• Last night was one of the highlights of my 3+ years here at Trinity. I saw broken people celebrating the reality that God has been restoring them the last few months. I saw a fire that I have never seen. I saw creativity come out in students in fresh ways. 
• It was fun leading side-by-side with Zach last night- that guy continues to push me to a place of awareness of what God is up to, how much Satan is pissed at what God is up to...and if our ministry is causing a stir in the battle of good and evil that is in our midst. Thanks dude. 
• A few people asked what the names of the songs we did last night were, so here you go:

• We had a ton of students turn in Mission Trip Applications...right on! I'm so pumped for the transformation that will happen in our lives, but more importantly the love and service we pray will be infectious to everyone we come in contact with throughout the trips. 
• Don't forget that we won't have Crosswalk next Sunday night because of Easter. Trinity's Easter Services are this Saturday at 5 and 7 p.m.or on Sunday morning at 9 and 11 a.m. 

•  Niagara Falls, Toronto, Rutland (Vermont), Milwaukee, etc.  

•  You must have at least completed 7th grade.  
•  A desire to serve a community in whatever way they need! 

• Chicago SEMP 

•  You must have at least completed 8th grade.  
•  You have been on either a Level 1 (see list above) or Level 2 Trip (SEMP) in the past.  
•  A desperation for others to see Jesus as vividly as you have! 

Collide Student Ministry is seeking 2 enthusiastic, passionate, creative, Christ-pursuing individuals to serve on the student ministry team. We are looking to fill 2 full time intern positions during the summer months. The compensation is a $600 honorarium plus love offering given at the end of the summer. We will also set each intern up with a host family for lodging, if needed.

The primary focus of this position will be on building relationships with students in grades 6-12 that help lead to and nurture a relationship with Christ. The secondary focus will be to assist the staff team with the planning & implementation of the following "Kingdom-heart" events: weekly Wed. night gatherings; Mission trips to Cincinnati, Chicago and soon-to-be-announced international location; a Middle & High School Camp; and a intern-led weekly bible study. Specific responsibilities will vary depending on skill set and the gifts and graces of the person hired.

Official time commitment is from June 1- August 10 (10 weeks). However, if you need to be done at the end of July- we are open to that discussion.

Please send resumes to jordan.jones@trinitywired.com.

Student Ministries has adopted an apartment complex downtown where we will deliver 200 boxes on Sunday during the Food Drop. We have filled all of our slots for families serving in this role. Right on!

Crosswalk students: We will still have CW on Sunday night. We will be serving dinner from 5-6:30 for those who arrive back from various spots in the city and need a little grub. We will start the gathering a little later on Sunday night: 6:30 p.m.

Just talk to anyone who was here last week...this is unlike any series we have done here at Crosswalk. Don't miss Week 2.

Last day to sign-up for retreats is Sunday!

Don't forget that we lowered both retreats' prices to $50. We want to make sure that everyone who wants to go can go!

We have heard the financial need! We desire that every student that wants to go on this weekend to see God can go. So we have lowered both retreats to $50 apiece.

If you have already paid the full price, we will be willing to offer you the difference in price, but would also ask that you prayerfully consider maintaining your current payment so we can use more resources to scholarship other students. Actually, maybe you would be interested in sending in more money to support this weekend?

God doesn't base success within the same parameters that man does. This reality collided into me last night.

Let's look at what man would typically describe as a "unsuccessful night":

• We only had 50 students present. Everyone else either had a hot date or was out of town. 
• We had 10 leaders that were unable to make it. 
• It seemed as if whatever could go wrong, did go wrong: Brandon was sick, internet was down so we couldn't pull up the night's schedule or find the videos we wanted to play during the night, a few members of the band didn't show.

⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV)



⁵"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
 ⁶"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
 ^7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. (MSG)


I've been searching out what God's intended beat and rhythm of prayer is. Because I feel as though there are not too many things more misunderstood, more maligned, more of a cause of frustration & confusion than prayer. 

No reason to get defensive to that. I talk with numerous middle and high schoolers every week. There is a common consensus: Why is it so important? Why can't I hear God speaking back to me? What the heck does prayer look like?

Is it merely me saying thanks? 

Is it getting on God's lap and reading off a wish list like we do with Santa?

Or could it be to engage a relationship?

To interact with the One we were created by and for?

I believe this more and more each day: prayer is designed to draw us into a more complete, more dynamic relationship with our Creator. 

Think about it...if I spent at least one hour with you every day one-on-one and called you at least once an hour...there's a good chance we are going to see our friendship/relationship progress, right? And experience tells me that I will start acting like you a little too. 

Like using those little unique phrases that only you do. And reacting to things like you do. And getting passionate about some of the things that I never even noticed before we became so close. 

Is the picture getting clearer?

Prayer is dynamic communion. Relationship. 

Not hype. Not formulas. Not wish lists. 

Love.  

Middle School is heading to Spring-Hill Camp in Evart, MI

High School is heading to Grace Adventures in Mears, MI

Both are during the weekend of Feb. 26-28.

Prices go up after Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

Registration forms can be found at our main Student page: www.trinitywired.com/ministry/student-ministry.

MS Edition: Saturday, Feb. 6 from 7-10 p.m. (please be picked up sometime between 9:45-10 p.m.!)

Some things to look forward to: Squirrel Jump in the Gym, photo booth, Blacklight Dodgeball, Human Joust, Open Game Room, Cookie Decorating, Prizes, Giveaways, etc.


HS Edition: Sunday, Feb. 7 from 6-10 p.m. (Cost $2)

Some things to look forward to: Squirrel Jump in the Gym, Madden tournament, photo booth, Food served all night, Canvas art, the big game on the big screen, Blacklight Dodgeball, Human Joust, Open Game Room, Cookie Decorating, Prizes, Giveaways, etc.

I haven't forgotten about these. Ok, yes I had.

But I plan on starting them back up to allow parents who weren't at the gathering & students who missed the gathering to read a little about what happened at Impact!

• I think it was fitting that we talked about how God uses but children to allow his kingdom to forcefully advance, on the night that I was almost trembling because my stomach hurt so bad. I can't describe it any other way- the teaching time was a fog...I pray the Spirit said what He wanted!
• Luke 10:1-24. I see something new every time I read it. 
• Hosea 11 changes everything. 
• The closing reality of this series: God is relentlessly pursuing you. It's evidenced by the first three words out of the mouth of God that echoed through the Garden after His creation was cowered in shame after thinking something could fulfill them more than himself: "Where are you?" Those three words echo throughout the Earth even today. 1 Peter declares that God desires that no one would perish. He is running after you. He is not letting go. He won't relent until He has your all. It's what you were created for. 
• It was amazing to have parents join us tonight, even if just to get a glimpse into how a "normal" night at Impact looks like- if there is such a thing. 
• Don't forget to sign up for Winter Retreat by Feb. 14 for the Early Bird price. The sign-up form is at the Trinitywired site. 
• Last reminder- we don't have Wednesday night Impact next week. We'll see you from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 for The Ultimate. 

We are extending the registration for the Wild at Heart Rooted Group until this Sunday. Make sure to sign up by completing a commitment card and dropping it into the Student Ministries drop box or calling Shelly, our Ministry Assistant, at 272-3841.

This is going to be a momentous group and opportunity. Really pray and consider this throughout the week.

Worthy post to read from our Crosswalk Summer Camp Speaker, Jordan Dowell.

Don't forget that Rooted Group sign-ups are due on Sunday!!!

We start a new series tomorrow night at Impact embracing the book of Hosea for the month. I know I say this all the time, but you just can't miss Wednesdays in January. The Spirit has overwhelmed me the last week about what He is going to do through this series.

...this Sunday! Make sure to drop your commitment card into the Drop-box!