Team Building 8.15.2009

Last Saturday morning a group of High Tiders took a trip out to Trinity to a ropes course there to work on team building but ended up with so much more;) We had an AWESOME facilitator and I was super proud of everyone that participated...see the pics below...

What is IT?

Over the last few weeks our Senior Pastor Douglas Poole has been bombarding us with emails, mailings, and posters all over campus with the word "IT" all over the place.

But what is the "IT" he's so excited about?

Why is "IT" the only thing he can seem to talk about these days?

Because, we believe, the only way we can be a church that reaches our community with the love of Christ and raise up fully devoted followers within our walls is to be full of "IT"! Whatever that quality is that excites people about the things of God. Whatever that thing is that makes people hungry to know more about living a life of purpose and vision!

So, we're going to attempt together to understand what its going to take to get "IT" together as a community!

This includes YOU, the parents and students of our church!

On Sunday, August 16th we're going to be launching the Sunday morning series called "IT".

On Sunday, August 23rd and 30th there will be an opportunity to sit back over a cup of coffee with Pastor Poole and chat about how Cypress will be pursuing IT for the next 18 months.

Please make every effort to attend one of these vision-sharing gatherings!! Students - I will be looking for you to lead the church in this movement. I am excited to see all of you sitting up front ready to get engaged in leading the adults toward "IT"!

Make the 23rd or 30th on your calendar today!

Springs of Hope Kenya Trip 2010!!!!

I'm as excited as I've ever been to write this post to the families at CMCC...

Over the last few years we have supported the construction of an orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya under the leadership of Molly and Joseph Bail (two Meadowers that moved to Kenya last year with their son and our friend Elijah).

The good news is the orphanage is completed and the furniture is now being installed!! Soon Springs of Hope will be just that...flowing with hope for children who have been orphaned by AIDS. Springs of Hope will be full of life and fun and children who now have a home with Molly and Joseph!

The great news? Cypress Meadows Student Ministry will be partnering with Paul and Jen Steinbrueck to provide an opportunity for students and their families to see, experience and do ministry first hand in Nakuru next summer!

If you're at all interested in getting more information on the work that is done at Springs of Hope and what it will take to send your student, yourself, or both to Kenya next summer you need to be at a Springs of Hope Kenya Q & A opportunity THIS Friday from 6:30-7:30 in Studio 4:12.

Attending the meeting DOES NOT obligate you to travel with us next summer. It is simply an opportunity for you to see what the trip is about and get your questions answered!

For more information about the meeting or Springs of Hope email me at hightide@cypressmeadows.org!

See you Friday!

BigStuf

Last week 10 HT students spent the week at a student leadership conference called BigStuf and God did some big stuff in us!

We were privileged to hear some fantastic speakers like Perry Noble, Andy Stanley, and Steve Furtick who challenged our faith in ways some of us had never considered. All three speakers raised the bar of commitment in our lives and presented Biblical truths in a way that inspired each and every one of us to give even more of ourselves to the cause of Christ.

Each morning and evening we were also incredibly blessed to be led in worship by the Steve Fee Band and Chrystina Fincher, two of the best worship leaders (beside Chris Cox of course) I've ever seen!

Besides the awesome line up at the conference its always good to get away and connect with one another in ways that it is impossible to do in the midst of our day to day reality.

Thanks parents and guardians for allowing your student to attend! I think (if they've not already shared with you about it) they all have stories of how God has impacted their lives through BigStuf and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead of them!

Remember Francis?

Remember Francis? Last Christmas you guys heard his story and responded by raising over $200 to get him out of his home and into a boarding school. Below is part of his story in case you've forgotten.

"His mother died sometime ago and his father remarried a woman with two children. His step-mother despises him and his alcoholic father violently abuses him when he drinks...which is most days. Francis showed me the scars where his father has bitten off his flesh...one wound is still open. He let me see a scar on his left leg where his dad swung a machete at him. He told me how his father recently taped his legs together and hoisted him in the air and before his dad could build a fire under him, neighbors intervened. Many days his family refuses to give him food and many nights they refuse to let him in the house so he huddles down in the bushes or garden to sleep. He told me how his father denies this bright young man the money to attend school. I could go on, but by now you more than get the circumstances of his life.Frances then went on to tell me how good God is to him. How God spared his life by sending the neighbors to his rescue..."

Well thanks to the tremendous outpouring of support from YOU, our boy Francis has begun school and is doing exceptionally well!! Here's the latest update from our friend Molly at Springs of Hope orphanage who was just with him to celebrate "Family Day".

"I wanted to share this photo of Francis at school. He is doing so well and really excited about school and his grades are getting better and better. He is so thankful for the opportunity and every time he sees us he just tells us of his plans of studying so hard and seeing how he can improve! The teachers really like him. Thanks so much!"

There are a couple of folks traveling to Kenya this next week and have volunteered to take items from YOU to Francis. If you're interested in encouraging our young Kenya friend please bring the following on Sunday morning to Paul and Jen's** table outside of service OR Sunday night where we'll be filling our cell phone bucket for Francis...

• Letters of encouragement from you to Francis


• Pictures of you and your friends labeled with your names so he can see the faces of the students that are praying for and supporting him


• Smaller, flat items like a calculator, bookmarks etc that he might like to see and/or could use at school

Thanks for making a difference in this young man's life!

**if you leave things for Francis with Paul and Jen on Sunday morning MARK THE ITEMS CLEARLY WITH FRANCIS' NAME and let Paul and Jen know it is for Francis specifically!

MY DAD ROCKS

Want to honor Dad this Father’s Day?

We’d like to know what makes your dad stand out from the rest.... What is it about him that makes you say, “My Dad Rocks!”?You can submit your answer to our My Dad Rocks competition and be entered to win your choice of 3 really cool gifts for your dad!

A Webber grill, a Rays' game or a Bonefish gift card!

THE CONTEST: To enter, contestants will finish the sentence “My dad rocks because…” You can submit your nominations via:

Facebook (go to “cypress meadows” and in “what’s on your mind” type “my dadrocks” and upload your video submission)

Twitter (send a direct message to “cypressmeadows”)

Email (email your submission to mailto:tomydadrocks@cypressmeadows.org

Youtube (email your youtube link to mailto:tomydadrocks@cypressmeadows.org

Text message (text to 727-748-2999)

"Snail Mail" (mail to: 2180 N. McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater, FL 33759)

For all of the submission options make sure that the subject line clearly includes “My Dad Rocks” in order for your submission to be entered. Contestants need to limit their submissions to 200 words or less or 2 minutes or less (if video is involved). All entries must be received no later than midnight, Thursday, June 18th.

THE PRIZES: We will choose the most creative entry that also contains the best content about dear old dad and that dear old dad will win his choice of either a Weber grill, two tickets & refreshment money for a Rays game, OR a Bonefish Grill gift card.The winner will be announced on Sunday morning the 21st.

You must be present to win!

Please note that by entering a submission, you give Cypress Meadows permission to use your entry as a part of our services on Father’s Day, June 21, 2009.

The winner will be chosen by the Cypress Programming Team who reserve the right to change the rules to this game at any time without notice or apologies.

Good Luck!!