Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Great Summer

It is hard to put into words what my summer in Fitzgerald has meant to me. I have loved it here and will miss the people I have gotten to know. Last night I held the final event I had planned, and enjoyed a time of game playing and talking with the kids. A good crowd showed, but I didn't get to see all who I had gotten to know this summer, and that really saddens me because who knows when I'll get to see them again. I had a talk with the parents last night while the kids were taken to a separate area; I shared a little of my testimony as well as my hopes for the future of the childrens ministry of FBC Fitzgerald. Again, a good crowd showed but not nearly as many as I had hoped to see. To put into a brief summary of what I hope for the families I got to know this summer; here are 3 main things.

1. The kids learn or continue to find that church is very important in that it helps you grow as a Christian. I hope those that only show on occasion will start to show more often.

2. I hope that more parents take an active role in the childrens ministry; because if parents make church a priority then the kids will likely follow in their footsteps.

3. I hope that while the kids are too young to drive; that parents make church a priority and not an option (this will help with priority #1). That way when they are old enough to drive and make their own decisions; they will have learned to appreciate church and want come to as many events as possible. So as to not seem hypocritical, I admit that I lost the meaning of going to church in my later youth and early college days, but I am learning through experiences like this summer just how important it is to be an active member of a church.

Childrens ministry is the foundation for years to come. Friendships are made that have the potential to last a lifetime. The childrens ministry of FBC Fitzgerald has a lot of potential and I my hope and prayer is that it continues to grow and thrive.

Lastly, I've posted below the letter of thanks that will appear in this weeks church newsletter:

Dear FBC Fitzgerald Family,

I can't thank you enough for the hospitality you have shown me over the last two months. The time has flown by, but as they say "time flies when you're having fun!" I have had some great fun this summer. Being a childrens minister is one of those few jobs where you get paid to have fun. The children of this church have made this summer a great one. I have been amazed at how well mannered and how energized these kids have been. It has been a group that I have tested many ideas and activities on, and they have gone with the flow through the awesome as well as the not so awesome. It's really cool to think that if I lead groups of kids again in the future; that I can look back and say that the kids of FBC Fitz were my first group. As everyone one knows, first means best! I have become very attached to the group I have worked with this summer, and while I'm eager to return home, once I get there I know that I am going to miss Fitzgerald terribly. The childrens ministry of this church is one that I intend to keep up with because it means a lot to me. I can't wait to hear about all the exciting things that will happen in the months and years ahead. I hope that the kids won't forget about me as they get older; because I certainly won't forget about them. They are a wonderful group. The entire church family of FBC Fitzgerald is a wonderful group. I will miss all of you very much! Thank you for blessing me with a summer that has captured my heart and rejuvenated my soul.

In Christ,

Brad Keaton

Monday, July 27, 2009

Sorry for not posting sooner....I suppose I have to have some divine inspiration to force me to write...or maybe I'm just lazy. Anyway, over the last week and a half since I last wrote several events have taken place.

Two Sunday Cineams- We watched the Rookie two Sundays ago and Bedtime Stories last night. Kids seemed to enjoy both.

The last Terrific Tuesday was a video project day. The 1st-3rd graders made a video and the 4th-6th made another. They were viewed and voted on by the parents last night. The younger kids won with a video about trying to capture bigfoot. I thought both vids were interesting plots....interesting being the best word of description I can think of. The older kids did a Scooby Doo mystery.

Last Wednesday Night we played kickball in a big field beside the church. Playing kickball is fun; listening to kids argue and become obssessed with who kicks when, whose on whose team, whats the score, and was that incident fair is not so fun. A little of both took place.

This week only one event remains. I will have a Back to School Bash on Wednesday filled with activities of whatever my crazy mind can think of. Last event=anything goes. After I hang out with the kids I plan to have a chat with the parents where I share thoughts about the childrens ministry here and also a little of my testimony. This is where I need prayer. I've been debating for a long time about what I should say and how I should say it. I've lost sleep over it; including last night.

I can't stand getting emotional, but with the last event approaching I can't help it. The kids and church family of FBC Fitz have touched my heart and, whether they realize it or not, have helped me in my spiritual journey in ways I can't find the words to describe.

I'll be back in Knoxville sometime on Friday. I will miss Fitzgerald, but I REALLY can't wait to sleep in my own bed again. Me and my bed will spend a lot of time together when I return.

I'll post how the final week goes, check back soon.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Successful Week

All three events that I scheduled for this week (Sunday Cinema, Pool Party, Wed. Night Games/Devotion) had a large turnout. I am vey pleased and thankful. Week of July 12 = SUCCESS!!!

Tonights devotion was the deepest one I've done all summer. I asked kids last week what questions they had about any range of subjects relating to Christianity. I then had a discussion with Dr. Ruffin about what the answers to the questions should be. I then created a Q & A sheet with scripture references included. I used that sheet to teach with tonight, and then gave each student a copy before they left. Luckily I had several students contribute their thoughts; and also an experienced Sunday school teacher in the room that was able to help get across points that I struggled with and needed more explaining. I have copied/pasted the Q & A sheet for you to see and think about your own answers to the questions.

A Bit of Biblical Q & A

1. Why do bad things happen to good people?

Sometimes it’s what you do to yourself that causes bad things to occur; we are all sinners. It’s sometimes others that s are the cause of bad things that happen to us. Sometimes it can be unexpected and very hurtful. God tells us to love our enemies. Sometimes there is just no clear explanation as to why bad stuff happens. I don’t believe that bad things are predestined (God plans for them to happen before they do) but life on Earth naturally comes with ups and downs. (James 5:13) (Matthew 5:44)

2. Why do some people not like God?

Some have never heard the full story of God and his love shown through his Son Jesus Christ. Some have heard the story but misunderstand God’s love. Many believe that Christianity is just a set of rules that tie you down. Some believe that God is just out to get you. Some believe that he has already chosen a life path for everyone and there is no way to change it. And some hear the story of God and his Son Jesus and choose not to believe it because they simply don’t want to or grew up having learned not to bother. Some simply have faith in another religion that doesn’t involve the God that we worship. (1 John 4:7-12)

3. Why are some wealthy people so obsessed with money that they never think about God & Jesus?

Have you ever heard the phrase “love of money is the root of all evil”? How can money be evil? God is supposed to the center of our lives. We are to trust in God to take care of us. Some people put more faith in their money than they do God’s love. When this happens people become greedy and miserable because all they want is more, more, more. What they don’ realize is that through Christ Jesus they already have enough. (Matthew 5: 1-11) (Luke 6: 20-26)

4. Why do people rob people or steal things that are not their own?

Sometimes people become so greedy or desperate for something that they are willing to sin and take from others. Some don’t even realize what they are doing is wrong. (Exodus 20:17- The 10th Commandment)

5. Why did God make the snake and the tree?

God made man and woman with the choice of whether or not to obey God. The story that involves the snake, the tree of life, and Adam and Eve is the first occurrence of sin. God made consequences for Adam and Eve. We all experience good or bad consequences depending on our actions. (Genesis 3)
Humans had no easy way of having their sins forgiven until God sent his son Jesus (John 3:16)

6. Why did God invent dangerous things?

There is no easy explanation as to why God created some things or occurrences that can sometimes be dangerous for humans. God created everything for a reason but we as humans aren’t made to understand why all things exist. But, sometimes, things that don’t have to be dangerous are made dangerous because we make them become dangerous. For example, if you go surfing during a hurricane and get swept away by waves; did God create that danger or did you? Another example is that God created tobacco, and if you decide to smoke tobacco is that a danger God created or that humans created for themselves? (Genesis 1-2)

7. Why did God invent animals?

They are a part of God’s amazing creation! (Genesis 1:24-25)

8. Why do people ruin their bodies with tattoos?

Many people believe that tattoos are a cool form of art and that tattoos help express certain ideas and feelings. It is important for people with tattoos to remember that their body was made in the image of God and to not get so prideful in their tattoos that they forget just how special their body would be even without them. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Monday, July 13, 2009

And the amazingness continues...

OK, so things are goin swell here in Fitzgerald. Night Adventure last week was stinkin awesome! We played a bunch of games in the dark. The one that went the best in my opinion was a scavenger hunt where it was boys v. girls. Ten "bloody" tissues numbered 1-1o were hidden around parts of the church. The boys had to find #'s 1-5 and the girls had to find #'s 6-10. This game was proof that girls think much more logically than boys. The boys just didn't know how to hunt. The game ended in a tie, but just because there it got to be a tough hunt in the end. Other games of the evening included flashlight tag, sardines, graveyard (students make different sounds and try to link up with who is making the same sound), and a Mountain Dew chug and can roll (only in my group would this occur with kids in the evening).

Then, this past Wednesday, I attempted to teach a serious Bible lesson. I reviewed the ABC's of becoming a Christian and then asked the kids to list questions they had regarding God, Church, or just things on their mind related to being a Christian. I have mixed emotions on how the night went. The older kids opened up and did what i'd hoped, however the younger kids got bored and just sought attention. I should have known to divide and had two lessons prepared-which is what will happen this coming Wednesday. Also, that night there was a slim crowd which disappointed me because just the night before at night adventure there was a much bigger group. I hope kids start showing up again for Wednesday night activities. I sent out an e-mail today to parents encouraging that they bring their children.

Last night Sunday Cinema started back. I showed the movie Heavyweights; one of my favs from back in the day. I was able to teach a good lesson on having respect for yourself (1 Cor. 6:19) and respecting others (Lev. 19:18) after the movie concluded. There was a large crowd last night and that really pleased me.

Tomorrow will be a pool party, and I'm looking forward to that. The last one really wore me out and I left sore, but it was totally woth it. Those kids keep me energized.

Wednesday I will do my best to answer questions given by some of the older kids and I hope it goes well and that a good crowd shows. I discussed what was asked with the preacher and we had a really good conversation.

So that's about it for now!

Brad

Monday, July 6, 2009

Calendar of Events for FBC Childrens Ministry

Calendar of Events
(A version for my blog that excludes the cool clip art which blogger wouldn't allow and any contact info or addresses I have posted in the extended version)

ALRIGHTY FOLKS, THIS IS IT!!!!!! THIS CALENDAR TAKES YOU THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE SUMMER!!!!!

Wednesday Nights – Wednesday nights will run uninterrupted through the remainder of July. Have your kids come to the Team Kids room for a time of games and devotion from 6:00pm-7:00pm following Wednesday night fellowship supper in Burch Hall. Call or e-mail me if you are willing to help supervise on one or more Wednesday nights. Plan to pick your kids up in the Team Kids room at 7:00pm, but don’t rush off because there will be a short parent meeting after activities conclude. I will also be beginning a system of signup sheets for upcoming events.
***Also, you most definitely won’t want your kids to miss the last Wednesday Night of the summer, as it will be a Back to School Bash!!!


Upcoming Terrific Tuesday Events
Terrific Tuesday on July 14th will be a pool party from 5:30pm-8:00pm at the home of Dr. Steve McIntyre, Anna & Samuel Cook’s Grandfather. Food and drink will be provided, but remember to have your child bring a water bottle. Plan to stay and help supervise if at all possible.

Terrific Tuesday on July 21st will be Video Project Day. Video Day will consist of a competition between the rising 1st-3rd graders and the rising 4th -6th graders. Each group will come to the church at a separate time to plot out a script that they create and then make a video! All rising 1st-3rd graders are to be at the church from 1:00pm-2:30pm. All rising 4th-6th graders are to be at the church from 3:00pm-4:30pm. Drop off and pickup will be on the breezeway. The videos will be judged by the parents at the final Sunday Cinema on July 26th. Whichever team receives the most votes for their video will receive the GRAND PRIZE; which won’t be revealed until after the judging takes place. Now, in order for this event to happen, I will obviously need a video camera. If you have one that you are willing to lend for this event please call the church or e-mail me. Call or e-mail as well if you are able to stay and help supervise while your child is becoming a movie star.


Terrific Tuesday on July 28th will be OPEN GYM DAY. Have the kids come to the Mann Hall Gymnasium from 10:00-11:30 to play some sports activities that are TBD. We will play from 10:00-11:00. Have kids bring a water bottle in case they get thirsty while we are competing. Lunch will follow; and I need a volunteer(s) to provide lunch that day. Call or e-mail me if you are willing to provide food and drink and also if you are willing to stay and help supervise.



Sunday Cinema

Don’t forget that Sunday Cinema will pick back up on Sunday July 12th and will occur each Sunday night through the end of July. Have the kids come to Mann Hall from 5:30-7:15 to watch a movie on the big screen. Remember to have them bring something comfortable to sit on (i.e. bean bags, blankets, beach chairs). Drinks will be provided during the movie, but please eat before you come. Adults are welcome to come and hear the devotion that ties into the movie after adult Bible Study concludes at 7:00pm. I will need at least one adult (female) to help me supervise during the movie. On the final Sunday Cinema, July 26th, kids and parents are encouraged to stick around after the movie and devotion for the viewing and judging of the video projects from the Terrific Tuesday Video Project Day.
Family Day


Get Ready, it’s coming!!!!!! FBC FAMILY DAY for the children’s ministry will be Saturday July 25th. This day will consist of a scavenger hunt competition. Each family will be given a list of items to find around town to either take a picture of or bring back with them to the church. Whichever family can check off everything on their list and return to the church the quickest will win. It’s gonna be amazing!!! We will all go out to eat somewhere TBD after the competition has concluded. All families need to be at the church by 4:00pm with either a Polaroid or Digital Camera in hand. More details will be released soon!

A Final Thought: As you can tell by reading about the various activities; helpers are vitally needed at each event. Please consider how you can play a part in the children’s ministry these last few weeks of summer.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

A little of what is happnin

I wanted to write an update sooner, but for some reason I've been getting writers block lately. Also, I'm used to writing only when there is a deadline approaching; ahh college. Anyway, things are goin good here in Fitzgerald. It has slowed down a bit though; so many people have gone on vacation, and I hope they all return real soon. They seemed to all disappear little by little after the conclusion of VBS. I had a great crowd turn out for a pool party this past Tuesday; but then it was slim pickins for games and devotion on Wednesday night. I am a big people person, and when there's no people to be around (in this case kids) it's kind of boring. My hope is that things pick up after the 4th of July holiday. This coming Tuesday I plan to hold a field day. Not sure what kind of crowd will show, but I figure you can play games outside and have fun no matter what size crowd.

On Thursday of this coming week, I plan to leave Fitzgerald for a short bit myself and head to Atlanta to meet up with my dad and brothers for a baseball game. The Braves will be playing the Phillies Thursday night. I will be rooting for the Phillies. After Thursday, I'm not sure if I will be returning to Fitzgerald immediately or staying in Atlanta for a bit. I will be back by Sunday the 5th, ready to greet kids for Sunday Morning assembly; that's for sure. I hope to return to a crowd fresh from vacation.

Many exciting things will happen in the life of the childrens ministrey post July 4th; starting with a Terrific Tuesday Night Adventure. I am really excitied about this event. It will be some of the older kids (3rd-6th graders) coming to the church in the late evening to play games in the dark around the church. I am still in th planning stages as to how exactly I want the night to go; but I can tell you that there will definately be some awesome games going on such as the classic sardines (the reverse of hide-n-go seek).

After the night adventure, there is another pool party in the works along with many other ideas floating in my head that I will talk about as the weeks go by. I'm trying to squeeze in as many things as possible, because believe it or not my time here in Fitz is almost halfway gone!

More updates soon...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Thoughts on a busy week

This week was VBS at FBC Fitz. From the start I knew it would be fun for me because of several different reasons. First, FBC Fitz has their VBS at night from 5pm-8pm. I have never seen it done at that time before, but certainly didn't mind due to the fact that I am much more awake at 5pm as opposed to 9am. Secondly, I got to play the awesome role as COACH in the daily drama that went along with the the theme for this year which was StudioGO Gameshow. Coach was a contestant on the StudioGO Gameshow along with another character named Professor Wordsmart and also a contestant from the studio audience. Unfortunately, coach never won a round, but he certainly made a name for himself through rediculous responses to answers and a knack for doing pushups. Third, VBS included dinner every night. I didn't mind that one bit and neither did my appetite.

In addition to VBS this week, I also planned for a "Terrific Tuesday" outing at a nearby park. 21 kids arrived at the church and loaded the vans for that event and that is AWESOME! We had a great time playing capture the flag even though it didn't keep their interest as long as I had thought. The kids spentthe rest of their time at the park playing in a pathetic excuse for a creek. They searched for tadpols, used their imagination to keep themselves entertained, and got as dirty as they could. I for one did not get in the creek. The only thing I could think of was how many germs and other what not are floating in that body of water. If only I had the imagination that I did when I was 7,8,9 years old.

So far each event has gotten a good turnout and I hope that trend continues. Wednesday nights have proven to be a success with a time of games and devotion. Lucky for me, I found a book full of really cool games that had been left behind in the office I am in that has helped me tremendously. I also have tried my best to add to the excitment of the evening through having a costume on when the kids arrive, having objects kids can toss around to get some energy going, etc.

To give you a taste of what is ahead in the life of the childrens ministry, this Tuesday we are having a pool pary for Terrific Tuesday, and then we are headed to the "Wild Aventures" theme park next Saturday. Other events coming up in the near future include a field day for Terrific Tuesday, and then a Night Adventure Terrifc Tuesday for some of the older kids. The Night Adventure is something I am REALLY looking forward to because it will be an evening filled with games played in the dark.

Life is grand here in Fitzgerald, keep a look out for more updates!