The Real WorldThe world confronts us daily with messages that we are not good enough. Arguably, those who get hit hardest with this message are our teens - media says "you should look better", school says "you should study harder", peers say, "You should work harder to be my friend, and adults say "You should be more responsible". Maybe all these messages aren't completely terrible, but they come with an awful lot of pressure.We're in this TogetherONEbody is by definition a place where teens come to experience the love of Christ Jesus through Sunday Morning Devotionals (ONEfaith), weekly programs geared to fun and relaxation (ONEnight), and servant events that challenge each of us to step outside our comfort zones and reach others where they are (ONElove).National Youth Gathering 2012It’s coming... the most exciting time in any youths life. A time to serve. A time to love. A time to find God in ways that no one ever dreamed. Are you READY? Please contact Liz Spiker or Jon Heffleboewer if interested.
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ONEbody......Sounds Cooler than "Teens"StudyONEfaith is where youth take a hard look at the issues this world faces and are challenged to stand as a member of the body of Christ - either by reading and discussing bible lessons or by watching a video that challenges them to look at things from a different Christian perspective. This space is meant to equip youth to doubt and yet believe, to forgive and yet not forget, and fall back on the constant message of God’s love for us all.FellowshipONEnight is intended to be a place where youth can feel the pressure lifted and experience acceptance for two hours of their week - either by cutting loose and laughing uproariously during a game of Apples to Apples or by digging thoughtfully and intentionally into the word of God for truth about what it means to be a completely loved child of God. In the process, we will also build a supportive community of teens who will not only have each other's backs this year and beyond, but will also venture together to New Orleans for a true mountaintop experience at the ELCA National Youth Gathering in July 2012.MissionONElove is a series of events where youth exercise their right to reach out and help their fellow man - either by gathering canned goods and delivering them to a food pantry or by helping someone rebuild their home after a hurricane. In these events kids will experience a feeling of what it means to share their gifts with others through work, sacrifice, commitment, and realizing that God changes our lives drastically if we simply follow. |
Leadership Info
Jon “Heff” Hefflebower |
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| My wife and I have been members for almost 2 years Why Youth Ministry? - Because that is where God has blessed me. Growing up as a young Lutheran, I went to a church that didn’t have a large youth program. After going to a Lutheran church camp, I heard about all these exciting activities other churches were doing with kids, so I got involved. I worked at two of the four Lutheran church camps while in college. I was involved with Lutheran Student Movement on Capital’s campus and even played for the candlelight services, but my true passion was always working with high schoolers. They were the age range that you could have serious discussions with and come out learning more than the youth. After graduation, I struggled to find a church that met my needs spiritually. Thankfully, I have awesome friends that introduced me to Lord of Life; and over the last two years, I began my journey to find a ministry that fit me best. When I heard they needed a youth leader, I offered my services and prayed. By the grace of God through many blessings, my team and I are creating an amazing program to meet youth where they are and show them the incredible journey that is following Christ. My part in ONEbody is leading a group of 10 caring adults to develop an amazing youth program called ONEbody. I also coordinate ONEfaith the Sunday morning bible studies. |
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Scott Flading |
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| I’ve been a member for about 3 years Why youth ministry? - I want to share my life lessons with the youth and to provide an open and safe environment for them to express themselves or ask questions that I hopefully can provide some guidance on or at least listen. My part in ONEbody is leading service projects called ONElove. So far we have prepared and served Thanksgiving at First English, gone to Smokey Row Baptist Church to help with their food pantry and helped feed people at Jacob’s Porch, the OSU campus ministry. We usually plan an event every 4 months. The next one is Shack City. |
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Liz Spiker |
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| I’ve been a member since March 2011 Why Youth Ministry? - Because youth are the movers and shakers of this world- fearless in the face of new experiences, constantly learning and questioning, and just generally fun. Not a week goes by that I am not amazed, inspired, or challenged in my faith by the beautiful young people that are ONEbody. My part in ONEbody is planning and leading ONEnight, which meets Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm. We do a little of everything - from game nights filled with Capture the Flag and Apples to Apples, to service nights of baking cookies, to study nights where group challenges and games start the conversations about real life and Jesus' message of loving forgiveness. No matter what we do, the youth keep it real - and of course fun. Come check it out. |
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Kailee Hefflebower |
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| I’ve been a member here for almost a year and a half. Why youth ministry? - I really want to make a difference in the lives of our youth. It was important to me to have a religious outlet with friends that I could be open and share with when I was in high school. If I can provide this experience for high schoolers in our community, I will try my hardest to do just that! Aside from leading ONEfaith (Sunday School) twice a month, my part in ONEbody is maintaining and updating the ONEbinder. This includes keeping track of the medical and personal information on our youth, their family, and our leaders. I also compile our calendar of events for the youth and their parents. I also take minutes at our leadership meetings. |
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Ben Buss |
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| I’ve recently joined the church in 2011 with my wife. Why youth ministry? - I work with youth because they are the future of the Church and are often overlooked and fall through the cracks. My part in ONEbody is leading ONEfaith and helping Liz develop programming for ONEnight. |
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Kriss Buss |
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| My husband and I joined Lord of life in 2011. Why youth ministry? - I work with youth because I think it's important that they know they are valuable and they have safe places to muddle through difficult questions as they move from childhood to young adulthood. My part in ONEbody is leading different service projects with Scott and helping Liz develop programming for ONEnight. |
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