National Youth Ministries Conference Comes to CE National

Main Speakers

CE National is excited to use the Russell Center and other facilities to host up to 200 people attending the National Youth Ministries Conference, January 14-17, sponsored by Vision For Youth. Last year at Momentum 2007, our good friends Mel Walker, Tim Ahlgrim, and Cheryl Fawcett, from Vision For Youth, played a key part in the Youth Worker Track. Read more...

Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, We Need Your Help!

Momentum and
Convoy of Hope
Want to Partner With Your Ohio Church

Because of the anticipated outreach events that are taking place at Momentum East 2008 in Cedarville, Ohio, July 21-27, we want our students to experience an effective local church outreach event focused on reaching the needs of people. In a partnership with Convoy of Hope, we are planning two outreach events for Saturday, July 26, in both Dayton and Columbus.

The community-wide outreach events are designed to meet both human and spiritual needs of impoverished families. The event mobilizes up to 1000 local church volunteers to serve about 5000 community guests by providing free groceries, health and dental screenings, free haircuts, games, and activities for children and all ages. Every guest is prayed for/with before they leave the event. It is a tremendous opportunity to share Christ and make a difference in the community. Because Convoy of Hope trains local church volunteers, a strong emphasis is placed on giving the local church names of contacts and helping the guests assimilate into local churches.

While it is CE National's desire to host these two events, we plan to use Momentum students as volunteers to help set up the events, distribute flyers, run activities, and share with the community guests. Because CE National and Convoy of Hope believe whole-heartedly in the local church and their importance of the follow-up of local churches long after the event is over, we need about ten churches in each city to grasp the vision for impacting the community and partner with us in planning, promoting, and executing the Community Wide Outreach Events. You can view a video about events like this one on Convoy of Hope's website at www.convoyofhope.org/go/video/us_outreach_promo.

"Dad's Answered Prayer" By Marilyn Orlando

Marilyn helping at
CE National

Marilyn Orlando, a faithful CE National volunteer, feels compelled to write poetry relating to situations that God has placed in her life. Her brother, Dick, who is now with the Lord, was very far from the Lord for most of his life. Sometimes he could be kind, but normally he was a very unpleasant person.

If you can identify with someone like that, then perhaps this poem will reflect what God can do in changing people's lives. Marilyn's godly parents always had a challenge with their one son, but after their dad passed away, Dick turned his life over to the Lord. At 70 years of age, his life changed. Marilyn writes this poem to her dad, as he and Dick are both in heaven. Read the poem.

Spring Conference for Children's Workers

CE National's Children's Cabinet would like to invite all children's workers and those who are interested in children's work to check out the Conspire Conference put on by Willow Creek Community Church, April 22-25 in Chicago. The goal of the conference is to bring together the best minds in children's ministry for the sake of each child.

For additional information and to see the schedule, speakers, workshops and registration details, go to www.willowcreek.com/conspireconference. The Children's Cabinet members will be attending the conference and urge others to be part of the wide variety of workshops, be challenged by diverse speakers, and enjoy the interaction with those with like passion for children's ministry.

Momentum Discounts--Register Early For Both and Save

Two-Conference Discount
Students or Youth Workers who choose to attend BOTH Momentum West and Momentum East, will receive the following discount:
Student price: $649 total
Youth Worker price: $499 total
Deadlines are the same as Momentum West.

New Church Discount
A new church will receive one free Youth Worker registration with every five Students who register and attend Momentum 2008. Also, each Student who registers and attends Momentum from a new church will receive a $25 discount. A New Church is defined as one that has not had a student attend youth conference in the past 3 years (2007, 2006, or 2005). To receive this discount, the head youth worker from the new church must contact the Momentum registrar with church information prior to the start of Momentum.

See www.buildmomentum.org for more details.

Pastors and Leaders, Ideas for Your Church

Grace Community Church in Goshen, Indiana, where Jim Brown is the Senior Pastor, produced a video of their staff reflecting on all the special programs they have had in their church in 2007. The video includes church themes, special events, and ways they are trying to reach people for Christ. If you would like to receive a copy of this new DVD, contact Grace Community at info@gracecommunity-church.com or call 574.533.7546. The cost is $10 for the DVD.

Should Pearlington, Mississippi, Become 'Our Town'?

Last summer, Momentum students worked on 11 homes in Pearlington. As a follow-up, the Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church sent housewarming gifts to a few Pearlington residents. The residents graciously expressed their thanks in a letter back to the church. (See "Pearlington Residents Thank Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church")

In addition to the Canton, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, and the coming MAP Team trip, Doug Courter, from Calvary Grace Brethren Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, and 13 others will be working in Pearlington January 17-22.

Join us in praying for the people of Pearlington, that perhaps they will come to know Christ through these teams of people. We love the people there and thank God for what He is doing. Thanks to so many for reaching out to them.

412 Commission Semester Wrap-Up: "God Has Most of the Baggage"

The 412 Commission students have started their Christmas break. With one semester completed, Jenny Gowen, 412 student, writes an overview of the first few months.

What have we as a team learned this semester? Well, that’s a big question to answer in just one article!

We came to 412 a bunch of misfits with lots of baggage (hidden and exposed), wanting to grow. Read more...

Kurt Johnston Seminar Comes To Norton, Ohio

The National Institute for the Development of Ministries to Youth is proud to present pastor and author Kurt Johnston for a one-day seminar held Thursday, January 3, 2008 from 9 am-3:30 pm at Grace Church, South Campus in Norton, Ohio. Kurt's topic will be “Freaks, Geeks, and Squirrels: Understanding 11-14 Year Olds,” “Teaching Young Teens,” and “Creativity.”

Kurt is a long-time junior high youth pastor who currently serves at Saddleback Church in Southern California.

If you are interested in attending this important one-day event, please contact Courtney Cherest at theinstitute@cenational.org or 574.267.6622 Cost for this exciting event is just $49 and includes lunch. A 20% group discount applies if three or more attend from your church or ministry (volunteer or staff).

Cathy's Corner: Study the Bible In New and Exciting Ways

Are you looking to study the Bible in new and exciting ways? Try using these Bible Reference books.

The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands: by Barry J. Beitzel
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines: by Rose Publishing
Bible Explorer’s Guide: by John Phillips

Coming Events Between Now and the End of January

Between now and the end of January, Timothy Kurtaneck, Director of Church Relations, and Ed Lewis, Executive Director, will be traveling often and meeting with many people. Go to their schedule...

Merry Christmas From the CE National Staff

The staff at CE National wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The CE National offices will be closed December 22nd-January 2nd.

Look forward to the next issue of CE News Online the first week of January.

The next issue of CE News Online will come out the 1st week of January.