Orchard Group – August 2016 News from Orchard Group
One of the beautiful pictures in the Gospels is of little children hovering around Jesus. Perhaps they were begging, “Just one more, Jesus! Throw the ball one more time! Tell just one more story!” insistent in the way only small children can be.
Of course the disciples are nearby, because there were important things to do. Deadlines to meet, people to see, speeches to give. Yet Jesus knew the importance of including children in God’s Kingdom. The future rests with them.
It is encouraging to see new churches being intentional about the health and development of youth. Throughout the summer, churches have thrown parties, led Bible classes and retreats for families, and have done service for communities. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these!
The staff of the Orlando Project led their first community outreach in the city. It has created a great deal of interest in the new church. One young mother said her 7 year old had such a great time that they want to stay connected with the community! Continue to keep this new project in your prayers as they are in the early stages of building a core team.
32 elementary aged children attended a 3-day club at Elevate Christian Church. One of the exciting aspects was that the kids were taught how to pray out loud, many of them for the first time. It was an opportunity for spiritual growth that ECC hopes will continue in the coming years.
Mission Church continues their summer tradition of Free Friday Flicks, which has become one of the ways they have built a positive reputation in their city. The events have grown to reach over 1000!
In the video above, Jodi Hickerson, Programming Director shares how Mission from the beginning wanted to be known for throwing great parties for people with no strings attached.
Everyday took their high school youth to the CIY Move Conference. Many of these young people are one of the few Christians in their school. One student said afterwards, “CIY was just what I needed before I go back into school.”
Multiply these stories by all of the churches started over the years, and a picture emerges of churches committed to leading and teaching the next generation of the church. The shaping of these young lives would not be possible without your investment! For the rest of August, would you commit to praying specifically for the youth of our new churches?
That they would be led into relationship with Jesus
That they would be strengthened in their faith
That they would be equipped to be leaders of God’s Kingdom
