Report 2

Ministry Activities: Leader's Meeting with Kyle

Youth Group

Total hours: 3

Personal Reflection: This week at church was good. I actually went home for homecoming at my home church in Versailles. I got to hear my cousin, Pastor Lesley Krieger, preach, as the church brought her back to deliver the homecoming message. I then came back to Marion to meet with Kyle and two other leaders, Chris and Bryon, and we discussed material that we would use this year and our 2 upcoming activites (Mini-retreat/lock -in with 6 other churches; Lightrider Bus Retreat to D.C.). I am excited for the upcoming activites but in need of a lot of prayer! Then we had youth group. It went well and we are realizing that we are growing!! We have to split up for discussions so that people will talk (with so many people, some are unwilling to share or be involved this helps them almost have to be included) and the annex that we are in is getting too small for all of that. We then get back together and discuss as a large group and go just a bit further with the topic. We also had some games...dodgeball!! It's always great fun! After youthgroup was over, the leaders stayed and talked a bit...we do this every week, but i like it because Kyle really looks for feedback and takes what we say seriously. I feel this is a right way of doing ministry. We also had two new leaders this week...both of whom just graduated from Asbury in the Spring and have full-time jobs now. They will help as needed but i'm looking forward to getting to know them as one of the girls will probably be helping me throughout the year with the Senior High girls. I do need to meet with Kyle personally so that I can share some of what I would like to do this year...i want to be challenged and do more than just babysit (which i feel like i do sometimes).

Spiritual Reflection: This week has been good spiritually. I am learning to fully rely on God because there are many, many things I have no control over. I have realized that a lot of stuff which is going on in my life and the lives around me are too big for me to handle and all I can do is pray that God will work. I love being back here and around this spiritual atmosphere. I want to find a way to keep that when I graduate (not be here, but kind of take IWU with me).

Report 1

Ministry Activities: Sunday School

Worship Service

Meeting with some Youth and Kyle (planning to re-vamp youth room)

Youth Group

Total Hours this week: 6

Personal Reflection: This week I was pumped to get back into the swing of things with Hanfield and the youth group. I was ready to go with the ministry and had been given a lot of dates to set aside for specific events with the youth. I heard from Kristen, a girl from Taylor who helps me do a small group with High School Girls throughout the week, and she was wanting to get the small group going again. Well, everything I thought would take place when Sunday roled around didn't quite happen. When I walked into the room it was just like when I left it (nothing took place over the summer as far as revamping the room like we planned) and then as I began to ask Kyle some questions and briefly talk about getting the small group back up and running it seemed like I got shot down. This is a struggle I identified quickly this weekend as I was a youth pastor this summer at a church where the only "yes" i had to get was from the senior pastor who was 100% behind me all the time. Now i'm back to just helping out with the youth group and any ideas i have need to go pass Kyle (the youth pastor) before I can even really begin to think about the direction I want to take it. I also learned a little more about some stuff Kyle has been going through this summer and am beginning to realize that it may not be what i was imagining it to be this semester...but i'm going to do all that i can to make this semester a good one with the youth! Don't get me wrong - it was nice to be back and I'm glad i'm at Hanfield, i just had some expectations going into it that needed to probably be totally eliminated so i could refocus on what can/could get done these next few months.

Spiritual Reflection: To be honest, I'm feeling like I'm on cloud 9 right now if I can say that. I really am excited for what God is doing in my life and ministry as well as what he has done and will do! I feel as if I'm learning more about who I am as a child of God, as well as who I am as an individual. I'm putting an effort towards spending time with God (which i got away from for awhile) and am just really having a different attitude towards life (coming from the understanding that God is the one in control!). I know these "highs" don't stick around for long so I want to make the most of it. This time while I'm on this spiritual "High" I want to not just hear what God is trying to say to me, but also say "yes, Lord!" and do it!