Dodge City Pictures

Those are just a few pictures from Dodge City. After the Middle School Bracket was completed, we wanted to snap a couple of shots of each team. We missed a couple of our teams, but are certainly glad that they participated.

Summer Stuff

Get ready! Here is a really big post! It is information concerning our 2008 Summer. Our summer ministry calendar has slightly changed. As the various activities get closer, more information will be available.

We will be adding in a project called "Paint Your Heart Out." Our church will combine with other churches to paint homes in the city of Benton. This will occur on June 30 - July 1-2. More information will come as it is received from the city of Benton. Since we are doing "Paint Your Heart Out," we will not do two additional Mission Trips. There will only be Missions 101, which will be for all 6th and 7th graders. On Sundays mornings, we will break from Small Groups and just meet together as one. On Sunday evenings, there will be no Grow U. On Wednesdays, Common Ground will take a break. Each Wednesday will be Summer Splash. This will include Bible Study and activities into one time. We might consider implementing a Summer Reading Program as well.

Here is information concerning other Summer events...

---W.O.W. - Week of Worship - June 16-20

What is W.O.W?
Do you remember going to VBS? It’s a great thing, but it’s time for something just a little different. We want you to step up to the plate and come check out W.O.W. What is W.O.W? It is your very own FBC Middle School Ministry’s “Week of Worship.”

When & Where is W.O.W?
W.O.W is happening on June 16-20 from 9 am - 12 pm each day. It will be the same time as the Children’s VBS. It is all taking place at FBC. You will need to come to the Upper Room each day.

What is our theme?
Our W.O.W theme is going to be Action Heroes. There are people in the Bible that seem like heroes. They may seem like superstars to us, but they still have weaknesses. The best part is that God used them to make a difference even through all their mistakes. God wants to do the same through us today!

What will we be doing?
It’s going be a blast! Each day we meet will be filled with tons of stuff. We’ll be hanging out, eating great food, and playing loud games. We’ll also be worshipping by learning lots of stuff from God’s Word. You don’t want to miss this!

What do I need to do?
The first thing you need to do is grab the registration form, fill it out, turn it in, and get ready for a great week. Secondly, we encourage you to invite friends to come along with you each day. The cost is $10.00 per person for the week. This provides an official W.O.W t-shirt, food, notebook, and lots of activities. You can bring friends anytime during the week, but they will not be guaranteed a shirt.

---Beach Camp - Orange Beach, Alabama - July 15-19

What is Beach Camp?
Let’s kick off the summer in style by going to the beach! Our Beach Camp is a God-focused experience that allows you the chance to worship while enjoying laid-back time on the beach. A typical day at Beach Camp will include small groups, quiet times, worship, prayer gatherings, and play time. It’s an opportunity for us to spend the day enjoying the sun, the sand, the surf, and the Savior

Where will we be staying?
We’ll be staying at the oceanfront Phoenix Condominium #7. The one, two, and three-bedroom condos feature separate living, sleeping, and dining areas, along with a full kitchen and washer and dryer. The condos are also guarded by 24-hour security. We will be traveling to camp on a chartered bus.

What is our theme?
Our theme this year is Simplify. The past two years we have gone to a big and loud camp. It has been incredible, but this year we will shift gears think “Simple.” It will just be our group doing camp together.

How much does it cost?
The cost is $295.00 per person. This is the most costly thing our Middle Schoolers will do. Most everything else stays under $50.00. This fee covers transportation, food, lodging, and all camp activities. Above all, you’re on the beach worshipping the One who created it! There is a $95.00 deposit due along with your registration form due on May 4th to secure your spot. This is worth skipping a ballgame or tournament. Space is limited, so hurry and jump on board. If you need a scholarship, please let us know.

---Missions 101 - Little Rock - July 28-31

I want you to imagine that you are stuck out on the streets. It is getting dark and a storm is forming in the sky. You must find shelter because you have no place to go. You have no home. It is also cold and you only have a light coat. You are freezing. Your stomach is growling because it has been two days since your last meal. What would you do?

You and I may have never had to answer this question. The reality is that thousands of people answer this question each year in central Arkansas. You are being offered the opportunity to pour yourself into the lives of others. Are you ready?

Coming on July 28-July 31, our Middle School Ministry will take part in our third Missions 101. This is just for 6th & 7th graders. This our annual trip to give you a taste of missions. Our team will partner with Union Rescue Mission’s Dorcas House in Little Rock. The Dorcas House is shelter that serves battered women and children. Each day our group will serve food, clean, sort supplies, tour the center, clean, and help with the other daily needs of the shelter. This year our group will also open our worldview and learn about other cultures. We will be staying one night at the Heifer Ranch in Perryville exploring the Global Village.

In the evening we’ll go to supper, do activities, return to our hotel, and have a Missions Debriefing. The debrief will be a time to talk about the day, prepare for tomorrow, and look at what God’s Word says about missions. The cost is $55.00 per student, which covers all lodging, most meals, and activities. You will be responsible for two meals at supper. Also, we will need a FBC Medical Release Form. There is limited space and the deadline to sign-up is July 2nd. We are going to have a great time together with Missions 101. It is important to know up front...we are there to serve. Finally, if you do not want to serve...then sit this trip out on the sidelines.

The Edge

This is a brand new event happening in our Middle School Ministry. It is called the Edge. The Edge is a mini-retreat for Middle Schoolers who want to serve God deeper. Why do we call it the Edge? It is because many of our kids are on the “edge” of doing something incredible to honor the Lord and change the world. The Edge is happening on April 19-20. These dates fall on a Saturday and a Sunday.

On Saturday, we will meet at the church mid-afternoon. From there we will go and do a service project in central Arkansas. Next, we will go to our hotel to connect with God and dive into the topic of “What makes a Student Leader?” We will then crash for the night and wake-up Sunday morning to attend worship back home at First Baptist Benton. The cost is $25.00 per person. This fee covers everything. Scholarships are available as well. The deadline to register will be Sunday, April 13th. Simply submit our blue release form and $25.00 to get registered.

Dodge City Wrap-Up

Dodge City is over! Thanks to all those who helped bring it together. It was a great event as divisions battled for the 2008 Championship. The Middle School Ministry Division was very competitive. It was also creative! Listed below are the names of the teams in the tournament. Don't forget...pictures coming soon!

Blue Eye Ballers
Jelly Beans
Bryant Dodgeballers
Dodgealicious Benchwarmers
Globo Gym
Apple Jacks
Duckin Dodgers
Razorbacks
Lumberjacks
Jawbreakers
Average Joes - First Place
Geek Squad - Second Place
Killer B's - Best Uniform

Dodge City...TONIGHT!

The teams are formed! The brackets are set! Our ministry is geared up for our third annual dodgeball tournament. Remember no Middle School Activities on campus tonight. It is all happening at Benton Junior High at 5:30 pm. Depending on how fast the games move, will determine when the night comes to an end. If you are participating in Dodge City, take a refresher course on our rules for the tourney:

What are the boundaries?
1. If a player steps out of bounds, they are out.
2. A player may only go out of bounds to retrieve a ball.
3. If a player crosses the centerline, they are out.

How does the game end?
1. Play ends when a team is eliminated.
2. Play ends also when 10 minutes is up. Most players left wins.
3. After 10 minutes if the teams have an equal amount of players, sudden death will occur. The first team to have a player eliminated will lose.
4. Each team will have two cones with balls at the top of them. If one ball is knocked off the cone, the closest player to the cone is eliminated. If both balls are knocked off the cones the team loses.

What happens when I get eliminated?
1. Players who are eliminated out must go behind their end line.
2. An eliminated player cannot be substituted for any reason.
3. When a player catches a fly ball, the thrower is out. The team who caught the ball can bring in an eliminated player.
4. A player is not out from a ball bouncing off the wall or floor.

How do you eliminate people?
1. If a player is hit with a ball before it hits the floor, they are out.
2. If a player who attempts to catch a ball, but drops it is out.
3. If a player is holding a ball and blocks an incoming ball, they are
not out.

What about unsportsmanlike conduct?
1. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in an immediate rejection.
2. Do aim, throw, or hit another player in the head.
3. A player hit in the head will remain in the game.
4. Team cannot keep all the balls for more than five seconds.

Finally, even if you are not playing, come on out and be a spectator. The cost of admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students, and free for pre-school and below. There will be a small concession set up as well. All items will be $1. A portion of the proceeds will go to support Missions, WOW, and Beach Camp.

Personal Touch

One of our Middle School Ministry's desire is to personally touch students in a variety of ways. One of the methods that we have chosen is through personal, hand-written cards. For example, in the month of February over 120 cards were sent directly to students. The cards are filled with simple words of encouragement and love.

One evening in Grow U, a handful of students wrote cards inviting kids to Common Ground. Even though e-mail is "now," personally penned letters and cards will never go out of style.

The Next 2 Wednesdays

Just a reminder that there will not be any meetings on campus the next two Wednesday nights.

March 19 - Dodge City - Our ministry will be off campus at the Benton Jr. High Gym for our 3rd annual Dodgeball Tournament.

March 26 - Spring Break - There will be no gatherings for our ministry. Attend regular worship or just take a break.

We will be back on schedule April 2.

FBC Middle School Ministry

Do you remember our strategy and focus for our programs? It is important for us to always keep in check why we do what we do. It provides us with direction, keeps us motivated, and helps us to be poised to reach Middle Schoolers for Christ. Think of our programs like a house.

Common Ground = Foyer: A Foyer is an entry way. Common Ground is like the Foyer of our ministry. It is essentially the front door to the Middle School Ministry. It is easy to access, friendly, and connecting to all types of kids.

Small Groups = Living Room: A Living Room is a place where connections happen. You sit, visit, and relate. Small Groups are like the Living Room of our ministry. Our Small Groups encourage relationships as we visit more in-depth about God’s Word.

Grow U = Kitchen: A Kitchen is where a great deal of work takes place. Grow U is like the Kitchen of our ministry. It challenges service and ministry on a much deeper level.

Each time a student attends one of these areas our hope is that they will have a place to… “Come Laugh, Come Learn, Come Link, Come Love, and Come Live!”

Dodge City

Dodge City will happen on Wednesday, March 19th at the Benton Jr. High Gym. There will be no Common Ground meeting this night. There will be no Middle School Ministry activities on campus.

The teams must consist of 6 people and at least 3 of those being girls. Of course, you can have more than three girls. You must have a team name and matching uniforms. The cost is $5.00 person, which is $30.00 for the whole team. Registration forms are available at the church. There will be a divisions for Middle School, Jr. High, High School, and Parents! There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and Best Uniform in each division. The deadline to sign-up a team is on Sunday, March 16th.

Finally, if you do not want to play, come on out and watch. It is quite entertaining. This will be our 3rd annual tournament. The cost of admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for the students. There will be a small concession stand too. Some of the gains will go to support Middle School Ministry summer events such as WOW, Beach Camp, and Missions.