C4 Fusion

A Letter From Gary

BrentB — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:20:56 +0000

To the students and parents of C4 Church,

If you haven’t yet, you are likely to receive an email (see here for a copy: http://eepurl.com/lvEwH) stating some changes in staff roles at C4, including my own role. While times like this can be new and exciting, they can also be a filled with mixed emotions. I’ve certainly been feeling those mixed emotions lately and want to share my heart with you.

This has by no means been an easy decision for me to make.

Working with students at C4 has been my ministry life. It’s been what I always planned on doing. The students here are incredible and to think about stepping aside to do something else is heartbreaking to me.

But when God presents us with a new direction for our lives and we’re committed to following him, we need to take that turn and follow. And we do so trusting that he will continue to take care of his church as he always has.

If you are a student, please know that it’s been my privilege to walk with you all for so many years. You have added to my joy and I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to “connect & challenge” you to a life with Jesus. I hope by now you realize it was never me you were following, but Jesus…who will never leave nor forsake you. May you continue to live your life for HIM!

If you’re a parent, thank you for entrusting your children to me and our amazing team of youth workers (if only for a few hours a week). We have never taken that responsibility lightly and continue to pray for you as you raise your children to know and follow Jesus.

While these transitions don’t place for a few more months, even after that I’m still not physically going anywhere and would be more than happy to chat with you personally. I also look forward to ministering with you all in a different role post July 1.

In the mean time, below is an excerpt from a letter that was sent to our youth volunteers that helps explain things a little further.

Thanks for reading,

Gary

**********************

To my friends in ministry,

A few weeks ago, our Executive Pastor Dave Adams sat me down to speak to me about my gifting, passions, and how they fit within our C4 staff team. He and Pastor Jon had been reflecting on this and agreed that my gift set seemed to be an excellent fit for the role of Congregational Care Pastor at C4. They asked me to think about taking this new role and transitioning out of student ministries.

Needless to say, I was shocked. My whole ministry life has been in student ministries and my plan was to be a “lifer” as a youth pastor and be here for the next 25 years. How could they ask me to leave that and do something else? No way, that’s crazy! I’m where God wants me, right?

It was that last question that made me pause.

Am I where God wants me? Am I better suited for student ministry than someone else? Could my gifts and passions be used differently? Are they meant for this new role?

Over the next few days of prayer and conversations I remembered that God has called me to serve him in full-time ministry wherever that may be, and I simply have never heard him say anything different than ministering to students. However something was changing in me that I never fully realized was there. Perhaps this IS what God wants for me now.

As I continued to wrestle and pray with this thought, the main thing that held me back was my devotion to the students and their respective ministries at C4. I had thoughts like, “I can’t leave them. What’s going to happen if I’m gone? Things will fall apart without me there!”

While I’d be flattered if you actually shared any of those concerns, they’re simply not valid.

It was a good friend who reminded me, “This has been, and will always be GOD’S ministry, Gary…not yours.” Very true. Very reassuring. It may have taken on my “flavour” while I’ve been leading it, but it won’t cease to function or even thrive without me being there.

So even though this is completely out of left field for me, and even though it’s going to be tough to let things go, I really believe this is the right move. I’ve always taken the approach of, “Go unless God says stop” and there have been no stop signs at all. I think this is simply a new direction that God wants me to go

So with the support of my family, and complete faith in God to work in and through me at C4, I have decided to make this transition which will take effect July 1, 2012.

There are obviously many other questions that arise with respect to preteen and high school ministries and many of those will be answered in the days to come. I’m not the only one with some changes and I’m excited to see the transitions that God has in store for us as a church community.

But with that excitement comes sadness, and a whole roller coaster of emotions for me personally. While I’m not physically going anywhere, I’m still leaving a role that I care about so much and I’m truly mourning that loss. This will be a interesting transition and I certainly appreciate your prayers for me and our family.

I love you all so deeply and have appreciated serving alongside you, some of you for years and years. Thank you for contributing to such a wonderful experience. I hope and pray that you continue to serve faithfully in whatever capacity that may be. I know our student ministries at C4 sure need some awesome volunteers such as yourselves!

I’ve always said to any volunteer as they transition out of student ministries, “So long as we all follow God’s promptings and do what HE wants us to do, we’ll be fine. God will always provide what we need, so go and don’t worry about a thing.”

And now I’m saying that to myself.

Talk to you all again soon,

Gary

Brett Ullman Night

BrentB — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:23:44 +0000

Brett Ullman is coming to do his famous Media, Faith, Culture talk at C4 on Friday, May 11th. This event is open to all parents and students (in grade 7 or over) as it is sure to be an eye opening learning experience. Invite your friends and family! For more information on Brett Ullman please click here.

His Girls Event

BrentB — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:22:37 +0000

Happening Saturday, May 12th from 9am to 4:30pm @ Westney Heights Baptist Church; This Mother/Daughter event features music, general sessions, break out groups, and food. Special guests include Vicki Courtney and Brett Ullman. You MUST register for this event; click here to do so. For more information please click here.

Sweets Galore

BrentB — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:53:14 +0000

What’s better than some sweets?…. A LOT of sweets! We are welcoming all students from grades 5 – 8 to come join us as we make, bake, and eat lots of sugary goodness. The Super sugar rush is going down on Saturday, March 17th from 6pm to 8pm at C4. We will be going with a St. Patrick’s Day theme and the event is absolutely free!

Brent Baggett
Student Ministries Communications Intern

Family Feast E-vite

BrentB — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:30:38 +0000

Hey Everyone!

If your family is planning on attending the Family Feast/Fiesta this Sunday, please RSVP ASAP. We are buying the food on Wednesday and would like to know numbers. Please click here to respond to this e-vite. Thanks for RSVP’ing and I hope to see you and your family this Sunday!

Brent Baggett

Student Ministries Communications Intern

PS. Remember it’s happening THIS Sunday at 6pm. Cost is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are free.

BrentB — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:25:51 +0000

Family Feast – If you have a family member in C4 Fusion or C4 Ignite ministries, we’re inviting you to our second family feast… with a Mexican Twist! Dads, moms, brothers, sisters; come on out for a great meal and some good times together with other families at C4 church! Happening on Sunday, January 29th at 6:00pm. Cost is $5.00 per person, children 5 and under are free.

** Please RSVP online here **

Comfy Cozy Movie Night – from 6-8 pm on January 21st. Bring your PJ`s blankets, pillows and let`s get cozy as we watch a movie on the big screen. Movie TBA on the night of the event.

Brent Baggett

Student Ministries Communications Intern

Fusion Update: 1/9

BrentB — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:22:55 +0000

Comfy Cozy Movie Night – from 6-8 pm on January 21st. Bring your PJ`s blankets, pillows and let`s get cozy as we watch a movie on the big screen. Movie TBA on the night of the event.

Family Feast – If you have a family member in C4 Fusion or C4 Ignite ministries, we’re inviting you to our second family feast… with a Mexican Twist! Dads, moms, brothers, sisters; come on out for a great meal and some good times together with other families at C4 church! Happening on Sunday, January 29th at 6:00pm. Cost is $5.00 per person, children 5 and under are free.

** Please RSVP online here **

Brent Baggett

Student Ministries Communications Intern

Fusion Update: 1/2

BrentB — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:35:03 +0000

Hey, hey, hey!

1. Fusion is back on starting this Sunday, January 8th

2. Comfy Cozy Movie Night from 6-8 pm on January 21st. Bring your PJ`s blankets, pillows and let`s get cozy as we watch a movie on the big screen. Movie TBA on the night of the event.

Brent Baggett
Student Ministries Communications Intern

Fusion Update: 12/19

BrentB — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:24:36 +0000

Hi Y’all!

There will be NO Fusion December 25^th and January 1^st. On the other hand, we encourage all of you and your families to attend one of the Christmas Eve services happening at 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 9:00 pm.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Brent Baggett

Student Ministries Communications Intern

Fusion Update: 12/12

BrentB — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:50:36 +0000

** The Christmas Banquet is THIS FRIDAY! You don’t wanna miss this event!**

Christmas Banquet – Happening this Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at C4. This annual event is going to be a great time with food, games, and prizes! Dinner will be a pot luck so we ask the each guy bring an appetizer or main course and each girl bring a dessert. We recommend dressing fancy and hope you invite your friends!

Hat, Glove, & Sock Tree Results – Unfortunately we did not meet our 60 pair goal but we did get 30 items for people within our community. Thank you to everyone that donated and hopefully next year we can reach our goal!

Fusion Schedule: Mark your calendars! There IS Fusion on December 18th. On the other hand, there is NO Fusion on December 25th and January 1st.

Brent Baggett
Student Ministries Communications Intern