We’re back from our final youth trip of the summer and it was great. We went for two days to a camp run by White Water Express in Tennessee for a mini-retreat. The students had the opportunity to horseback ride, play paintball, swim in the “blue holes” of the Ocoee river as well as raft the Nantahala river. It was a wonderful time with the 36 folks we took and a wonderful way to wrap up Summer 2008. Other than a few mishaps (like Mary Ellen breaking her toe and Coleman getting left for about 20 minutes at the camp) it was a great experience. But, I guess it wouldn’t be a normal youth trip for me without a midnight run to the emergency room. If you’re ever in Copper Hill, TN – there’s a great little hospital with almost no wait when you go in the middle of the night.

Students, I hope you’ve had a great summer and I hope that as you go back to school you remember all the things that God has taught you. As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:20, “guard what has been entrusted to your care.” Guard your hearts and make a Kingdom impact on Spartan High, Dorman, Boiling Springs, and all of their feeder junior high schools. “Set the world on fire…and may a passion for his name burn deep inside of you.”  I look forward to see all the Lord has in store for us this Fall.