This week

Chicago team-

Tomorrow, Monday at 7pm we will meet in the youth room for our reunion. I'll have snacks (brownies, ice cream and cookies). There will be a longer version of the video from the trip and a short debrief/discussion. 

Everyone-

Wednesday Cole W will be going to Kings Island. Anyone who wants to join him should be there at 10am. Plan to stay until 1 or 2. Bring cash for lunch and your own ticket in. 

***this is not an official event. No chaperones will be there. 

*******contact Cole W if you plan to go. 

Salvation Army Carnival 

Friday at 12:30 we will leave from church to go up to the Kroc Center. We'll help with the carnival like last year and then hang out for pizza and fun after. 

We'll return to church around 8pm or so. 

Questions? Contact Tim Erlandson 

Friday and Saturday

Sorry...yesterday was a very long day. We started with some down time at the 31st street Beach which was a fun relaxing start to the day. 

When we got back to the Family Plex we went full prep mode for Home Court. From about 1:30 to 9 we were either prepping, running or tearing down this event. 

There were basketball games going on, face painting, balloons, yard games, food and a DJ. Over four hours we fed about 300 people with 400 hotdogs, 300 bags of chips, 300 bags of cookies and over 100 gallons of water. 

Students were engaged all over the park. They performed amazingly and kept their energy levels up all day. 

At one point there was a severe storm bearing down on us, we were preparing each station for a quick getaway in case the need arose. I was watching the sky and radars with Bill Curry and Brian, the FamilyPlex sports director. Over the course of five miles the storm, which covered most of Chicago, turned 75 degrees, hooking around us and headed south. We never got more than a few raindrops. It was amazing how quickly the storm changed course. 

By the time everyone had changed and cooled down it was 10pm. We did our final debrief then hung out for a little bit. 

Today we got to sleep in a bit before breakfast and packing up. The teens worked fast and I was doing a final walk through at 10:15. We got on the road at 11:30.

Parents your teens may give you grief and cause trouble at home, but they represented you very well this week. I heard over and over how different our team is from other groups they have around. The team stayed busy, engaged and respectful all week. The staff at Breakthrough said they're looking for to our next time up. 

Praise God for His goodness and love. Remember the families and friends from East Garfield. Pray that God would continue the work at Breakthrough and in our hearts. 

Day 5

What a day...it started out normal. Breakfast and jump in with the classes. At 10am all kids 1-8th grade went to special classes. They chose from classes like, graffiti art (no vandalism involved), art and nature walks, photography, jewelry making, tennis, competition singing, baking and capoeira classes. The students take the same class every Thursday for 4 or 5 weeks. Experts from all over Chicago donate their time so these students can have the opportunity to try new things. Our team divided up and participated in the classes. 

After lunch we began prep for the Block Party. We transformed a boring parking lot into a play place! The party was cut short by rain, but not before we served over 100 people and played a ton of games. 

We had a little bit of time to chill before our evening debrief. 

Our plans for tomorrow have changed. 

There was a mistake in our schedule that lead to free time for the morning. We will head to a beach nearby to relax before Home Court. 

Pray for sunny skies and no rain. Home Court should be done outside so the community feels it's a community event and not just another Breakthrough program. Pray that we would maintain our high energy levels. And that God would touch each life involved. Pray for the team, long days and limited quiet can be stressful for some and others desire to know they are making a difference. Pray that above all, God would be glorified. 

Day Four

Last night I realized that I have spent more time wearing socks and shoes this week than I have since March. 

Just thought you all would like to have that information. 😁

Today was good. The teens started pretty slow so it took some extra sunshine from me to get things moving, but by go time with the classes they had their happy faces on. 

Some of the teams had pretty normal days with their classes. The 6-8 graders went to a skating rink along with around 150 other kids from urban Chicago. 

Picture 200 kids, 8yrs-8th grade at Skate World. It was crazy and crowded. But fun. 

Three of us (Miranda, Jenny and Sarah) went to the Men's Center to organize games and supplies for tomorrow's Block Party. It will be incredibly helpful to have everything organized! 

Tonight we hung out with a few high school students from the area, playing knock out and some volleyball. 

The rest of the evening was filled with down time which mostly consisted of group games or writing encouraging notes to each other. 

Tomorrow will be a long day since we're working with our classes all day then doing the Block Party. 

Pray for continued protection from sickness and harm. Pray for good weather for the outdoor activities tomorrow and Friday. 

Thanks for praying with us so far, just three more days and this trip is over. 

Day four

Day four...most of us are at the place where we are so tired that we're laughing at stupid things and not making much sense. 

We've discovered that the staff, especially the teachers, are heroes. The energy they bring day after day is inspiring. 

One group took a trip out to Lake Michigan with their class. They played in the sand and on a super cool playground. 

The middle school group went on a service project to a nearby church and did some cleaning with their class. 

The youngest class stayed at breakthrough all day, but was certainly busy! 

At dinner tonight we had a special treat...Mexican Coke. It was a fun reminder for the Nicaragua Team and just really tasty for everyone else. 

During our debrief tonight I challenged the team to be aware of their spiritual gifts and think about how to develop them even more. Also we were challenged from Galatians to trust in the Gospel and not add requirements to what Christ has already accomplished. 

Tomorrow we work with our classes again and begin prep for the Block Party Thursday and Home Court Friday. It's hard to believe that we're already halfway through the trip!

Pray for energy (again) and for some of the aches and pains to go away. (Still no real health issues, yay!!)

Day three

Chaotic, fun, rewarding 

These three words sum up day one of working with the Summer Studies students. Our three teams were assigned an age group to tag along with for the week. One group worked with 1-3 grade, another 4&5 grade and the last group with the 6-8 graders. 

The 1-3 grade team got to tour an urban farm. An abandoned building turned into a hydroponic indoor farm, with tilapia and shrimp, down to mushrooms and red Chard. All in a building that had lived out its former use. 

The other groups stayed at the Family Plex, working with students on art projects, science experiments, playing dodge ball and games. 

Many students made cool connections with kids. Several of the kids remember us from two years ago. Some friendships picked up right where they left off. 

We were reminded of the stark differences between our safe little bubbles and what these kids live with. I talked with one middle schooler who has been stopped several times  by police while walking down the sidewalk. 

The message around here is hope. Hope to do better than the previous generation. Hope to graduate. Hope to stay alive. But most importantly, the Hope of Christ. 

We are all tired, but it's the kind of tired that comes from pouring out energy and love to others. 

Pray for deep restful sleep and energy to keep up with the kids. So far, no one is sick or anything.

Day four...here we come 

Day 2

We spent our first morning in the Windy City at New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. The brothers and sisters there welcomed us with huge smiles and open arms. The service started at 10am and ended at 12:30. It was a wonderful experience! It's always great to see how others do church and realize how truly BIG our God is. 

After church we boarded the train near Breakthrough and headed downtown. We ate lunch at Portillo's then headed to Navy Pier. Several of the team rode the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier while the rest bought snacks in the air conditioning. 

We hiked back to the train and headed to our home away from home. 

Two of the small groups prepped breakfast and dinner (for tomorrow) after some free time. We debriefed the day and called it quits just a bit ago. 

Tomorrow we get busy with the work we came to do. Pray that we would be helpful to the team here and a blessing to the kids we work with. 

Thank you for praying so far!

Look for the next update tomorrow. 

Day 1

Made it safe and sound. Arrived in Chicago at 5:30 Central time. We had AMAZING Chicago deep dish pizza for dinner. Kids hung out and got settled most of the evening while Jason and I went shopping. 

After much excitement and drama we're back with most of the supplies we need and a deeper understanding of what the West Side looks like after dark. 

Tomorrow will bring new experiences for us all. 

Pray that we would be encouraged as we attend New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church for their Youth Service Sunday. 

And yes it really is 12:30am EST as I post this. 

Night!

3 hours...

In three short hours we will begin loading into the bus. As I finish packing and run through my list for the 1 millionth time I am stopping for a moment to pray. 

Here's my prayer for the trip:

Father, I thank you for all that you do in our lives. I thank you for your love and kindness. As we head to Chicago I pray that you would guide and lead us in everything we do. Father I ask that you would place us exactly where you want us to be. Make us sensitive to your Spirit and open our eyes to the hurting world around us. Change us on this trip. Change us into people who love you better and love others better. 

Give us wisdom and courage to have conversations that scare us. Give faith to step out and love others. 

We thank you for what you do and praise you for who you are 

Amen

One reminder:

Make sure you pack towels and soap and such....

Chicago Team

In less than 48 hours we will be on our way to Chicago!

This is the place to find updates about what's going on.

Just a few reminders and clarifications:

Make sure...

1. you pack a sleeping bag and pillow.

2. you have money for snacks on the road.

3. you have money for lunch and dinner Sunday.

4. you have good walking shoes...Sunday will include much walking.

You don't have to...

1. fill out any medical forms, I already have your emergency contact info.

2. go to the Doctor unless you really feel like you need to. 

3. get a rabbis shot...the East Garfield Bears have all been vaccinated.

4. bring a parachute...we aren't flying anywhere.

: )

Be praying that God is glorified through this trip and through our lives!

Kings Island is a go

We have the necessary students to make Kings Island happen.

We will leave church around 9am thursday July 2nd. Students should bring $40 to pay for ticket into park and enough money for lunch/dinner. We will return to the church around 10:30pm.

The weather forecast looks like it has cleared up nicely and won't even be that hot!

Wooohooo!

Skyzone Waiver

Hey everyone!

I need you to go to this link and fill out a skyzone waiver! You can't jump without it. I'll have some we can fill out tomorrow but if you're under 18 your Parent or Guardian must fill it out, so it'd be easiest to do it online!

https://daytonstore.skyzone.com/waiver/

Also, right now we only have 5 students who don't have passes going to Kings Island...so, unless more tell me by 12pm tomorrow we won't be going on Thursday!

June 29

Hey Friends!

So Tuesday we're heading to Skyzone! Be at church by 11am with $20 + lunch money. 

Thursday IF we have 11 students without season passes we will be heading to Kings Island. I need to know ASAP if you are going and don't have a pass. Our tickets are only discounted if we pay for 11 tickets. Otherwise it costs around $55 to get in. So....let me know!

June/July Happenings

Hey Friends,

VBS is over today...that means life will calm down...but only a little!

Here's what's coming up in the next several weeks.


Saturday June 20
MVWC workday
9:45-12:15

Tuesday June 23rd
SNAC Tuesday @ church $5 for lunch
11:00am-2:00pm

Wednesday June 24th
GO Chase
6:15pm-8:45pm

Thursday June25th
GO Bistro - Bring at least $6 for lunch...you can bring more and pay for someone else meal too!
9:45am-2:30pm THIS IS A CHANGE FROM LAST TIME DUE TO WHAT WORK BETTER FOR ONE BISTRO

Tuesday June 30th
SNAC Tuesday SKYZONE!!!! Bring $18 for 90 minutes of jumping. And Cash for lunch.
11am-2pm

Thursday July 2nd
KING'S ISLAND $40 for non-passholders + lunch. Pass holders just need to bring cash for lunch.
9am-10:30pm
Sign up by July 1st



Questions or concerns?

Get in touch with Justin
jhoppe@whbc.org

May 7th...

So it's May 7th and it's 86 degrees out! It's making me think of the summer!

Here's a list of what's on the calendar for the Summer!

Graduation Sunday
May 31st
Honor our Seniors as they graduate!

Promotion Sunday
June 7th
Incoming!! Current 6th graders join us!

Miami Valley Women's Center Walk for Life
Saturday May 16th from 6:45am-12:45pm
We will once again help out with the MVWC fundraiser. We'll set up tables, help with parking, face paint, carnival games, set up the walk route, help with clean up and have a great time!
Sign up ASAP!

Chase Wednesdays
Wednesdays May 27th, June 24th, July 22nd and August 19th.
6:15pm-8:45pm
Hot dogs, frisbees, 9 Square, and more! Come out and hang out with our friends at Chevy Chase!

Taco Tuesdays
Tuesdays June 2nd, June 23rd, July 7th, July 21st and August 11th.
11am-2pm
Eat food, hang out have fun. Some of these will be simple hang out times. Some will be structured events like canoeing, bowling or other fun!

One Bistro Thursdays
Thursday June 11th, June 25th and July 23rd.
10am-2pm
We will go out to the Xenia Store and help with serving, cleaning, prep work, and outreach.
Check out this organization.
http://onebistro.org/mission/


Chicago Team Send off Party
Wednesday July 8th 6:30-8:30pm
Come support the team as we make final preparations for our trip!

Chicago GO Trip
Saturday July 11th-18th
If you're not in ChiTown be praying for us as we go!

We may try to fit in a trip to Cedar Point or Kings Island...be looking for details!

This is going to be a great Summer!!!

And that's what it's all about...

You put your right arm in,
You put your right arm out,
You put your right arm in
And you shake it all about...

I was trying to think of something clever to start this entry with and that's all I came up with.

Anyways, on to upcoming events!!


Sunday April 19th 12:15 - 1:30
Chicago Team Meeting
Be prepared to share your testimony with the group and bring your prayer team names.


Wednesday April 22nd 6:30-8
Cubby Bear Fair - we will help out with this activity like we do each year!


Friday April 24th 6:30-9pm
Missions Conference SNAC
Come out for food, games and fun!

Sunday April 26th 10:30-11:45am
Dr. Josh and Beth Paulick will be sharing about their plans to head to the Mission Field.

You do the Hokey Pokey,
You do the Hokey Pokey,
You do the Hokey Pokey
And that's what its all about!

Good Friday Fun

Hi there,

Next Friday April 3rd, pretty much all schools are either in the middle of Spring break or Starting Spring Break...

If you're off of school and in town, you should go bowling with me! Let me know if you're in!

Junior High and High School are welcome!

11am-2:30pm on Good Friday! Bring your own money for bowling and lunch! We'll leave church at 11 and get back around 2:30!

March Happenings

Hey, I hope you were able to join us this past weekend to see the 14 students get baptized! It really was a cool service that honored God and was encouraging to the church!

Coming up

We have a Chicago Meeting this Sunday from 12-1:30pm. Be sure to be there if you're on the team! Bring your Spiritual Gifts Inventory, your Testimony and your team spirit!

Saturday the 21st we have our monthly Miami Valley Women's Center Workday from 9:45-12:15!

Saturday March 28th your Youth Leaders will be officially appreciated with a meal in their honor...As you know we have several leaders with small children. I am looking for volunteers to babysit the kids so all of our leaders and spouses can be there. If you're interested please let me know. We'll need help from 5pm-9:30ish. We'll use Central Park and nurseries at church and have pizza for everyone.

Enjoy the springy weather this week!

Mvwc workday

Don't forget!! 

Mvwc workday tomorrow. 9:45-12:15

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do PreLaw, Paramedics, Physical Therapy, Undeclared, Hospitality Management and Organizational Leadership have in common?


The answer is: Each of these were my declared field of study at one point in my college path. That's a path that took almost 12 years to navigate BTW.

Why is this important? Well, as this school year has rocketed by I've had several conversations with students who are feeling the pressure of some choices they have to make (or already have made) about their future. Many of them are asking for help knowing what they are supposed to do (they must think I have a special app on my phone that God uses to communicate His specific will for people).

Before I say anything else, let me say this...I do not believe it is my place to tell your student what to do with their life. As parents, you have the joy of walking through these stages with your student and exploring their personality and gifting to discover the path God has for them.

But I also remember being in their shoes. I remember having a teacher tell me that my 12th grade Poli-Sci Paper was really well written and that maybe I had a future as a Lawyer...only to realize that I just like arguing. Not lawyering. I remember wanting to have an answer for people who asked, "So what are you going to study?" I remember feeling so happy that I finally had an answer, NO ONE was going to convince me to rethink that choice! Especially my parents (sorry Mom, again).

So, for the next two Wednesday nights, I am going to meet with current Juniors and Seniors to talk about the process of choosing what to do with their lives. My heart in these discussions is to help our students to understand themselves better and understand the unique gifting God has given them. I will not tell any student what they SHOULD do.

I honestly used to think that I just needed to pick something and stick with it...that if I could just get a real job and have a family that everything would be great. It took me a long time to realize that God's plan was very different than my plan. It took me even longer to get my plan to line up with His!

Friends, in my years of retail management  I saw countless students come out of high school with high hopes and big dreams. And I saw many of them flounder to find direction and purpose. It was easy to spot them, because I saw the same desperation in myself. My prayer is that God would use these discussions to help your family in this process. That students might walk away knowing themselves better and having grown in their understanding of how God has gifted them. Maybe it will just reinforce what they already know. Maybe it will open their eyes to a truth they were afraid to admit. Maybe unlock a passion that will change this world!

My senior year I had one goal...Survive! I wish I had taken the time to ask what God had designed me to do. The good news is, He doesn't give up. I know I am who I am today, because of the path I walked...but I also know I could have taken a different road to get here.


For His Glory,

Justin

As always, if you have questions or concerns or would like to talk through anything please let me know.

Scioto Hills Winter Retreat

Hello,

So in a few short days we will be heading to Scioto Hills Camp and Retreat Center for a crazy fun weekend!



First things first...
This weekend will be fun, but this weekend is not intended to be just a crazy overnight. You are expected to focus on the teaching and engage with your leaders. Phones will be confiscated if they are a distraction. Students are expected to respect the authority in place both camp staff and youth leaders.
We will have a great time...but each student must commit to having the right attitude throughout the weekend.

Here's what you need to know!

Register is you haven't already done so...
Online at https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SciotoHillsChristianCampRetreatCenter#/selectSessions/780303

If you've already registered you should have received a confirmation from Scioto Hills, in that confirmation email, it hopefully included a "what to pack" list.

Here's a summary just in case.

What to pack
-flashlight
-Bible/pen/notebook
-Sleeping bag/pillow
-comfortable, warm clothes
-jacket/coat/sweatshirt
-bath towels/washcloth/personal items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (please, please, please)
-camera (cheap)
-spending $$$ Tshirts ar 15-17, plus snacks
-any medications

What to leave at home
-electronics - games, radios, iPods, (you won't get service out there...)
-Snacks containing peanuts ot peanut butter


We will leave at 5pm of Friday February 6th. Please be ready to leave at 5pm. We will arrive around 8pm and eat when we get there...so students should snack after school.

We will leave camp before 12 on Sunday and return around 2pm. Students will have the chance to contact you as we get closer to let you know our estimated time of arrival.


Questions or concerns?
Jhoppe@whbc.org
937.602.6613 cell

Hey There

Hello,

Hopefully you saw the last post which talked about our recent Baptism discussions. We are working on a date for those who are going to respond in obedience and get baptized. It will either be Sunday March 1st or the 8th. Anyone interested in being baptized needs to talk with Justin soon.

We've also got a lot of other stuff going on!

Saturday Jan. 17th from 9:30-12:00pm
We're hanging at the church! No MVWC this month.
We'll order pizza so bring $5. We'll play some games in the youth room and maybe watch a movie.


Sunday Jan 18th from 12pm-1:30pm
Chicago GO Trip Meeting
If you are interested in going on this summer's trip you need to be here. We will meet in the church dining room (next to the gym). Pizza will be provided, please consider a $5 per family donation to help cover the pizza costs. Lunch is for families of anyone attending the meeting, the youth room will be available during the meeting for younger siblings.



Friday Jan 30th from 5:30-9:30pm and Saturday Jan 31st from 8-4pm
The Worship team and any students who are interested in being involved with the worship team will be heading to Cedarville University for their annual Worship Conference. The Cost is $30 per person. Sign up with Justin by Jan 18th!


February 6-8
Scioto Hills Winter Retreat
The cost is $89. I currently have 14 students who have signed up to go. I will need a solid commitment by January 21st or we will not be taking a group down. Please sign up with Justin ASAP


As always, reach out to me with questions or concerns!!


Justin

The Challenge

Hey Parents,

 So I mentioned in my last post that we were going to be talking about Baptism and that your student would have a chance to respond if they had not yet been baptized...Well, we talked about it today.
I went through the basics of what Baptism is (an ordinance laid out by Christ for the church) and talked about what it symbolizes (Christ's burial and resurrection). Next we talked about how baptism is a beautiful reminder of all that occurred for us when Christ died on the cross and then rose again. We talked about how we die to our old self and are made new. We talked about how we often don't live this way and then looked at how the gospel gives us hope to face the darkness in us and in this world. I explained that when believers obey in baptism God is glorified and the church edified.

To end our time this morning I gave challenges to the 3 "types of students" there today:

1. To those not saved, but who heard the gospel this morning, the challenge was to choose today as the day they accept Christ as Savior and let the Gospel begin to work...followed by baptism.

2. To those saved, but not yet baptized, the challenge was to recognize the command of Christ to be baptized. I reminded them that if they know they ought to do this, but now choose not to then they are quite frankly, sinning.

3. To those already saved and baptized, but not yielding to the gospel in all areas of their lives (that covered the rest of us...including me), the challenge was to begin yielding those areas to Christ.


Parents, I know the decision to baptize or not baptize is a personal one, and that families should make this choice together. I am available to discuss further any concerns you may have. I am in the process of securing a date for a few students who have spoken to me about getting baptized. If you would like your student to be included on this date please let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and your encouragement.

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

For His Glory,

Justin