LUMY 11/9

Instead of giving the usual run of announcements this week, we thought that we would take a week and just let everyone know what a blessing it is to be a part of this church family and to lead this Student Ministry. Some of you may not know what it is we could possibly be doing all the time that we are here, and we thought that you should know! It is our goal and vision for the youth of this city to know what it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to give them tools to make it real in their lives and the lives of the people around them, and to take them (and teach them) to go out and be WORLD CHANGERS! We believe that each student has the ability to change the world, and we encourage them to do so. Each week our program offers a variety of different activities for students. We have Flight Training for juniors and seniors on Monday and Tuesday mornings before school, Bible Studies on Wednesday nights, meet with students one-on-one weekly, student prayer group and Decided (our youth praise band) on Thursday nights, Sunday school on Sunday mornings, special events at least two weekends a month and we lead two full worship services for 6th-12th-graders each Sunday night with a host of amazing volunteering small group leaders. This is a time where we try our hardest to make the Word of God relevant to each student’s life. We have videos, music, praise band, activities, lessons and small groups. This time is high energy and such a great time to come together as a body of believers and praise our Maker in one accord.
Everything we do is full of purpose, and it seems that this approach is working. Since June, we have seen 10 students come to know the Lord on a personal level, making decisions to give their lives to Christ. This last week, with numbers down in the younger of the groups, we still had 90 people in attendance for our Sunday night activities. This is to say that the students are not only hearing the message each week, but they are coming back for more and are associating with other students who believe the same things! Our youth group has become a place of refuge for students throughout our city, as nearly 30% of those who actively participate come from families that don’t attend a church with a youth group, or are from families that don’t attend church in general. What a blessing it is to have church with the students of this city.
Mostly we wanted to mix things up this week because we have seen such an outpouring of your support over the last few months. There is absolutely no way that we could do this, with the passion that we have, without your encouraging cards, letters, e-mails, words, hugs, work and support! You are truly a blessing to work with. Thank you for trusting us, not only with your students physically, but spiritually. Thank you for supporting us as a husband and wife team! Thank you, thank you.
Love, Andrew and Sarah Beard

Last weekend we took a group of 18 students on a mystery trip where we discussed for two nights around a bonfire the way we were made and how our life is full of adventure and exploration...and then we went on adventures and filled our days with exploring. We went to the St. Louis Science Center, Elephant Rocks State Park and then finished up at the St. Louis City Museum. We had a phenomenal time!

Please let Andrew or Sarah know if you have any questions, comments, or prayer requests.

Andrew Beard ~ Dir. of Student Ministries
Andrew.beard@lumcmo.org
Cell-816-810-4621 ~ Office-816-781-4554 X109
Sarah Beard ~ Asst. Dir. of Student Ministries Sarah.beard@lumcmo.org
Cell-636-346-6382 ~ Office-816-781-4554 X110