Impact 

Student Ministries

Spring, 2007 Newsletter

The mirror By Robert Fulghum

  At the last session on the last morning of a two-week seminar on Greek culture, Dr. Papaderos turned and made the ritual gesture—-”Are there any questions?” Quiet quilted the room. These two weeks had generated enough questions for a lifetime, but for now there was only silence. “No questions?” Papaderos swept the room with his eyes.

                So I asked. “Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?” The usual laughter followed, and people stirred to go. Papaderos held up his hand and stilled the room and looked at me for a long time, asking with his eyes if I was serious and seeing from my eyes that I was.

               “I will answer your question.” Taking his wallet out of his pocket, he fished into a leather billfold and brought out a very small round mirror, about the size of a quarter. And he went something like this. “When I was a small child, during the war, we were very poor and we lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place.

                 I tried to find all the pieces and put them together, but it was not possible, so I kept only the largest piece. This one. And by scratching it on a stone, I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact tat I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine — in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find.

                 I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of the light. But light — truth, understanding, knowledge — is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it.

                 I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light in to the dark laces of this world — into the black places in the hearts of men — and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of life.”

                 And then he took his small mirror and, holding it carefully, caught the bright rays of daylight streaming through the window and reflected them on my face and onto my hands folded on the desk.
 

Jesus said to His followers: “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill can not be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16)

 Christ followers are commanded to reflect the light of the Lord Jesus in their lives.  The light of Christ can penetrate even the darkest of hearts.  As you are involved in school, work, activities, relationships, etc… how well does the ‘mirror’ of your life reflect Christ?  Are people’s attention caught by the bright reflection of Christ coming from your life?  Or do they only see a faint glow coming from a very dirty mirror? 

 The greatest thing the world needs today is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s keep our mirror clean and reflect Christ in our thoughts, actions, and words. 

Doug  

Are you plugged in?
There are a number of areas in our student ministry where you can serve and do ministry. It is God’s desire that you use your gifts and talents to glorify Him and help build the body of Christ. Below is a list of our ministries with a brief description. If you’re not involved on one of the teams let me encourage you to jump I and get started. You’ll have a great time and build some wonderful relationships along the way.

Prayer Team: The prayer team meets weekly to pray for the needs of our students and ministry. They maintain a youth prayer sheet and post praises and answers to prayer in the new youth room. Weekly, a member of the prayer team shares a prayer point before our praise and worship time. Once a month, the prayer team attends the adult prayer meeting lead by pastor Holland. To join this team see Mark or Beth Anderson 483-9477

Praise Team: If you can play an instrument or sing then maybe you’d like to be a part of this team. The purpose of the team is not to perform, but to lead music in our praise and worship time. If you’d like more information please talk to Michael Gallimore 493-7508

Drama Team: Do you enjoy acting? If so, then maybe you’d like to be a part of this team who’s purpose is to perform dramas and skits that have a Biblical lesson. For more information contact Laura Gallimore 493-7508

Percussion Team: If you like to beat on objects other than your brother or sister (kidding) then the drum team might be something you’d like to do. The drum team utilizes junk object to make some really cool sounds. They are an ‘attention grabber’ and people in a crowd will come over to watch them play. The drum team has played at youth rallies and block party events. It is a wonderful outreach tool. The team does not play on a regular basis, but as needed. For more info contact Doug 483-9507

Production Team: We use a lot of powerpoint presentations, video, and media in our ministry. We need students who can control lighting, set up sound, run powerpoint, and more. This is a very important “behind the scenes” responsibility. For more info see Doug 483-9507

Global Focus Team: If you’d like to help our student ministry reach out to the farthest parts of the earth then maybe you should consider be involved with this team. We will be looking for creative ways to minister abroad. Some ideas include praying for missionaries serving internationally, corresponding with students from other countries through PenPal programs, and more… For more information contact Doug 483-9507.

See You at the Pole
FCHS

Drama Team at Wednesday Night
Youth Meeting

Impact Meetings
Every Wed. night, we have a youth meeting.  Feel free to come early (6pm) for open gym and fellowship.  Our regular meeting time is 7 to 8:30pm.  You can expect a great time of fellowship, Biblical teach that’s relevant to you as a teenager, and a time for praise and worship with our youth praise team.  As always….invite your friends!!!

God blesses ‘Front Door’

and then hear a message that is designed to challenge believers and present the gospel message to the friends that students have invited.
We have seen many students accept Christ through this monthly meeting.
Keep inviting your friends! There are so many teenagers who need to hear the gospel. Chances are; they will come if you invite them.

IDENTITY THEFT SKIT
Performed by Taylor Bohon and Hailey Turner (7th grade)