Yesterday Gina and I went to the Kentucky State Fair. That isn’t unusual, we have tried to make it an annual event every time we have lived in the Louisville area. We like looking at the farm animals, seeing the teens get excited about showing their prize cows and sheep and looking at the blue ribbon displays. I could spend hours just browsing the exhibit hall.
We chose to go yesterday so we could see one of the free concerts. I am not sure how it is free when we paid $8 a piece to get in and another $8 to park. But that is a different story. Yesterday the Kentucky Headhunters and Charlie Daniels were in concert. I know my Bullitt County Redneckness is showing through, but hey it’s what I like.
Charlie Daniels at the Kentucy State Fair
While there as part of the crowd of several thousand people, I noticed the concert goers were for the most part having a grand time. The cigarette smoke was flying, the beer was everywhere and sleeveless shirts must of been the official dress code of the day. People were dancing and singing and laughing. But in the midst of this God just overwhelmed me with the lostness of the people around us.
I wondered who was making an effort to reach these people? Tto tell them the redemtive story of Jesus and how their lives can be more than good music and good times?
I was impressed that Charlie Daniels had changed some to the lyrics of his songs, taking out cuss words and drug paraphernalia references. (A fact that seemed oblivious to most in the crowd who just sang the old lyrics). He also boldly claimed his love for Jesus and lead the crowd in singing “Amazing Grace”. But even in that I wondered about the effectiveness of an entertainer on stage singing about his love of God in a sea of mostly buzzed concert goers. Holding up their flaming lighters seemed the best they knew how to do to during this part of his set.
But who is building relationships with those in our communities who desperately need to hear the gospel? Who is willing to step outside the cloistered Christian community to build relationships with them?
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Some Back to School Preparations
It’s back to school time and youth ministers all across the state are counting down the days until they can get a nap. But before then, there is still time for some great opportunities to prepare your students for the upcoming year and reach out one more time to your community.
Several churches are providing backpacks full of school supplies for children in the community. A quick call to the school can get you a list of school supplies needed by the students. You can put them in the backpack and then distribute them to the families in your community. Distribution can either be done by the schools’ family resource centers or at the church in some kind of back to school bash. And that is just what Second Baptist Church in Hopkinsville is doing. Chuck Poe is the youth minister there and they are currently passing out fliers in the community to inform families of their back to school bash. Families that come will get a back pack with school supplies and a new testament. There will also be inflatable games and food for the families that attend.
Chris Bumbalough, youth minister at Allen Baptist Church in Allen Kentucky uses this time to help get their students ready for the upcoming school year. Bumbalough says, “I normally have a back to school cookout just to get everyone together and have a short talk on ‘Don’t waste this year’, and about using their influence at school for Christ.” Our “studies change”, he continues, “but I normally hit on the spiritual disciplines to get them back into spiritual shape and routine.”
Cindy Long, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Princeton says, “Having just come off that amazing summer trip we immediately have gone into the Bible Study Experiencing God, and as they head back to school” we “just want their faith to be well-grounded”. Long continues, “I am planning a “back-to-school” bash (might do it as a lock-in) haven’t decided for sure”.
First Baptist Princeton also is planning some events to reach out to their community during the school year. Long said, “We have just recently opened our new Christian Life Center (it has a full size gym); we have an adult Sunday School class who has agreed to come along side our youth and we are going to do after football game events (with devotions, food, fun, etc.) and open it to the community/school kids”.
In Trigg County, the Little River Association, where Carl Heckmann serves as the association’s youth director, several churches come together for a back to school retreat. Heckmann, who also serves as the youth minister at East Cadiz Baptist Church reports, “From a Little River Baptist Associational point of view, we are once again taking our youth to a place close to our Director of Missions (Bro. Mike Rust) heart and one of the best keep secrets in Kentucky —Hillcrest Baptist Camp, near Cave In Rock Illinois. We have over 90 students and adults attending, representing 7 Churches. Bro. Bill Fort of First Baptist Church of Richmond KY (and Trigg County native) is the Camp Evangelist and the Group “Seven” will lead in worship.
This year, Heckmann continues, “the theme of the Camp, as in most years, is specific to the upcoming School Year. In fact, this year is “Preparing Our Youth for the Challenges of the 2010-11 School Year”. In addition to the messages and emphasis on issues important to our youth as they embark on another year, Hillcrest’s beautiful but isolated setting allows for optimum interaction between students who get to know and appreciate each other as Christians –not just students. Hillcrest has led to relationships between students which have lasted the entire school year and been the catalyst for other ministry and outreach endeavors.”
He continued, “Hillcrest is a real bargain at $11 per camper for the weekend and is unbelievable underutilized. We actually leave in the morning and will stay until Sunday Afternoon, leaving in time to return and share with home churches in the evening service.”