Surviving the All- Night Church Lock-In (Barely)

Is there anything better than being locked-in with your youth group and youth leaders?

So you think you can handle an all night church lock-in? We did it and we’re here to tell the tale (with a few photos to prove it).

First off, let’s talk snacks- so. many. many. snacks. Seriously, it was like a buffet of chips, cookies, sugary drinks and cookies to fuel the all-night craziness.

The night kicked off with some serious basketball and volleyball action. Followed by a scavenger hunt, bracelet making and some crazy competitive Peanut Butter card games (you would’ve had to have been there). As the night went on the energy didn’t die down - There is something about being half awake at 2am, surrounded by your church fam to make for a perfect night.

Fall Gathering

The young adults and children’s classes enjoyed a fun-filled, fall day at the Jeffcoat’s home. The afternoon was filled with fellowship, seasonal treats, hayrides and laughter. Everyone enjoyed the special time of connection and togetherness in the spirit of faith and friendship. - A big thank you goes out to the Jeffcoats’s for being amazing hosts.

Sunday-Funday!!!!

Our church van finally got to leave the awning after over a year of waiting impatiently to go on an outing. “Big Whitey -Van” got more than she bargained for when we filled her all the way up and had to take along more cars just to fit everyone! The energy and excitement from these kiddos is undeniable. It feels good to GO AGAIN!

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We are looking forward to what God is doing in our middlers class and youth group. Continue to help us pray for growth in numbers but most especially, for spiritual growth. We pray that God will minister through our adult teachers to help raise up a new generation that will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

NEW and NOW 2021!

What a time we have had getting back into the swing of Sunday evening classes! There is so much energy and excitement. After a year of bottled up interactions, the Ignite Youth Group is eager for what God has in store for 2021!

Christmas Party Extravaganza!

The more the MERRIER! This year Sister Sandy’s Pre-Youth class joined the Ignite Youth Class at Triple D Ranch for the annual Christmas party! Bonfire, hot cocoa, hayride, good food, and games are among the list of favorite things to anticipate at each year’s Christmas party. This year, we decided to add an EPIC LASER TAG WAR to the festivities. What a blast we had chasing after each other in the dark of night! I wouldn’t say that “All was calm,”… but all was definitely “bright” as laser guns lit up the grounds of Triple D. Who needs Christmas lights when you have laser gun lights!!!!!

Add laser tag to the annual list of Christmas party “must haves”!

Triple D Youth Retreat Weekend

Upon arrival on Friday evening, we wasted no time at all before talk began about the epic hide-and-seek game we had all been anticipating. This time Joe suggested we wait until dark and play “Manhunt”. It’s a spin off of hide and seek. The person who is “it” seeks out each player and as players are found they must join up with “it” to find everyone until all players are found.

Saturday right after breakfast we heading down to the pond to check it out. “Muddy” you say? Nope, that didn’t stop em’! All sorts of tricks and flips were happening off the zip-line as each one bailed off into the murky abyss. After our mid-morning mud baths we decided to clean it up and all head for the pool. Some spent most of the day swimming while others dueled it out over some intense games of Spike ball and cards. As evening approached, (some) decided to wash up and head for the showers, while others may or may not have considered themselves clean enough after taking a dip in the pool…don’t judge, we were at camp…give us a break! Chow down on spaghetti, find your Bible and get a seat for service! Brother Matt brought the word. The message was simple and powerful, John 3:16 and the breakdown of what the scripture really means. God got in it as Brother Matt and Brother Bobby prayed for each one’s individual needs. Service was fantastic and it was a refreshing renewal for all. The evening just kept on going… after service the cards came out again and so did the snacks! Can I get a cough.. cough… gag… gag…uhhh hem…. ah choooooo…. those were the sounds that could be heard as we chowed down on some popcorn covered in Tony’s Chachcere’s! It was a combo of torture and deliciousness….

Sunday morning came all too soon. We dragged in to breakfast puffy and tired. Sadly it was coming to an end. We spent some time together as we shared a devotional and sipped on two full pots of coffee before making it back to the church for Sunday morning service. Thanks Brother Troy for coming to pick us up!

Ragball and Tacos!

There’s nothing like a game of ragball with good friends…in a field… on a hot day! With a mix of young and old, well…oldER…we won’t call ourselves old, even if we did have a few pulled hamstrings along with lots of “Ouch” and “Ohs”, it was a GREAT day! Truly what could be better than CHURCH followed by TACOS and a game of RAGBALL?!!! I say ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

ZipNac

ZIP NAC PADDY WACK... we can't wait to go back! 

This was our second trip to ZipNac, which is located in Nacogdoches and again, we were not disappointed. I am learning more and more about what teens truly find entertaining and worth while. For the most part, you can get a young adult to admit that they can be entertained by social media, a good T.V. show or a video game. But aside from technology and all it has to offer, I am learning that teens really just want to experience sheer terror! Everyone is onboard if the activity involves anything dangerous, risky or possibly life threatening! So we do what any good youth leaders would do...."Give the people what they want!" 

   As we approached the first zip course, I expected to see uncertainty and fear on their faces. Ha! I watched as they harnessed in and got ready to step off the edge of the platform in complete confidence that the pulley system would just sail them across to the other side. By the last course, most were 'straight up' daring as they got a running start and leapt off ! No one can deny that our group has FAITH! 

The good news is that we all made it through the course with no injuries (or casualties)...just GREAT MEMORIES! And thanks to our bus driver, accomplice in all things crazy-fun and daring brother in Christ, Tracy Smith, we were treated to CiCi's ALL YOU CAN EAT pizza! 

Until our next adventure...did someone say skydiving!!!!! YIKES