• Listeners. Good leaders don’t always have to be talking. Sometime, if not most of the time, students need to vent to someone they can trust.
• Quiet. Good leaders don’t have to announce to everyone that they are leaders or that what they are doing is leading.
• Investors. Good leaders know how to invest in a student’s life. They spend time with them, know how to communicate with them and aren’t afraid to pursue them. Good leaders don’t just lead on Sundays but invest in students throughout the week.
• Imperfect. Good leaders aren’t afraid to admit their mistake and move on. They don’t come across as perfect or look down on students who are struggling. They come alongside and encourage.

These are great qualities for great leaders. Thankfully, EPIC has great leaders who exemplify these great qualities but we can all keep learning and striving to better in the role(s) God has placed us in.

The Middle School Conference is less than a month away.  If you haven’t already, you need to register.  You can do so by clicking HERE.  We need adults to go as well.  If you are available and would like to join us click HERE.

Important Information:

When is it?                                                                                                                                                  October 2-4, 2009

Where is it being held?
Heartland Conference Retreat Center
3201 County Road 225
Marengo, OH 43334
Phone: (740) 747-0220
www.heartlandretreat.com

What Should I Bring?
Your registration will take care of everything you need. Just bring some clothes (Don’t forget at least one pair of warm clothes), personal hygiene items, towel for showering, a sleeping bag and pillow, an extra sock for scalps, a Bible, and a pen or pencil.

What does it cost?
The registration fee is $69 for students and adult leaders. A $10 late fee kicks in if your registration is received after Friday, September 11, 2009.

5 Signs We May Be Ashamed of the Gospel

Text:  Romans 1.14-16

#1.  If we feel that what we offer is not of real value.

#2.  If we don’t know how to handle our faith in a relativistic, pluralistic, post-modern, multi-cultural society.

#3.  If we are afraid because the Gospel condemns men as sinners.

#4.  If we are afraid to called “hell-fire and brimstone preachers”

#5.  If we are fearful to take the Gospel into the public square.

It was a great challenge to what we are called to do as Great Commission Christians–and that is preach the Gospel with passion and fervency.

“It make take 30 years to build a reputation. Never forget it only takes 30 seconds to destroy it.”

The theme of the conference was, Go! Wake Up Your World!  The speakers were great along with the worship.

Below are pics of the skit night which was on Saturday.

I would definitely encourage ALL of our MS students to attend next year!!!!

We woke up and headed down to the Coffee Cartel for breakfast and internet connection.

After breakfast, we went to see a movie, Lakeview Terrace.  It was a pretty good movie.  I would give it a grade of B.

We then headed over to the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.  To see these balloon the night before was neat but to see them during the day in all their color was truly spectacular.

The Pepsi Skydiving Team performed before the race.

At 5:00 pm the race began.

What an amazing event to see and be a part of!!

That evening we went to the Pasta House for dinner.

The food was fantastic.

After shopping and picking up last minute souvenirs, we decided to head back to the hotel to get things ready to leave the next morning.

Overall, Anna and I had an amazing time and the people of St. Louis were incredibly friendly.  We are excited about heading back again for another getaway!

The theme this year is “Go:  WAKE UP your world!”

If you are a parent of middle school student, you can register here:  Middle School Registration

Don’t miss out on this exciting event!!!