Steve Phillips shared with me about a little boy who has been visiting and Steve overheard him saying how he "liked this church, this place is cool."
Westwood certainly is a cool place and I am reminded each week what a blessing it is to serve here. A few highlights...
- Weekly conversations with kiddos ready for baptism. That never gets old.
- Brian Woodall, 11:00 Gentleness shepherd is currently "living on mission" in Venezuela.
- Did you see the video in big church from the student mission trip to Mexico? If you missed it, you can see it at the Area 51 blog by clicking here: http://westwoodstudents.blogspot.com/2008/03/mexico-mission-trip-video.html You will get to see our very own Steven Stone (11:00 Younger Kids Art assistant) as well as shots of several others who serve in our ministry or who grew up in our ministry. Remember, as these kids move on and God continues to move in their lives - YOU had a hand in that.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
My Heart Hurts
Yesterday our Celebration lesson focused on the story of the stoning of Stephen. We used it to address kids who were being picked on, kids who were picking on others, and kids who were just standing by and not helping those being mistreated. During our prayer time I stressed that kids only come to pray with an adult if they fell into one of those three categories. My heart broke as 20-25 kids came forward to pray with someone. Some were being made fun of at school, some realized they were being mean to other people, some wanted to pray for the bully in their class. I know that kids being mean to each other is a sad part of kid culture, but it just broke my heart how many kids were hurting. Let's pray for them this week!
Wow... the baptisms!
It seems like for the past few weeks we have had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with kids about being baptized every Sunday and Wednesday. Last Wednesday Cherry got to talk to 3 kids in a row! God is moving in the hearts of our kids. I want you to remember that God has used you as a small step in every one of those decisions whether you know it or not. What a privilege to serve where we do.
Monday, February 11, 2008
From Cherry Brewer...
Tim and I missed church on Sunday due to several different circumstances.
Today, however, I went to volunteer at Meadowview in Jeremiah's class. I was out on the playground and little first grade Bailey (can't remember her last name) saw me and came running up calling, "Mrs. Cherry, Mrs. Cherry".
She said she had missed me yesterday and had seen me at lunch and hoped she'd see me outside because she had something extremely important to tell me. With this big grin she said, "I'm ready to be baptised and will be doing it on Feb. 17th. THIS COMING SUNDAY!!" I just bragged on her and told her that I was so excited for her but she wasn't finished. She said that the reason she wanted to see me was to tell me that when she made her video she wanted to thank her parents, but she told them that she really wanted to thank me too for talking to her at church. So then with a big grin she said, "So thank you Mrs. Cherry." Then she hugged me and ran off to play leaving me speachless and so blessed for seeing God move in the children at Westwood. I am so overwhelmed by the fact that He uses little old (and I feel older everyday) me.
Today, however, I went to volunteer at Meadowview in Jeremiah's class. I was out on the playground and little first grade Bailey (can't remember her last name) saw me and came running up calling, "Mrs. Cherry, Mrs. Cherry".
She said she had missed me yesterday and had seen me at lunch and hoped she'd see me outside because she had something extremely important to tell me. With this big grin she said, "I'm ready to be baptised and will be doing it on Feb. 17th. THIS COMING SUNDAY!!" I just bragged on her and told her that I was so excited for her but she wasn't finished. She said that the reason she wanted to see me was to tell me that when she made her video she wanted to thank her parents, but she told them that she really wanted to thank me too for talking to her at church. So then with a big grin she said, "So thank you Mrs. Cherry." Then she hugged me and ran off to play leaving me speachless and so blessed for seeing God move in the children at Westwood. I am so overwhelmed by the fact that He uses little old (and I feel older everyday) me.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
See Andrew Wash's Habits Testimony
Andrew Wash is a youth helper in Older Kids Drama at 11. Go to the Area 51 blog to see Andrew's testimony about memorizing Scripture, including him reciting Psalm 51. http://westwoodstudents.blogspot.com
What a great example for our kids. We are blessed with students who model a real relationship with God. Thanks Andrew!
What a great example for our kids. We are blessed with students who model a real relationship with God. Thanks Andrew!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
First Time Visitors' Response
Jay shared with us a response from a "first time guest survey". I met this family on Sunday. They indicated that they were not a member of a church. They had a 3rd grader, 4th grader, and a 5th grader who attended Journey. Here was the family's answer to the question, "What did you like best about your visit to Westwood?":
"We enjoyed every minute of it but my children have still been talking about their experience"
To God be the glory! That is what we want! Great job!
"We enjoyed every minute of it but my children have still been talking about their experience"
To God be the glory! That is what we want! Great job!
Friday, February 1, 2008
A Conversation with a Mama
The mama of a fourth grade girl called me yesterday to discuss her daughter's interest in baptism. She was very complimentary of the ministry in general, but there were two things she told me that really stuck out.
She told me that it is obvious her daughter is learning alot. The example she gave me was that they play an "ABC" game in the car. The other day her daughter suggeted that they use the Bible as their subject. The mama was so impressed with her daughter's knowledge and noticed that she was referencing stories that she did not remember teaching her. She knows those are things that her daughter has learned in Journey.
My favorite part of the conversation was when I asked if she thought her daughter would have a preference of who in the ministry talked to her about baptism. The mom said that her daughter really liked the computer teachers and felt close to them because they used to be her shepherds. Gene and Cynthia Talley were her shepherds in second grade. How awesome that she still feels connected with them! Cynthia will have the privilige this Sunday of talking to her about her decision. The Talley's do a great job in getting to know the kids and connecting with them. Good work!
She told me that it is obvious her daughter is learning alot. The example she gave me was that they play an "ABC" game in the car. The other day her daughter suggeted that they use the Bible as their subject. The mama was so impressed with her daughter's knowledge and noticed that she was referencing stories that she did not remember teaching her. She knows those are things that her daughter has learned in Journey.
My favorite part of the conversation was when I asked if she thought her daughter would have a preference of who in the ministry talked to her about baptism. The mom said that her daughter really liked the computer teachers and felt close to them because they used to be her shepherds. Gene and Cynthia Talley were her shepherds in second grade. How awesome that she still feels connected with them! Cynthia will have the privilige this Sunday of talking to her about her decision. The Talley's do a great job in getting to know the kids and connecting with them. Good work!
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