The Preteen Ministry is in need of adults who can serve as small-group leaders.

If the preteens at Stonebriar know that someone cares about them individually—that they aren't just another face in a crowd of 150-200 children in Junction 56—then we have accomplished the most important aspect of our ministry. This individual attention and love can only occur in a small-group setting, and in order to have small-groups we need . . . you guessed it . . . small-group leaders!

Ideally, the preteens in each small-group will have an opportunity to discuss and interact with the Bible content shared in the large-group meeting, and an opportunity to share personal prayer requests and pray for others in their group.

Preteens desperately need a sense of belonging; therefore, each leader must purposefully plan ways to build a sense of team and unity in their groups. Once this sense of belonging is established, and each preteen knows that he or she is loved and welcome at Junction 56, then we can build on those relationships and help them understand and develop the basic spiritual disciplines. We can answer their specific, practical questions about the challenges of being a preteen in today's world. 

When you consider the following statements . . .

• The adolescent years (10-14) are second only to birth-3 in importance as a development state in life.
• Preteens will make decisions in these crucial years that will impact their entire lives.
• Preteens face more challenges in living the Christian life in today's world than we faced in previous decades.
• Preteens desperately need positive, caring adult role-models to help them stand strong and grow in their faith while the culture around them continues to decline morally and ethically.

. . . wouldn't you agree that serving as a small-group leader and helping our preteens should be a real priority for us?

Please pray about it. You know you'll be blessed if you serve. While I may not agree with everything Mother Teresa said, the following quote is right on target, in my opinion:

"We all long for Heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in Heaven with Him at this very moment. But being happy with Him now, means:

• Loving as He loves,
• Helping as He helps,
• Giving as He gives,
• Serving as He serves,
• Rescuing as He rescues,
• Being with Him twenty-four hours,
• Touching Him in His distressing disguise."

Christ's "distressing disguise" may sometimes be in the form of an energetic, talkative, crazy, awkward, unpredictable preteen. And we know that, "whatever you did for one of the least of these . . . you did for Me."

This service opportunity is described below. Please prayerfully consider participating in this crucial ministry!

Pastor Joe