I send a recap to all my 707 parents every week. I was asked to publish this past week’s study so a few folks can share on social media!

We continued our study on 1st Timothy 4:12

“Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead set an example for the believers in your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life.”

Last week we spoke about your words. How we need to utilize them to build each other up. That foul language is a sign being uneducated or uncreative. Therefore, we should strive to utilize our words to build God’s Kingdom. 

My favorite football player is someone you probably haven’t heard of. His name is Anthony Roberson and he’s a reserve Tight End for the University of Central Florida. He’s a 6’5” 240 pound Junior. He’s a great teammate, and a good ball player; but what I respect about him the most is the man he is. 

If you’ve ever been in sports, and many other extra curricular activities, as a freshman you are about an inch below dirt. The lowest of low. When I played ball, as part of the “hazing” the seniors would wait until you were in nothing but your girdle, and toss you nearly naked into a garbage can head first, then roll you out of the locker room into the gym, usually during a girls volleyball game. You probably remember what it was like to be a freshman; the most “unimportant”

But you see Anthony is different. He came to UCF and told people, he wanted to see a change in the locker room. But while words can build people up, it is your actions that cause change. Please don’t think words mean any less, because they don’t. But words, coupled with action, becomes a powerful force that can not be stopped. Anthony not only said he wanted to see change, he WAS the change. He started reaching out to local schools to come to campus and talk about his story. A de facto mentor to hundreds of local elementary and middle schoolers. He brought his teammates along. He challenged them. 

Now, UCF across ALL SPORTS, has pledge to serve 5000 hours of community service!! 5000 hours! That’s huge. Now Anthony is a humble guy. He won’t take credit for it. But the standard he set forth for himself, which then bleed to his team, and then to a whole college campus; well that standard has now spread to your sons! 

Think about that. This college kid has dedicated himself so much, not just to the craft of football where he is a division 1 athlete; but also to being a servant for Christ’s Kingdom! His reach has left Orlando Florida and travelled all the way to little St. Simons Island, GA. 

If you have a child in middle or high school, and/or college check out TheGP.org for opportunities to plug into all that The Gathering Place has to offer.

#serveday …. Today, Saturday, July 13, 2019Serve Day provides churches across the world with opportunities to serve their local communities and share the love of God through practical acts of kindness.

We partnered up with True North of NJ today and served at The Neighborhood Center in Camden, NJ. http://www.truenorth.cc

We were honored to serve along side these new friends at this center which provides childcare, elementary after school care, summer camps, week day lunches for 200 on their 2.6acre campus. This center blesses its neighborhood everyday and we were able to bless them today. We deep cleaned the classrooms and whole building so they’re ready to go again for camp Monday!

Mrs Val, The director was gracious enough to give us an overview and tour of the campus. They have a huge garden where they grow produce to use at lunches and sell at local markets. They have several classrooms for the various ages, as well as a gym where the serve their meals.

It was amazing to hear how TrueNorth church comes to help them on these serve days as well as provide assistance by giving food at Thanksgiving and Toys at Christmas. The Center was very thankful for TrueNorth’s continued support. We could tel there was a special connection by this group being there to serve today.

There were about 20 of us cleaning from top to bottom. All the toys, tables, chairs, walls, and floors. Everything! No one was too young or too old to help! We helped the kids find toys to clean (and play a little too) and the place smelled fresh and rejuvenated when we departed.

While explaining to Walker & Kaden why we were serving this morning, Dan explained it best. We have explained this to our teens for years on mission trips and now to our own kids : we serve because God served us! He served us with the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life for us. He wants us to love God and love others and serve Him and them daily!

What a special moment for us to serve along side these new friends in a new neighborhood in New Jersey as a family of 4! Find a local ministry for you to serve at this summer! You won’t regret it! You’ll cherish the memories and I know the ministry will be blessed as well as your family.

Ideas for service : (You can google non profits in your town or contact your local church and see where you’re needed)

Glynn County : Magnolia Manor, Boys & Girls Club, Operation Bed Spread, Blessings in a Backpack, The Gathering Place, Manna House, The Well, Salvation Army, Sparrows Nest, and many more

New Jersey : http://www.neighborhoodrising.org

Download this app and search towns near you : https://www.serveday.com