Hey Parents!
What a summer it has been! As we wrap up an incredible summer together, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate what God has done and look ahead to whatās coming this fall.
āļø JULY HIGHLIGHTS
Backyard Hangouts were a success!
We battled the heat (and even some rain), but emerged victorious with plenty of fun, laughter, and deeper connections with one another. A huge shoutout to the families who opened their homes to us: Marc & Pam Francis, Rick Cagle, Lee & Tonya O'Dell, and Kevin & Julie McKinney.
Between cookouts, taco bowls, pool parties that turned into card-game parties, bucket golf, guys-vs.-girls mazes, and so much more, it was a great month of simply being together. It was a wonderful reminder that our church family is a gathering of believersāwe don't just belong to a building; we belong to one another.
And we loved ending the summer with our worship night together in the Loft!
šļø Summer Camp was a HIT!
We had a TON of fun at Whisper Mountain, but even better, we got to see God do some pretty incredible things!
Red Team may reign as the camp champs š, but everyone had an amazing week. High ropes, lake day, ziplining, Angel Ball, slip-and-slide kickball, the No-Talent Show, and so much more made for a week we won't forget.
Want to see the highlights of all the pics? Check them out HERE and HERE.
One of my favorite parts of the week was watching students step outside their comfort zones. Whether it was jumping into a high-energy game, getting on stage for the No-Talent Show, or stepping up to lead their group during low ropes, I watched so many students take a step into something newāand succeed. I couldn't be more proud of them.
But spiritually, this was a POWERFUL week.
Our theme was 41, representing the victory that comes after a season of waitingā40 being a recurring biblical picture of waiting and preparation. This year, I got to see some real "41 moments" as students began walking in the victory God has given them.
From camp, we've celebrated a profession of faith, a student deciding to be baptized, several students feeling or being affirmed in a calling toward vocational ministry, and many others who rededicated their lives to the Lord and are walking in renewed faith.
Huge praise for all that God did at camp!
Our Slovakia team had an incredible trip as well!
Eight of our students traveled overseas and faithfully served God in big ways. They got to experience the beauty of our worldwide faith and the unity we share with believers across the globe.
Our team shared the gospel in parks, prayed with strangers, and spent the week serving at a children's campāplaying games, building relationships, and pointing kids toward the good news of Jesus.
I am so proud of the way these students stepped out in faith and served others!
š COMING UP
Summer may be coming to an end, but we've got an exciting fall ahead!
AUGUST 26 ā FALL KICKOFF š
This is a night you won't want to miss! We'll kick off the new school year with a night full of fun, connection, and celebration.Students will meet their new small groups and leaders for the year, we'll begin updating our Polaroid Wall, have activities to help everyone connect, and finish the night with a PARTY!
AUGUST 30 ā PROMOTION SUNDAY š§
It's finally here! All rising 6th graders officially join Ridgecrest Students, and every student moves up to their new grade.
And you've been waiting for it...
WAFFLES ARE BACK! š§
We'll celebrate the start of a new year together on Sunday morning.
š SAVE THE DATES
OCTOBER 7 ā DAYWN Night of Worship
We'll be hosting churches from around our city as students from across Durham gather together to worship Jesus under one roof. This is going to be a special night!OCTOBER 16ā18 ā FALL RETREAT @ MERRIWOOD
This is a MUST-BE-AT weekend for your student.
We'll head back to Merriwood Christian Camp for a weekend packed with fun, games, activities, powerful worship, and teaching. Registration is coming soon, but get this weekend on your calendar now!
Realm App
Please use the link below to learn more about the Realm App, which makes registering your teen easier than ever!
Thank you, parents, for partnering with us. It is such a privilege to walk alongside your students, and I am incredibly excited about what God is going to do in and through Ridgecrest Students this fall.
Let's go, fall! š
Your friend,
Ian Turner
Student Ministry Director