September 2014 Newsletter

Each of us within the leadership team must ‘win the students’ right to be heard’ when working alongside them. It’s all part of the way each of our leaders can truly show empathy, care and God’s love to these teens no matter where they are coming from when we hang out with them.  I shared with our leadership team over a recent weekend retreat which allowed all of us to understand the ‘how and why’ of what we do to reach our military teens on Fort Stewart and Hunter. It brings us back to a reality that our students don’t want to be preached at but want to be cared about and loved. Our team spent time sharing their personal stories, dreams, fears and everything in between – just as we ask our teens to do. The bridge started to form between us. Life was shared and modeled throughout our time together.

This is a snapshot of our newest couple
Jacob and Sara. 

Just as our students and families move often in and out of our locations, our leadership team will go through continual change. We are fortunate enough if we have a leader continue with us 2-3 years since life does come at them hard and most of them are soldiers themselves and are always busy with the tempo of the military life. Meet our newest leadership team additions, Jacob and Sara. These two were introduced to us while we were attending our summer camp for middle school students in June. Sara was on staff with the camp and Jacob came out during the week to help and see how things were going. There was something awesomely different about them. Their open hearts to love kids was refreshing. Soon after meeting them at camp, God opened doors in dialogue between us to share the Club ministry mission and how they were connected to the military. It didn’t take long for the both of them to come alongside us and check out the ministry and fall in love with the kids there. Their love for teens in general is infectious. One of our teens who was impacted through camp that has been specifically cared for by Sara was baptized soon after attending camp. Sara and Jacob are also taking some of our students to church with them every week because they don’t have a ride.

Here's a snapshot of Vern and Mary Miranda.

Another recent addition to our team comes from a long-time standing experience with Club Beyond overseas in Europe. The history behind his involvement includes marrying the associate staff with Club Beyond as he was stationed there! I had the pleasure of getting to know Vern as his wife, Mary, found out his next duty station would have Club Beyond. We got together over a meal to share stories together. Vern’s heart and transparency about where he is personally with his own faith walk and his passion for teens is phenomenal. Personally, I am thrilled to have him on the team as a ‘sage’ who has seen ministry done in other places and has been involved in ministry with youth for a long time.

The leadership team together as we are learning and educating one
another in reaching our teens for God's mission this year. 

As I reflected what I learned at a recent training for Youth for Christ, we are in a season which is ‘anew.’ We begin with new vision, new students, new leaders and a new calling to reach our military teens, wherever they might be. Specifically in the past year, it has been brought to my attention via the reactions of our teens that they wonder if they’re even worthy of this love of God whom we speak. They wonder if they’re worthy of any praises or care. Life pulls them down and if that’s not enough, the military life adds to the struggle.

A photograph of Walter (left) and Zac (right)
as they compete in a 'warhead' challenge
during our recent leadership retreat.

That being said, our leadership team is headed into a season leaning into what Jesus has shown us in the lives of our students who have shared life with us and have been amazingly transparent. 

Pray as we show them God’s love in His Word in the series throughout the school year called “Love Undeserved.” We’ll shepherd them through the Old and New Testament stories of where He has shown His love in His people and through situations that seem totally unlovable. Pray that our new and returning leadership team members truly do “earn the right to be heard” with our teens this year and share with them this love God has for them, no matter the circumstance.

Honored and humbled to be on mission,

Phil & Amy Parsons