October 2015 Newsletter

“A season of ongoing change.”

The military culture is very fast-paced and is constantly changing. One of our goals in serving the military community through Club Beyond is to provide a measure of consistency to the military teens at our installations. Our initial vision included goals that would allow us to partner with other community organizations and cast a larger net across the community. Although it has taken a lot of persistence and patience on our part and on our behalf, we are seeing a TON of fruit this year from those initial goals we set so long ago. Let us share with you a glimpse of the fruit we are experiencing here at Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. God continues to blow our minds on a daily basis here through his provision as we continue to be obedient and follow as He leads. The mission continues thanks to your support.

Ever since landing here in Southeast Georgia in June 2012, Club Beyond was provided good space to do ministry, but not necessarily was it space that one would consider a “home run” for youth ministry. We have always been content with what we were given and have certainly made it work. The parents of our students at Hunter Army Airfield have paved the way for us to gain access to a facility that is specifically designed for teens. Just last week, we kicked off Hunter Club at our new home, the New Gannam Teen Center! Parents rallied behind us and were the catalyst for this amazing opportunity. Through their vision and determination, they were able to create an avenue for

The Hunter teens during our 1st night at the Teen Center!

discussions with command to bring this dream to reality. The parents were diligent to complete comment cards that allowed the command group to see the need for our students to have a space that was better suited to their needs. We hope and pray that this new opportunity creates a long-term community partnership to not only reach our current students, but that our new space attracts new students that may not otherwise be interested in a youth ministry program. This new opportunity has also created new opportunities for us to partner with MWR (morale, welfare, and recreation), the organization that is responsible for operating the teen center. They have seen a recent decline in the number of youth attending their programs/facilities, and we hope that we can help revitalize their programs and bring new life to the community by joining forces. We also hope that this new huge milestone creates a similar opportunity at the Ft. Stewart location. Until this happens, we continue our commitment to run the race set out before us.  

Amy and I at Bradwell's Homecoming.

Another area that we’ve always hoped to get more involved in has been within the school system. Since we live in the Hinesville area, right outside the gates of Fort Stewart, the majority of our high school students attend Bradwell Institute. We have always tried our best to keep extra-curricular activities on our radar and attend them as our schedules allow. This year, we have teamed up with the Bradwell PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). This allows us to support our military families within the local school system, lay the foundation for more community partnerships, and cheerlead their events so we can have a greater impact in the community that brings more unity than division. For the past month, we have served the faculty at Bradwell by providing coffee and doughnuts before the start of the school day. This year has been an exciting one for Bradwell as they hosted their first homecoming dance in 8 years. For weeks, we went to the school during the lunch hour to assist with ticket sales and help get the students excited. This past weekend was homecoming weekend. We attended the game on Friday night and helped raise money for the PTO by selling tickets for the 50/50 raffle. On Saturday, we spent most of the day helping the homecoming committee set up for the dance. We transformed their school into all things French, to go along with the theme “Midnight in Paris”. The PTO was in need of chaperones, so Amy and I got all dressed up and enjoyed the evening at the dance. It was a lot of fun, but a day of rest was definitely needed for us both to recover from our event-filled weekend. During the time we spent at the school selling tickets for the dance, I was reminded of another initial goal I had. God opened a door and allowed me to have a discussion with the PTO President regarding starting a morning Devotional/Bible Study. She thought the idea was fantastic, and connected me to the Principal to get his approval. I am excited to announce that he gave us the green light and we hope to kick that off in the next couple of weeks.

Us together selling 50/50 tickets for the
Bradwell PTO at the Homecoming Game.

This semester has been filled with a lot of “firsts”, but we feel that we’re on the cusp of something huge. God is allowing this season of ongoing changes as He knits together His awesome plan for Club Beyond here. Continue to keep our volunteer team; the students we’re reaching; their families; the installation command teams and Amy and I in your prayers. Please pray that God continues to move here and allows the reach of our net to increase and for Him to equip us accordingly.