September 17 Weekly Update

RAD Groups

We officially kicked off a new semester of RAD Groups last night with a large group gathering to discuss and share this year's vision.  Students will begin meeting in their specific small groups this Sunday evening at 5pm on the SFBC campus. 

It is important that students and parents have a clear understanding of the purpose of RAD Groups.  Last night I was able to discuss with students that there will be nothing casual about being apart of a group.  The expectations are high and RAD Groups simply may not be the right fit for everyone.  As you read last week, the groups will begin the Not a Fan Bible study and be asked to take a daily journey in becoming a completely, committed follower of Jesus.  A crucial element of the Bible study involves a daily journal for each student to complete over 42 days.  Commitment to the journal will help in making the small group time more beneficial. 

Students took time to pray last night and determine whether or not they are willing to begin the RAD Group journey.  I have asked that no student attend RAD Groups just to be a casual attender.  Each student was asked to sign a covenant that read the following:
 The Profile of a RAD Group student is...

• Humility
• Growing spiritually
• Genuine and transparent
• Support leadership and their decisions
• Genuinely friendly
• Has a good reputation with peers

It is my understanding that those who commit to a RAD Group are seen as students who desire to be challenged in their faith through intense prayer, service, fasting, and Bible study.  Since I have decided to participate, I will hold myself accountable to the following commitments:

• I will keep my walk with God fresh by having a consistent daily quiet time, participating in RAD Group weekly gathering and by attending Sunday school, Sunday worship, and Wednesday night worship. 
• I will strive to live my life in a way that honors God which includes refraining from tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and pornography.
• I will commit to never become a distraction from what God wants to do in my life and in the life of others during RAD Group gatherings.
• I will strive to be at each RAD Group gathering by 5pm. 
• I will commit to keeping a journal throughout the semester that includes teaching points, prayer requests, and testimonies of personal growth.
• I will remember that throughout the year the Student Ministry will use this covenant as an evaluation standard, because I know the lives and souls of students are at stake and I have chosen to take on an extreme challenge in which God wants to do the extraordinary.

As you can see, we are asking students to step up to a significant challenge!  I believe the reward will be more than worth it as we begin to see and hear all that God does.

Please trust that any student choosing not to participate will NEVER be seen as inferior or an outsider in the student ministry.  Teenagers are busier than ever and it would be foolish for me to believe that every student could or would be involved in RAD Groups.  For now, there is not an alternative at 5pm on Sundays for youth unless they attend the evening worship service in the Chapel.  I am asking that parents help us in making sure their students are not roaming halls on campus during RAD Groups and worship. 

Please email me at wesjackson@sunnyvalefbc.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding RAD Groups. 

Summer Mission Trip 2013
Look for details later this week regarding next  summer's mission trip destination.  I am work ing to nail down an accurate cost and itinerary for the international trip that will take place in late July of 2013.  I will also share several different ways that students will be able to help raise the money needed for the trip.  Look for more information in the coming days!!