Operation Barnabas--The First Full Day of Orientation

Students learn how to work a puppet

Yesterday kicked off the first official day of Operation Barnabas Orientation.

With all of the students arriving Tuesday and getting in by late evening, we put Arrival Day in the books. This morning started off at about 7 a.m. with breakfast, prayer, and devotional time. TK led the morning session with introductions of the leadership teams, followed by guidelines for the summer. Read more and see pictures...

Also, sign up for Operation Barnabas tour emails.

4 Weeks of Ready-Made Youth Group Material

This 4-part series on parent/student relationships is aimed at students' commitments to demonstrate godliness in all of their relationships at home.

A student is not responsible for changing his/her parents or siblings, but is responsible for his/her own reactions to conflict, attempts to communicate, or expressions of love.

Many students may have unsaved parents or siblings, yet they have the same responsibility to model godliness at home as those students from "Christian homes."

Get the series at www.cenational.org/resources.

Hmmm... Nine Elements of an Effective Youth Group

CE National is encouraging each church to adopt these principles of effective youth group ministry.

Relationships to Each Other:

1. Developing an atmosphere of love
2. Developing a healthy group image
3. Implementing an effective contacting ministry
4. Producing an effective discipleship ministry
5. Establishing regular outreach events
6. Developing effective networking with other youth ministries

Relationships to God:

1. Establishing a prayer base
2. Teaching a proper concept of Jesus Christ
3. Communicating the Word of God clearly in a motivational and relevant manner

*(based on Sonlife's Foundations principles..plus our own.)

Momentum Receives Grant For Katrina Relief

The Mississippi Navigator Program is giving CE National a mini-grant to help with supplies and materials needed to conduct service projects and for travel expenses during the week of Momentum. These funds will help with the hurricane relief efforts taking place at youth conference.

CE National was directed to this resource by a contact given through Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran.

CE National Thanks Quizzing Students and Coaches

Ed Speaks To Students, Young Adults, then Grace Brethren Boys

Ed Lewis, CE National's Executive Director, is in Lititz, Pennsylvania, encouraging and challenging Operation Barnabas students in evangelism and outreach during orientation. This is an important time of preparing hearts for a summer of ministry. Go to www.OperationBarnabas.net for updates and pictures.

The Driven Conference is next on Ed's travel schedule. Driven is a young adult conference that exists to gather a generation to become catalysts for Christ within church and culture. Ed will be at the conference from June 22-24 speaking Friday on the topic "The Gift Nobody Wants: Singleness." You may still register for the Driven by going to www.drivenconference.com.

High Adventure with Grace Brethren Boys awaits Ed June 24-27. He will be a part of this national event at Sproul State Forest near Tamarack, in northcentral Pennsylvania.  Along with speaking, Ed will join the boys on their canoeing adventure.