2011 is off to an awesome start in the student ministry at Hillcrest. We have launched our new schedule and students are turning out in a big way to take part in this ever-growing community of disciples. Between our new FUSION gatherings and Life Groups we have had more first-time guests in the last two weeks than any single two-week period in all of 2010. We’ve also scheduled our first two baptisms of the year! There were nearly 100 middle school students in Life Groups this past Wednesday night and our high school students have already far exceeded our initial expectations for their Life Group involvement. Multiple mission and service projects are underway and more than 50 high school students are actively serving in various ministry settings around the church.
This momentum could be a great opportunity for us to back off the gas pedal and relax for a while, but I believe that now – more than ever – God is calling us to run head-long into the vision that He has led us into. We are in the process of hiring new student staff, making much-needed updates to our Pier student center, and penetrating deeper into school campuses than God has ever allowed us. Jace is popping up on campuses all over the area and our students are being empowered to take the gospel to everyone they interact with in their schools. Our prayer is that God would continue to pour out His favor over our church and our teenagers, and that we would remember what a privilege it is to be a part of His work.
One of the things that we are working hardest on right now is our preparation for DNow 2011, taking place February 25-27. Last year’s DNow weekend saw nearly 200 students make a LOT of noise for Jesus. There were multiple salvations, baptisms, commitments, and callings. We know that this year will not only bring the same harvest, but that it is going to be NEXT LEVEL stuff. Our friend John Mark Harrison will be joining us to bring God’s Word in a big way and Ben Kimsal is fronting the best band in town to lead us in our worship music all weekend.
If you haven’t registered yet there’s still time. The cost is only $50 for the entire weekend and that includes everything (food, lodging, and fun) from 5:00 Friday to Noon on Sunday. All we need from you is a $10 deposit and a completed registration form to get you signed up today. Forms are available all over the church OR you can click here and download one yourself. For that matter, why don’t you print 4 or 5 and sign up some friends to bring with you. They can be turned in to Joyce, David, or Jace in the church office.
Our 2nd annual DNow Dodgeball Tournament is going to be worth the price of admission alone! Not only that, but on Thursday, February 17, at 6:30 we are having a BLOWOUT party in the Pier to get as many people as possible signed up at the last minute. We’ll be giving away some awesome prizes and there will be a few special guests joining us as we get pumped up for the next weekend.
We will be holding a DNow Parent/Student Meeting in the Pier on Sunday, February 13 at 5:00. At this meeting we’ll be giving you all of the final details of the event. In the meantime, if you have questions you can call or email us and we’ll help however we can.
We are looking forward to 2011 being the greatest year in the history of our church. JOIN US!!!
