15 N. Chillicothe St.

South Charleston

From Our Staff

July 2010

Hello First Presbyterian Church! Dave Clem

I thought I would take this e-newsletter opportunity to introduce myself as the new Youth Director. I am originally from Boulder, Colorado, where I have spent most of my life so far (outside of school, that is) up in the mountains skiing, hiking, climbing, or pursuing other such adventures.

I graduated from the University of Colorado in 2006 with a degree in History. Since then, I have worked a variety of professions- everything from a teacher's aid in an elementary school, to the night shift at the Home Depot, to making cabinets. Friends have called me a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None." I've decided to take that as a compliment, and have loved getting the chance over the years since college to experience a sampling of several different careers.

Last year around this time, I was finishing up a year of service with AmeriCorps in New Orleans, rebuilding houses for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners. More importantly, I also met my wife in New Orleans. She is from Bellefontaine, and went to school at Wittenburg University. It should all make sense to you now why a Colorado man ended up in Ohio! We've been married a month now, and love this new chapter of our lives together.

Over the years, I've always been involved with Youth Ministry in one way or another- as a student, a volunteer, an intern, and then on staff for the First Presbyterian Church of Boulder. My passion, and one of the deepest desires of my heart, is to see kids grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'm excited to get to know all of you and your kids in the year ahead, and I forward to being a part of what God is already up to in South Charleston. Please feel free to come by the church and say hi anytime, or give me a ring if your kids would like to hang out this summer!

-Dave Clem

May 2010

With the end of April came the end of Real 120 and Young Life Club. Our last Real 120 was a really crazy time and a lot of fun. I would like to take this opportunity to say what a great job our Interns and Young Life leaders did leading youth group this year. They really stepped up into the leadership role and did a great job. Thanks also to all the adult leaders who helped this year. God really used these individuals in a very powerful way to touch the lives of our students.

On May 15 Impact World Tour returns to South Charleston and this time the GX International will be performing at Journey of Faith Fellowship. Activities begin at 6:00pm and the show is at 7:00 pm. It promises to be a great time and I would encourage all students to invite your friends and come out for a high energy evening...

Young Life Camp will be the week of June 19-25. So far we know of four students going and if you need any work done they would love the chance to earn some money toward the fee for camp. They are Heidi Rotroff, Carrie Miller, Erin Ruby, and Josh Rotroff. You can also help out by donating items to the garage sale going on June 11 & 12. Check the Newsletter for more information on these fundraisers.

We are praying about ways to use Gilberts this summer for youth activities and if you have any ideas we would love to hear them. Also if you would like to be involved let me know and we will see how we could plug you in.

In Christ,

Tony Faust

April 2010

This past month was a month of fun activities and service for our youth. Real 120 baked cookies and then delivered them to three different shut-ins. The individuals really enjoyed the cookies but were more blessed by the student's visits.

As part of our President's Day Outreach in February we were supposed to go to the Creation Museum but that was cancelled due to bad weather. We were able to make the trip the weekend of March 20^th. It was a beautiful day and the group really enjoyed going. If you have not been to the Museum, they would highly recommend it. There is so much to see and do that it is impossible to do in one day.

...Switchfoot was in concert Sunday evening, March 28^th, and we took nineteen students. It was a really good time and the Dixon Ministry Center at Cedarville University is a great place to see a concert.

We also had over twenty kids attend Cedarmania this past month. They really enjoyed all of the wild and crazy events that take place throughout the night. The volunteers that work at this are a real blessing to the kids who attend.

Pioneer Clubs finished up March 24 and we had a very good year. Thanks to all the leaders who came every week prepared to serve in this ministry. Thanks also to Linda Smith for her leadership and her diligent work each week during club.

In Christ,

Tony Faust

March 2010

It is hard to believe it is March already and I have been working for our church for six months. My family here at First Presbyterian has been very supportive and it has been a pleasure to serve here. I want to take this opportunity to update you on where Shauna and I stand concerning our future.

On February 18 Bill, Shauna and I went on a one day retreat to discuss my future as Director of Youth ministry with the church... Bill had let me know a couple weeks earlier that he would like me to become the full time Director. After spending the next two weeks in prayer and conversations with Shauna I decided that my calling is not as the Director of Youth ministry. In my mind it would not be fair to the students for me to accept this job because my passion and heart is just not into it. I love the kids and really enjoy working with them but just not directing their youth program. I really am not sure at this time what God has in mind for Shauna and me but we are praying for his direction and trust that in His time He will show us what that is.

It is important to us that this church family knows how much Shauna and I appreciate all the support and your confidence in me. Even when I didn't believe I could do this job you all believed in me and let me know it with your constant encouragement. Words cannot express my gratitude to you for the opportunity to see what ministry is like fulltime and to have such a great boss and teacher like Bill.

Tony Faust

February 2010

Youth ministry is back in full swing again after the Christmas break and we are excited to see God at work. Starting in January was a new small group of Jr. and Sr. high students meeting on Sunday evening before Real 120 studying the book Crazy Love. Also new for Real 120 this semester is a band playing during our worship time. Cedarville students volunteer their time to play and it is a real blessing to our kids.

     In Pioneer club Linda has been talking to the kids about the devastating earthquake in Haiti and they chose to donate their shares to the people there last week.

    Young Life started this past week and thanks to Larry, Rick, and Gary for the wonderful breakfast and to the Young Life leaders for putting club time together. As always it was crazy and everyone had a good time....

     Things going on in the month of February:

Friday Feb. 5 Winter Jam in Columbus.

Sunday Feb. 7 Super Bowl party at Gilberts.

Saturday Feb. 13 Presidents day outreach, clean and repair house of a church shut in

Monday Feb. 15 Creation museum trip

     I would like to thank all who help out with youth ministry and say how much I appreciate your efforts to serve along side of me. Thank you so much!!!

In Christ, Tony Faust
Youth Director

January 2010

Happy New Year!! Our hope is that everyone had a Christ filled Christmas, and that you will be blessed throughout this coming New Year.

The church Christmas play this year, A King Is Coming, under the direction of Carol Wildman was wonderful and we would like to thank all the kids who participated for their time and hard work. Also thanks to Sam Lloyd and those who were a part of the live nativity for Christmas in Charleston. The kids did a great job and the community was able to see and hear the Christmas story.

Our youth ministry will be starting up again this month with Real 120 beginning on Sunday evening, January 10, at 6:30pm, Pioneer Clubs on Wednesday, January 13, at 6:30 pm, and Young Life Club on February 4, at 6:45 am. Gilberts will also be open for senior high after all boys home basketball games from 9:30 – 11:30 beginning January 15 and for junior high every other Saturday from 7:00 – 9:30 beginning January 9.

We are looking forward to seeing how God is going to work this semester and are anxious to get started.

In Christ, Tony Faust

December 2009

Tony Faust      It is very exciting to see the youth in our church step up to do ministry. In Pioneer Clubs they are filling roles as leaders and helpers. On Sunday they help to lead worship and we have a small group meeting who are led by a senior high student. Additionally, several junior and senior high students initiated, organized, and led an outreach event on Halloween. We are very blessed to have a group of students that are not afraid to be involved in the ministry of our church.
     The Youth Committee has developed a matrix which will be a model of how to move a student from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The stops along the way are at sixth, eight and twelfth grade where we will be able to evaluate their progress. Some of our goals for students graduating high school are to know basic doctrine, overview of the Bible, and have a Biblical world view. We would also like for them to know church history as well as the history of First Presbyterian Church.
      The discipline of daily devotions along with prayer and fasting will be part of our goal, as well knowing their spiritual gifts and putting them to use. We also want to equip them to be able to share their faith and initiate prayer with people in need. Leadership among their peer group as well as discipling other studentw are among the skills to be developed by twelfth grade.
     As for life experiences, we would like for them to have given their profession of faith, be baptized, and serve in ministry at church as well as in the community. We would like them to be a part of a small group and have met with a mentor. We feel that exposing them to missions, locally as well as internationally, is very important.
      We continue to pray for God's wisdom in ministering to our youth and ask that you be in prayer with us too.

Tony Faust, Youth Director

November 2009

This past month during one of our Pioneer Club meetings, we had the privilege of having the Cedarville girls basketball team come and perform a demonstration for the kids. In a portion of their demonstration, they used a multi-colored basketball to talk about creation, our sin, Jesus' sacrifice, how that cleansed us from our sin, our growth, and heaven. They played games with the kids and everyone had a great time. It was very special to see the interaction the team had with the club. A big thank you to the girls basketball team for putting this event on for us!!!

During the month of November so far, we've had a junior high overnighter on the 7th starting at the Faust's and spending the night at Gilberts. The Senior Center will have their potluck dinner on Thursday the 19th and we plan to have a group of kids serving and eating with the seniors. Young Life Fall Weekend will be the weekend of November 20th, and on Sunday the 22nd, Real 120 will be collecting food for the food drive. This food will be collected for the Food Pantry and will then be available to distribute to those in need in our community during the holidays. We will also have a pizza party that evening.

Praising God for all He has done and is doing in our youth ministry,

Tony Faust

Youth Director

October 2009
From Our New Director of Women's Ministries: Wendy Russell

Hello, I am happy to talk to you about Women's Ministry in our church! God has really placed an excitement in my heart for this ministry. The women's ministry mission is to encourage women to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to equip them to face the challenges of this world by providing Biblically-based teaching and a variety of fellowship activities.

Some of the things that I would like to see happen are for us as women to gather together quarterly for a prayer retreat. We have had two of these so far and it is amazing what God can do with the time that you spend with him uninterrupted and alone. Don't let this scare you!! It really is an awesome experience and I encourage you, if you have not had the opportunity to attend previously to look in the newsletter for an upcoming retreat.

I would also like to schedule some fellowship activities on a quarterly basis. I think it is a needed support and resource for us to learn from and lean on one another. If we can come together as one and have laughs together and share the Lord's truth in our lives it will benefit all of us. We can provide an outlet for love, laughter and support of one another. We are also doing so in an honorable way to the Lord and providing worship to Him. We have been able to do this through the mom's brunch. If you have not been able to attend I also encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful morning full of fellowship and a great meal!! Lois Staton and Shauna Faust do a wonderful job of serving a great breakfast and serving the Lord's love to others!

I would like to see more Women's Bible Study offered. Presently we have a Bible Study on Wednesday evenings during Pioneer Clubs. Our hope is that we will be able to meet the needs of all the women in our church. I also believe that we need to provide sound Biblical teaching and training. We need to be able to face the hardships and difficulties of this world with the word of God hidden in our hearts.

I would also like to see us form prayer groups of three or so women who will commit to meeting regularly to pray for one another. This will develop friendship, accountability and discipleship.

I know that for some time now it has been on the hearts of a few women to provide a Women's retreat. I hope to be able in the future to plan and organize a retreat that will allow for biblical teaching, fellowship, and friendship with the Lord and with one another. I am not sure when, where or how this will happen but will hold it before the Lord and trust his timing and direction.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve and look forward to growing in Christ with each of you. Much grace and peace to you!

September 2009

From Our New Youth Director: Tony Faust

As the interim youth director it is my goal to create a smooth transition into the new school year.Young Life club kicked off on Friday, Sept. 4, after the great victory against Fairbanks. YEAH TROJANS!!! Young Life Breakfast Club will be on Thursday mornings as usual, and began for this school year last Thursday, Sept. 10.

Gilberts is open again on Fridays after the Trojan's home games and every other Saturday for Junior High beginning September 12th. Senior High hours are from 9:30-11:30 p.m. and Junior high hours are from 7:00-9:30 p.m.. The schedule is posted in the window at Gilberts.

Pioneer Clubs begin on Wednesday, September 16th, at 6:30pm and we are looking forward to another great year of Bible lessons and activities.

REAL 120 is happening on Sunday nights at 6:30. We would like to focus on discipleship and outreach this year as well as our Bible study time and activities.

We look forward to serving ourkids and our community this year!

In Christ,
Tony Faust