Sunday afternoon I got back from Focus, and it was really great. For those of you who don’t know, the best way to describe focus is probably Church camp, but it’s much different in many ways. About 200 – 300 teens (middle to high school) come to Faulkner University for a week. Every day, you do a service project, a few worship times, devotionals, or classes, some sports, and some activities just for fun.
This year, one of the main projects was the rolling closet, the backyard Bible school, and general cleanup and help with the Montgomery Inner City Ministry. I ended up being the chaperon who went to that every day, and it was a huge blessing. I got to spend some time every day with Jonathan Moseby, who was an evangelist working with that ministry. I also met some really great teenagers who worked very hard to help out, including my guys, but I already knew they were awesome.
Some of the other projects included visiting with the elderly at a retirement home close to Faulkner’s campus, writing cards to soldiers stationed overseas in Iraq and other combat areas, and cleaning and repairing houses for Montgomery residents.
The keynote speaker this year was a gentleman named Wiley Lowe, who is the youth minister for a congregation in Daytona Beach, FL called Holly Hill Church of Christ. (apparently they used to have a website, but not anymore.) In any case, God has blessed that man with a gift for preaching the good news. The theme this year was “super powers,” and all the speakers touched on that subject. Wiley talked a lot about Satan, and his desire to tear us away from God. Specifically he stressed our ability to choose to stay away from his traps, because God warns us how Satan will attack. In any case, my guys were impressed with his lessons, and so was I. Honestly, he reminds me of Dr. Fortner from Harding University in many ways. I have an immense respect for Fortner, though he may be a bit over the edge at times. If you ever get the chance to hear Wiley speak, I recommend taking it.
Focus also has a lot of fun activities, some of which are not that exciting, but some are great. This year we went to a baseball game, the Montgomery Biscuits vs the Mobile Bay Bears. That’s right folks, they’re called the biscuits. Don’t ask me. There was also a karaoke night, and one night we had the mall to ourselves playing broom hockey (arguably more dangerous than regular hockey… it does not involve skates or pads, but does involve large sticks with plastic on the ends… usually there are minor injuries) and video games. By the way, my new favorite game (i intend to get a pad for home) is Dance Dance Revolution. There was a guy there named Adam who was insanely good. I wanted to tape him, but we ran out of time. In any case, it is mad fun, and I need one to get in shape.
I have some video (and maybe pics, not sure) from Focus. Once I get it captured and edited, I’ll throw it up so you can see some Focus goodness.
God totally took care of me (He always does) with my car this week, too. Three minutes from the Church on the way back (so thankful it wasn’t back in Montgomery), my speedometer stopped working, and then my car stopped shifting out of second. Of course, I was convinced my transmission was shot. But, thanks to God, it was only my “speed sensors”. Short story is, it was an $80 repair vs an $800 repair. Sweet.
Personally, Focus helped me tons this year. It reminded me that I need to be back doing ministry. It also gave me a spiritual boost that I’ve been needing for awhile. And, I got to spend time with the guys in the youth group, and that’s always a great (albeit strange/disturbing) time.
Comment it up, kids.
Tags: friends, Harding, spirituality