The Purpose Behind The Way.

It has been a lot of work getting the basement ready for the school year, and we are so thankful for everyone who has given a helping hand. All this preparation and all this work will prepare us for an amazing school year. This leads to one question: what was the purpose behind all this change? I mean, did we really need to paint the basement and buy an 85’’ TV for the students to play Minecraft on? Well, I would say yes. Our cornerstone text for The Way is Romans 12, which tells us to “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” This means that we as Christians are to do everything for the glory of God and use our gifts as an act of worship. One of the small ways that we can reflect this to students is to give the basement up in the same way. Everything that we have done to the basement is for the Glory of God. While we are playing video games on a massive TV, it can lead to fellowship with students and grow a relationship that can open to more conversations. Another lesson that we will be teaching this year will be “Trust, Plant, Grow”. These are the steps that we have to take to give the gospel to someone. First, we must gain trust with a person and grow some sort of relationship, then we plant the seeds of the Gospel (give them the Gospel), and then we water the seeds we planted- this would look like caring for that person further and making sure that we are being God’s hands and feet to them. Our entire basement is built and designed to meet each of these points head-on. We grow trust by playing games with one another, plant seeds by having a powerful message given in a focused environment, and water them by continuing to be in students' lives and ensure that we are showing God to them. We are so excited to see what will happen this school year with all the changes coming to Youth Ministry.

Students have gotten excited for church to kick off, and Leaders are ready to walk with students. Please continue to pray for the success of our ministry and that God

guides us through every step. Keep it up, Church!