Greetings my fellow compadre's in the faith.  I hope my blog encourages you to respond to my dilemma.  What dilemma, you ask...well it's kind of personal...down right noticeable if you ask me.  It's my goatee...you see I haven't been giving it much attention lately.  What kind of attention, it's facial hair?  You know...like finding the next facial-hair treatment to keep it's luster, or owning the goatee certified trimmer.  Nor have I been able to manage it's activity of growth for some time.

Why should you care?  Well almost a decade ago I set out on this journey to grow and develop a healthy looking goatee.  Upon meeting Darrin Ray over 2 years ago and then this past year, John Holllan, both which possess and have developed healthy looking facial hair inspired me to keep going.  Both gentlemen I highly admire.

Notice in this goofy looking picture...see Darrin...see how nicely connected his facial hair is on both sides of his mouth?  Notice me for a second...you see me...sticking my lips out...what do you see?  I know, you see a ridiculous looking pose.  No connection on the sides of my mouth between the chin fuzz and the lip jazz.  Noting is going on there.  I've considered trying Chia PetTM ointment to cover the gap area.  Nothing is going on there...it's disturbing to me how the greatness of a completed goatee will make you feel most confident about your facial appearance.  Weird I know.

Therefore I need your help...

Do I shave it clean to give my goatee a new beginning to connect it's roots and fill in the gap area or do I keep it and continue to nourish it in hopes of it connecting through longer lip hair or chin fuzz.  What do you think?

Answer either YES to Shave it! Or, NO don't shave it.

Take this next week and respond, and before the new semester begins we will take a Wednesday night Mid-Week service and announce the winning poll of either those in favor to shave it or keep it.  The winning team will either see my face shaven after Mid-Week is over or still hanging on to the goatee.

Cast your vote and let me know how to solve this dilemma!

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

 

 

Student Camp 2008 was spectacular!  God gave us a spirit of unity, grace, conviction, and servant-hearts toward one another.  Testimonies and stories were shared last Sunday as a part of Sunday morning and evening services.  Three students during our 10:30am service were baptized upon receiving Christ at an earlier age in life.  What a great celebration of all God did.

More pictures to come...

What a rockin' cool picture...way to go blue team!

AAAAAAAA--ZUUUUL!

We learned about finding rocks and how God is our rockbed of faith...thank you Mrs. Jackie and Mrs. Shelly.

Brandon is ready to get his game face on for the blue team...

CMoney hangin' with the fellas!

Zyanne, Kristen, and Abbie are rockin' the high ropes course...way to go!

More pictures to come...

Well...a few weeks ago our Student Ministry of Blue Valley Baptist Church embarked on a journey to Omaha to participate in servant-evangelism.  I know many of you have been anticipating these pictures and comments as to how it had an impact.  Enjoy!

We began our morning together on June 19 around 9:30 am with a group shot before we began our journey to Omaha for the College World Series.

 Upon arrival to the 9th Inning Ministry site, led by Jay & Jeri Dess, founders of Thirst No More Ministry our Students and Adult Volunteers we fully engaged in stocking 4 pick-up truck beds worth of water.  Each case contained 24 bottles of water with the message of the gospel explained in a simple format.  Check it out..

Jessie Chastain, Site Leader for Thirst No More, Andie Kincaid, and Seth Kincaid rockin' the water bottles as they prepare to hand out over 300 bottles of water.

As an example this team is displaying what took place among our entire group of 19 students and 5 adults.  Our Mission Team served were placed at four different around the stadium of the CWS.  Each student and adult were able to serve in the same way as shown above.

Micah Collins, Kristen Oyer, Andrew Oyer, Volunteer student from Westside Church, Site Leader for Thirst No More.  Each participating in servant-evangelism at the CWS.

Friday morning we had a fun day at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.  We spent roughly 6 hours at the Zoo to take in all the sights.  Later that day we served at our servant-evangelism sights and then we attempted to go to the North Carolina vs. LSU game...where we were rained out...so we thought...later that night the game went on.

All together for the 3 days our Student Ministry served giving away over 7,000 free ice-cold bottles of water.

With all our students did and how God used us to be salt and light for Christ, Jaxon Kincaid, Adam Bailey, and Alex Ragan were filled with joy and excitement.  This is a great pic of these fellas!

 

Before we departed Omaha to head home on Saturday, June 21 we gathered around Jay and Jeri Dess and our students prayed for them, their ministry, and how God would continue to use them in His service and seeing Kingdom growth.

Personally I am impacted by our students.  I am grateful to experience our first mission trip with each of these students and adults who faithfully served.  To my recollection each student displayed a positive attitude while being in the crowds of people and scorching heat.

I am thankful for our students and the Christ-like attitude each displayed all hours of the day.  God is at work and I and my family are so blessed to be a part of each students life and their family.

In Christ,

JWES CROCKETT, Minister of Students

I will place photos and comments about our 9th Inning Ministry, Servant-Evangelism trip Monday, June 23. 

As you have noticed I haven't blogged for almost 2 weeks...

Have I been sick?

No.

Have I been out of the country?

Nope.

Have I been getting ready for 9th Inning Ministry and Super Summer?

Absolutely!

You see Missions and Student Camp are a big part of our Student Ministry at BVBC.  It's a simple way to connect into fellowship with other students and seek God together to make a difference in the lives of non-believers.

So, over the next week we are making preparations for our Mission Trip to Omaha, NE at the College World Series to participate in Servant-Evangelism.  Pray for our students and adults who have committed to three days worth of spending time with Jesus in devotions, participating in servant-evangelism, and having some relationship-team building time as a ministry.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we make our way to Omaha.

May God bless you and your family this day.

In Christ,

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

 

We met at Blue Valley Baptist Church on Sunday, May 25 at 5am and gathered together to ask the Lord what He might reveal to each of us throughout the day.

 Of the 16 high-school students and 6 parents who traveled to Paradise ‘08 in LaCygne, KS, we had a great experience worshipping and praising our God and King, Jesus Christ.  Our team spent time—along with 2,000 other  Believers in Christ—with the Lord in prayer and in the Word.  We sang over 6 hours of praise and worship music in the middle of the field.  The stage had no performers or singers.  No well-known named preachers or teachers.  Everyone who could have been on the stage to read the Word or sing was hidden behind the wall as seen in one of the pictures.  Just thousands of Believers, spending time together, fellowshipping and worshipping together, asking God to revive our hearts through the power and transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

 God was at work before, during and now, after the event.  There has always been an incredible urgency to share the Good News of

Jesus Christ.  This was an awakening to keep our steps on the path of the straight and narrow toward many coming to faith in Christ in the days ahead.

 Church Family, God bless you for praying for our students and adults during this powerful event.

 5am comes early!

Celebrating our Savior Jesus Christ through corporate scritpure reading, and praise and worship.

What an awesome day.  Regardless of the rain in the morning.  God brought the sunshine to remind us He is in control and nothing can seperate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God bless you as you worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

This past weekend was Graduate Weekend for our High School Seniors and their families.  Looking at this picture from this angle I am deeply grateful to be a part of each of these dear families and their involvement.  Our weekend began with our first annual Grad Banquet:

Over 65 people participated between Graduates, their immediate families, Junior students and their parents, and lead teams of adults.

Graduates and their families were served a meal and dessert by the Junior students and parents.

Much was to be celebrated for the evening.

We had a few guest speakers for the night which included:

Dan Storey, Julie Chastain, and Brian Hutchings.  Each shared memories of this Senior class and the impact each student made on their lives.  Before finishing their speeches all gave a challenge from God's Word and encouraged them to stay in the Word.

I am so proud of all the Juniors and Adults who served the graduates and their families.

Way to go...

We were missing a few from the final group picture but what a memorable night that God used to bless and encourage the Graduates and their families.

Sunday was wonderful as the Graduates of 2008 were presented before the church family of Blue Valley Baptist Church.  As a church family we are proud of our Graduates and their families.  Stay strong and courageous and know

Thank you Parents, Students, and church family for supporting the Graduates and their families through this significant time in their lives.

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

Today I announce the winner of "The Mullet Man" challenge from last week.

Upon review there we're 13 wonderful participants who took a few minutes of their busy lives investing in this once in a life-time contest.  Ok maybe there will be more...

With only one response against my mullet challenge, there were twelve names placed into a very large bag.  Bobbi Jo Oatman, one of the most amazing Ministry Assistants in all of God's Kingdom, was volunteered for this incredible task.

Are you ready...here we go...Bobbi Jo reaches in the bag...selects a name...opens the paper...

Bobbi Jo says,

JIM FELLER IS OUR WINNER!

Jim Feller wins a wonderful gift card to the amazing super smoothie location a.k.a.Robeks.  Say hi to Kirk, Julie, Jessie, and Team Robeks for us!

If you have a suggestion about upcoming ideas for creative blogs for our church-family here at BVBC, please let us know.  We always love to hear from you!

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

Welcome to my Freshman year of High School, 1992.  Enough said, right?

While attending Springfield Platteview High School in Springfield, Nebraska I endured a lot of challenges.  Look at my right cheek bone...see the mark on my face?  That crater wasn't complimentary.  That was my first realistic facial imperfection right before freshman year pics.  Nice.  Good timing.  Gosh!

Taking notice of my freakishly scary hair wasn't on the radar if you know what I mean.  Can you say business up front, and party in the back?  Golfer wearing the metal concert t-shirt to the first tee...can you believe I played High School competition golf this way?  Actually they required us to wear collared shirts on tournament days.  However, I always wondered why I heard chuckles under the breath of those watching when they announced my name to tee off.  One time I was daring enough to wear a white "dew rag" to a tournament to cover my chia-head.  Once again laughter from my fellow golfers soon followed.

At the time it could very well border-line a mullet...what do you think?  The mullet-style is subject to public opinion of being an "official" mullet. 

Just for fun I propose your response/feedback if you believe I had a mullet my Freshman year of High School.  You must post either a YES or NO response and explain why you feel the way you do.  Next week I will then tally the votes of yes or no, count between the two, print each response and then by name and explanation mix up votes in a hat and randomly select the winner to receive a prize.  Fair enough?  Now on your mark, get set, go and write your post!

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

The Journey of Desire by John Eldredge

As a Minister of Students here at Blue Valley Baptist Church I am honored to be a part of students lives on a weekly basis.  It's absolutely amazing to see God at work in their lives as they grow in their devotion to Him.  I recognize outside of Christ, none of this is possible.  He alone orchestrates the talents, gifts, and abilities in each of our students to grow in their God-given abilities.  When they display the fruit of the spirit it molds the Body of Christ.  It also inspires my life and the lives of our adult shepherds to stay passionate about life and our walk with Christ.

For example, we have many, many students who serve on a weekly basis in the Preschool and Childrens Ministry on Sunday morning and at special events.  They may not know it or not but I watch their example.  How they make the kids feel welcome, excited, and loved.  Now I don't evaluate them on a scale of 1 to 10.  No, it more acknowledging their ability and then celebrate them with giving a high five and a word of encouragement.  Why is that so important?  Because it's celebrating Christ within them and His power being made manifest through their obedience.

In his book The Journey of Desire by author John Eldredge he gives this brief description about creativity.  Read below:

"Somehow," notes Os Guinness, "we human beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts that are truly us."  Now, some children are gifted toward science, and others are born athletes.  But whatever their specialty, all children are inherently creative.  Give them a barrel of Legos and a free afternoon and my boys will produce an endless variety of spaceships and fortresses and who knows what.  It comes naturally to children; it's in their nature, their design as little image bearers.  Set a group of kindergartners down with sheets of paper and tubs of finger paint, and you don't have to provide directions.  They know what to do.  In fact, paint and paper aren't even necessary; chocolate pudding and a nearby wall will do nicely.  A pack of boys let loose in a wood soon becomes a major Civil War reenactment.  A chorus of girls, upon discovering a trunk of skirts and dresses, will burst into the Nutcracker Suite.  The right opportunity reveals the creative nature.

This is precisely what happens when God shares with mankind his own artistic capacity and then sets us down in a paradise of unlimited potential.  It is an act of creative invitation, like providing Monet with a studio for the summer, stocked full of brushes and oils and empty canvases.  Or like giving Mozart full use of an orchestra and a concert hall for an autumn of composing.  Or like setting Martha Stewart loose in a gourmet kitchen on a snowy winter weekend, just before the holidays.  You needn't provide instructions or motivation; all you have to do is release them to be who they are, and remarkable things will result.  As the poet Hopkins wrote, "What I do is me: for that I came."  --Taken from pages, 152 and 153

As you seek the Father this week in all you say and do, be reminded that you are gifted to do great things for Christ.  Be creative.  Create opportunities to be an extensions of God's grace and kindness this week.  Don't forget that the gifts you give in secret do not go unnoticed by the One who gave His all in the first place.  You are loved, valued, and appreciated.

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

I am writing to you my shortest blog.  However, I want to encourage you in all you say and do, stay in it to win it.  As cheesy as that sounds, that means always have a forward thinking attitude.  Don't allow negativity and struggle get in the way.  Recognize those moments when you are faced with those issues and choose to step forward and step out in faith and trust in the One True God, Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for you!

You and I, we are sinners.  We must confess to the Father we are nothing without Him.  We are blemished, and possess nothing to earn God's love.  When we are connected to the Vine (Christ Jesus) we are nourished, strengthened, and have the ability to grow.  Not because of anything we could ever say or do, it's because of Christ and what He did for each of us.

Look at this picture of my son.  He looks focused on the target and ready to release the ball and trust He will hit the target.  Great for baseball and for practice.  However, as it relates to our spiritual life we need to ask the Lord to reveal the object of our attention and help us to release it.  By doing so we will receive the joy of staying in the game of life, more engaged in the day to day, and more involved in relationships.  That my friend is staying in it to win it.  Having victory in Jesus, victory to move forward, and victory to face tomorrow.

May God Bless You,
JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

Have you ever been "kissed" by the sun?  What I mean is have you  really, really, really experienced an intense sun burn?  I have.  Here in a few moments you'll see for yourself.  However, my blog today references Daniel 3:19-30.  It's about three men who wouldn't bow down to an angry king named Nebuchadnezzar...angry and wayward.  The three men pledged their lives on the altar of the One True God.

What is so amazing about God in this story is when these three men were faced with a choice to deny God and bow to the king, they chose the opposite, to die to self and trust God to protect them.

What happened?

Read the song "Burn Us Up" by Shane & Shane from their album Pages.  This song was inspired by the passage reference that is listed above.  I encourage you to purchase it and add it to your playlist:

There were three
Before the king
There were three who wouldn’t bow to him
For when you heard
The music play
And you were standing you would burn.
They looked at him and said…

Burn us up! Burn us up! Burn us up!
Oh king won’t you burn us in the furnace of
Your desire
We give up! We give up! We give up!
Oh king won’t you burn us in the furnace of
Your desire!
Won’t you throw us in the fire!

The king enraged
At what they said
Sent the three away to find their death
The palace stopped in unbelief
When the guilty raised their hands to sing
They looked at him and said…

You are able to deliver from the fire of affliction
It’s the declaration of my Lord
You’re not an image of gold
You’re the God of old
You have made us
Come and save us
We are Yours
But even if You don’t, we will burn!

What a powerful song!  I get chills after I listen to it.  God is so faithful.  Even when you and I face heavy trials and struggles, God is ever-so-present to walk us through.  He dances over us.  He celebrates us when we deny ourselves, deny the temptations the world invites us to experience, and fully embrace Him.  God is the banner over us to trust Him in all things.  He alone is the one who sets us on fire, not like Nebuchadnezzar, but the fire of His love, holiness, and compassion.

Remember my question about being kissed by the sun...well here you go...my experience of walking through a day of fire...a.k.a. Track and Field Day in 6th grade as I was trying to stay protected from it's harmful rays by hiding myself under aluminum bleachers for three solid hours...yeah, not one of my brightest days...

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

My favorite sport of all time is one of the most aggravating games known to man-kind, better known as Golf.  I admire the men and women, boys and girls who take on the rigorous challenge of learning such a challenging yet rewarding game.  However, Golf isn't what it's all cracked up to be.  Golf is like a counseling session, you learn about your yourself good and bad...if you will!  And we keep going back for more!

The personal benefits of watching a first time golfer striving to control this dimple pattern ball is somewhat intriguing and humorous.  Don't get me wrong I love it when people take risk when it comes to playing the sport.  The awkward stance, baseball style grip, and the "Happy Gillmore" swing.  Ha--lar--ious!  It's where they know to begin.  But it's not where they need to be in order to play better, consistent golf.

There is a point to my blog today and it comes from one of my favorite Tee Time Devotional books, "In His Grip" by Jim Sheard & Wally Armstrong.  It's a  fantastic read as it relates our spiritual journey with Christ and the game of golf.

Grip on the Word (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In golf, the placement of the hands of the club is the single most important factor to influence swinging the club correctly.  If the hands are not in balance, if the club is not placed in the fingers so that centrifugal force can work, if the hands do not line up with the club, and most importantly, if there is inappropriate grip pressure during the swing, it is impossible to produce accurate and powerful golf shots.

The Bible is a lot like holding the club properly.  It is the tool God has given us for understanding him--and for knowing what he expects from us.  We often hear the phrase, "Hey, Joe, get a grip!"  Not bad counsel, both in life and in golf.  We must "get a grip" or a handle on God's Word to function effectively in a relationship with him and his Son, Jesus Christ.  We must put his Word in our hands so we can read it and then allow its wisdom to guide our thoughts and actions.  Page 49

Thought for the day...Gripping the golf club properly is the key to effective golf.  Gripping God's Word is the key to effective living--a life of joy and significance.

I encourage you to allow God to grip you today and mold and shape you into Christ-likeness.

JWES CROCKETT, Minister of Students

 Life Lessons on Relationships by John C. Maxwell

I like to read John C. Maxwell material often.  From this handy dandy little book I recieve helpful insights on how to better understand and appreciate relationships in my life.  From my family, church family, and close friends this book is full of short yet helpful insights about the virtue of nuturing healthy relationships.

Here are several to chew on as you think about your influence:

1. Practice the 101 percent principle: Find the one thing you agree on with another person, and then give it 100 percent of your encouragement, page 35.

2. To handle yourself, use your head.  To handle others, use your heart, page 24.

3. You will acquire the vices and virtues of your closest associates.  The fragrance of their lives will pervade your life.

4. Hurting people hurt people, page 84.

Number 4 is one to ponder.  I challenge you with this today.  Give people the benefit of the doubt.  Recognize the heavy load each of us carry.   As you ponder the areas of influence you make on others find out what makes you do that.  Investigate the Word of God and ask the Lord if He is your encouragement to others or if it's from yourself.

Recognize Proverbs 27:2, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."

God bless you as you pursue His presence and make a choice to serve this day the mighty King and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He alone empowers you to make a difference in the lives of those you touch for the Kingdom.

 

For grades 9 - 12...

Will you be there?  Will you be a part of this gathering called Paradise?  Will you give of your time and your day to expereience the One True God in a unique way that has not been organized before?

PARADISE is a gathering of thousands of college and high school students on May 25 in the center of the nation. Called by the Father and empowered by the Spirit, they will assemble before King Jesus to worship Him in all His majesty from sunrise to sunset.

Sixty members of Christian bands and worship teams will use their instruments and voices to lead the multitude in pure praise to the very Son of God. In humility, the musicians will be hidden so all focus will be on Jesus.

Interwoven with music will be times of absolute silence and awe in the presence of His majesty. At other times worshippers will connect with one another to unite their voices in deep prayer.

Nothing will be sold or advertised. The only name called will be Jesus. No agenda will be promoted. No one will become more famous. No organization will make money. The only cause will be His glory and reign.

PARADISE is ultimately about a way of life and discipleship.

Only one name will be exalted at the PARADISE gathering. Only one name will be credited for PARADISE—the name above every name, before whom every knee must bow: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why Gather? 

1. In recent days, multitudes of Christians in America have been seeking God’s face for a nationwide awakening to Christ. Many leaders sense the time may be near.

2. Often in historic movements of God’s Spirit, coalitions of students have led the way. Many believe, in the same way, the Spirit has been preparing this generation of students to be vanguards for the next awakening to Christ.

3. At the same time our churches and ministries, our families, and our students are in crisis flowing from individual and corporate disobedience. Because of the crisis among God’s people, the nation finds itself facing unprecedented moral and spiritual shortfalls.

4. Business as usual is an unacceptable response to this situation.

5. God at all times wills for believers to raise the sails for a Christ-awakening (an awakening to all Christ is for believers)—as long as they acknowledge that He alone can send the winds of that awakening and will do so only in His own timing.

6. God has initiated major student movements and events in recent days to begin raising those sails.

7. Christ seems to have set in motion a plan for assembling a multitude of spiritually sensitive students and those who shepherd and lead them. This gathering does not duplicate other movements and events but may represent the convergence of what has gone on before.

8. As students experience God high and lifted up, they may see the supremacy of Christ in all He is, may experience the preconditions of awakening, and may cry out for God’s reviving of their churches, communities, and nation.

9. By the power of God, students and their leaders returning home may reveal to their groups the supremacy of Christ in all He is, may guide them to experience the preconditions of awakening, and may lead them to cry out for God’s reviving of their church, community, and nation.

10. At the same time, all will fully trust King Jesus to move as He wills. All will be confident that PARADISE is part of what Christ ultimately intends to do in the church and nation—soon or years in the future.

What Might Be the Impact?

Students and their leaders, returning with both the passion and the strategy to introduce a generation to Christ, might be used of God to see historic numbers of new believers.

The homes where students live might become warm, loving, and spiritually alive as students and their parents turn their hearts toward each other.

High school seniors moving into college might stay vibrantly connected to Christ, the church, and collegiate ministry organizations in numbers unseen in recent history.

My question to you again, will you be there?

JWes Crockett, Minister of Students

 

UNLOCK

(An Easter Prayer)

 Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

 

that is, in one word, "Pray; pray often; pray with sincerity and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a business of prayer, and be earnest in it.—Matthew Henry’s Commentary

In hopes of being persistent and successful leading this kind of organized thought for my blog...I ask this question, what is recorded as one of the least attended meetings in the local church?

Answer: Prayer meeting.

Should we feel guilty about this statistic?  Answer for yourself, however, I think each of us have the right intention of supporting and making a presence in being at a church-family organized prayer meeting, however, I think there is another side to this concern we overlook.  The closeness or intimacy of prayer.

We value our personal prayer time with Christ.  We value our personal prayer time with our spouse.  We value our personal prayer time with a trusted friend.  But when many are gathered for organized prayer we at times sense a feeling of being swept away in a stream of awkwardness.

One thing about being a Minister of Students is hearing both Middle School and High School students take a stance on being strong in their prayer life.  I love that!  When students take ownership and gather for organized prayer they mention things that are near and dear to them that maybe I haven't heard about or would expect them to share about.  But because so many students understand the value of prayer, there is no shame in petitioning before the Father.  That get's me excited.  Students who are serious and understand there must be a heart of expectancy.

Where am I going with this?

When Jesus was speaking about 2 or 3 are gathered together, He would be there.  Again, 2 or 3, not a large number or quantity of people to make His presence known or to fabricate an experience because more people attended a gathering for prayer.

There is great power and strength among believers when closeness, accountability, and transparency is welcome in a time of asking God to meet needs on behalf of that person’s life, the family of God, and for the unregenerate.

Prayer is powerful.  Prayer is underestimated by many.  Prayer unlocks what we anticipate and sometimes it unlocks underlying issues when God is refining you.

Are we not to gather for a large, well attended prayer gathering?  Absolutely not.  The culmination of voices presenting their requests before a Holy God in a room full of people is very moving, especially towards the spiritual act of humility.

How can I pray for this Easter Sunday service?

I am glad you asked.  Pray with the focus independently and completely upon Christ.  Remember the visual picture of the Cross of Calvary.  Remember it's where our Savior bore our sins and died our death.  Pray for the unregenerate who will be walking in the doors of Blue Valley Baptist Church.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will equip and prepare you to be an extension of God's grace and kindness to those you come in contact with.  Ask the Father to help you to be bold and strong in taking initiative in making some one feel a part of the Kingdom.  You never know how He will use you to lead some one to Christ.

Last, be in the Word daily.  Study and meditate on the Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That is the gospel we hold firm to.  He is risen, He is alive, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  We are unashamed.

May God bless you and your family this Easter season.

In Christ,

JWES CROCKETT, Minister of Students

Welcome to my first blog.  I have never blogged before...ever.  It's not that I haven't had the desire, it's just not in the noggin yet.  I have never had a pattern of typing my thoughts, or opinions, or just whatever came to my frontal lobe.  There is much to share, especially when you talk as fast as I do.  Sometimes I talk so fast to people I end up formulating new words such as "conversate" or "depthness" or something like that.  If you've been around me recently there is a pretty good chance I have used one of those two words.  I'm often teased by our staff about making up new words on the spot or in staff meeting.  It's kind of humorous to look at each person's face as I am sharing and their looking at me like "what did you just say."

Yeah...anyway...I do want to celebrate our students and parents of the Student Ministry.  Disciple Now 2008.  What an incredible weekend of God's power and presence.  It wasn't just monumental for Spring, it was a step forward in the direction the Lord is leading us.  Disciple Now weekend not only produced more relationship building with each other but spiritual habits of staying in God's Word daily and praying continually.

Accountability was another topic addressed during DNOW.  Each student who participated experienced a one-on-one time with their adult Bible Study leader.  That is where students were able to share about their interests, struggles, and decisions for Christ.  To my knowledge, many students had a sensitive heart toward the things of God.  Which is another way of saying, the Lord is touching many hearts and for that I/we have an incredible responsibility to lead our students at BVBC in the ways of God's absolute.

On another note, the parents were unbelievable in the amount of support, excitement, team building, and prayer of DNOW.  I was absolutely blown away by their genuine love for students walking in the door and making them feel a part.  Way to go parents.

The students who were able to be a part of the weekend extended such joy and excitement about being at something that was completely foreign to the student ministry.  When I was asked about the framework of the weekend I couldn't help but try to use so many descriptive words to build the event up.  However, at the end of the day I had to leave it in Christ's hands because I needed to realize, the Lord is the one drawing each student to the weekend.  For that I praise the Lord Jesus for His continued work in the lives of our Students and Families.

For any student or family who feels discouraged because they weren't able to attend DNOW...don't fret or fear.  We will certainly have another DNOW.  You were incredibly missed, however, you were prayed for, with the understanding that there are so many schedules that are filled months in advance.  The key thing is wherever we walk and talk, we are called to be salt and light.  Don't lose heart.  You are a part of what God is doing.

To close, I can't express enough joy and excitement about being a part of the Blue Valley Baptist Church family.  My family and I are grateful for the love, support, and new friendships that each of you have expressed to us.  Thank you for sharing God's kindness.  You are loved, valued, and appreciated.

In Christ,

JWES CROCKETT, Minister of Students