a creative God. I would love to see this book reach more than just the kids that are in church but those that could potentially read this story and be introduced to the Bible for the first time. I also would love to see more stories in this genre became mainstream so that we have alternatives to the often darker stories told. I’m not being payed for this review, I am merely endorsing and encouraging an author that creating culture.
Two autographed copies of “Jak and the Scarlet Thread” will be given away to readers of Creative Kids Pastor.

This contest is over! Check out the winners @ http://creativekidspastor.com/and-the-winner-is/
You have 3 chances to win!
1.) Tweet this message: @kidzpastor is giving away @NathanAndersonJ ‘s new book “Jak and the Scarlet Thread” http://goo.gl/nlshZ #jakbook #kidmin

2.)Tweet this message: @kidzpastor interview w/ @NathanAndersonJ about Jak and the Scarlet Thread. CHANCE 2 WIN FREE BOOK http://goo.gl/5qau9 #jakbook #kidmin

3.)Share this Post on Facebook (http://creativekidspastor.com/win_an_autographed_copy/) or the book review (http://creativekidspastor.com/jak-and-the-scarlet-thread/) Leave a comment on this post to let us know you share on Facebook.

Nathan Anderson is a writer, speaker, radio host,and musician intent on teaching families the Bible in ways that grab their souls and set them on fire to know God. He graduated from Bethel Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and spent ten years pastoring in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nathan host a nightly radio show for kids, Nite Lite and he is the author of a young adult/tween fantasy novel series called Jak and the Scarlet Thread that will take readers through the entire Bible.

Follow Nathan Anderson:
Blog: http://www.bighungryplanet.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nathanandersonj
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1190508947

Buy his book Jak and the Scarlet Thread:

Jak on Kindle:

This year we are trying some new things. First our candy donation drive has been turned into an OU/OSU Bedlam contest. The pastors of Spring Creek Assembly  will wear the  color of the team that donates the most candy. Also we are adding a new game, Angry Birds Live. I posted about this in an earlier entry.

Check it out: Make a live action angry birds

We will be doing door to door canvassing, with a coloring sheet that is both a flyer and a coloring contest. Also we are putting up poster in local businesses.

For more info and ideas check out these links:

What is trunk or treat

trunk or treat2010

trunk or treat 2008

Click on the previews below for full size images of each flyer:

Lisa Grace shared with Creative Kids Pastor her notes from RE:NEW The Children’s Ministry Gathering 2011. Lisa and her family have been involved in Kid’s Ministry for about 25 years.  She is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God and  has done both part time and full time ministry. Currently, Lisa is serving as a part time children’s pastor at Eastpointe Community Church in Oklahoma City.

Follow Lisa on Facebook at:

facebook.com/lisadgrace

facebook.com/pages/KidsPointe/137123513029287

or Email her at:

lisa_grace@att.net

Disney Magic. Great ideas for leading

Justyn Smith

D details and excellence. Keeping things picked up and organized. God is into details and appreciates us noticing the fine details. People appreciate the small details. People talk when things are wrong.

I innovation and creative. Copy what is good and affective. Doing something new and fresh.

S story. Ability to tell a story through the atmosphere. Engage from the time they enter the area. High fives. Conversation. Decor.

N Nurture. Training. Stand behind and encourage. Help to reach their goals. Resources. Pour into their lives which improves home and volunteering.

E. Extra mile. Own what they do. Member vs owner. Volunteers = owners

Y. You. Represent the ministry inside and outside the walls. People are watching.

M. moment. Take advantage of the moment. Bray party. Thank you card. Names.

A attitude. Onstage vs Off stage. give your best when you are here. Be here for the kids.

G generational. Think about the family.

I intuitive. Common sense. Pick it up and make it better.

C. Character. Be memorable. What are the kids talking about from your service.

Just make it happen.

Nurture volunteers. Mtg with core leaders monthly. They pour into the next level and so forth.

Who greets. why do they greet. how do they greet. Etc…..

Justyn Smith is a husband to one amazing wife and father to five beautiful children. They recently moved to Corona, CA after having lived in Las Vegas for four years. Justyn is the children’s pastor at South Hills Church. He has a huge heart to see this young generation grow up to be the greatest leaders and influencers in history. He consults, writes and is a frequent conference speaker. He is an advocate for the local church who believes the local church is the hope of the world. Justyn has recently been named one of “Children’s Ministry Magazine’s” Top 20 to Watch.

Blog: http://www.justynsmith.com/       Facebook: facebook.com/pastorjustyn       Twitter: http://twitter.com/pastorjustyn

Dreams

Dean Guthrie

A God size dream is impossible you on your own. You will need God to accomplish this kind of dream.

When you take something ordinary and allow God to make something extraordinary out of it. That is a God dream.

Abraham. God said Go, start walking and he went. After he stepped out of his comfort zone God began to reveal the plan.

Joseph. God puts the dreams into our hearts.   Had he not shared his dreams the blessings would not have happened for him. Stay true to the dreams God places in our hearts.

Sometimes God allows us to fail in our own strength, so that we turn to him to see it succeed. Ex. Moses killed the guard and had to hide out for many years.

A great book about dreams Good to Great in God’s Eyes: 10 Practices Great Christians Have in Common

How to accomplish a dream:
-Dream a dream.
-Form a team.
-One page of paper.

Process of a dream
Write it down, make a list of the steps
Read them regularly
Pray over it
Sit back and watch God’s intervention

Don’t let your dream get so big it over shadows gods dream.

 

Dean Guthrie is the Children’s Ministries Director of The Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God. Dean has 15 years of experience in Children’s Ministries, He is also a sought after speaker for church camps, children’s crusades, school rally’s, and leadership conferences. Dean believe in the importance of ministry to children. Kids, especially in today’s society, must be equipped to face the challenges of living their Christian faith in a culture that openly opposes Godly beliefs. It is Dean’s desire to partner with children’s pastors and workers all over the state to train, equip, and serve them as they minister to the children of Oklahoma. Whether it is through BGMC, JBQ, Royal Rangers, or Girls Ministries. Dean is married to Joy and has two kids, DJ and Tori.                                                                   Facebook: Dean Guthrie           Twitter: http://twitter.com/omcdean

One thing you can do in your ministry that no one else can do.

Jami Doyle

Give people a life changing event with Christ. Others can hold events.  What are we doing that others cannot do. Getting children to respond to the gospel.

The wow moments is when you can sense or see the kids connecting with what you are saying or doing.

Kids will not wait to go home to make their decision, do it now during the wow moment.

You need to be prayed up
Prepare. Know what you are talking about.
Be ready to take advantage of the wow moment.   Don’t pass up a chance to lead a child to Christ.

 

Jamie Doyle resides with his family in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he serves

as the children’s pastor at Radiant Church. Additionally, he speaks as a guest at children’s ministry events and churches. You can find Jamie at his website: www.jamiedoyle.com

  Facebook: facebook.com/jamiesondoyle Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamie_doyle

Q&A Jim and Julie Wideman @ Renew

Jim and Julie Wideman

A 40 hour work week is not biblical. It’s not the example Christ led.

Your attitude determines your altitude.   Attitude about the church at home will affect your family.

It’s better to be anointed than cool.

You are paid for the amount of stress that you can handle.

Ministry is a marathon not a sprint.

Value what they are doing. Don’t make changes to fast.

Church is to reenforce the home.

Evangelism   :  a man and a woman marry and have children allowing their children to see them in the word while teaching the word. Now we are going backwards by trying to teach in the church rather than reenforce.

Jimwideman.com.

MUST READ BOOK BY BROTHER JIM:

Jim and Julie, his wife of 32 years, have two grown daughters and the cutest grandson in the world.

Jim Wideman is considered an innovator, pioneer and one of the fathers of children’s ministry. Having served in 5 dynamic churches over the past 35 years, Jim understands what it takes to grow exciting, relevant ministries to people of all ages.

For 17 years Jim led one of America’s largest local church children’s ministries in Tulsa, OK. Jim currently serves as Associate Pastor of Next Generation at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, TN where he oversees all of the ministries for children, students and families. Jim is an internationally recognized voice in Children’s and Family Ministry. He is a much sought after speaker, teacher, author, personal leadership coach, and ministry consultant. Children’s Ministry Magazine honored him in 2001 as one of ten “Pioneers Of the Decade” in children’s ministry and again in 2010 as one of the “Twenty Top Influencers in Children’s Ministry” over the past 20 years.

Blog: www.jimwideman.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/jim.wideman Twitter: twitter.com/jimwideman

Thanks Again to Lisa Grace for sharing her notes with Creative Kids Pastor her notes from RE:NEW The Children’s Ministry Gathering 2011.

RE:NEW Recap:

Jamie Doyle @ RE:NEW 2011

Dave May At RE:NEW

Lisa Grace Shares Her Notes From RE:NEW

Jamie Doyle resides with his family in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he serves 

as the children’s pastor at Radiant Church. Additionally, he speaks as a guest at children’s ministry events and churches. You can find Jamie at his website: www.jamiedoyle.com

Blog: http://jamiedoyle.com

Facebook: facebook.com/jamiesondoyle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamie_doyle

RE:NEW Recap:

Jamie Doyle @ RE:NEW 2011

Dave May At RE:NEW

Lisa Grace Shares Her Notes From RE:NEW

 

For more information about Dave May, check him out at:
Website-  http://amazingdavemay.com

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656525283

 

 

 

 

RE:NEW Recap:

Jamie Doyle @ RE:NEW 2011

Dave May At RE:NEW

Lisa Grace Shares Her Notes From RE:NEW