Feeling Like a Kid Again...

I'm counting down every day! We only have 11 more days until.....

MOMENTUM!!!!!!!!!

I'm super pumped about the whole thing. I feel it is going to be an awesome experience not only for you, the student, but also for the leaders, staff, and others involved. In case you didn't knwo, I will be leading a seminar on Leadership at the Conference. I'm super pumped for that as well. As a salute to the 11 days left, I give you "My Top 11 Momentum Things" (Great title, I know ;) )

11. Meeting other Youth Pastors from different GBC churches.

10. Reliving the idea of staying in crappy dorms.

9. The adventure ride just to get there.

8. The food.

7. Being able to serve in the local communities.

6. Getting paid for a week to have fun!

5. Francis Chan (Gotta love a bald-asian-american)

4. Break-Out Sessions

3. NAC Competitions

2. The whole worship experience.

1. Hanging out with homeboys and homegirls from the youth group!!!

These are just a few, but there are so many more. Give me some of your feedback. What are your Top 5 things you LOVE about Momentum.

Arianna & OB

Hey Everyone!

I've noticed that people have started reading this little diddy and so I thought I'd help you out a little bit. If you haven't been keeping up, it sounds like Arianna and her group are having a great time. It's exciting to see what their particular OB group is doing. I will be hanging this information up in the youth room wall, but in case you are at home and want to write Arianna a letter, here is where she will be and where you can send your notes, cards, etc.

June 23-26

Momentum West

Send to:

Norwalk GBC

11005 Foster Rd.

Norwalk, CA 90650

June 28-29

San Diego GBC

3455 Atlas Street

San Diego, CA 92111

July 2-3

Pine Acres Church

1321 Lark Street

Weatherford, OK 73096

July 4-6

Grace Brethren of Portis

PO Box 629

Portis, KS 67474

July 9-11

Winona Lake GBC

1200 Kings Highway

Winona Lake, IN 46590

July 12-14

Osceola GBC

58343 Apple Road

Osceola, IN 46561

July 17-19

Crossroads Community

15180 Gates Street

Doylestown, OH 44230

July 27-28

Southwest Chapel

3989 Neff Road

Grove City, OH 43123

These are all the dates. You will notice that some dates are missing. This is because Arianna's team may only be on a short visit at a stop so they will not be expecting any mail. Also, there is a huge gap in July...that's because we will see her at MOMENTUM!!!! Woot woot!

You can always check back on the blog for this information even if i post another blog...

SUMMER!!!!

It's that time of year. It's a time where you are at Rita's every day of the week just to cool off with a refreshing italian ice. It's a time when you go to Wendy's to get a chocolate frosty. It's a time when any time you can get to a pool, you put the pedal to the metal to hop in that sucker.

Finally...It's a time when IMITATE GOES CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight is the start of our Summer Programming...

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday we will be having a themed night at Imitate. Here's the lineup:

June 18 (Tonight): Favorite Team Jersey Night

July 2: Most Patrioticly Dressed

July 16: Hawaiian Night (Bring a Bathing Suit...WATER NIGHT)

August 6: Twin Night

August 20: Crazy Hair Night

Now some of these may sound stupid, but understand that with the exception of June 18 a gift card to Rita's will be given for next 4 nights. So don't be shy and come out and dress up!

Congrats Class of 2008

Well, it has been way too long since I posted and it's about time I did.

Last evening, I had the awesome honor (thanks to the Shaffer's) of attending Garden Spot High School's Graduation Ceremony. It brought back many memories of my own, but it was just awesome to see everyone that has been involved in our church move on, walk over the stage to the next steps in their lives.

I couldn't have been any prouder of all of the graduates no matter if they were at the ceremony last evening or have graduated from home schooling. It's always great to see everyone's smiling faces as the Principal of the High School said the words, "I now introduce to you the Class of 2008". The caps flews, the screams were loud, and the hugs were given as the teenagers were ready to take the next step of their lives.

I would like to take the time in this post to personally thank all the graduates that have ever set foot at Imitate Student Ministry. These are in no specific order:

Arianna Shaffer - Thank you so much for always trying your best to make youth group. You have been a tremendous person and I know you will go far, as long as you stay away from the Ms. Hannegan lifestyle :)

Carly Witwer - Thank you so much for coming to EVERY event, helping out whenever needed and giving input when I needed it. Thank you also for taking the time to share Christ with your friends as well!

Lauren Schlegel - First, thanks so much for not going to dance and coming to youth group instead! Hahhaha...You've been a joy to have in the youth group and I really appreciate your cheeriness and happiness all the time. I'm very proud of the strides you've made in these past couple of months.

Ryan Hoerr - Ryan, you may be quiet, but I can't count how many times you have helped me in certain situations whether it be sound or audio questions, or even the times when I had computer problems. You are very gifted and talented young man and I am very proud of you!

Jackie Birkness - While I haven't gotten to know you all that well, I really appreciate your music ministry in the church. You seem like you have a lot going on, but you always seem to keep God first. I'm very proud of you and and all of your accomplishments.

Amy Mimm - Thanks for all your help when I first came to the youth group in helping me get acclamated to the church and the youth group. I am very proud of you as well! Congratulations!

Justin Wann - Thanks so much for making an extra effort to get to Sunday School every Sunday morning. You have been a joy to have around and I really appreciate your willingness to ask if I need help in anything that needs to be done.

Biancha Krantzley - First of all, I hope I spelled that right. I am super proud of you B! You have pushed through one of the things you hate most, school, and are now are on your way to college, the first in your family! I know you haven't been able to make it for a while, but my prayer is that you have found a home here at our church and can come to us anytime you need to for anything! I'm SUPER proud of you!

Being of the male gender, I know I probably forgot someone on this list. If I have forgotten you, PLEASE yell at me super loud! I won't be offended.

I wish all of you the best of luck in your life ahead and I pray that God would still be a BIG part of it.

Congratulations Class of 2008!

Dream Possibly Come True....

So, ever since I was a kid I loved to read. I loved reading all sorts of books. Then came the teenage years, and reading started to diminsh. I hated reading. Wasn't a big fan at all. Then came college and stuff that I had to read wasn't so bad, mainly because I was interested in the subject at hand.

Even though I had that period of time where I hated to read, I've always wanted to write and publish a book. It's been on my heart for a while, and I've never really taken the steps to go about it.

Then all of a sudden I read an article about one of our Fellowship's Pastors, Kary Oberbrunner, writing a couple of books. I thought to myself, "He's young and a great guy". So after thinking about it more and more, I've come to the realization that it certainly wouldn't hurt to at least write something and submit it for publishing, would it?

So, friends, I ask you your opinion....Think About It! Give me your honest answer...

Should I or shouldn't I write a book?

Leave comments with your answer!

Leadership Learnings...

On Sunday mornings in Sunday School, we've been looking at this guy, Nehemiah. I'm amazed that only 2 chapters in you find amazing insights to leadership. As part of my studying, I'm always looking at multiple commentaries, word studies, etc. In one of my favorite commentaries a segment is highlighted about a guy who came up with 21 characteristics from the first 2 chapters in Nehemiah. Here they are:

1. He established a reasonable and attainable goal

2. He had a sense of mission

3. He was willing to get involved

4. He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal

5. He patiently waited for God's timing

6. He showed respect to his superior

7. He prayed at crucial times

8. He made his request with tact and graciousness

9. He was well prepared and though of his needs in advance

10. He went through proper channels

11. He took time to rest, pray, and plan

12. He investigated the situation first-hand

13. He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem

14. He identified himself as one with the people

15. He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal

16. He assured them God was in the project

17. He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles

18. He displayed God's confidence in facing obstacles

19. He did not argue with opponents

20. He was not discouraged by opposition

21. He courageously used the authority of his position

Amazing stuff. Think about it! This guy was a leader among leaders and did incredible things!

What a Weekend!

The title says it all..."What a Weekend!"

Imitate Student Ministries had their first annual Spring Retreat this past weekend (April 25-27) at Camp Andrews. It was a great time for the teens to just let loose and have fun while learning about God's word through 4 sessions. Highlights of the weekend included:

• The speaker and worship band


• Ultimate Frisbee (Until poor Carly got hurt)


• The Climbing Wall Room


• The Food


• The Cave


• The Campfire


• And many more things!

The camp was great and very accomodating and if you ask any of the teens who went along, it was a very uplifting, relaxing, fun time away from the business of the end-of-the-school-year hustle and bustle.

Above you'll see our group picture. Anyone that went to the retreat is more than welcome to share anything you liked about the retreat!