April Bradley

This is my second day @ Saddleback’s “Wired” Conference in Atlanta.  We have absorbed so much information on Small Groups.  I can’t even believe there is a whole nother day full of information!  Who knew there was so much information on Small Groups?  I can’t wait to take it back to our church to help our people get connected to the people missing in their lives. 

I have also had the opportunity to meet some great church staff & volunteers from all across the country.  I love to hear their stories; what has worked for them, mistakes they have made along the way.

I am so glad our Pastor is willing to allow us to attend this conference in an effort to help the people that come to The Gathering ”do life” together with others.  I look forward to all we will learn tomorrow.

After spending about 8 months as the Junior High Director, I will be stepping out of that position to join Terri Danis in the Life Development Department.  It is a bitter sweet transition.  Although I will miss all of the time with my students and Junior High Leaders, I look forward to my next undertaking.  Our plan is to implement a program to help people break off the bondage of debt.  When my husband, Richie, & I married just over 3 & 1/2 years ago, we had over $72,000 of debt between the 2 of us.  It was about 2 years before we would pay off the entire amount, but during that process I developed a burden for others that had become a “slave to the lender.”  Today we owe no man, but to love him.  My heart is that the body of Christ would know that freedom, too.

Last night I went to the Decemberadio Concert with some of the best friends I could ask for.  I love that I have friends that like to do stuff like this, ’cause if it was up to me I would probably be at home watching reruns of, What Not to Wear…  Thank You for such great alternatives!  You all are the best!  God has given me a handful of the most incredible, talented, passionate people to spend my life with.  I love what God is doing with this small group of people that are a part of an unbelievable Student Ministry at a Church that God is setting on fire.  It is not often that someone finds people that are not only like minded, but also so intent, so purposeful, so determined to seek God and be transformed by Him daily.  I have found just that at The Gathering.  This is an environment, not to mention a season, that is rare in too many churches today.  At The Gathering God is changing, restoring, & renewing His people.  Not only do I get to witness it, but I get to experience it!  I can’t even begin to imagine what this Student Ministry will look like a year from now.  I would not miss this ride for the WORLD!

Thursday night I went to the Relient K/ Switchfoot Concert on a girls night out!  What a ball!  Alicia danced to all of the songs, Brandi sang every word.

As I am a first born, of course I believe, there is a “right” way to do things, there are rules to follow and everything must be perfect.  With that said I have been waiting to start blogging until I had something either ground breaking or incredibly clever to say.  After much thought and introspection, I have decided to press forward and begin blogging without either profouond revelation or jocose wit…

I am the Junior High Director of the Greatest Junior High Ministry in the nation.  I have been allowed to lead some of the most talented, amazing students.  What an honor!  Just last week I heard a story about one of our students.  He told others in his small group about how his life is turning around.  How has he found somewhere he is accepted for who he is and now he wants to do the right thing.  I have another student that wrote me a note telling me that she has never felt understood, never felt like anyone cares, but she fells like the people in the Jr. High Ministry really do care about her.  I am blessed that God would allow me to be a part of this.

I am in constant amazement of the student leaders in the Jr. High Ministry.  Talk about people willing to step up!  God has given us the best of the best.  These leaders are here every Wednesday evening, because they want to see these students realize their full potential in Christ.  This ministry would not be what it is without them.  They are a constant source of encouragement.  Brandi and Justin are not just leading these students in worship, but modeling the heart and life of a Worshiper.  Alicia is my right hand, she takes care of so many things and allows me to focus on the students.  From Shawn & Dan organizing & playing games to Julie snapping pictures & Lonnie heading up the ushering and teaching the students to be a part of it, God has absolutely brought great leaders. 

Who would not want to be a part of a Junior High Ministry that is seeing lives changed for Christ?  If you are a student in grades 6th,7th or 8th come check us out on Wednesday night @ 6:00.  If you would like to get involved as a leader give me a call at the church.  Pastor Gene says, “You have to give your life to something, why not give it to the greatest cause in the world.”