For seven weeks, West Shore's youth are starting from the beginning -- in Genesis -- and walking with God as He shows us His unfailing love and his unfolding plan for redeeming us from the sin we, as His creation, inflicted on ourselves. Music, scenery, talks -- all combine to let young people experience God in a new way through an old story.
The Source
Episode 1 ... February 21 ... Genesis 1:1; 1:28-30
Presented by Neil Pitchell
The Creation Recreated Haze wafted across the foliage and waterfall as the story unfolded ... None of it was real, however. It was all props and a fog machine set up in the Youth Room to simulate the creation. And the creation story was told by Neil Pitchel, former WSEFC Associate Pastor of Ministry Support. The presentation, part of a multi-week "Story of God" series, was intended to steep teens and their parents in the experience of God's amazing act. As Neil wrapped up his message with the plight of Adam and Eve, a piece of fruit fell from the Tree of Knowledge. To be continued ...
One hundred teenagers around a knee-deep mud pit the size of a volleyball court poised to jump in and retrieve 600 marbles - now, that's an experience that most adults would not mind skipping. But if you're young and unflappable, well, that's different.
It was one of those Hunt/Owen-created experiences that draw scores of young people. About 250 kids showed up for the fall Youth Ministry Kickoff. The goal was simply to make sure everyone had a Christ-focus to start the school year.
So, what was it about the marbles? Well, each one was worth 50 points (only 40 marbles were recovered, by the way), which when added to the points for rolling a beach ball down a hill into a circle and the activity that involved hitting a bulls-eye on the side of the moving church vans with water balloons (enough said about that), and tickets given for bringing friends ... it's much too difficult to explain.
What's important to know is that, if you showed up, dragged along some friends, engaged in all three challenges, your chances of winning a bargain-priced, high-definition TV increased proportionally.
Having said all of that, if you're one of those folks who loves teenagers, even if you don't have any of your own, and couldn't wipe that smile off your face as you read the story above, then you are a prime candidate to be a volunteer youth leader for either the Junior or Senior High. Tony Hunt is the contact, but you can talk to Daniel Owen about it, too.
Two more pieces of information you should know. First, the night ended with worship and a challenge from the Word to approach the school year from the mind of Christ and to His glory. Second, the Monroe County fire truck that was supposed to hose down the mud-crusted teenagers was suddenly called away. Tony and Daniel can tell you the rest.
Communities 
For seven weeks, West Shore's youth are starting from the beginning -- in Genesis -- and walking with God as He shows us His unfailing love and his unfolding plan for redeeming us from the sin we, as His creation, inflicted on ourselves. Music, scenery, talks -- all combine to let young people experience God in a new way through an old story. 