YOUTH FIRE & ICE RETREAT
The youth recently spent a weekend at Hillmont Camp in White Bluff TN, to get away from life and spend time with each other and refocus on their God. The retreat as a whole was blessed by the Lord. I tried to plan the best I could, tracking as many details as I could, but in the end, all my plans really didn't come into play as much as the Holy Spirit guided the entire weekend. Times for the different events and activities became relative the moment we left the church parking lot for we crept onto the interstate due to an accident many miles north on the interstate. From that point on, it was more about focusing on and being with the youth than about keeping to the timetable. The Lord was truly present, working in everyone's lives in the ways they individually needed. Relationships were tended to and new ones made. Senior high students bonded with middle schoolers!! Boundaries and walls dissolved away during our time together. I believe everyone who was present was stretched in some way, from the praise band to the camp employees, who had to wait on us to show up for meals! Yeah, I planned as best I could, the volunteers did an amazing job being present with the youth, and the praise band ushered us into worship, but it was GOD who showed up and did all the work! I'm praise God for those who are willing to risk getting involved with teenagers and tweens. It is a challenge of sleep, patience, vulnerability, energy, creative thinking and intercession! I am not the youth minister nor the youth ministry at SFUMC, I'm but a facilitator whom the Lord has called and blessed by allowing me to minister alongside some incredible people who are willing to risk and love a bunch of incredible youth! 

Matthew Johnson
Youth Director
O (615)459 2826
F (615)459 0825
Office Hrs: M,T,Th9a-5p;Wed 9a-12p,4p-9p;Sun 8a-4p