Because of YOU…………….

YOUTH PASSPORT

Christian servant event: one week of Christian fellowship, devotions, Bible study, service to others and fun.

special thanks to Pastor Paul. Get involved: Youth Ministries or Stewardship PHONE 919.787.1815

Dear Grace Family,

Thank you so much for supporting our youth group in our trip to Florida! We all had a great time and I think we each learned something about God and about each other. During the week at Passport, I learned about how important it is to make Jesus the center of your life. I learned that when you focus on Jesus you become closer to Him and become more like him. I learned about Jesus’ magnetic love and how people see the love of Christ in me and in other Christians. This became especially clear to me at my work site where I worked with kids ranging in ages from four to fourteen. These kids came from very

harsh backgrounds, very different from most of the campers, but they freely interacted with us, and from their smiles and bright eyes, I know that they saw Jesus in us and through us.

My favorite part was youth group devotions every night. That’s where I got into really in-depth conversations and where I learned the most about God and about my friends.

Once again, thank you so much for your prayers and support! We really appreciate it.

Love in Christ,

Dena

Hi,

My name is Jason and last week I had the joy of attending the Passport retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the six other members of our youth group. I would like to take this chance to tell you a little of what the retreat was and what it meant to me.

I had many reasons for going to Passport. There were the mission trips in which we would help out in the community of Daytona Beach and show our Christian love to others. Then of curse there was the fact it was at DAYTONA BEACH!!!! With such awesome people in our youth group and such a cool location we were guaranteed to have a great time. This trip also gave me a chance to meet other Christians from all around the country, which is

always a joy. Finally, and most importantly, Passport was an opportunity to grow in my faith and that was the heart of the retreat.

The trip down to Daytona was an adventure in itself. Playing card games, telling funny stories and generally goofing off made the trip pass by quickly. Somewhere in South Carolina, I believe, we had to stop because a power line had broken. We didn’t know why we were stopped so we all speculated what had happened. All we could see were police cars. Was there a prison escape? Was it a showdown with a bank robber? Maybe a 500-pound grizzly bear had escaped from the zoo and they had to catch it. Well actually a power line was down. Oh well, that was exciting too. We stayed nourished by the awesome snacks provided by our loving Grace family so let me say THANK YOU!

When we arrived in Daytona we got settled in and prepared for a night of worship. The worship was full of contemporary music and was a very, very powerful experience. Every night we had a different verse which would be the theme of the evening.

We met our Bible study groups that we would meet for the rest of the week and study and discuss the Word and what I means to us.

Our Bible study groups were kept lively with goofy games and activities. But beyond those there was serious time spent reflecting on God’s word which was very meaningful for me. We were encouraged to use our spare time to get our “quiet time” for the day by using the devotions provided in our Passports. After Bible study we went off to our mission sites.

My site was an apartment complex that was occupied by residents who couldn’t afford to give their children many chances to have fun. So we brought balls, Frisbees, puzzles, face paint, and plenty of toys. It was very rewarding to see how happy the children were when we took time to have fun with them.

Finally there was the fun stuff. One day we took part in “ARMAGOODEM” which was an event full of activities which were messy, wet, and incredibly fun. There was also a dance where everybody showed off their moves.

People dressed up like they were from the future and awards were given to the best dressed. Next there was, of course, a day a beautiful Daytona Beach. The sand was white; the water was cool and clear. I assure you good times were had by all. Some of the youth group competed in the basketball competition and made it to the finals before being eliminated. Lauren Holmes also competed in the volleyball tournament and was part of the winning team.

What I got out of the weekend was really what made the trip important to me. Through our Bible studies and “quiet times” I developed a desire t read and think about God’s word more. I have been reading the Bible constantly now and find it has made my faith life grow uncontrollably. This is the basis of my relationship with God now…reading and listening for God in my life. It has improved my life in every aspect and so I am so thankful I went and that the church supported me.

Love and sincere thanks,

Jason

What I brought back with me from Passport

I brought back the happiness I got from helping little kids at the Salvation Army and finding out how one person can make a difference in their day. That made me think of how Jesus can make a difference in their whole life instead of just four days. Passport also made my faith stronger. And let me connect with new people and find out new things about people that I knew from church.

John

My week at Passport was a very eventful and memorable time for me. Every morning began with individual morning devotions, which I found to be very helpful in focusing myself for the day ahead. After devotions the entire camp came together for a morning celebration, the campers all broke up into their Bible study groups. Your Bible study group was also the group which you would do your missions with later in the day. After Bible study each group load up and head out for their mission site. Missions ranged from house painting to playing with young children. After mission work all of the campers arrived back at the dorms for free time. Free time offered many options for activities. The activities included swimming, volleyball, basketball, and seminars. The seminars were on anything from sign language to interpretive dance. Once free time was over, all of the campers had dinner, which was followed up by an evening worship service. The worship services were awesome and very inspirational. After worship there was a nightly party. The parties were a time to let loose and just have fun. The night was capped off by church group devotions. As you can see, our days were very long, but very powerful.

The week helped me on many levels, but mainly the week helped me to focus on my relationship with God. The week reminded me that God should always be at the center of my life and when he isn’t then there is definitely something wrong. I also received a great gift while in Florida. While working at my mission site I was able to see the love of God at work. Looking back on the week I am very glad that I was able to be part of it. The week definitely brought me closer to God and all of the members of my youth group. I learned a lot of great things from all of the people around me. Taking everything into account Passport was definitely a great week of fellowship and fun!

Kim

Matt. 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and by burden is light.” At Passport I learned of God’s House of Love. In this house on could find Renewal in the Attic. We could renew our spirits, renew the Spirit inside of us, and rely on Christ to forgive our misdoing and sins when they are lifted up to him. I was reminded in this lesson that even when we accept Christ into our lives and enter into his house we still sin daily. We need to confess our sins to Him and ask forgiveness and daily renewal.

1 Cor 3:11 says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Again in the House of Love there is a foundation. My interpretation of this lesson is that without Christ being the number 1 reason that I am committed to God and the Church, my commitment is a false commitment. Christ as your foundation begins a Church relationship and the relationship with God. Mission projects and Youth Group summer trips are a tool to bring me back on track with what God want for my life. I am able to re-evaluate my life in Christ Jesus and figure out what I need to do to get back on track.

Lauren

Stewardship Ministry