Christ Alone Saves
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 Recently, our high school youth group watched To Save a Life. The movie is a true to life story of the day to to day issues and challenges that American teenagers face: school violence, bullying, partying, broken families, non-marital sex and it’s consequences, cutting, desiring to be valued by...
Read MoreIt Takes a Village
December 2011 | PYC BLOG >> “…we are many parts of one body, and we belong to each other.” Romans 12:5 “I think we’ve got that whole ‘It takes a village’ thing down!” a youth group mom commented to me as a teen who was not her own child called her “mom” and said that he did not need a ride home on Thursday night from youth group. I smiled and laughed and then I thought to myself that God was probably smiling too. The Nigerian proverb that...
Read MoreServing WITH My Children
Serving WITH My Children: Thoughts from a mom of teens Liz Smith recently spent the day with her three teens (Nekoda, Koani, Kaleen) on a 1DAY serving experience at an Alliance church in Hyde Park (Chicago). It seems as though once your children become high schoolers our family time with them becomes more difficult for various reasons. And though we may go to Church together and have some fellowship with others in church, it was very different to come alongside with them and serve. This...
Read MoreFront Lines of the Kingdom
November 2011 | Front Lines of the Kingdom >> It’s been nearly three months since Matt and I (Christine) moved to Bloomingdale and started partnering with the Bloomingdale Church youth ministry. And let me tell you…youth ministry has been more than I expected. What is going on at coffeehouse and youth group? That is an excellent question. And while I could tell you about intense games of jugball, the fall costume contest, or dance parties in the church van while traveling...
Read More1 Year Bible
Whether it is your first time reading the Bible or you have read it through cover-to-cover, this plan begins with easier to understand passages as you traverse through the New and Old Testament. Use it as a guide as you allow God’s Word to transform your daily life.
Read MorePYC Blog
"PYC" is a monthly blog/newsletter that spotlights parent & teen topics & gives focus to spiritual formation.
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God says that I am valuable
God not only loves me, but He also likes me>>God made me the way He wanted me>>When I get lost and forget about God, He will do anything to make sure I am found 
I can be connected to a Savior who gives me hope
I can have an everyday relationship with Jesus>>His influence can guide my life 
God’s Word & Holy Spirit can guide my way
I can use the Bible to understand life's experiences>>I can Ask The Lord (ATL) for guidance 
I can have an impact in my local and global community
My heart is for my community>>People matter to God 
I can take faith-filled risks to live Jesus’ mission for my life Everything I do is being onMISSION>>I will always be in pursuit of God’s plan [for my life]