We had 9 MPkids and 7 Teen Drama kids (as well as Nerissa, David, and Chryne!) along with us on our Annapolis Mission/Retreat last week. Our program's director, Liz Baroni, was so proud of all the Agents for really focusing on what the Lord had them see, hear, say, feel, and learn with all of their experiences. She asked the kids, “What are some of the lessons that you learned from going on the Annapolis trip (specifically, the “Block Party in the Housing Project,” Naval Academy Boot Camp, Discipleship Time with Pastor Donnie, and Serving at Centerpoint Church)?” Here are the AGENT RESPONSES—“We learned…”:
To be aware of the NEEDS of others—PARENTS, your kids focused on the SPIRITUAL NEEDS of others and listed these far above the physical, worldly needs of the people in the Housing Project—BE VERY PROUD OF YOUR KIDS SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH GOD’S EYES! These are the NEEDS the kids listed:
o Need for Jesus (Salvation)
o Need to be more Christ-like (to grow through reading the Bible, praying, and going to church)
o Need for LOVE (the kids are so amazing in their though processes! They truly have been touched by the Holy Spirit and are a blessing to me)
o Need for clothes, food
That we can serve others even in small ways—The kids allowed the nursery workers at Centerpoint Church to attend the worship service through babysitting in the nursery (with our adult supervision!). The workers are Pastor Donnie’s wife, Jen, and another lady who had NEVER heard Pastor Donnie preach in one year of attending Centerpoint! She was so grateful to the kids to have the opportunity to be spiritually fed! The serving spirit of the kids really touched them!
o Need for Jesus (Salvation)
o Need to be more Christ-like (to grow through reading the Bible, praying, and going to church)
o Need for LOVE (the kids are so amazing in their though processes! They truly have been touched by the Holy Spirit and are a blessing to me)
o Need for clothes, food
That we can serve others even in small ways—The kids allowed the nursery workers at Centerpoint Church to attend the worship service through babysitting in the nursery (with our adult supervision!). The workers are Pastor Donnie’s wife, Jen, and another lady who had NEVER heard Pastor Donnie preach in one year of attending Centerpoint! She was so grateful to the kids to have the opportunity to be spiritually fed! The serving spirit of the kids really touched them!
Self-Discipline and Leadership Skills through Boot Camp Training at the Naval Academy: The kids had the opportunity to be unified as a squad (Unity, One Body—in the spiritual sense), to take action for the good of the unit even if they did not feel like doing what was asked of them (“dying to self”), and boldly leading the others when each was given the opportunity to be “Company Commander,” “Cadence Caller,” or “Road Guard” as they encouraged, led, and protected their fellow “Soldiers/Seamen” (since we were at the Naval Academy!).
Discipleship Time with Pastor Donnie and the Murphys: The kids were given gift-packets and a notepad for note-taking during the Missionary talks (the Murphys) and Pastor Donnie’s sermon. Pastor Donnie reminded the kids that BEFORE doing missions work, Salvation and discipleship are KEY. Thus, we spent several weeks of lessons prior to our trip reviewing the fundamentals of our Faith—the Gospel—and how to share the Message with others. In Sunday school, we spent time talking with the kids and did “altar calls.” We discussed Salvation and Baptism. PARENTS: Please note that if you would like to talk with Pastor Josh, Liz, or any of the other pastoral staff regarding any decision for Christ that your child has made or Baptism, please contact us at ANY time. We would be happy to talk with you and your child more.
Liz was pleasantly surprised that the kids remembered Michael Murphy discussing how the passion for missions started in his heart. The kids remembered that he gave them a verse, Acts 1:8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Liz was pleasantly surprised that the kids remembered Michael Murphy discussing how the passion for missions started in his heart. The kids remembered that he gave them a verse, Acts 1:8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mission Accomplished!
I want to see pictures of this trip! Click here to view a powerpoint slideshow.
