Message from Pastor Mark Olson

Pastor Mark Olson called after our return from Tennessee to share that many people from the block party came to New Life's Sunday morning services. He is excited about the door to the community our visit has helped opened. Listen to Pastor Mark's message.

Five Saved at Block Party!

We had a fantastic experience in Tennessee! Five people prayed to receive Christ during a worship service Saturday held during at a block party at Mission in the Mountains: The Sequel.

Thirty-one students and adults participated in the trip in which 10/40 students from our church partnered with New Life Community Baptist Church near Dayton, Tennessee. Pastor Mark Olson has been serving in the community with the church for a number of years and is working hard to reach the rural, but diverse community.

The trailer park community near where the church meets includes a number of people involved in drugs, those involved in alternative lifestyles, children living in broken homes and those suffering from a range of illnesses. Olson, his wife, LaDonna, and New Life members work every day to reach out to people encouraging them to start a “new life” with the Lord.

10/40 students and leaders spent Saturday morning in the trailer park washing windows, mowing lawns, handing out care gifts and doing other acts of “random Christian kindness.” Additionally, tables and chairs and other items – such as a “Moon Walk” for children and a face painting station – was set up for the 4 to 7 p.m. block party.

For lunch, the group returned to a noted local culinary treat, Cheezee's. There, everyone enjoyed a variety of home-cooked dishes, including my favorite Cheezee’s dish, fried chicken livers, mashed potatoes and gravy and fried okra! Ummm!

After lunch, the group spent a few hours of recreation at “Pocket Wilderness” just outside the city limits, which features walking trails, old coal mines and a mountain stream.

I was encouraged that we had a number of new students participating in this year’s trip to Tennessee. As you know, this trip represents the “Judea” aspect of efforts in our student ministry to share Jesus Christ with our Jerusalem (local community), Judea (state/region), Samaria (nation and North America) and ends of the earth (world).

My goal is to provide opportunities to provide your student with opportunities to share their faith and be Jesus’ hands and feet locally and globally. Next summer (June 17-24) our group is scheduled to travel to World Changers in Little Rock, Arkansas, for our Samaria experience. One day Shawn and I hope to provide our older students with an opportunity to reach the ends of the earth through an international experience.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. You are wonderful people! It is an honor and a privilege to serve with you at First Redeemer Church and to serve your students through the 10/40 aspect of our 141 Student Ministry. --Tim

We're in Tennessee!

Parents,
We arrived safely at First Baptist Church, Dayton, about 8:45 p.m. Everyone participated in about 30 minutes of praise and worship led by Pastor Mark Olson and the praise team from New Life Community Baptist Church.

Afterwards, the kids enjoyed about an hour of free time before lights out at 11 p.m. Everyone is so excited and so am I!

Please pray for us and our ministry on Saturday as we serve Christ by being His hands and feet! Your students have an awesome opportunity to share their faith in Jesus Christ on Saturday morning and at a block party that afternoon. Once again New Life will be giving away clothing to the community, providing food and games. Shawn will get the opportunity to speak and our kids will participate in a worship service.

Thanks for all your support and encouragement! --Tim

Change in 10/40 Schedule

Students and Parents,
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will return to the church about 10 a.m. Sunday from our trip to Tennessee for Mission in the Mountains instead of later that afternoon as previously planned.

IMPORTANT! Remember to be at the church this Friday no later at 3:30 p.m. We will leave promptly at 4 p.m. (we will not wait for anyone...that means you)!

If you have questions about our trip, please email Tim or call the Student Ministries office at 678-513-9400.

3 Days and Counting!

Hey everyone! It's only 3 days until Mission in the Mountains: The Sequel begins! Please plan to arrive at the church NO LATER than 3:30 p.m. on Friday. We will leave promptly at 4 p.m.

I want to remind everyone to be gathering together your "What to Bring" items (listed below). You might also want to consider bringing:

- A light jacket (lows in the mountains are in the mid-40s)
- A "pancho" rain jacket (in the event of rain)
- A small flashlight
- Personal snack items

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email or call me.

All for Him!
Tim

Countdown Begins!

It's only 11 short days before we leave for Mission in the Mountains: The Sequel, our fall missions trip to Pikeville, Tennessee. Please join me in praying for:

• Our safety as we travel to Tennessee
• Your spiritual preparation to share Christ with others
• 10/40 adult leadership and for New Life's leadership
• God to be glorified in all that we say and do
• Pastor Mark Olson as he and others make final preparations for our arrival

Below is a copy of the "What to Bring Checklist" you were sent earlier. Please start gathering these items together. Space on the bus will be limited, so I'm asking everyone to limit what they bring to one bag.

As always, please contact me or the Student Ministries office if you have questions. My email is tyarbrough@namb.net. The Student Ministries office number is 678-513-9400.

All for Him!
Tim

What to Bring Checklist:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Air mattress (a gym floor can be hard, you know)! (suggestion only)
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Bible
• Pen and notebook
• Tennis shoes and clothes for recreation
• Clothes to work in
• Clothes for church on Sunday
• Money for dinner on the way and lunch on the way home ($15)