It's CHRISTmas time @ SWAT

This year has been a busy one here at Cook's UMC and SWAT Youth Ministries, but as we move toward the celebration of our Savior's birth we are trying to slow down to recognize all that God has done and is doing in our lives. 

Take a moment right now to stop and just absorb all that God has for you.

Please make sure you stay tuned in to the calendar to the left of this screen. It will tell you what activities we have planned for each Sunday so that you know what time we meet each week. For example, on December 18th for Project Serve, we'll be going to 61st Avenue UMC to help with the Last Minute Toy Store . We'll be leaving the church around 11:30 that morning and returning around 5:30. It will be a fantastic day of ministry as we go and help people in the Nashville community get toys for their children when they otherwise would not be able to afford it.

Although it's been a fun-filled year here at SWAT, we're not done yet. On December 30th, we'll be having a Lock-In at the Jimmy Floyd Center in Lebanon. This lock in will include tons of games, movies, flag football tournament, swimming, a concert, and pizza!

The cost will be $10 and we ask that you bring a snack to share with everyone but this will definitely be a blast! I hope to see you ALL there!

For now, BE THE CHANGE! Jordan

SWAT in November

This month at SWAT Youth Ministries has been a time for us to slow down and focus on individual growth and the development of some deeper relationships within the group. 

In our time together during the mid-week, we've talked about our Pain & Struggles, inviting each youth to share in each other's life and the hurts we've experienced.

BUT during this time of sharing our hurts, we're also realizing that through our personal challenges, growth occurs when we put our faith in God.

Also this month we're focusing on spending some fun time together. On November 20th, we'll be going to Hermitage Lanes to bowl from 3:30-4:45.

The cost is $10 per person and it includes one game of bowling, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, a large drink, and four arcade tokens. It will be lots of fun so be sure you don't miss out!

Stay tuned to the calendar in the column to the left for our weekly schedule. 

Be the Change! Jordan

October = Fall Retreat & More

The mid-way point of October has come and gone, and with it have come some new and memorable moments. Here's a glimpse of what we did during Fall Retreat at Camp Lookout.

Fall Retreat was a great experience and the relationships formed there and the experiences we had will surely last a lifetime.

Also this month we will continue our monthly Project Serve outreach by lending a hand to the children of Cook's UMC. On Sunday October 23rd we will be meeting at the church at 2:00 to help with some much needed cleaning and organizing of the children's ministry shed. And on October 30th, we'll be meeting at the church once again to lead some fun games during the Children's Fall Party. 

It's time for us to Be The Change! Jordan

September News!

It's hard to believe, but fall is nearly here, which means that the SWAT Youth Ministry Fall Retreat is upon us. This year, we'll be having our fall retreat at Camp Lookout. We'll have a special guest speaker/worship leader with us throughout the retreat, and you can learn more about him here. This retreat is for all youth, 6th-12th grades and the cost is $50. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, September 11th so don't delay!

Mid-Week at SWAT will be very different this month as we use the storying method to study ancient scriptures. 

 This method is very participatory and will allow our youth to experience the story of our Christian heritage in a new and exciting way. Come from 6-8 on Wednesday nights to experience this with us!

Be sure to subscribe to this blog to stay tuned into everything happening here at SWAT Youth Ministries!

Be the Change! Jordan

Welcome Back!

The new school year has just begun, which means new opportunities and new experiences for our youth! Get ready because it's going to be a great year!

To help kick-off this new year, come join us and be a part of Welcome Weekend, which will include a trip to Holiday World on Saturday, August 6th, and conclude with The Back to Schoolness Show at Cook's on Sunday, August 7th. 

Also this month we'll be attending the Wilson County Fair on the evening of August 14th.

Sunday, August 28th, we'll have Project Serve at Community Care Fellowship in Nashville

Lastly, our new SWAT Youth Ministry shirts have arrived and are $10 each. Get yours while you can! Here's a sample of how they look...

It's gonna be a great year! Get pumped!!!!

Be the Change! Jordan

This Summer @ SWAT Youth Ministries

Now that summer-time has arrived, the excitement is building at SWAT Youth Ministries, and with so many events coming up this summer you won't want to miss out!

Here's a little about what we have going on...

 As a fundraiser for our youth ministry, we will be running two TNT Fireworks stands in Murfreesboro, TN. This fundraiser should generate enough money for our ministry to make it through the rest of the year, including three large events (summer camp, The Gate, and Fall Retreat). We need EVERYONE'S help in running these stands, so please click here to sign up!

 As reward for those students who participate in working the fireworks tents, we will be going to Holiday World on Saturday August 6th, and those who work at least two shifts each will be able to attend free of charge.

July 11th - 15th will be our Summer Camp at Beersheba Springs. This year's theme is Extreme Days and will include access to several extreme sports and activities for those in attendance.

Our Sr. High students will have the opportunity to go to The Gate in Dayton Ohio, from July 28th-31st. You can learn more information about this event by clicking here.

OUR MID-WEEK SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED! We now meet from 6:00-8:00 Wednesday evenings. Please be sure to come and see what's happening here on Wednesday nights and be sure to bring a brown-bag meal each Wednesday in July.

August 6th & 7th will be our kickoff weekend, beginning with the Saturday trip to Holiday World (you can attend Holiday World with us on Saturday even if you don't work the fireworks tents, however you will be required to pay your own way) and concluded on Sunday evening with a concert by KNAPSACKHEROES!. This will be an awesome weekend so plan to come and bring a friend!

Come and see what's happening at SWAT Youth Ministries!

Be The Change! Jordan

SWAT Youth May Updates!

April was a busy month, and May will be no different. We've been preparing for months now for the youth ministry silent auction fund-raiser, and now it's only a few weeks away. Here are some more activities coming up this month, check it out...

 

Girls Night May 13th

8pm-8am

Click here to find out more info.

May 15th 2-5:30

May 22nd- All Three Services

The new mid-week discipleship series at swat youth ministries.

Be sure to stay tuned for some exciting information about our summer plans, including an end of school bash! Come and see what's happening at SWAT Youth!

Be the Change! Jordan

April Fools- Cook's Youth Updates

March was such an exciting month! From worshiping with and getting to meet the Titans punter, Brett Kern, to having two weeks off of school and spending one of those weeks in Atlanta for our Spring Break Mission Trip, the month was full of exciting new experiences. Here are a few pictures from the experience in Atlanta.

This month at SWAT Youth Ministries promises to be a full and exciting month as well. Here's what we have coming up:

Our Wednesday night discipleship study this month focuses on the Life of Jesus but the method is quite different. We are learning through story telling which allows each youth to better insert themselves into Jesus' story. Very exciting!

Sunday April 10th @ 6pm- Mini Gate at Providence UMC

Sunday April 17th @ 4:30pm- Soul Surfer at Providence Theater

Sunday April 24th- Easter  NO YOUTH

COME AND SEE what God is doing here at SWAT Youth Ministries!

Be the Change! Jordan

Hello March... Hello Spring Break

It's here! March is here, and with it comes one of the biggest trips of the year... our SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIP TO ATLANTA!

March 13-19, 2011

This trip promises to be full of new experiences and opportunities to serve and love God's people. While in Atlanta, we will be serving at two Salvation Army locations, doing such things as feeding the hungry and connecting with and caring for His children. 

We will also have a fun-day during the trip which will include a tour of the Atlanta Braves stadium, a visit to the World of Coca Cola, a tour of the CNN Studios, and more. Please keep us in your prayers throughout the week.

Also this month, we had an awesome worship experience led by the Perfect Peace Band with Tennessee Titans punter, Brett Kern, as the guest speaker.

Get excited because we're doing some exciting things this year at SWAT Youth Ministries.

Be the Change! Jordan

SWAT YOUTH: February Updates

What an awesome start to the new year! In January, we kicked off the new year right with our "Launch" mid-week series and normal Sunday programming, but capped off the month with our annual trip to WARMTH IN WINTER! Seventeen youth from Cooks went to the event with us, and many came away saying that it was the best ever.

This month we're going deeper. Our mid-week series focuses on Love.

We kicked this series off with some great discussion this Wednesday night, exploring our ideas about love, and discussing the idea of unconditional love. 

So here's what is coming up over the next few weeks.

Feb. 6th @ 4:30- Cox Home

Feb. 13th- Visiting Cook's Shut-Ins

Feb. 20th- Worship with Joe Combs

Feb. 25th- Girls Night

Come and See!

Be the Change. Jordan

Happy New Year 2011

On with 2011! This year promises to be full of new experiences and opportunities for growth. To start the new year off right, our mid-week studies this month focus on spiritual habits. This series, Launch, encourages the youth to focus on a specific habit for 28 days straight in an effort to form a new habit.

Here is what's coming up over the next couple of months.

Bowling @ Hermitage Lanes  2:00pm  $9 per person

Warmth in Winter

Super Bowl Party @ The Cox's    Feb. 6th

Girls Night     Feb. 25th

Get excited cause this year is gonna be special!

Be the Change! Jordan