Youth Ministry: November News
Hope you’re doing well as we roll into Missions Month in November. I’m currently on vacation again (I’ll be back November 13!) but I’m also attending a conference over these next few days. Tonight, we had the privilege of hearing an amazing message from pastor and theologian, Kevin DeYoung. And he said something rather profound that I just wanted to share with you in light of Missions Month.
In the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-20, have you ever wondered to yourself, “Why does the farmer bother with throwing seeds onto the road, and into the rocky soil, and among the weeds? Is he just the worst farmer ever?” And DeYoung, he half-jokingly surmised that maybe this farmer was just a little naive or crazy and thought, “Eh, who knows! Maybe something good will happen anyway!” But then he made the point, who is it that really makes the seed grow? When the Gospel seed is planted, what does the sower actually do? Nothing! It’s in fact all up to God who makes the seed sprout (take a look at 4:26-29 too!). So in reality, how can we, as sowers, really know what will happen when we spread the Gospel seed? How do we even know what kind of soil we’re scattering into? Instead, all we can do is sow the Gospel seed faithfully to whoever and where ever God places us. Trust that God will make the seed grow!
DeYoung then quoted the famous theologian Dory (from Finding Nemo). She said, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” In the same way, we as faithful believers must simply just keep sowing, just keep sowing, just keep sowing! Trust that God will bring the growth and the fruit! Just keep sowing faithfully!
I hope this encourages you as we head into Missions Month and it gives you something to reflect on too with respect to the task of missions and evangelism. For leaders, I hope this encourages you as well to faithfully continue the ministry that you’ve been placed in and called to. Whether you’re an A-Group leader or a counsellor, I know that often the work we’re called to do is difficult and it seems to be getting no where. But just keep sowing! That’s all God’s called you to faithfully do. God will make the seed sprout at his appointed time. Just keep faithfully sowing!
Anyway, here’s what’s happening this month!
Please note the schedule change for 412 Fellowship!
| Date | 412 Fellowship | Themelios |
| Nov 2 | — | Bible Study |
| Nov 9 | — | Iron Chef |
| Nov 16 | Missions Night | Missions Night |
| Nov 23 | Fun Night! | Drinks & Talks |
| Nov 30 | — | — |
YOUTH NEWS
412 Fellowship Schedule Change this Month!
Because we have our church’s annual Missions Conference this month on the third week of November, we’ll be shifting 412 Fellowship down a week this month so to encourage them to attend the conference as well.
Operation Christmas Child Processing Centre – November 24, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Every year, our church has partnered with Samaritan’s Purse to send shoe boxes filled with gifts to in-need children around the world for Christmas. This year we have an opportunity to actually visit and serve at the processing centre for the shoe boxes in Woodstock! Come and help sort all the boxes and prepare them for shipping out into the world! To learn more about shoe boxes, visit their site here. If you’re interested in serving, please email me and let me know asap as spots are limited. Please note, all volunteers must also be 14+.
Themelios Retreat – December 21 – 24 @ Countryside Camp
It’s that time again for Themelios! Mark off your calendars! Details to follow in the coming days so stay tuned!
Blessings,
Pastor Darren