David Miller

It’s the time of year where every tv show, blog, and magizine are looking back at 2009.  Why should I be any different?

2009 was a great year in thElement Student Ministry.  Here’s a look back at some of the highlights.

Invisible Children “The Rescue”:

People from all across Central Florida wearing the same t-shirts for a month and sleeping outside until rescued by the media and moguls.

Baptisms:

35 baptisms this year.  Incredible!

Middle School Camp-In (thElement’s version of a “Lock In”):

A couple hundred Middle School Students hopped up on sugar and sleep deprived.

Bolivia Mission Trip:

Two weeks in Bolivia serving a home for street kids.

Summer Camp :The Being Human Project:

There is nothing more fun than thElement summer camp!

Bellarive EP released:

Easily one of the best worship albums released this year!

Invisible Children “Together We’re Free” Screening:

This was an all thElement event!  This was an amazing night of worship and being inspired by  the story of this amazing organization.

2009 was incredible!   Stoked for what God has in store for us in 2010.

What did 2009 look like for you?

The #1 question asked after Christmas is, “What was the best gift you got for Christmas?”
Let’s go ahead and turn that on it’s head.

What was the best gift you gave this year?

I’ll go first,
My wife and  I bought gift baskets from our good friend Tony Adams of Big Wheel Provisions for our families.  These baskets are beautiful!

A bit more about Big Wheel Provisions from their website:

Big Wheel Provisions is a catering and charcuterie company located in Orlando, Florida. We are all about using the best techniques to make the absolute tastiest food we can. Our food is made in small amounts by hand because, frankly, we think it tastes better that way.

From custom event catering to handmade condiments, pickles, and charcuterie, we want to change the way people in our community think about food- demonstrating that local ingredients raised the right way really shine when handled properly. Local is lovely.

Buying from BWP was great!  Our families got a sweet gift and we supported a worthy local business.

So now it’s your turn.  What was the best gift you gave this Christmas?

Guest Blogger bio: Kenny Werner is a part of thElement Student Ministry. He’s a junior in high school and one of the most talented drummers I’ve ever seen.  Kenny uses his talents as the drummer for the worship band Bellarive.  I love his thoughts on God and The Church and am stoked to share them here.

Matthew 3:11
“But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. “

I find myself rather cynical and not in as good a mood as society says I should be in at Christmas time. I did not feel the urge to decorate anything. I feel like the Christmas season is almost a chore to me. The whole commercialization of it really bothers me, but that’s not important right now.

I was venting to God about how tired I was of the disregard for Jesus on Christmas and asking him what was wrong with me that I wasn’t feeling particularly happy or cheerful. Then I read the first three chapters of Matthew, and I came across Matthew 3:11. The ideas in this verse blow my mind.

First of all, being baptized with fire is a ridiculous concept. I would have loved to be at Pentecost, but only slightly more important…

“But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry…” Jesus did allow John to baptize him, to serve him. I wondered if there would be an opportunity for me to wash Jesus’ feet in heaven. What If everyone had that opportunity?

As I was pondering the possibility of someday washing Jesus’ feet, I realized that this amazing opportunity is already ours! “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me” Jesus said. Jesus gave us 6,692,030,277 pairs of feet to wash, and counting. He understood our desire to love, and he has given us an amazing opportunity to fulfill that God given desire. So I urge you to serve others in all seasons.

There is no time like the present to wash His feet.

- Kenny Werner

Check out Kenny doing his thing with Bellarive

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you know how highly I think of the worship band Bellarive (check out past posts HERE). The following video was shot during the recording of their EP The Being Human Project – Start Listening.

Click the album cover above to check out their music.

Enjoy the video

If you’re apart of a ministry, I would highly recommend getting Bellarive to lead worship for your community!

Matt 28:16-20

Christmas is around the corner!  If you’re like me, you’ve just started shopping for those you love.

Shame on you!

Don’t stress, because I’m here to help. This year rather than rush to the mall, why not offer someone a life changing experience or buy from a organization who will use you’re money to further a cause?

Experiences-

Mission Trips:

God is at work throughout the world and it’s important to get outside your comfort zone and become His hands and feet.

The #1 thing that keeps people from going on a mission trip is money.  Giving toward a mission trip will offer a life changing experience.

*Keep your ears open for info on thElement’s next mission trip.
Check out past posts about last years Bolivia trip HERE.

Camps:

Throughout The Bible men and women got away to spend intentional time with God, without distractions.  I believe that’s what camp provides for students today.  My life was changed at summer camp in 11th grade.

For some, camp will be a much needed refresher.  A chance to get away and reconnect with God. Others will meet God for the first time at summer camp and decide to follow Him with their lives.

Camp could be a powerful gift to give someone you care about.  thElement camp is one of my favorite parts of the year.  Details for this years camp will be out next week.
Check out last years thElement camp videos HERE

The Goods (these organizations are in no particular order).

It’s cool to

Toms Shoes:

Toms Shoes is a for-profit company but they have a 1 for 1 business model.  This means for every pair of shoes you buy, a pair is given to a person in need.  “Shoe drops” are done all over the world each year.  I have two pairs of Toms and they’re amazing!  Plus, new styles seem to be coming out each year and they’re sick.

Invisible Children:

The money from their shirts, bracelets, and bags go toward continuing their mission to end the war in Uganda and bring hope to those affected.

Check out past posts about Invisible Children HERE

Bajalia Trading Company:

Bajalia was started by a woman who attends Discovery Church.  Their mission and purpose are legit.

Mission
Bajalia Trading Company uses trade, training and other forms of community development to alleviate poverty and empower low-income people as they work to improve their lives.

Fair Trade
Bajalia Trading Company works within the guidelines for fair trade. We are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and entrepreneurs worldwide. We also help educate consumers about the value of purchasing products that support living wages and non-exploitive working conditions in the developing world.

Preemptive Love:

My father in-law bought me a pair of these for Christmas two years ago.  I’d be lying if I told you they were comfortable, but the money from every pair goes toward heart surgeries for kids in Iraq.  Not to mention they look sweet (ladies you know what I mean)!

There are so many great causes to support.  Leave some other ideas in the comment section below.  Bottom line: This Christmas, make your last minute gift a meaningful one.

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

The World will try to define you.  You will be put you down for what you believe or the way you look.  How you respond is up to you.  I say, “Shake The Dust”

The following are actual emails from members of local churches to their pastors.

We have been members with you all for some time and have always enjoyed Sunday morning service, however just wanted to drop a few comments about church yesterday. Will the regular band be back or this new band replacing what we are accustomed to? The band yesterday seemed like a great concert performance, but his singing and pitch seem too high for praise and worship, which makes it difficult for us to sing to. I do understand if this is a new band there are kinks, but it would be great if we brought the pitch lower.

Probably the most disappointing aspect of yesterday was the recorded video for the main service. We maybe considered “old school” in terms of having a live speaker, but I feel that in order to maintain and grow, we cannot simply have a video to take the place of an interactive church service from our Pastors. Is there a way to notify us somewhere on the website to let us know if you all are running a video for the teaching portion, because in that case, we can watch it online?

Please do not misunderstand the tone of this email, but do realize that the Sunday morning service and production we certainly look forward to, but when we come to listen to a concert performance and watch a screen, it makes the overall experience disappointing.

The Worship band was anointed by God today, evoking such emotion for  Jesus as I haven’t felt in too long, very refreshing from the norm, I wonder has itonly become a “job” to the regulars vs. genuine worship?

You may not have any control over this, but vocals and instruments are hard to hear over the drums. Also, I feel like the worship leader is about to cry when he speaks, very emotional, perhaps some joy would be good.

We’re starting to treat our churches like a movie.  We pick apart our worship services like they’re intended for our enjoyment rather than our edification.

Your Pastor gets this sort of email everyday!

Lets break the trend.  What are some things you love about your church?

Don’t just leave it in the comment section.  Email your pastors and make their day.