We unveiled our new name as a student ministry last night! The students were excited about the meaning and direction of “Refuge!”

Here is a snapshot of our vision!

“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.” Psalm 62:7

Refuge means…a safe place, act of turning to for assistance or security, a shelter from danger or hardship

The Refuge mission is to…Lead students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ

Our Strategy:

1. Believe – Students surrendering their lives to Jesus alone for salvation (Love God)

Environment of…

- Gospel – Students learning how to live and share the gospel
- Love – Motivated by God’s love to SHOW love to everyone

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

2. Belong – Students finding community and encouragement through Christ-like relationships. (Love Each Other)

Environment of…

- Acceptance – Every student is be accepted
- Hope – Relationships built on hope

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:2

3. Become – Students becoming like Christ through serving (Serve the World)

Environment of…

- Leaders – Students leading students to find refuge in God
- Obedience – Students obeying God’s authority

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Three questions to continually ask:

1. Have you SURRENDERED your life to Christ?
2. Are you building Christ-like RELATIONSHIPS with others?
3. What are you doing to become like Christ through serving?

In Daniel 6:10, He prayed three times a day and continued in that openly knowing that it could cost him his life. Daniel’s integrity was the foremost key to his ministry. Daniel’s life showed integrity even when he was a young man in the king’s palace. He abstained from the delicacies and showed that his integrity was making the small choices. The only way integrity can be upheld is making small decisions each day to surrender fully to God.

Integrity is not built up overnight, and many times the person has to grow and learn what it takes to be a leader. Daniel later on in life, continued following the Lord even when a law was made to worship only the king. King Darius knew of Daniel’s faith and that when Daniel was cast to the lion’s, God would protect him through it all. The end result of Daniel’s integrity is that God was glorified. At times a leader will have to take a stand on a controversial subject, and with the Bible as the basis, that leader can effectively stand strong. The importance of integrity is monumental to a lifelong passion to love God, love others, and serve the world.

• I videoed three college/graduate age friends for baptism videos. My church shoots a video prior to each person’s baptism where they share their story of how they came to know Christ! It is awesome to see.
• Our Family Lake trip was a lot of fun! It was a great day to kick back and relax with the students and their families.
• Big changes in store for the church – I will unveil the changes this next week!
• I really enjoyed the CORE student leadership team meeting on Sunday afternoon. It blesses my life to see students step up and lead. Our “Back to School” Lock in will be student led (student sharing gospel, leading worship, planned activities).
• We are adding new small groups this fall!
• I’m excited about the leaders that have just committed to becoming small group leaders and co-leaders.
• I am halfway through my 8 week classes at seminary. My prayer is that I’ll finish this Fall (and still not go crazy from all the work)
• Praying for Tim and Emily Flowers – they are at the hospital waiting for Julia to be born
• We are revamping the student area – if you have any ideas or resources for a coffee shop look, please let me know!?