Before the start of our game at Sewickley Academy
A Saturday Practice
We are the team in blue
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Crazy Spring Part III - Lacrosse
Ambridge Area Lacrosse started this spring. It has been a fun spring as 14 middle school aged boys have had the chance to learn lacrosse. The Ambridge Area team is the first boys team in Beaver County and played its first game against Moon on April 20th. We have yet to get our first win but our youth are having a great time and are seeing God glorified in sports. Here are some pictures from our first season...thanks Christina
Before the start of our game at Sewickley Academy
A Saturday Practice
We are the team in blue
Before the start of our game at Sewickley Academy
A Saturday Practice
We are the team in blue
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Crazy Spring Part II - Youth Alpha
Alpha is a program developed by Nicky Gumbel, in which basic Christianity is broken down into 14 or so sessions. In Alpha, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are discussed as well as faith, the church, the Bible and the devil. The program has been used all over the world and I have personally have participated in it several times. Church of the Savior where Shea and I attend decided to start a Alpha program this spring and in it a youth Alpha program as well.
Our leadership team has worked with youth who come from all different backgrounds this spring. We have had youth who attended church or church related activities several times a week to youth who don't attend church at all. My favorite story from the past several months is this one...
For one of our sessions we were going to talk about the Holy Spirit, what it is, where it came from etc. We (the leaders) met right before the session and we were a bit concerned that the youth did not know who exactly Jesus was and know Him as their Savior. So, instead of talking to the youth about the Holy Spirit, we spent the whole session talking to the youth about Jesus and answering questions about Him. We talked about Jesus' life and why He had to come, why we needed Him and how He can be a part of our lives. It was an awesome experience and I hope that one day when the youth look back on that day they will remember the things we talked about and how their relationship with Jesus started that day or was accelerated.
Our leadership team has worked with youth who come from all different backgrounds this spring. We have had youth who attended church or church related activities several times a week to youth who don't attend church at all. My favorite story from the past several months is this one...
For one of our sessions we were going to talk about the Holy Spirit, what it is, where it came from etc. We (the leaders) met right before the session and we were a bit concerned that the youth did not know who exactly Jesus was and know Him as their Savior. So, instead of talking to the youth about the Holy Spirit, we spent the whole session talking to the youth about Jesus and answering questions about Him. We talked about Jesus' life and why He had to come, why we needed Him and how He can be a part of our lives. It was an awesome experience and I hope that one day when the youth look back on that day they will remember the things we talked about and how their relationship with Jesus started that day or was accelerated.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Crazy Spring Part I - New Wineskins
Over the next few post I am going to try and update you on our "Crazy Spring", God has given us lots of responsibilities over the past few months, one was the New Wineskins Conference.
New Wineskins is a conference that happens every three years that invites people into a conversation about Christian missions. Ambridge Youth Ignite led the middle school portion of the event. We had a great time with the youth, we talked about loving God, loving our neighbors, loving other Christians and being sent out into the world. Also called the four commandments by this man, Whis Hays. We did two things really stand out, first we created tye dye t-shirts for youth in a specific foster care system (loving our neighbors) and we also made mosaics from broken tile on which we wrote our sins against our fellow Christians (loving other Christians). It was really fun and the youth got into what we were teaching. Toward the end of the weekend, several of the youth were praying for the salvation of their friends back home. They were inspiring me.
I am thankful for the youth that attended and for Sadie and Shea who served the youth along with me.
New Wineskins is a conference that happens every three years that invites people into a conversation about Christian missions. Ambridge Youth Ignite led the middle school portion of the event. We had a great time with the youth, we talked about loving God, loving our neighbors, loving other Christians and being sent out into the world. Also called the four commandments by this man, Whis Hays. We did two things really stand out, first we created tye dye t-shirts for youth in a specific foster care system (loving our neighbors) and we also made mosaics from broken tile on which we wrote our sins against our fellow Christians (loving other Christians). It was really fun and the youth got into what we were teaching. Toward the end of the weekend, several of the youth were praying for the salvation of their friends back home. They were inspiring me.
I am thankful for the youth that attended and for Sadie and Shea who served the youth along with me.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ambridge Lacrosse
Well it happened. This past week we had our first practice of lacrosse for our 5th - 8th grade team. It was a lot of fun getting out there and actually practicing. We have about 13 boys who are on the team and we'd love to have a few more, especially once we start playing games. A couple of crazy things have occurred to make this team happen. First off probably a year and half ago I was given 20 used lacrosse helmets from an anonymous donor, many of the youth on our team will wear these helmets. Secondly, the Ambridge Borough allowed us usage of field space. If you have ever been to Ambridge you'll notice there aren't very many grass areas to have a lacrosse practice on and thanks to the Borough we have one. Thirdly, the Ambridge Area School District allowed us to distribute flyers about the lacrosse team in all the elementary schools and the junior high, which gave us a team of youth whom many I have never met before. (This is surprising with the hundreds of youth we have had at sports & arts camp). Lastly and very importantly, one of the sports camp coaches from this past summer has volunteered to help me with coaching and he has a ton more playing experience than I do, which I am very grateful for. It has been great to see this all finally come together after years of attempts but there are still a few things we need...
an adequate goal, several sets of pads and a few smaller sized helmets. If you'd like to partner with us and be a part of our team you can donate lacrosse equipment or give financially. Please let me know if you'd like to help us out at ericgeisbert@rocktheworld.org.
By the way we are the Ambridge Warriors, Go Warriors! (the youth chose the name)
an adequate goal, several sets of pads and a few smaller sized helmets. If you'd like to partner with us and be a part of our team you can donate lacrosse equipment or give financially. Please let me know if you'd like to help us out at ericgeisbert@rocktheworld.org.
By the way we are the Ambridge Warriors, Go Warriors! (the youth chose the name)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ambridge Lacrosse
This weekend begins another adventure for Ambridge Youth Ignite. Since, Shea and I moved to Ambridge in 2006, I have hoped to create a lacrosse team here. It hasn't happened. However, this weekend is the start of our registration for the Ambridge Area Lacrosse Team. I am excited and nervous and also curious to see what happens. Let me tell you a little about why I think lacrosse could be an important addition to the ministry we have here in Ambridge.
First, lacrosse doesn't exist in Ambridge, it didn't exist in the county up until a few years ago and there is now one girls team near Beaver Falls (not near Ambridge).
Second, lacrosse is known as a privileged sport, as in people who have money or status or both play lacrosse. US Lacrosse is trying to break down that wall and I'd love to help them.
Third, we have had lacrosse for 5 summers of Ambridge Sports Camp and the youth love it, but they really can't play it outside of that one week of camp.
Fourth, I know that I can connect with youth and show them Christ through lacrosse.
Fifth, I believe in God who wants to be worshiped in all parts of our life, why not lacrosse?
Lacrosse for me and bringing it here to Ambridge, is like taking the sports & arts camp to Peru. In both, we want to give the youth something that they have never had...bring them joy through it...help them make new friends...connect with loving leaders...and connect with a God who loves them.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Final thoughts on Peru
“I never thought the camp would go this well"
Many times over the week of sports and arts camp at San Mateo Church in Lima, Peru, I thought, expressed and prayed thanksgivings that included these words. All week long I was in awe of the way God made a way for us to speak about Him through sports and arts in another culture. The youth were receptive to everything we put in front of them. They excelled at the arts portion of the camp and loved being exposed to sports like American football. The week in Lima went better than any week I have had leading sports and arts camp in Ambridge. It was truly amazing and our team hopes that we can be fire starters that helped begin a new youth ministry at San Mateo. Please pray for the youth and their leaders at San Mateo.
We have been back for several days now, the youth and the camp have never been far from my mind. As I pray for the youth and San Mateo, I can’t help wonder why in the world things went so well in Lima. With that I am praying about the possibility of starting sports and arts camps in other states and countries. If it works in Pennsylvania and Peru, why not Jordan and Mississippi or Michigan and Uganda? Pray for us as we seek God’s direction in this area. Pray also that God’s Kingdom will come and all the people of this world will know of his love, grace and that God desires to be in relationship with each of them.
My surprise that I have been waiting to tell you all about (you may have forgotten by now) was that we did a traditional Peruvian
dance our last day in Lima. We practiced after camp each day we were down there. A few of the practices were very difficult and taxing (I have a new respect for dancers). I hope to have the video up in a few days...its definitely something to see :).
Many times over the week of sports and arts camp at San Mateo Church in Lima, Peru, I thought, expressed and prayed thanksgivings that included these words. All week long I was in awe of the way God made a way for us to speak about Him through sports and arts in another culture. The youth were receptive to everything we put in front of them. They excelled at the arts portion of the camp and loved being exposed to sports like American football. The week in Lima went better than any week I have had leading sports and arts camp in Ambridge. It was truly amazing and our team hopes that we can be fire starters that helped begin a new youth ministry at San Mateo. Please pray for the youth and their leaders at San Mateo.
We have been back for several days now, the youth and the camp have never been far from my mind. As I pray for the youth and San Mateo, I can’t help wonder why in the world things went so well in Lima. With that I am praying about the possibility of starting sports and arts camps in other states and countries. If it works in Pennsylvania and Peru, why not Jordan and Mississippi or Michigan and Uganda? Pray for us as we seek God’s direction in this area. Pray also that God’s Kingdom will come and all the people of this world will know of his love, grace and that God desires to be in relationship with each of them.
My surprise that I have been waiting to tell you all about (you may have forgotten by now) was that we did a traditional Peruvian
dance our last day in Lima. We practiced after camp each day we were down there. A few of the practices were very difficult and taxing (I have a new respect for dancers). I hope to have the video up in a few days...its definitely something to see :).
Friday, January 29, 2010
Peru Trip from Jim's Perspective
Jim another member of our leadership team to Peru tells you about his experience.
As we left for the airport I was still wondering why God might be sending me on this trip. We arrived early in the morning and got to our very simple but beautiful hostel. Over the next couple of days we would go through orientation and preparation to do our work among the young people of Lima. There just seemed to be something in the air that was simple and beautiful. Many old structures and architecture they showed a great appreciation for the culture and history of this land.
Each day we drove through the poorer parts of Lima to get to our church of destination to do the work of playing sports and teaching art to young people. What I found was young people excited to play and create. They didn’t care if it was a traditional sport like Soccer or a brand new sport like American football. They just wanted to play and enjoy the game.
In the afternoon we would do art work and again it was less about the activity and more about the opportunity to create. God clearly showed his face through playing and creating in community. Sport and art surpassed all cultural barriers. God created humans to be in community. No matter the culture the need to belong is in all of us. For these five days that is what I saw. People who couldn’t even speak to each other clearly learning from each other, praying, playing, creating and eating together. Then closing each day with a message that shared how God is active in the lives of humans, both young and old.
For myself I was once again invigorated to do youth ministry, my prayer life and desire to pray with others came alive again. I spent much of my time saying little and discerning where and how God would want me to pray among these people. It has been a long time since I have felt such a clear direction in how and when to pray.
This trip also reminded me that no matter where we go in the world, young people and leaders of young people wrestle with the same issues. Many adults are stretched in different directions and that can make it hard to connect with the young people. Trying to get adults to see the depth of what a youth ministry can do in the hearts of young people can be difficult. And some young people may be apathetic in their spiritual lives or frustrated with adults not taking them seriously enough. But what God set before us this week was a beautiful group of young people who wanted to be together to play and create and both see and hear the message of God.
In this poor neighborhood where houses look like they are falling apart, where you can find garbage and litter in the streets, you will also find a brand new basketball court where games can be played. In the middle of this park many different people pass through, talking, walking buying a snack, smiles, looks of tiredness and worry. For one week 40 young people and a slew of adults played in this park and created art in the church. But mostly we shared lives with each other. People that couldn’t always verbally communicate, yet somehow got along to be in community in the name of Jesus. God is the God of all time and transcends all cultures, he has given all of us the need to play and create in community and to belong to something bigger than ourselves. We found a clear presence of God in this place. We found the God who weaves us all together in creative patterns. I found a new love of cultures, prayer and Christians.
As we left for the airport I was still wondering why God might be sending me on this trip. We arrived early in the morning and got to our very simple but beautiful hostel. Over the next couple of days we would go through orientation and preparation to do our work among the young people of Lima. There just seemed to be something in the air that was simple and beautiful. Many old structures and architecture they showed a great appreciation for the culture and history of this land.
Each day we drove through the poorer parts of Lima to get to our church of destination to do the work of playing sports and teaching art to young people. What I found was young people excited to play and create. They didn’t care if it was a traditional sport like Soccer or a brand new sport like American football. They just wanted to play and enjoy the game.
In the afternoon we would do art work and again it was less about the activity and more about the opportunity to create. God clearly showed his face through playing and creating in community. Sport and art surpassed all cultural barriers. God created humans to be in community. No matter the culture the need to belong is in all of us. For these five days that is what I saw. People who couldn’t even speak to each other clearly learning from each other, praying, playing, creating and eating together. Then closing each day with a message that shared how God is active in the lives of humans, both young and old.
For myself I was once again invigorated to do youth ministry, my prayer life and desire to pray with others came alive again. I spent much of my time saying little and discerning where and how God would want me to pray among these people. It has been a long time since I have felt such a clear direction in how and when to pray.
This trip also reminded me that no matter where we go in the world, young people and leaders of young people wrestle with the same issues. Many adults are stretched in different directions and that can make it hard to connect with the young people. Trying to get adults to see the depth of what a youth ministry can do in the hearts of young people can be difficult. And some young people may be apathetic in their spiritual lives or frustrated with adults not taking them seriously enough. But what God set before us this week was a beautiful group of young people who wanted to be together to play and create and both see and hear the message of God.
In this poor neighborhood where houses look like they are falling apart, where you can find garbage and litter in the streets, you will also find a brand new basketball court where games can be played. In the middle of this park many different people pass through, talking, walking buying a snack, smiles, looks of tiredness and worry. For one week 40 young people and a slew of adults played in this park and created art in the church. But mostly we shared lives with each other. People that couldn’t always verbally communicate, yet somehow got along to be in community in the name of Jesus. God is the God of all time and transcends all cultures, he has given all of us the need to play and create in community and to belong to something bigger than ourselves. We found a clear presence of God in this place. We found the God who weaves us all together in creative patterns. I found a new love of cultures, prayer and Christians.
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