THE SHIFT
By: Steven Dang,
High School Ministries

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a student ministries conference featuring music by the band Switchfoot. During a Q&A session, lead singer Jon Foreman addressed dissention of many Christian fans when the band played in places deemed "unchristian." The message of their music had not changed but the venues did. As a result, Switchfoot touched the lives of many people who might not have heard the message otherwise, including a teenage girl who claimed the words of one song changed her mind about committing suicide.

The truth is, even when invited, many students will never step a foot on a church campus. They need others to step on their "turf" and earn the right to speak into their lives. Loving students unconditionally - as God loves them - opens the door for us to share the love of Jesus. When Switchfoot moved from one audience to another, they reached out to a place - a place where Jesus was waiting to be heard. This shift is happening not just in student ministries, but the church as a whole.

When Matthew was called to be a disciple in Luke 5:27-32, a shift occured. Matthew threw a big party, inviting a large crowd of his friends - other tax collectors. But the teachers of the day didn't understand: "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners?" Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (NIV)

How will you shift?

Student Ministries at Calvary Church >

WOMEN'S MINISTRY LAUNCHES SPRING BIBLE STUDY SERIES ON JAN 15

Every fall and spring, Calvary Church's Women's Ministries hosts several Bible study series for women of all ages. These studies encourage women to draw closer to God and each other. It's a great place to meet people in our Calvary Church family as well as develop new and lasting friendships.

Beginning, January 15th, several women's studies will begin meeting at various times and locations. This year's studies include Beth Moore video series on Esther, Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God, Romans (Part 2), Enhancing Your Marriage (Part 2) and Women's Alpha.

On campus studies meet on Thursday mornings at 9:00am and Thursday evenings at 7:00pm. Studies will also be hosted by several home groups throughout the week. For more information, please click on the link below to go to our website.

About Women's Bible Studies >

MEET STEVEN DANG
HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRIES

What is one thing that excites you about High School Ministries?

I meet students from time to time who are frustrated with their spiritual journey for many reasons and other students who are alive with the high definition colors of faith. In Student Life Ministries, we have students from all walks of life at all junctions in their spiritual journeys. I love that! When they come together, conversations start to happen and relationships are built.

I think Bono, lead singer of U2 articulates it best: “For all that ‘I was lost, I am found’, it is probably more accurate to say, ‘I was really lost, I’m a little less so at the moment.’ And then a little less and a little less again.  That to me is the spiritual life.”

Life and faith are not always pretty, but in Student Life Ministries, we recognize that we are in this together. Faith is cultivated in community. When students learn how to love each other the way that God loves us, it paints such a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God pouring in and through our lives.

About High School Ministries >