To Save A Life

Dear Friend of Teenagers,

One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. The Centers for Disease control report that suicide is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14.

Teen suicide is a very real issue today in the United States. It is important to recognize the fact that the suicide rate amongst teenagers is on the rise. In order to prevent teen suicide, it is vital to recognize what leads to it, and then treat the causes.

One of the ways to make a difference is to decide that we, as individuals, want to make a difference. Decide that we want TO SAVE A LIFE!

On January 22, 2010 one of the most impactful movies to ever be released hits the big screen, and we need your help to make the big splash in our community.

The movie To Save A Life is an independently produced movie about the real life challenges of teens and their choices, written by seasoned youth worker Jim Britts and inspired by a passion to reach teenagers with life-affirming entertainment.

Knowing that many share that same passion we want to invite you to a private screening at Temple Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC. At the screening you will see the full length movie, have a brief discussion after the movie, and receive information about how you can help get the word out.

I have signed up to be part of the Tower Crew for the movie. Basically, that is a point person for the movie distributor to generate interest for the movie. I am doing it because I have already viewed the movie with my family, and I believe this movie to potentially be a movie that can actually save lives. More than Fireproof or Facing the Giants . . .let that sink in.

Lifeguards are focused on one thing only…saving lives! Their lifeguard towers lift them up to see above the crowd and allow them to spot danger. Lifeguards keep an eye out for others, and when they see signs of someone in need, they GO INTO ACTION. So do Tower Crews, the street teams for To Save A Life. Will you at least entertain the possibility that you too need to be on the Crew?

We have a vision to be able to partner with local high schools to make available AT LEAST 1000 tickets for teenagers to have FOR FREE! Nobody refuses FREE MOVIE TICKETS! To do that, we need sponsors. So, pass this along to your volunteer team, faculty, AND business men and women that may be potential sponsors for these tickets.

Come see the movie. Join the discussion. Then, join the Crew. The Details follow . . .

When: December 14, 2009 @ 7 PM

Where: Temple Baptist Church, 213 W. Curtis St., Simpsonville, SC 29681

What: Movie, pop corn, and sodas! Discussion to follow the movie

Who: Principals, high school teachers, Student Pastors & Pastors with their spouses, volunteers from your volunteer team, & potential sponsors for movie tickets.


WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE TEENS OTHER THAN 2 students who are leaders in your classes OR ministry.

PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 14 @ 12 NOON

For more information about the movie, resources to promote the movie, or this screening event please view the following web sites.

Screening event on FACEBOOK. If you are on FACEBOOK you should be able to RSVP on this site.

If not, you can just respond by email to mavants@templebaptistonline.org.

Movie FACEBOOK GROUP

Movie SITE

Movie Leader SITE

The following is a link to the movie trailer. MOVIE TRAILER

The following is a link to the movie promotion for youth pastors or pastors. Youth Pastor Promo

FAME Sermon Series

On October 7, 2009 I will begin a new 6 week sermon series entitled "FAME". It is based on the book of Joshua, and is inspired by the verse Joshua 6:27, "So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land."

Here is a promo for the series:



We will be taking a look at the book of Joshua, not in it's entirety, but sections that will help us determine the qualities, actions, and desires of a person who God makes FAMEous . . .

FAME is not to be desired for FAME's sake, but seeking to please the LORD is to be desired. When we walk obediently God will allow us to be heard because we will proclaim HIS FAME!

Join us on Wednesday nights at 6:15 PM at Temple Baptist Church's Garage for great worship and messages about FAME for HIS NAME!

213 W. Curtis St, Simpsonville, SC 29681
www.templebaptistonline.org
864.963.5834

A Heart for the Nations . . .begins here!

This week our student ministry at Temple took on the Acts 1:8 Challenge. We had more grandiose plans for a New York trip this same week, but many things contributed to its demise. That turned out to be just what we needed! 

This week our students experienced missions in our Jerusalem. And they did it well. 

We served the homeless Monday night by feeding them and sharing the gospel. That was a great start to an amazing week.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights we went door to door with practical gifts of batteries and light bulbs for homeowners so that we might have the opportunity to share Christ with them at the end of a spiritual survey.

We canvassed about 300 + homes. Thursday night we took bottled waters to Heritage Park to give away to families at the park. All of those experiences gave our students practical opportunities to share Christ. We had many students who surveyed people about their spiritual lives and shared the Gospel when appropriate.

Through the surveys and intentionally engaging people for the sake of the Gospel they also had their eyes opened without having to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to go around the world (but we hope we get to do that soon too!)

One night during our post service worship times students shared their experiences going door to door. Many of them were amazed at how many people in little 'ol Simpsonville, SC either don't care about their relationship to Christ, or are unaware of what it takes to know Christ through grace and faith. Our students we amazed at how many people are depending on their works to get them to heaven.

What was I surprised about? Well, I guess it would have to be the

people who stood out. I won't call but one name. Mitch Lane was the man this week. This rising 8th grade boy went CRAZY this week sharing Jesus with people at their homes. He prayed with 3 people this week to follow Christ as their Lord! Look at him! 

Nothing ceases to amaze me! He is a great boy and I LOVE HIM because he GOT IT this week. Develop a heart for God AND men! He was not going to let someone slide by with a questionable testimony . . .so he shared with them the gospel, asked them if it made sense and if they wanted that for themselves, then he led them to pray to Jesus! SIMPLE AS THAT!  He will be a soul winner!

Others had a great week also. Got a text message from one of  our rising 8th grade girls excited because she and her Mom had invited people at Walgreen's to the car wash that we were doing for the community so that we could share Christ again.  That kind of stuff makes my Student Pastor's heart jump with joy!

So, what now? 

First, understand that Christ commanded us to share '"as are going . . .(Matthew 28:19)" not just during a prescribed week of missions.

Second, begin to pray like Jesus prayed in John 17:20, “"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;” Jesus said I will pray now for those who will become followers later after my disciples share the gospel!

Third, as you work on being a witness begin to let your eyes wander.  What is God doing on the horizon of the Kingdom of God th

at He may would allow you to become a part of?  Maybe you have questions about mission work, even as a middle school or high school student.  If you do you need to visit The Task web site for some answers and questions you have not thought of.

God is at work. I am glad ecstatic to be around while it happens, and I look forward to seeing students develop a heart for the nations . . .it will start here!

Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer and beginning to give some of our students a heart for the nations!

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Seeing them off . . .

Every year, one of the best, and saddest times of year is the Graduate Recognition service! I LOVE seeing students become what they were made to be; matured college students . . . BUT, I always hate to see them leave our ministry! Now that I am over College & Career ministry, as well, I get to soften the blow of losing them for a while!

Enjoy our tribute to the Class of 2009!

One of my students

Students will surprise you all the time. Sometimes they do things that you don't know they can do. I am hoping I have found a video kid that can do some of videos for us. If so, I will train up the child in the way that he should (his natural bent), and he shall not depart from it. . .I hope!

This is a funny guy! Presenting Aaron Montgomery . . .