Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
The Summer has come to an end, but the memories of what God has done in your lives and the evidence of his work in you will forever be with you. Students, allow God to use you for his glory at school this year. Here is a video reminder of your amazing Summer ’08. Everywhere we go…may people see Jesus in us.
It’s that time again. Time to start something new. Tomorrow morning is the first day of the new school year and I know all of our students and parents face it with a mix of excitement an apprehension. I used to love the first day of school. It was a time to start fresh. No matter how things ended the previous year. A new school year was a time for me to have a fresh book bag full of blank notebooks with the hopes of learning all new things and seeing all my friends.
As you head to school in the morning – face it with excitement of all that is new about it and see it as a fresh and new opportunity to learn, grow and connect with friends. Use those connections to bring glory to God and to share with your friends about your faith.
Within the Youth Ministry of the Church we’re also starting something new. In a few weeks (September 10th) we will start a contemporary worship service for youth. It will be called “Ignite” (from the Poland Mission Trip Theme). It will be held each Wednesday night in the Youth Room at 7pm. The band, led by Holly Bannan will lead the worship and I will be bringing the message. A variety of students will also be sharing testimonies, doing skits, greeting at the door, and serving snacks. It’s a new an exciting way to get your friends connected at Morningside and most importantly give them the opportunity to hear and respond to the message of the Gospel of Christ. So, don’t miss the launch of Ignite on Wednesday, September 10th.
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.
Nathan Neighbors 