Dan Gould

Tag: Fusion Student MInistry

  • Galveston Mission Trip – Day 3: Humble

    “About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’

    2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

    5 And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[a] is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.’” Matthew 18:1-6 (NLT)

    Today was our first day on the work-site and doing VBS in the park.  Both places had challenges.  At VBS, the students and leaders only had 3 kids show up.  This is much different than the VBS we were able to do in Mexico and it left some of the team feeling discouraged.  In that came the question, “Why go if no-one is going to show up?”  Great question!  I think it is easy sometimes to want to pull out of something when it doesn’t go the way we thought it should, or if kids don’t show up.  But we lead by example, if we pull out after 1 day, disgaurding all the work we did to pass out fliers, and talk it up with our students, I think we teach them that when things don;t go the way we thought, or when things get hard, its ok to give up.  There’s a word that I am sure will surface this week as a word called perseverance!  Maybe the lesson was never meant to be for anyone other than our group and our students to learn that sometimes when you work for the Lord you don’t see the results immediately, but you serve out of obedience, sacrifice, and perseverance.

    We had some challenges at the work-site also. We arrived and demolished the rest of the fence to get ready to put the new one up in the next 2 days.  We will dig 28 holes for new fence posts to a 8ft privacy fence.  While several crews do that we will have another crew stripping/scrapping the trim and soffets as well as the front entry so it can be repainted.  The homeowner is a widowed lady’s who’s husband died 5 years ago.

    In our worship time, Penelope shared the word of the day HUMBLE, and Josh led us in musical worship.  What a sweet time we had, the Spirit moved in a mighty way breaking students and adults challenging us to surrender all of us for all of Him.

    It’s been a good trip!  We have had some challenges, 1 sick, 2 students stepped on nails, and 1 students stepped on a rock
    and caused her foot to swell and toe to feel numb, and lots of sunburns!  Please continue to pray for our group!

    Here are some pics from today!


  • Galveston Mission Trip – Day 2: Self-Control (update)

    “‘So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.’[c]” v. 13-16

    Today was very busy, Church, VBS and Work-site planning, the beach, and a lot of people moving in. The space has become very crowded and someone tried to break into our trailer. They put a hole in it and broke all the lights. God is going to do some awesome things this week because Satan is doing so much to distract us.

    On a side note, the Internet isn’t the greatest here, so it’s really hard to blog! Please make sure to follow the twitters for the best updates. Our group is going to crash early! Got a big day tomorrow! Pray with us!

    This morning, Day 3, we will challenge our students with yesterdays word – Self-Control.  We will typically do this in the evening from 8-9.  At this time we will worship through song, Bible Study (word for the day) and prayer.  Please pray for these times as we share with each other the things God is doing in us and through us!

    Here are some pics from yesterday:

    Don’t forget, follow my Twitter for the latest updates at http://www.twitter.com/dgould77 it also links to my FaceBook so add me as a friend nd you can follow there also!

  • Galveston Mission Trip – Day 1: BE AN EXAMPLE

    “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1st Timothy 4:12

    We have arrived in Galveston. Alamo Elementary is a great facility that we are lucky to be able to stay in. The showers are small, but we are thankful for them. I believe that this week is going to be very impactful for our group. Each night we will be meeting from 8:00-9:00 to sing, learn, and pray. Each night a different student will share a word and a verse that encourages or challenges us in our walk. Tonight, our word was EXAMPLE. We were challenged to BE AN EXAMPLE. Everywhere we go people are watching. Let’s stop making excuses and start living like we Jesus called us to live. It’s a challenge for all of us, young and old. What a great reminder and Challenge as we begin this week! Let be examples in the words we use, in our action, in our love, in our faith, and by our PURE lives!

    Pics from today

  • Galveston Mission Trip – post #1

    Well, in less than 24 hours Fusion Students and Leaders will load some vans and head to Galveston TX.  We are working with Good News Galveston helping the community rebuild from hurricane Ike.  We will be one of the first teams reaching out to the children through VBS/Back Yard Bible Clubs.  Along with this we will have some of our team members doing construction projects.  As we have prayed and planned, we have purposely left some open spaces so we could be flexible and meet a need as a need comes up. Sometimes we schedule so much that we schedule out the opportunity to meet needs on the fly.  As you pray, would you remember our students, and leaders as we embark on this mission tomorrow.  Here is what I would ask that you would pray for:

    * Pray for Safety
    * Pray for Brokenness
    * Pray for Salvation’s
    * Pray for Repentance
    * Pray for Spiritual Growth
    * Pray for Unity
    * Pray for Attitudes
    * Pray for Surrendered Hearts

    I believe God is going to use this team greatly.  I know personally for me, mission trip is always a impactful and a highlight to see students do things they don’t normally do and experience God in ways they don’t normally allow themselves to experience Him.

    If you want to follow the latest and greatest details, I will be twittering the trip and posting updates daily to the blog.  You can follow me on twitter here:

    www.twitter.com/dgould77

  • Packing Round 1

    Well it’s that busy time of the year for me, long days and week long trips with students.  This Saturday we will leave Grace Community Church for a week long mission trip to Galveston TX.  However, my wife and boys are leaving for MO tomorrow.  As I put Josiah down for bed tonight he said in his sad voice that he was going to miss me.  I tried to encourage him with all the fun stuff they were going to do while they were in MO, but he said it didn’t matter because he was still going to  miss me.  It makes me feel good, but sad at the same time.  Josiah is getting old enough where he really wants to be with Daddy.  It will definitely be a quiet lonely house for the next three days.  But I know that they will have fun and that God is going to use our team in a special way next week in Galveston.  I will be posting daily happenings and testimonies from our students.

  • The Pulse – April Week 4

    This Weekend Announcements

    SURVIVOR HAS BEGUN

    Here are the Scores after Week 1:
    6th Grade – 3,350 points
    7th Grade – 1,350 points
    8th Grade – 3,100 points
    9th Grade – 1,200 points
    10th Grade – 500 points
    11th & 12th Grade – 600 points

    Remember you only get points for checking in and turning in your stuff before the weekend Worship Service.  Please make sure you sign in to help you grade gain the points they need to win and be the Soul Survivor.

    Here is whats going down

    Let’s face it, being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s very difficult.  In this series, we are going to talk about how we can be Survivors in this thing called “The Christian Life”. Here is what we will talk about each week:

    Week 1 – The Battle                       Week 4 – Hanging on to your Head
    Week 2 – Staying on Your Feet         Week 5 – Battling with your Sword
    Week 3 – Fireproof Faith                 Week 6 – Battling with your Mouth

    Here are the details:

    • This is a battle of the Grades in which each of the students in small group lead the charge for their Grade.
    • Each Grade will compete for points that are awarded at the Weekend Worship Service. Points are awarded through attendance, bringing visitors, and donating canned goods.  The final challenge consists of each team competing in CRUD WAR.

    POINT SYSTEM

    • Personal Attendance Points – 100 points each time you are at the Service
    • Visitor Attendance Points – 200 points for each visitor you bring every time they attend the Service! (yes, if they come more than once, that’s 200 points each time the attend for your team)
    • Canned Goods – 50 points awarded for each canned good you bring to Service
    • Game Points – 500 points will be awarded to the representative from your team that wins the game each week.
    • CRUD WAR – all of the points above apply to CRUD WAR with these two additional point values added
      • Participation Points – 100 points given to each student participant in each game
      • Leader Participation Points – 200 points given to each adult participant in the game
        • Each team needs to wear their team color for CRUD WAR.
    We will keep track of points and update the Survivor Wall each week with the new scores.  We will announce the Survivor Winners at the Weekend Worship Service on May 31st.  Make sure you plan to attend and invite others to participate . . . It’s going to be dirty, but life changing!

    Team Colors for CRUD WAR
     6th grade team – Orange         9th grade team – Red
    7th grade team – Blue             10th grade team – Pink
    8th grade team – Green           11th & 12th grade team – Purple


    WILD WEEK MANDATORY MEETING
    If you missed it, that means we don’t have your paperwork.  If you haven’t already heard from us please contact us to make sure we get all your forms in on time.

    GALVESTON MISSION TRIP – We are not going to Mexico
    Happens June 13th – 20th register online or at Seeds Book Store
    Reg – $400 after May 17th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Late – $425 after May 17th can only happen if space is available.

    SMALL GROUPS
    Wednesdays 7-8:30pm for 6th- 10th grades
    Sundays 7-8:30 for 11th – 12th grades

    Galveston Mission Trip Update

    Because of the conditions in Mexico, we have changed locations.  We will go to Galveston instead and do the same thing there that we would have done in Mexico.  Since the trip is right around the corner.   We will hold an important Galveston Mission Trip meeting on May 17th. Here are the details:

    Galveston Mission Trip Meeting (Please Note the Change)

    • Sunday, May 17th at 12:30 in the Student Center (for anyone interested in going)

    Who Should Attend?

    • Students wanting to go
    • Parents wanting to go
    • Volunteers wanting to go
    • Parents of teenagers that want to go

    At the meeting we will give info on what we will be doing the week we are there and answer questions that you may have!

    This was an awesome trip last year and God did an amazing work in us and through us.  We are so excited to be a part of this new adventure this year and hope that you will join us!

  • Facebook Challenge

    Last week one of our 8th graders posted a note on Facebook sharing his journey and how he came to know Christ.  Since he posted his story (testimony) others have done the same thing including myself.   It’s also posted on my blog if you want to read it just click the about tab at the top.

    So here is my challenge.  If you have Facebook, will you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent enough to write your story and post it on Facebook as a note so others can read?  The fact is, everyone has a story, and each story, no matter how similar, is different.  We never know how our story could impact someone else.  Will you take the challenge and allow God to use you in this way?

  • Survivor 610 – starts this weekend in Fusion

    survivor1

    New Series starting Sunday, April 19th & ending Saturday, May 30th with CRUD WAR!

    Let’s face it, being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s very difficult.  In this series, we are going to talk about how we can be Survivors in this thing called “The Christian Life”. Here is what we will talk about each week:

    Week 1 – The Battle                          Week 4 – Hanging on to your Head
    Week 2 – Staying on Your Feet         Week 5 – Battling with your Sword
    Week 3 – Fireproof Faith                   Week 6 – Battling with your Mouth

    Here are the details:

    • This is a battle of the Grades in which each of the students in small group lead the charge for their Grade.
    • Each Grade will compete for points that are awarded at the Weekend Worship Service. Points are awarded through attendance, bringing visitors, and donating canned goods.  The final challenge consists of each team competing in CRUD WAR.

    POINT SYSTEM

    • Personal Attendance Points – 100 points each time you are at the Service.
    • Visitor Attendance Points – 200 points for each visitor you bring every time they attend the Service! (yes, if they come more than once, that’s 200 points each time the attend for your team)
    • Canned Good – 50 points awarded for each canned good you bring to Service.
    • Game Points – 500 points will be awarded to the representative from your team that wins the game each week.
    • CRUD WAR – all of the points above apply to CRUD WAR with these two additional point values added.
      • Participation Points – 100 points given to each student participant in each game.
      • Leader Participation Points – 200 points given to each adult participant in the game.
        • Each team needs to wear their team color for CRUD WAR.

    We will keep track of points and update the Survivor Wall each week with the new scores.  We will announce the Survivor Winners at the Weekend Worship Service on May 31st.  Make sure you plan to attend and invite others to participate . . . It’s going to be dirty, but life changing!

    Team Colors for CRUD WAR
    6th grade team – Orange             9th grade team – Red
    7th grade team – Blue                 10th grade team – Pink
    8th grade team – Green              11th & 12th grade team – Purple

  • The Pulse – wk 1 April 09

    This Weekend Announcements

    THE LORD’S SUPPER HAPPENS THIS WEEKEND

    We will explain and participate in the Lord’s Supper this weekend.  Should be an awesome time together! We hope to see you this Sunday!!
    MS – 9:15-10:30
    HS – 11:00012:15

    PAINTBALL
    On Saturday, April 4th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at Fort Paintball     its on like Donkey Kong.  Make sure you’re there at 12:45pm to get your gear and turn in your forms (we will have them there and a parent must sign)!  Questions about directions visit – http://www.fortpaintball.com
    Cost – $30 per person and includes 500 paintball’s and gear
    Cost – $15 per person if you have your own gear

    BAPTISM
    On April 5th, Palm Sunday,     we will have a Baptism Service at 1:00.  If you want to be baptized sign up on our webpage gracefusion.com
    http://www.gracefusion.com/index.cfm/pageid/596/index.html
    Or you can check “I want to be Baptized” on the tear off and we will get you more info!

    HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE
    April 9th, in the Big House at 7pm.     We will sit as a group in the front center left section.  Hope you will join us!

    EASTER
    Easter weekend all Fusion Students will meet in the big house with the adults.  We encourage you to sit with your family or with the group in the front left side of the Worship Center.
    EACH ONE, BRING ONE – Invite someone to Easter Services
    Saturday, April 11th – Family Picnic, Service 6pm
    Sunday, April 12th  – Services at 9:15 and 11:00

    EASTER DONATIONS NEEDED
    We are in need of empty, plastic eggs, Wrapped candy, AND Hula hoops!
    Please drop off all donations at the labeled bins around campus

    WILD WEEK MANDATORY MEETING
    Everyone participating in Wild Week must attend the Mandatory Meeting on Sunday April 19th from 12:30-1:30 in the Student Center.     We will have important info and forms that have to be turned in at this meeting.  You can still register for camp online or at Seeds Book Store.
    Pre – $315 before March 15th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Reg – $335 after March 15th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Late – $365 after April 19th can only happen if space is available.

    MEXICO MISSION TRIP (Tentative)
    Happens June 13th – 20th register online or at Seeds Book Store
    Pre – $400 before April 5th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Reg – $415 after April 5th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Late – $425 after May 10th can only happen if space is available.

    SMALL GROUPS
    Wednesdays 7-8:30pm for 6th- 10th grades
    Sundays 7-8:30 for 11th – 12th grades

  • The Pulse – version 3.3

    This Weekend Announcements

    TEMPTATION CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND

    This is the new series starting this weekend.  Should be a good one and we hope to see you this Sunday!!
    MS – 9:15-10:30
    HS – 11:00012:15

    ESL @ MEADOWS ELEMENTARY
    This Tuesday from 5-7 and Thursday from 5-8 is our last chance to hang out and impact the kids at Meadows while their parents learn English.  Let’s make a lasting impact on these kids.  Show up at Meadows Elementary at 4:45 and be prepared to have a blast! PAINTBALL
    On Saturday, April 4th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at Fort Paintball     its on like Donkey Kong.  Make sure you’re there at 12:45pm to get your gear and turn in your forms (we will have them there and a parent must sign)!  Questions about directions visit – http://www.fortpaintball.com
    Cost – $30 per person and includes 500 paintball’s and gear
    Cost – $15 per person if you have your own gear

    BAPTISM
    On April 5th, Palm Sunday,     we will have a Baptism Service at 1:00.  If you want to be baptized sign up on our webpage gracefusion.com
    http://www.gracefusion.com/index.cfm/pageid/596/index.html
    Or you can check “I want to be Baptized” on the tear off and we will get you more info!

    WILD WEEK MANDATORY MEETING
    Everyone participating in Wild Week must attend the Mandatory Meeting on Sunday April 19th from 12:30-1:30 in the Student Center.     We will have important info and forms that have to be turned in at this meeting.  You can still register for camp online or at Seeds Book Store.
    Pre – $315 before March 15th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Reg – $335 after March 15th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Late – $365 after April 19th can only happen if space is available.

    MEXICO MISSION TRIP
    Happens June 13th – 20th register online or at Seeds Book Store
    Pre – $400 before April 5th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Reg – $415 after April 5th with completed registration and $100 deposit.
    Late – $425 after May 10th can only happen if space is available.

    SMALL GROUPS
    Wednesdays 7-8:30pm for 6th- 10th grades
    Sundays 7-8:30 for 11th – 12th grades