The Upper Room Ramblings

Centrikid Day 3!

2010-07-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

Great day to be at Centrikid. God really showed up as we talked about how He changes us when we become a believer. God has a plan for the lives of these students. Let's pray for them and hope that GOd moves in them. Here's a video...check it out.

God is at work--Day 2 CentriKid

2010-07-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

So today was a glorious day here at camp. Today the kids were put into track times. These are times that they were able to pick that might have included water, sports, and or plain fun. Some are doing babysitting. Some are playing games. But each kid came back saying that was their favorite part.

A common theme today has been lost and found. Kids are losing small parts of their money or BIG parts...but it is alright and hopefully those things will be worked out. Also we've picked up somethings from the lost and found that we've left. Overall...the kids are kids and that's alright...they'll grow up and be forgetful like me!

Also today God ushered someone new into His kingdom. Paige, one of our girls, accepted Christ tonight at the end of worship. God is so good! This trip has been worth every penny spent. Watch the video below...check out what the kids are doing and see Paige's joy at the end...it's the best 5 minutes you'll spend today.

CentriKid Day 1

2010-07-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

So we are Here at Mississippi College. The kids are nestled warm snug in their beds...while visions of Swimming...Rocking Out...and Kicking a Ball dance in their heads.

Seriously, we made it and the kids are having a good time. We traveled from West Monroe to Clinton and arrived early. The kids got registered and we then went on an adventure to eat lunch. We were going to go to CiCi's Pizza which was about 15 minutes from campus. 55 minutes later we finally found the CiCi's and had a great lunch. The kids were great.

We have had Opening Celebration, a Bible Study time, and a Party. It was lots of fun. This is high energy stuff. If I could compare it to anything it would be a conglomerate of Hannah Montana, iCarly, old school Mickey Mouse Club (as in the era of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears...early/mid 90s)...and Jesus-centeredness. It's really really well put together and the kids are crazy. Tomorrow they'll find out what fun activities they'll be doing, having more Bible Study, having a ton of fun in recreation, and having worship. Excited to see what will happen.

God is up to something....there were spiritual conversations on the bus before we got here...so we'll see what happens. Enjoy some pictures and check out the video on the bottom.

LAST FULL DAY

2010-07-10T04:11:00.000-07:00

So we'll be heading home in a bit. We have morning Bible Study and closing Celebration. It'll be a great way to end a great week. Pray for our journey home.

DAY 4

2010-07-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

God is working in our students lives this week. He is convicting them of their sin and they are working through turning that over to Him and repenting. It is really great and cool to see that. I am excited to be here as are the students. Friday is the last day on site and so we have challenged the students to "go big or go home..."

We do a daily time in our Church Group Devotions in which we allow students to tell some funny things that happen. Well....Here's this video and some great dance moves by Tami Mattingly.

DAY 3

2010-07-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

What a great day. God is doing some great things. Students are beginning to be broken in worship, and they're also telling some great stories. We had a great time in Downtown Nashville. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory and Laser Quest. Fun times. Virginia Dominated. I (Brandon) got 9th...not so good.

We're talking about obedience in Bible Study. It's been incredible. Everything is great...here's an update!

FIRST FULL CAMP DAY

2010-07-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

GREAT DAY...there are some pics and there is a video above. We had a technical glitch that we had to fix, but we're all good now. Hope everyone is doing good...leave us a comment!

2010 is Here....MFUGE IS BACK!

2010-07-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

HEY 2010! WOW...I haven't updated this in almost a year....but its that time of year again. We leave for camp in less than 48 hours. Wow! Tune in here for all the pics and updates. Follow along on my Twitter Feed that Is listed on the right hand side. We'll have videos and all kinds of updates. YEA! Pray for us...we'll need it!

Awesome Last Full Day!

2009-07-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

God did some awesome things today. The Gospel was shared, and people responded. We have students that are responding to God's calling on their life. Here is one example:

Awesome time tonight in our Church Group Devotions. It is such an encouragement to me to hear the things that God is doing. I look forward to the time where we get together and reflect and respond to the day. Also today was MEGA RELAY. It is one of the highlights of Camp. My team the Revolution won easily. Brandon J and I dominated the camp. It was fun.

We have had a blast. Please pray for our safe travels tomorrow. Kermit (aka Kermie) and I will be driving. God is so good to us. Thanks for your prayers.

Yesterday!

2009-07-17T05:12:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day. We went to ministry site. We saw God move. We saw brokenness. We worshipped. We played. We sang. We built. We did all sorts of things. We served. God is good. Please pray for our last day of site. As a treat yesterday we went to dinner in Nashville and played Laser Tag. The kids had a great time. Here they are saying hello to you all.

This building is just funny in Nashville.

What is important is the things God is doing on our ministry sites. Brandon J and I went to a group home called My Friends House. It was a great time of witnessing to boys who needed Jesus. This week is the last week that FUGE will be going there so we stopped and prayed on way back to camp yesterday for the things that God is doing there and will continue to do for the boys there.

God is Moving

2009-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! We had an awesome day today at Camp. God is moving. Pray for our students. Some of our students are lost and need the love of Jesus. Some need to follow Him more deeply. Others need to surrender to His calling on their lives. Pray that He would do a mighty work.

For fun there was a dodgeball tournament. Many of our students participated. The guys made a team called the Highland Headshots. The team won 2 games but lost to the Fuge staff in the 3rd round. Derek E. Singlehandedly beat the 1st team they played. Everyone was out and Derek won the game on His own. Way to Go!

I (Brandon) was able to visit Rocketown today. It is a ministry that Michael W. Smith (a Christian singer) began with many others. They have a concert venue, a coffeehouse, and a skate park. During the summer they run an arts day camp. I was able to help some guys make a video that they were working on...Brandon J. helped some guys with a band they were starting at the camp. During these times we were able to share about the love of Christ. It was neat to see us be able to use our talents to help others and share the Gospel with them.

Here are three videos of the dogeball tourney today. THe first one is of the Fuge Staff and the Headshots and then the others are from the other games. You have to look through another game to see our guys...enjoy.

Another Great Day!!

2009-07-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Today our students went to their ministry sites. Many played with kids, some sang to the elderly, some event went and spent time with inmates. It was a great time to serve many people in need.

We have also have had some fun. Here's some videos of the madness that has ensued while we've been on campus.

P.S. IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND FOLLOWING US...LEAVE US A COMMENT AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!!

First Actual Camp Day

2009-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

So even though we have been in Nashville for 24 hours we are just really getting started. Many are placed in track groups and will work in the city of Nashville tomorrow. Pray for them will you?

Today Carson E. had a little accident but had high spirits. She hair-lined fractured her arm during a game. She is still very happy to be here and excited about what she will experience. I am thankful her mother was here to help during this situation. Here she is talking about the experience via video.

Here is us getting excited about opening celebration. We are thankful and excited about what we will learn.

Made it Nashville

2009-07-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well it's late...but we made it to Nashville. We had a great trip. We were stuck by some rain...and we also ran into some road construction. Overall though great time. I am so thankful for xMa allowing us to use one of their vans. I would also like to thank Rod Bishop at S ummit Quest for getting us a rental van at the last minute as well. We will be lifting up FBC Shreveport, LA because of the terrible event as they were traveling to camp.

Here are a couple vids from our trip so far....

FUGE IS HUGE

2009-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Here is where you will be able to check out the happenings at MFuge while we are away this week. I will be updating pictures, videos, and Twitter (the what's happening with Reverend Rodgers) throughout the entire week.

Pray that God would move in us to do some awesome things! Pray for the people that we will encounter in Nashville.

Thanks!

COMING SOON!!!!

2009-05-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys and gals!

Today I am squaring away with Bro. Stan our awesome trip to Arlington to watch some baseball and going to Six Flags. We have worked it out to make this trip Super cheap....Only $40! Whoa. You have to buy your food. But other than that...you can't beat it! Awesome. Stay tuned for more news coming your way.

man...I am behind...Summer's coming!

2009-05-13T07:44:00.001-07:00

Sorry folks for delaying updating this. I am genuinely going to try to update this more than 1 time a month or 1 time every 5 months. Anyway...I am super stoked about the things that are happening at our church and in our student ministry. Summer is very close and we will do so much this summer. 6th graders are going to transition in through "Rise Up."

I am excited about this. I think once the 6th graders understand what we're doing to make them feel super awesome all summer, they will love it!

I am also stoked about Hangin' in the Upper Room every Tuesday afternoon this summer from 2-5. If you want to hang and you need a ride, call me...I'll come and get you...but your folks have to pick you up. Come play basketball, Wii, watch a movie, chillax in the Upper Room.

We also have some other cool things happening in the summer. They're coming very soon.

NYWC Day 1 and 2

2008-11-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is single handedly one of the best experience in my young youth ministry career. I am having an incredible time and am being pushed in many different ways. God is at work, and I am excited to be here in Pittsburgh.

Some highlights:

1) Francis Chan...rocked...incredible message.
2) Audio Adrenaline...Rocked as well...old school.
3) Worship with Starfield has been excellent
4) Session with Brock Morgan...Health is coming my way.
5) Meeting some folks. Jarrod from Albuquerque is cool, and he bought ear plugs...I snore.
6) Seeing seminary friends.
7) Hearing God's voice.
8) Loving Candi more while I am away from her...I miss her...but my heart longs to be closer to her.

I'll post more later. Bye Bye Bye.

Oops...sorry for the week off.

2008-10-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

So I took a week off...sorry. I am trying hard to do this blogging thing. It's tough. I will however say that I am looking forward to this week. I have alot to do, but am excited at the possibilities and opportunities that lie before me.

This week...
1) I will register our students for YEC.
2) I will book a hotel for YEC.
3) We are having a dunk booth for the fall festival...soak up some kiddos!
4) Confirm some things with the guy teaching my youth while I am out of town.
5) Do a video announcement for Wednesday night.
6) Attend the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburgh...it's gonna be AWESOME! I am stoked about that. My mom attended when she was a volunteer and she came back with tons of stuff. I'm sure it won't be like that...but I am sure I will get some freebies.
7) I think that's it.

I hope you are well.

THIS SUNDAY!

2008-10-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

We are going to see Two Empty Chairs! It starts at 6:00 at New Chapel Hill. We'll meet at the church and leave at 5:30. Come out and have fun!!!! We'll be home at 8.

Brandon

Brokenness For My Students

2008-10-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that the students of Highland Baptist are dealing with heavy stuff. As I am getting to know them more and more everyday, the Lord 1) opens my heart to love them more, and 2) helps me to understand my own story even more. These students are pushing me to the brink and into brokenness.

I mean...by no means was this suppose to be gut-wrenching...but rather an avenue for you all to understand that my students genuinely mean alot to me. Yesterday we had a moment where I thought we had lost a kid (she was with her dad the entire time and very okay) but my heart was troubled trying to get in touch with folks who would know her whereabouts. By no means had I feared the worst, yet, but had it played out much longer it would have been a tough scenario for me and our entire faith community. I genuinely wanted to know where she was at, not because I feared for my job, because I feared for her well-being. I genuinely love these kids.

I sit at lunch and dinner with these students and we talk about what God is doing in their lives. It is incredibly humbling to see that students are actually "getting it." I have not been here long, and I feel more and more everyday that the Lord was very clear when he made His path straight to West Monroe. I am humbled more and more. I listen to students discuss their families, and I tell them about mine...and it is very close to the same scenario. God is truly using my short life to let others see that He can be faithful.

I see students pursuing holiness...this is the big one for me. I have students that are in relationships and they choose not to pursue physical intimacy of any kind because they don't want to stumble and cause the significant other to stumble. I am challenged by these kids to do the same. Students are changing their language use for the sake of letting Christ shine in their life. Students are beginning to serve others...and eachother...for the Kingdom's sake.

I am broken for my students. May God continue that.

First Post! Welcome to My World.

2008-10-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

So basically...I am working hard. That is what I do. I come in to the wonderful office of Highland Baptist Church and plug away at what the Lord is doing through our church and find a way to plug our students into that work. We just had a Revival. It was actually really great. It was a revival that was more for our church. We looked at some deep theological understandings of the Trinity, Man, and the Church. God really worked in some of our folks, and I pray that God continues that work.

There are some other things that have happened today:

1) Discovered we will have to change the time of the TOOL SHOWER. I am getting married...I am getting tools at a couple shower...YES! We had to move it from 5 to 3 on Nov. 8. If you are a couple and would like to come...come.

2) Booked a Hotel for the Pittsburgh National Youth Workers Convention. It cost $110/night. WHOA! I am sure it will be amazing when it is all said and done. I tried to find a roommate and couldn't, and had to book this week to get the rates.

3) Planned a Adult Youth Council meeting...we got to raise some Benjamins for Camp this summer, and these folks know how to do it!

4) Woke up at 5 because of the aforementioned dog in my about me. She was barking...urg.

5) Checked out what was going on at the National Youth Workers Convention in Sacramento...nothing yet to note. I am excited about going.

6) Tried to do some honeymoon planning...man things are expensive.

Hope you are all doing well. I love you..and so does the Lord. Serve Him with Gladness today!