May, 2008
A Thousand Thanks
I must admit, I am thoroughly impressed by the incredible response that the youth ministry has received from the church over the last couple of months. In January of 2007, the youth ministry began a new program called Golden Tickets which helps reduce the overall cost of our retreats for the middle school and high school. We used to reduce the cost of retreats by funneling money from "The Camp Fund" which used to be an offering emphasis each year. A few years ago we combined most of our offerings to streamline things a bit so that the members of Tomahawk were not bombarded every month with a different offering. When this cut occurred there was ample money in the Camp Fund therefore we felt that it was appropriate to set this offering aside.
As time went on the money in the Camp Fund was used and the youth ministry was faced with discovering a new way to cover this loss. This was when we started offering church members to purchase Golden Tickets. Typically the Golden Tickets cost $30 each and people in the church can purchase a Golden Ticket for a specific youth that they know, any youth in general or for a leader such as an adult who is a chaperone or one of our guest worship leaders. In return, the week of the retreat, we mail out a name of the youth or adult to each person who bought a Golden Ticket and ask them to pray for that student or adult over the weekend.
As I have already stated, the response has been amazing! This year alone between the middle school retreat in January and the high school retreat in April you, the generous people of Tomahawk, bought just over 50 Golden Tickets! That translates into $1500!! That is amazing but what is even more amazing is that over 50 youth and adults had an opportunity to have a life changing experience! But you, who gave of your money to purchase a Golden Ticket, had a spiritual impact on our youth and adult's lives because of your prayers for them. Honestly, that is what we are about here at Tomahawk, changing lives for Christ. So again thank you for your generosity.
The middle school and high school retreats are trips that the youth ministry plans, organizes, and produces on our own. This allows us to focus the theme and Bible studies of the retreat to the specific needs of our youth. This gives them an opportunity to grow closer in their relationship with Christ or to begin a relationship with Christ altogether. You have my promise that the quality of the retreats that our youth and adults get to experience surpasses any retreat that other churches in our area plan on their own. It is my pledge to give our students the best that we can possibly give them to help them know Christ better. So please know that your generosity, through the Golden Tickets, does not go unnoticed and is put to good use. Thank you, again.
Michael
Useless Fact of the Month
One of the terms of Wayne Gretzky's final contract with the New York Rangers was two tickets for every event at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Archived Articles by Michael Sepulveda
New Year and New Ideas - January 2008
Bibles For Our Children - February 2008
Consumer Reports - March 2008
Take Time - April 2008
