What do you get when you have 47 teens, 35 adults, 10+ vehicles,  a 20 foot sub sandwich, countless snacks, dozens upon dozens of cookies, 3 days and 2 nights, and Bible Studies & Worship? AN AWESOME DISCIPLE NOW!   

 

It was a blessing to be a part of Disciple Now 2024 here at TBC. What an absolute honor and privilege to serve alongside our TBC family for the good of our youth. The bonding, relationship building, and forming of new friendships, among both the youth and adults, will be life changing and we will reap the benefits from our time together. The teamwork it took to make D-Now successful, seemed at times, overwhelming, but our church family stepped up and SHOWED OUT!

 

 

On February 9-11, TSM is hosting our first Disciple Now weekend for this group of students. The agenda for the local weekend retreat includes large group worship, small group Bible studies, service projects and lots of fun with peers in host homes across Kerrville and the   surrounding area. The weekend’s goal is to help students grow in their relationship with God and with each other, learning to see God clearly and to live authentically.

 

Leading up to Disciple Now, please be in prayer for the preparations taking place to help facilitate spiritual growth in a fun and safe environment. Over the weekend, please take time to stop and pray for our students, Bible study leaders, host families and the team working behind the scenes. Here is how to pray for Disciple Now:

 

• Open hearts and open ears to hear God’s message
• Engagement within the group the students are placed in for the weekend
• Learn to see God clearly, getting rid of the things that distort their view of who God

    truly is

• Ephesians 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that
  you may know the hope to which he has called you…”

 

• Willingness to be used as instruments for God’s purpose
• Engagement in interactions with student groups 
• Energy and adaptability
• Clear communication, patience and empathy

 

 

 

My name is Anna and I am a junior at Tivy High School. I am looking forward to our Fall Retreat this year. 

 

Last year I had the opportunity to build relationships with some of the students in the youth group, older and younger. When I attended as a sophomore, I was in a room with four middle school girls with whom I spent a lot of time and I am so grateful to have those connections today. 

 

One of those connections happened during our meals where we would all sit at a table, talk, and eat some amazing food. We had so much fun participating in so many activities such as s’mores around the campfire, sliding down a wooden coaster, and making our way through an underground bunker. Of course, we also had time for devotionals and we had the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, as well as the Christ-Centered youth and adults around us. 

 

I can point back on Fall Retreat as a time of spiritual growth as a leader and as a Christ follower. This year I am looking forward to connecting with more of the newer members of our youth group through fellowship, fun and good food.  And, I also hope to build on the connections I have with those who are  already in our youth group. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me at Fall Retreat this year!

 

In Trinity’s Student Ministry, Circles are vibrant small groups whose goal is to help students feel seen, heard, and known; make Biblical connections; and equip and challenge students to live out their faith. We could not do it without our Circle Leaders! These are remarkable individuals who play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of the middle and high school students in our church.

 

Circle Leaders are compassionate mentors. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to grow spiritually, emotionally, and  socially. These leaders are also inspirational role models. Their faith and values serve as an example for the youth, encouraging them to ask questions and strengthen their relationship with God. Their ability to connect Biblical teachings with real-life experiences makes faith relevant and relatable to teens. Circle Leaders are also excellent listeners. They offer a space for teenagers to share their concerns, doubts, and joys. This active listening fosters trust and open communication, allowing students to navigate the challenges of adolescence with support and guidance.

 

Circle Leaders also help with a wide range of   activities, such as Youth Camp, Glo Games, and Retreats. They are quick to say, “Yes!” when a need arises and give their time to help our students grow closer to God, foster connections, and build solid foundations.

 

Our Circle Leaders are exceptional individuals who are inspiring, guiding, and equipping a generation of young disciples to continue to grow in their faith. Their selfless dedication and un-wavering faith is creating a lasting impact by helping students know God and become compassionate, responsible, and spiritually grounded  individuals.

 

 

Who is someone who has invested in your spiritual life? I can’t help but think about Bro. Lance who asked me if I would be willing to meet with him each week when I was in high school. During those weekly meetings, he taught me about spiritual disciplines, about discipleship, about prayer, about mentoring, and so much more. 

 

I also think about my dad, and the work we got to do together. Looking back, I’m grateful for the countless hours I spent working alongside him. Things I dreaded and resented in the moment have now shaped me into who I am. And the lessons I learned from him cannot be counted on paper.

 

I also think about my prayer grandmother. Every Sunday we would find each other and she would hug me and say, “Wes, I love you and I’m praying for you.” And I knew she was. She was an encouragement to me through some of my hardest parts of high school. And long after I graduated, when we would cross paths, she would repeat the same refrain, because it was still true.

 

What’s the constant in each of those relationships? Time. Each one of those influential adults invested time into me, some intentionally and one partially because I was cheap labor. But time made the difference. And time continues to make the difference.

 

As we enter the month of May, I want to give a shout out to our Youth Workers who have invested time in students this school year. Your efforts may not always produce the result you want or expect, but know that your time is not wasted.

 

And if you’re reading this and aren’t a youth worker (yet!), let’s talk. Maybe you can step into a role where you hug a neck and let a kid know you’re praying for them.