Southern California Assemblies of God

Youth/Next Gen

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

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My Good Friends:

No one believes in teenage students more than Lecia and I do. August will mark 30 years for us being involved in youth ministries, (24 in this great position!) We don’t always know when God is going to move powerfully in someone’s life, but there are times, even months of the year when we anticipate God is going to definitely show up. These next two months are definitely going to be life-changing if not world changing. Let me tell you about three events coming up in the next 33 days.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Now you might think this event is not life-changing, but it is. All of our “kids” have God-given talents and abilities. We have the privilege of helping hone these skills. On May 11th and 12th we head back to Vanguard University to help encourage students in their level of expertise, and even send some on to Nationals in August. If you had a chance to go to District Council, you saw two very different categories but equally amazing set of skills in our students. Christian Lucas from Bakersfield Brimhall presented a vocal solo. The next night we witnessed talent in the form of the non-traditional percussion group from El Centro 1st Assembly and they were incredible! These are just a few of the many categories students can grow in; preaching, singing, drama, art, and writing-just to name a few. Life-changing - you bet! An opportunity to prepare and be coached to a life-long usage of these talents for God’s glory!

SPEED-THE-LIGHT
May 20th we have our annual “JUST ONE DAY” fund-raising event all over Southern California. We ask our churches to take an offering for STL or place out for the congregation the $1.00-$50.00 envelopes that we will create for you. That equals $1,200.00 given in approximately ten minutes if all envelopes are taken! If everyone who calls an Assembly of God church their home would just give $20.00 on this day-we would give 1.5 million dollars to our great missionary heroes. Talk about world-changing! This year we must help-Brian Snider, Japan; Mark Devine, Colombia; Winston Bui, Chi Alpha; Gilbert Contreras, Argentina; and more. Thank you for your participation in “JUST ONE DAY” - May 20!

HIGH SCHOOL ONE DAY
Finally for this month, this is the year we really get specific about our ministry to Junior High/Middle School students and High School Students. On June 2nd we head for Cornerstone Church in Fountain Valley for our first High School One Day. From 10-1:00 we will bring in the High School guys for brunch and have Craig Gross founder of XXX Church as our special guest speaker! Craig will help the guys in their battle with pornography and give them practical tools to help them stay pure in this culture. At night Cornerstone will be turned into a banquet hall for the High School ladies as they are taught that they deserve to be respected by men and this culture. They certainly are respected by our God! The cost is only $10.00 per person for this event. No doubt about it-June 2nd will be a life-changing day! That’s it for this month. Next month will talk about two more life-changing events for students-mission trips and summer camp!

You are loved and greatly appreciated,

Drew Smithson
Director

Drew Smithson has been serving the youth of Southern California in ministry for over 26 years. He has had the opportunity to youth pastor three different congregations and currently fills the position of Youth Director for the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God. Drew is responsible for Youth Ministries & Next Gen Ministries....