Just a reminder, there is NO FlipSide this Wednesday, Nov. 25 because of Thanksgiving. We’ll see you for FlipSide LIVE on Wednesday, December 2nd!
November 15, 2009
EXCITING Changes!
Hey Parents,
I wanted to let you know of some NEW and exciting changes coming to FlipSide Youth Ministry. Beginning on January 3, 2010 FlipSide will be categorized for “Middle & High School (6-12 grade)” students instead of “13-18 yr olds.”
We’ve realized that moving to a grade based system creates a more seamless connection with our students between school and youth group. Moving up by grade will also alleviate the fear a teen often has when moving up to FlipSide because they aren’t familiar with anyone. Since the beginning of the school year we’ve incorporated small groups (FS Unplugged) every Wednesday of the month excluding the first. These small groups, which are divided by grade, have allowed us to reach students at their age level on a much smaller more intimate scale.
The new changes coming on January 3rd will bring in younger students than what we currently have. Our biggest question was, “Can we effectively minister to a 12 year old and an 18 year old in FlipSide?” Given the success of FlipSide UNPLUGGED over the past 3 months we have no doubt that our rising students will feel right at home with ministry that is effective and relevant to their walk with Christ.
We are so excited about what God is doing in FlipSide Youth Ministry and even more excited about what He’s going to do as we continue to grow and change into what He’s called us to be. If you have any questions whatsoever or would simply like to talk about the new changes and how it will affect your teen, feel free to call me at 910-602-5300, shoot me an email at matthew@rockwilmington.com, or send me a message on my Facebook. Thank you so so much for all you do in the battle to raise Godly teens. We’re fighting with you!
Matthew
November 11, 2009
FlipSide UNPLGD CANCELED on Wed. 11.11.09
Due to increased flood warnings from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, FlipSide Unplugged will be canceled tonight (Nov. 11). Please help me make other parents/teens aware by spreading this info via Text, Twitter, Email, etc…
FlipSide Unplugged will be back in action next Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 7-9pm. Don’t miss it!
November 9, 2009
FS LIVE 11.4.09
All I can say is WOW! Last week’s FlipSide LIVE was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We had 85 teens come out, 30 of them were first-timers and 8 of them got saved! We kicked off our brand new series called ‘Friend or Foe’ where we’re dicussing the massive importance of the friends we surround ourselves with. My trainer was willing to come out and join us as a live illustration of what it means to have friends who push us further than we think we can go in our walk with God. It’s so easy to surround ourselves with friends who don’t challenge us at all in our faith. We need people in our lives who will ask us the hard questions and push us further in our faith.
Don’t let your teens miss FS UNPLGD every Wednesday this month as we dive head first into this ever-so-crucial topic of ‘Friends.’
October 26, 2009
FREE PLAYSTATION 3!!
Hey parents, wanna strike off a BIG item from your teens Christmas list?
Help them bring the most first-time visitors to FlipSide LIVE on November 4 and they’ll recieve a brand new FREE PLAYSTATION 3! That’s right, no strings attached. Whoever brings the most first-timers walks away with a brand new PS3. Do I need to repeat it again? Let’s pack the house out!!
October 26, 2009
FS Unplgd 10.21.09
WOW! We had an incredible night last Wednesday at FS Unplgd. In light of the recent death of Craig Marshall, a 15-yr old teen from Topsail High, we decided to change the night from our usual format. Instead of breaking into smaller groups, all 48 teens met in one room to discuss the range of feelings/emotions the teenagers were dealing with.
Lindsey and Becky led us in some amazing acoustic worship. Afterwards, I brought a message about how temporary life is and how crucial it is that we live constantly aware of our Creator and His role for our life. It was a rather somber night and the words seemed to land on very good ground. Several teens were in tears while 4 gave their hearts to Christ and many others responded to getting more serious about their faith.
I encourage all of you as parents to continually push your teens towards finding Christ each day in their own time. There comes an age where spoon-feeding no longer works and the child must take responsibility for feeding themself. Hold them accountable to regular time spent with God, whether it be reading the Word, praying, going for a walk and talking to God, writing, etc… It may begin as a chore, but when they experience the power of conversing with God it will become unforgettable and undeniably important.
October 16, 2009
Not your parents religion.
I just finished a text conversation with a teen who experienced the sudden death of one of his peers for the second time in the past couple months. I encouraged him in the Lord and pointed him to Psalm 121. As I texted him I thought about what we talked about this week at FS Unplugged when I sat in for Anthony in the High School guys group.
We’re talking this month about Morphing into what God intended for us to be. This week in our topic “Not your parents religion” we touched on the importance of becoming Christ-Followers who begin hearing God for ourselves. As a Christian it is SO important to find the place where your faith isn’t defined by what everyone else believes is true but by what God is speaking to you and showing you personally in His word. I challenged the HS guys to read through the book of John this week and ask God a ton of questions.
I can’t be in school with the guy who’s dealing with his friends death and neither can you as parents. It’s in these times that they must know what they believe and stand firm on their own faith in Christ. Parents, I encourage you to begin challenging your teen to find God for themselves and set aside time to get in His word. I recommend buying this book for your teen when you get the chance, it was a huge help for me when I was younger. Thanks for fighting the fight!
October 8, 2009
FS LIVE 10.7.09
Last night at FS LIVE we began a brand new series called ‘Morph‘ and I believe it’s gonna rock some worlds. The scripture for the whole series is Romans 12:2. The message came from three points in this verse:
1) Don’t conform to the customs of the world
2) Be transformed by changing how you think
3) THEN you will know the will of God for your life
We naturally choose the path of least resistance in our lives, but as Christ-Followers we’re called to take the harder path of Godly choices. It’s through making the commitment to serve God in the hard choices that we can ultimately hear God’s will for our lives.
4 teens found Christ last night for the first time!! Many others made a commitment to the harder road in life that results in closeness with their Creator. We have an unbelievable month lined up at FS UNPLUGGED as we dive deeper into what it means to take the hard road. Don’t let your teens miss out!!
October 1, 2009
1st month of FS Unplgd = SUCCESS!
164 teens showed up for small groups in September! 6 met Jesus for the first time! Many others discovered the importance of being honest with God about the hidden issues we deal with in life. Here’s a little student feedback from September:
Hey Pastor Matt, i had a BLAST tonight! Your youth is outstanding!!! and the topic that you spoke to us about tonight was GREAT!!! it really touched me and i know that i need to get into god way more and to stop focusing on the little unimportant things in life. i just wanted to stop by and let you know that i thought it was awesome and that i will be back next Wednesday night for sure!!! GO FLIPSIDE UNPLUGEEDDD
FS!! was soo much funn, im so glad its back
Flipside was the bomb! The lesson was great! it really got to me!!! cant wait till next Wednesday night
Flipside is the coolest thing ever!
you cant exspect to be forgiven unless u forgive yourself…stop lugging around dead weight…God forgives EVERY sin.. you just have to want him bad in enouugh in your life to feel liek your forgiven..Flip Side UNPLUGGED=AWESOMENESSS
Flip side was sooo amazing!..i told you guys christians can get crunk too! haha…cant wait till next wed. Flipside unplugged!…chea!!my church is a-mazing mann!!
i invited my foroegn exchanged friend alex from germany to my youth group, im glad i brought him
The only thing better than FlipSide in September is FlipSide in October! Don’t let your teens miss this coming series called ‘Morph‘ as we discover the real power of being a Christ Follower.
September 24, 2009
FS Unplugged 9.23.09
Last night went excellent! 44 teens came out and 2 made a decision to follow Christ!
Allow me to brag on our incredible FlipSide staff for a minute. It amazes me every week to see the time they give up from their lives to see teens get closer to Jesus. FS Unplugged is ran entirely by volunteers! They’re putting the lessons together, bringing a message and cultivating life changing discussions EVERY WEEK! Breaking up FlipSide into weekly small groups has uncapped a wealth of gifts and talents from our volunteers. If you haven’t thanked a FlipSide volunteer this week, shoot me an email and I’ll forward it directly to them or hit one up on Sunday and maybe just slide a Starbucks gift card in their pocket
