week 2

The second week I helped out at the sunday night youth group as well as the friday night youth group for elementary kids. Again, the sunday night was mostly hang out time with a short lesson. Friday night was a lot more of me being a leader. I was in charge of the second and third graders. (which only ended up being 2 kids). i led the kids around to their different stations and helped the other leaders keep them under control. everyone started out in one room where they listened to a lesson and participated in worship. they then had a rec station, crafts, snacks, and quiz station.

i really liked the "friday night freak out" helping out with the 2nd and 3rd graders was a lot of fun. it was kind of funny because they thought i was really cool. but it all strengthened my feelings of why i really love youth ministry. i havent had very much experience with leading kids by myself though, so it was a great experience.

this felt like kind of a boost for my spiritual life. it was something really different from what im used to, but it was great to help kids have a fun time in church and try to set an example for them

Week 1

I am doing my practicum at the Exit 59 church in Marion. Nate and Tiffany Woodard are the youth ministers here. The first week was a really good "get to know everyone" kind of week. Sunday night youth group started at 6:30 and goes until 9:00, but it will run over sometimes. The first sunday ran over half an hour. I started the night learning everyones names (its a very small youth group) and playing halo 2 with them while we waited on one of the youth ministers to get the fire wood built up. After we played Halo for a little bit then we had a lesson given by Nate. Then we all went outside and had a bon fire and made smores and just hung out for a while.

I liked the feel of the youth group, but it was definitely a huge change from what im used to. It is really small, only 6 kids. & they are not kids that have gone to church their whole lives.