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Friday, September 20, 2013

Technology Tornado

As the school year is in full swing now, and our schedules have filled with a million things to do, it can be really easy for technology to take over your time. Twitter, Facebook, email, Instagram, Vine, text messaging and new iOS to learn; all these things can suck you in so that work and ministry become a 24-7 gig. Technology is definitely not bad. And when it’s used in a healthy, balanced manner, it greatly enhances both ministry and life. But when you find yourself staring at an iPhone screen more than your family… something needs to change.

This area has been a particular struggle in my own life, and one that I have by no means figured out.  In this day and age you can’t completely disconnect from the world, but nor should you be so distracted by constant email pings and texts that you’re not present for your family. This technology conversation has a lot of gray areas and so it takes a fair amount of effort and communication to hash out.

Here’s the main goal: Don’t allow screen time to replace face time.

People need attention. They need you to be focused on them, listening, alert, and engaged. There is no formula or set of rules that you can follow to guarantee you’ll be great at paying attention. And chances are that as the capabilities of technology expand and integrate more and more into our daily lives, this will be an area you’ll have to work on a lot.

As you talk with your family about technology, be sure to listen to each other's opinions and work together to create boundaries that fit your unique needs.

Here are some things I’ve enacted in my own family life:
  1. No technology at meal times. Phones are off or on vibrate, they are not sitting on the dinner table. Computers and iPads are closed and put away.
  2. No charging in the bedroom. It’s really hard to have quality time when things keep buzzing, dinging, and drawing our attention away from each other. Plug in and charge the electronics in another room.
  3. Work email goes to a work computer. For us it helped to not have ministry emails constantly dinging into the phone. It keeps us constantly “at work” even though we are at home.
  4. The freedom to say no. We each have the freedom to express frustration if we feel the other one is being sucked too much into the technology tornado.
  5. One Sabbath day. Technology is turned off and totally ignored one day a week. (In theory!  This one is hard to do.)
What are some of the things you and your family are doing to not be so caught in the technology tornado? 

Pastor Jeff

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

It's Back to School Time -Again.


Parents, It's school time again! With your help the Edge Student Ministry had a very successful summer. I believe that by all of us working together we can also make this a very fruitful school year. As a note of encouragement I want you to know that I consider it of prime importance that together we be an active part of your students faith during this season.
This summer we had students from all over the Quad Cities attend summer camps, participate in Missions projects and share their faith with their friends. In early June a group of students went to Worldview Academy in Deerfield, IL to further their faith by learning to think and to live in accord with a biblical worldview so that they will serve Christ and lead the culture.  I encourage you and your student to take some time to explore Worldview Academy and what it might look like for your student to attend a Worldview camp next summer. You can find out more at www.worldview.org. 
In addition a large group of students went to Wheaton College to attend Student Life Mission Camp.  There our students served at the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin and at Family Service Shelter of Glen Ellyn.  The students did multiple service projects from spending time playing with kids to pulling weeds and painting.  The experience was truly eye opening and we have since been invited back to help with further projects by both organizations! I am so proud of our students and what they are accomplishing for the Kingdom.  You can find out more about Student Life by visiting www.studentlife.com.
This summer we met every other Sunday night at multiple locations throughout the Quad Cities. We had cookouts, volleyball, a trip to IHOP and so much more. One of our most impactful events was a prayer walk our students participated in.  We set up seven prayer stations and gave the students an opportunity to pray for their school year.  They had opportunities to prayer for their administrators, teachers, friends, those they are yet to befriend and for their own walk with our Lord.  Every event was well attended with visitors coming to each and every one.   Thank you for being so supportive in this attempt to get our students off campus and be the church outside of the walls of the building.
With school back in full swing for almost all of our students we will get back to our usual meeting times throughout the week and we encourage not only your student to attend but you parents as well. It is so important that you and your student be in the Word and experience the fullness of Christ together.  I have always found students to take their faith more seriously when they see their parents involved and participating in the body of Christ; so please be encouraged to see all that Edgewood has to offer both you and your student(s) as we strive to Equip People to Become Fully Devoted Followers of Christ.
On Sundays we meet at 9:30am for a time of Bible Fellowship. Terry and Holly Hartley lead students in 7-8 grades and students 9-12 grades are led by Chris Rogers and myself.  Elevate is a student worship service for students 6-12 grades that meets Sunday mornings at 10:45am.  Sunday nights, beginning September 8th, at 6pm we meet for a time of community and discuss areas of faith related to discipleship, holiness, selflessness and missions. And last but not least we also meet Wednesday nights, beginning September 4th, for The Journey (HS) and Trek (JHS) for an AWANA based Bible study and small group.
Should you or your student(s) ever need my assistance in any way please know that both my wife and I are available for you. You can reach us by email at Jeff@edgewoodbaptist.net and Alisha@edgewoodbaptist.net or by phone at 309-786-7913.
I consider it a great privilege and awesome responsibility to lead your student and I look forward to partnering with you this school year.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Summer @ TheEdge


Parents and Students we want to keep you updated on all the things going on in the Edge Student Ministry. With Summer upon us there are tons of opportunities for us to grow closer to God as a family and as individuals too. 

This week we are starting a new series in Elevate at 10:45am called JUSTICE in which we will talk about what Justice really looks like, we will cover topics like bullying all the way to racial prejudice and human trafficking. This week we will look at Isaiah 1:16-17.

We still meet at 9:30am on Sunday's for Bible Fellowship -right now the High School students are currently going through the iamsecond series. You can find out more about that here -www.iamsecond.com

We also have a smaller mid-week gathering on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. It is a small group that meets here on campus and is led by our former Missionary Interns Derek and Melissa Glynn. 

Here are some updates for you so you know what to look forward to. For June our series for Elevate will be; JUSTICE
July; JUST BREATHE (we will look at what to do when life gets heavy). 
August; PROMISES (from God to us) 
September; SURVIVING SCHOOL. 

We also have an updated SUnday Night schedule for you. Our students will meet every other Sunday night over the Summer, the schedule is as follows; 
June 9: Dodgeball Tournament (fundraiser)
June 23: River Bandits Game
July 7: Duck Creek Park (cookout/ultimate frisbee)
July 21: Whitey's (ave of the cities/16th Moline)
Aug 4: Stephen's Park (Volleyball)
August 18: Lake Day @ Helm's (Tentative -we are still planning this event)  

Another important date to remember is July 15-19, we will be at Student Life Mission Camp at Wheaton College. It is our desire that every teen 7-12 grade attend camp as there is a ton of great bible teaching/preaching, fellowship, and truly living out the gospel on a daily basis. Please let us know how we can get your student there! 

For all the latest updates PLEASE connect with us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/edgewoodstudentministries and twitter as well www.twitter.com/EdgeStuMin

Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.  We are not perfect here at Edgewood but we do work very hard to make sure
everyone that wants to grow in their relationship with Christ has every opportunity to do so. You can reach me by email at jeff@edgewoodbaptist.net or by phone at 309-786-7913.

Pastor Jeff 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Dependent Parenting

DEPENDENT PARENTING

BY: MELISSA TREVATHAN

Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from “Intentional Parenting: Autopilot is for planes” by Melissa Trevathan, Sissy Goff and David Thomas of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tenn. For more practical parenting help, check out their book here.   
At a parenting seminar several years ago, Sissy brought a group of teenage girls for the question-and-answer segment at the end of the class. One mom in the audience asked the girls, “What is something your mom has done for you as you’ve grown up that’s kept you connected to her?” One senior in high school responded immediately. “Every morning, when I come downstairs, I see my mom reading her Bible and writing in her prayer journal. We never talked about it, but it’s had a major effect on our relationship; it’s helped me feel safe and like I could trust her.” 
I spoke with this mom a few days later and told her what her daughter said. Her response was honest and unassuming. “I do that because I have to. It’s not that I choose to have a quiet time every morning because I’m trying to be a godly example for my daughter, although I do want to be that. I read my Bible and spend time praying because I’m compelled to. I don’t have a choice. Raising a child is too hard. I just can’t do it alone.”
Eugene Peterson said, “The parent’s main task is to be vulnerable in a living demonstration that adulthood is full, alive and Christian.” Being vulnerable is difficult when you’re a parent, especially a spiritual parent. You are “supposed to be” strong, together, in control. But the reality, to put it simply, is that you’re not.
 At a mother/daughter conference, Sissy and I were on a panel in front of more than 1,000 women. I was asked the question,  “Can you tell me the secret to making sure my child grows up to be Christ-centered and well-rounded?” I turned to the audience, smiled and said with all of the wisdom and warmth I could muster, “No.” 
I can’t. But the question has intrigued me ever since. What do you hear underneath it? Do you hear the fear (“the secret” – no one has told me it so far, and I need you to)? Do you hear the need for control (“… making sure my child grows up to be….”)? Do you hear the lack of trust? (Why does “well-rounded” follow “Christ-centered”? Shouldn’t being Christ-centered be enough?) I hear those things because I’ve seen them in myself… all too often.
Our fears, the need for control, for guarantees, even for things to be like we think they should, all stifle our vulnerability. Vulnerability involves a letting go of control. It means there are no guarantees, that we’re giving up control over what we think should happen.
It is only as a Christian that I believe we can. We can let go because it is God who takes up. We can give up what we think should happen because what will happen is in His control rather than ours anyway. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him – parents and children alike – who have been called according to His purpose. (His purpose, not ours; it’s in Romans 8:28.)
So let’s go ahead and get it out in the open. You are vulnerable. Even if you’re one of the parents others see as strong, godly and together. You and I know the truth. You’re vulnerable. You’re dependent. You need God severely. And that’s exactly what your children need from you. 
What do you feel when you read the words “dependent parenting?”
How would your children describe your relationship with God?

*Melissa Trevathan, MRE, is founder and executive director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tenn. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Melissa has taught graduate courses, spoken to churches and schools across the country, and been a guest on television and radio programs throughout the US and Canada. She is the author of seven books and a video curriculum. She founded Daystar in 1985 after working as a youth director and the head of spiritual life at a school in Nashville.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

30 Hour Famine

This weekend April 5th and 6th our students will be participating in World Visions 30 Hour Famine. I want to give you as much information in as little space as possible so pay attention :)

We are asking students to meet for breakfast with other students from their area.
Davenport students will meet for breakfast at Village Inn (5925 North Brady Street Davenport, IA) at 6:45am.
Moline/Rock Island/East Moline students will meet at Village Inn (2122 53rd Street Moline, IL 61265) at 6:45am.
Sherrard/Orion students will eat at home and pretend that you are at Village Inn OR come join us in Moline. (sorry)

Students will begin their fast at their lunch period. There is a sticker for students to wear and a informational booklet in their fundraising envelope with facts about world hunger that students can share with those around them that have questions as to why they are fasting.

Friday April 5th Schedule
6:30 pm -Meet at Edgewood/check in.
7pm -World Hunger Prayer Walk
8pm -Juice/Water Break*
8:30pm -Video/Discussion on World Hunger
9pm -Candlelight Vigil/Famine Cam
9:30pm -Dismiss Ladies for the night**

Saturday April 6th
8:30am -Arrive King's Harvest Ministries -King's Harvest Ministries 824 West 3rd Street Davenport, Iowa. Phone number: 563-570-4536
11:30am -arrive back at Edgewood -TRIBE Activity (receive new identity)/Meet and Greet
12pm -Activity (Water Walk) 
12:45pm -Juice/Water Break
1:15pm -Finger Print Banner 
1:30pm -Activity (Camp Football)
2:30 -Juice/Water Break
3pm -Activity (Scavenger Scramble)
3:30pm -Juice/Water Break 
4pm -Activity (Market Mayhem) 
5pm -Church 
6:15 -Communion/End Fast.***

*Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. We will provide bottled water as well as juice. Students can decide what type of fast they are doing i.e. water only or water + juice. 

**Students will need sleeping bags and pillows and shower necessities. Ladies will be spending the night at the home of Marty and Sheila Mills and Guys will be staying at Edgewood. 

***We will end our fast in the Ignite Room with Potato & Ham soup and sandwiches with fruit. 

Please email me with any questions you may have @youth@edgewoodbaptist.net

-Pastor Jeff 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Summer Opportunities

One of the greatest opportunities for Spiritual Growth in a students life is Summer Camp. It has been said that 1 week of summer camp is worth up to 3 years of Sunday morning teaching. Summer after summer we have seen students surrender their lives to Christ, ministry and various other types of Kingdom service. 
This summer our students will travel to Wheaton College July 15-19 for Student Life's Mission Camp experience (http://www.studentlife.com/events/mission) where our students will participate in corporate worship services with 2500+ students from all across the mid-west as well as participating in Mission projects across the city of Chicago.  It is sure to be a great time of Spiritual Growth. 


It is with that Spiritual Growth in mind that I would like to bring your attention to another opportunity for your student(s) this summer. Kerry and Tami White have been working very hard behind the scenes (and have been very patient with me) with an organization known as Worldview Academy (http://www.worldview.org/). Our Associate Pastor and current Interim Pastor Ed Kuriscak has a great history with Worldview and has taken several of our former students of Edgewood to their summer camps. Worldview Academy's mission statement is as follows; Worldview Academy is a non-denominational organization dedicated to helping Christians to think and to live in accord with a biblical worldview so that they will serve Christ and lead the culture.


Worldview Academy hosts several camps throughout the summer months and they will be hosting a camp near us June 9th-14th in Minnesota at Northwestern College in St. Paul. The White's son Austin will be attending and we want to make the camp available to you as well. This camp provides an excellent opportunity for students to grow and take their faith further. This camp is available for 9-12 grade students however space is limited and on a first come first served basis. If you are at all interested please contact Kerry or Tammy White immediately so that you can get all of the information you need to make an educated decision.
 


I also want you to know that we are committed to you and your student(s) and if your student is unable to attend Worldview Academy this year that next year(2014) we will be taking all of our students to Worldview Academy as our Summer Camp so that every student will have the opportunity to experience Worldview Academy.  

We are here for you and your student(s) and we look forward to having the opportunity to partner with you to equip you and your family to reach your full potential in Christ. 

For additional information please email youth@edgewoodbaptist.net or  whitepiano95@yahoo.com ASAP.

-Pastor Jeff  

Monday, January 28, 2013


Dear Parents,

Every day, your teenagers are bombarded with hundreds of messages about sex: at school, on TV, the internet - sex is everywhere they look.

There are some harmful messages and inaccurate ideas that lead people to make foolish decisions for their life. These bad decisions can result in people carrying around deep wounds, hurts and painful memories.

I wanted to share with you that we will be exploring the sensitive topic of sex over the next four weeks during our Bible Fellowship time (9:30-10:20) with the students. We will be using The Truth About Sex, featuring Biblical teaching from Doug Fields.

Doug Fields has been a pastor to teenagers and ministry leaders for over 30 years including 18 years as youth and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church with Rick Warren. He is the author of over 50 books including, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.

The Truth About Sex is a candid and up-front study about the topic of sex. We are going to dive into the Biblical purpose of sex and purity while also tackling some of the temptations that are out there in our culture today. We feel it’s better to be straightforward and real so that students can talk honestly about this topic.

In the four video sessions, we will hear students share authentic stories about the struggles they face regarding sex. Doug Fields will offer Biblical insight into how all teens can make right decisions, live within boundaries, and seek God’s forgiveness when needed. After watching the video, we will dig into our Bibles and study Scripture together.

We encourage you to use this time to ask your teenager what they’re learning in the series and to continue the discussions and honest conversations at home. We are committed to partnering with you, as parents of youth, to help your teenager grow in their faith and pursue purity.

If you have any questions or would like to preview this Bible study video, please call or e-mail me. Thank you for the privilege of serving your family. 

-Pastor Jeff