December 2023- Catching Up

 We have had a very busy few months. We pray God is working in the hearts of these young people!

In October, we had our annual Fall Festival.  The youth that helped out did a great job, and the JOY Club students had lots of fun (and got to play many games many times!)  We continued our ministry to teachers at West Laurens High School with a prayer and water bottles with bible verse key chains attached. We also visited James Place and took some fall festival games for them to enjoy.  We appreciated Preacher Jeremiah joining us to minister to the residents.

In November, the JOY Club students have been working on a Christmas program with Mrs. Meredith, and we cannot wait to see that in December!  The youth wrote another prayer for the West Laurens teachers, and we sent them cups with John 3:16 on them.  For the shut ins, we made cute, stand up turkeys and tissue paper pumpkins that we hope they all enjoyed. Also, several youth and adults attended the Hearts on Fire Conference, where Emree and Ty gave their lives to Christ!  In addition, Micah also made a profession of faith in November and was baptized. 

Thanksgiving Prayer to Teachers

  December ushers in the most wonderful Christmas season where we get to celebrate our Savior's birth. We have already sent our goodie bags with a nativity bracelet, note pad, and photo Christmas card to the teachers at West Laurens, with another prayer just for them. We have made some angel crafts for our shut ins. We have already had our Hanging of the Greens, and we are looking forward to the upcoming cantatas. It was great to have all who participated in the school re-supply drive on December 2, even though the parade was cancelled. We pray everyone will have a blessed Christmas season.

 September Update

We have been very busy so far this September.  On Sunday nights, from 5:00-5:50, the students have enjoyed their weekly team competitions with Pastor Jeremiah. In the second hour, we have been working hard to fill all of our ministry needs. In addition, the students have been playing hard at rec after eating a great supper each week!  

Mission Projects:

We made "Happy Fall" door hangers for the shut in baskets and the James Place Residents.

For the high school, the students submitted prayers for the teachers about trusting in God throughout the school year. The church gave them a pom with our website and "Go Raiders!" on the handle.

September Prayer for the high school:

Dear God,

We pray that the teachers and staff of West Laurens High School will look to You for strength and guidance this month. May You keep them focused on their goals and help them to fulfill each one. Please help the teachers and staff sustain their hope, purpose, and vision for the year. We pray they will not get mad at the students and forget what they are doing and why they are there. Please help them remember every day that they are at the school for a reason. Help them to do as You have commanded and not to stray from Your path. We pray they will remember that the Lord always satisfies their needs.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

September Verse:

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

We are currently working on our October missions for the shut in baskets and teachers.

In addition, we made a visit to James Place on September 10th.  J.O.Y. Club played a couple of songs on the bells.  Then, we played "Name That Tune" and sang all of the hymns from the game. The students did a great job interacting with the residents and passing out prizes and door hangers.

August Teacher and Staff Prayer Ministry

 August Teacher Prayer Ministry

  

We distributed our first goodies to the high school on Thursday and Friday. The students worked together last Sunday night to write this prayer for the teachers. We hope that the school will feel God's love throughout the school year as we continue to pray for the teachers and staff.

Dear God,

We pray for peace as the school year begins for all teachers and staff.  Please help the teachers and staff have patience with the students and each other. We pray that You will help them remain level–headed in the chaos students can cause. Please help them weather the storms they will face in a calm and controlled manner.  We pray that You will help them to be connected to and comforted by their fellow staff.  May our teachers and staff exemplify the fruit of the spirit.  Please relieve them of their anxiety and keep them from discouragement. May they stay in Your word throughout the year.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Verse of the Month:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

August

 August 23, 2023

Sunday Night 5:00-7:00

We have started a new format on Sunday nights.  Brother Jeremiah, along with helpers, is leading the first hour.  Students of all ages are on teams, and they are playing games, memorizing verses, and participating in lessons.  During the second hour, we are still providing supper.  Then, we have organized recreation by several men in the church, while several women are organizing mission projects inside.  Students receive points for all that they do on Sunday nights, plus there are opportunities to gain points throughout the week.

1st Hour Point Breakdown:

Attendance- 15 points

Bring Bible- 15 points

Bring a Friend- 20 points 

Memorization Points:  (All students should get a folder with these in them).

Old Testament Books of the Bible- 500 points

New Testament Books of the Bible- 300 points

10 Plagues of Egypt- 20 points

10 Commandments-20 points

Judges- 20 points

Disciples- 20 points

"I Am" sayings of Jesus- 20 points

Armor of God- 20 points

Fruit of the Spirit- 20 points

2nd Hour Point Breakdown:

Mission/Craft/Skit for Nursing Home, etc.- 50 points

Serving (You won't necessarily get these points every week.  If you do something to serve others during the week, you can let us know, and we will add these points to  your team.  Examples are as follows (not limited to these examples):  Visiting someone in the nursing home, going to choir practice, singing in the choir on Sunday morning, participating in a service during the week, cutting a neighbor's lawn, making cookies for a neighbor, writing a card to someone who is sick)-15 points total per week.

Showing Fruit of the Spirit- 10 points

Outside Rec/Activity- 25 points

During our second hour's mission time, these are the projects the youth will be working on this fall.

Current Mission Projects:

1.  Shut In Basket Crafts (We started these last week, but we have many to finish on Sunday, August 27).

2.  James Place program and crafts.  We will be visiting James Place for the first time this fall on September 10, so please mark your calendar!

3.  Prayer Reminders for West Laurens High School teachers.  This is a new mission that we are just starting.  Last Sunday, the youth worked together to create a prayer for peace for the new school year, based on the guiding verses of Proverbs 4:6-7.  

Youth Director News

The committee is still working to find the youth director God has in store for us.  We are continuing to meet, talk to candidates, and share the need at this time.

April Update

 April 18, 2023

While we have not had any new applicants in the past few weeks, we are hopeful that as the school year ends and people move or graduate that we will have some people apply.

We have listed our job on the Georgia Baptist Convention site, and we are continuing to share via Facebook and word of mouth.  We are considering posting on some other job sites, but since they require a fee, we are going to wait a little longer to see if we get more applicants in the next month or so.

Please continue to pray for the person God has chosen to lead our youth. We know this search may take some time, but prayer is the most important thing we need right now.

Also, if you have not taken the survey on the previous posting, please do so if you are interested in providing your input into the search.

Student Ministry Mission Statements

 The job description references the mission statements of our student ministry programs.  The mission statements follow.

J.O.Y. Club (Jesus and Others Before Yourself)  3 years old to 4th grade

Foster an environment for the children who are present at Dexter Baptist Church in

which he/ she will learn the foundations of our faith, fellowship with other Christians,

and have opportunities to practice putting Jesus and others before ourselves through

community service projects and missions.

Elevate-- Grades 5-7

Continue the mission of J.O.Y. Club, adding an emphasis on strengthening the child’s

faith, the road to salvation, and more mature responsibilities and opportunities for

service.

I.M.P.A.C.T. --( Influencing My Peers as a Christian Teen)  Grades 8-12 

Continue the missions of J.O.Y. Club and Elevate with an emphasis on Godly life during

your high school years, growing your faith, and being a witness to others, while taking

on ever increasing responsibilities and service/mission opportunities.

Job Description for Church Feedback

 This is the job description the youth committee is submitting as their final draft for church perusal. They took the old job descriptions and made them into a new document.  Please feel free to speak to a committee member or email them at dexterbaptistyouth@gmail.com for any questions, concerns, or feedback.  

Youth Director

Dexter Baptist Church

Ministry Purpose: The purpose of the youth director is to lead, plan, organize, communicate,

and conduct all functions and activities in the youth program, carrying out the missions of

Elevate and Impact.

Reporting:  This position reports to the personnel committee and is subject to an annual evaluation

and review. 

Responsibilities:  

• Be a prayer warrior for the youth and their families.

• Communicate regularly with the pastor to ensure a consistent dialogue concerning

the trajectory of the youth program within the scope of the church as a whole.

• Arrive 15 minutes before scheduled services and activities to ensure adequate time tobe prepared and ready for service.

• Develop a quarterly plan of activities for youth that provides a variety of opportunities

for them to grow in the Lord, be of service to the church and the community, and be

involved in outreach to other youth and their families; share this plan with the youth

committee and the church.  

• Coordinate youth activities during times that do not conflict with scheduled church

activities, with the exception of extenuating circumstances, which may be approved by

the pastor, deacons, or youth committee. 

• Obtain approval from the pastor for any literature/materials to be used with the youth. 

In the absence of a pastor, seek approval through the Deacon Board or the Youth

Committee.

• Encourage and work with the youth to participate in worship services, including being

a part of the worship service as opportunities arise.

• Contact new prospects and invite them to come to church.

• Communicate with the youth and their parents as appropriate:  remind them of

activities, encourage those who have been absent, or notify them of a prospect to

contact or encourage. 

Requirements:

• Must be dedicated to the Lord, the Church and its people that have been called to serve,

and the spiritual growth of the youth.

• Must be in alignment with BF&M 2000

• Must adhere to the instructions in 1 Timothy 3 

• Must be able to work with and effectively communicate with youth and adults

• Must present yourself in an appropriate manner, which includes dress and conduct

• Must be able to pass a background check

Expectations:

• Maintain a positive working relationship with the pastor and the youth committee

• Maintain a positive and appropriate relationship with the youth

• Keep youth and families informed of upcoming activities in a consistent manner, with

enough advance notice to elicit participation.

• Work with parents and volunteers to engage the whole of the church with the youth,

so the youth program does not function as an entity unto itself.

• Promote traditional Christian values

• Regularly participate in the life and ministry of the church through consistent

attendance in church services and be in attendance with the youth in every

capacity that they meet.

• The youth pastor will teach Sunday School and Discipleship on Sundays, as well as

take an active role in the church as he and the pastor deem appropriate. 

• Be trustworthy

I have read and understand the job responsibilities and expectations required for this position,

and I agree to fulfill them to the best of my ability.

____________________________________ ____________

Employee Signature Date

***************THAT IS THE END OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION**********************

***Please remain in prayer about this position.

***Please submit any feedback or concerns to a member of the youth committee.   

We would like to have a final draft prepared by next Sunday, March 12, 2023.

****Also, please remember to take the survey at dexterbaptistyouth.blogspot.com if you have not already done so.