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Kristina Sears

Mar 20
Love0

Aliens at School

By First Priority Of America, Northeast TN

This blog was written by David North

A First Priority club volunteer recently told me that his daughter has been ostracized and bullied at school because of her Faith. She doesn’t want to attend school anymore because of the treatment she endures from classmates.

Her story is a sobering reminder that this world isn’t friendly to followers of Christ. In John 15:18-20 and 1 John 3:13, Jesus warned us about this kind of thing and said not to be surprised by it. But somehow, we still are. “Be kind to people and they will be kind to you.” Right? Wrong…way wrong. We have an Enemy in this world and he inspires this kind of inexplicable hatred we see toward those who follow Jesus.

So what comfort or helpful advice can we offer to a student who is dealing with a situation like this?

  1. Tell them that their identity and value comes from Jesus and NOT from others. (check out Jamie Winship’s talks on youtube to learn more about IDENTITY)
  2. Remind them that when they are mistreated because of their faith in Jesus there is a great reward for them in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)
  3. Encourage them to join/start a First Priority club in their school. The friendship and encouragement a student can get from meeting with like minded followers of Jesus at their school is an available grace that every student should take advantage of.
  4. Lastly, remind students that being mistreated and left out because of their Faith is evidence that they belong to Jesus! We are aliens and strangers in this world system. We aren’t home yet!

Will you partner with us to start more First Priority clubs in Northeast Tennessee? Haley, Austin, and I could sure use your help! We’d like to get the funding and volunteers in place now that will allow us to serve more students and get us to our goal of 50 Schools by the end of this school year. Please consider volunteering or financially partnering with us to help make it happen. May God richly bless you!

David North
NETN District Director

Jan 12
Love1

The Worst Job

By Local FP Communities

When I was growing up, kids helped out around the house. Imagine that. We mowed the yard, raked leaves, washed dishes, folded laundry, picked up our rooms, took out the trash, swept floors and fed the pets just to name a few. I didn’t exactly look forward to it, but I did it. And honestly, it felt good, like I had done something productive, even noble.

But there was one job I absolutely despised. Stirring. I would be walking through the kitchen on my way outside to play and my mom would stop me and ask me to stir something while she worked on other parts of the meal. It was miserable, first because it required me to stand still and second because there was no clear sign, to me anyway, of when this torture would end. Just stand there, in one spot, and swirl this stuff around until you collapse or Jesus comes back. I think they even named a mental illness after it, stir crazy.

And then I came across this verse a few days ago.

“And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.”

God stirs! It might sound strange, but this came as a great relief to me because I have felt the entire weight of “stirring up” people and for keeping them stirred up. Honestly, sometimes it can be frustrating and even exhausting. But it can also be very rewarding when you see others get motivated and take ownership of their role. Hebrews 10:24 says we should consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. And I will continue to do so. But now, I add a prayer to my stirring efforts. “Holy Spirit, will YOU stir up people for this work?” You see, God can stir people in ways that I cannot. So I ask Him. It’s all through your Bible. God stirs people up for things.

Is He stirring you? I pray He is.

If so, contact me or the Area Coordinator for your county and ask how you can partner. Or to find out how to become a financial partner just click on the link below.

Blessings!

David North
District Director NE Tennessee

Dec 14
Love1

Qualities of a Shepherd

By First Priority Of America, Leadership Development, Podcast

Mark Robbins spoke at our 2023 Fall Conference in October. His talk followed the conference theme, shepherding. As you read the thoughtful things Mark spoke about, open your mind to ways that you can better shepherd your flock. John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

When you are a shepherd, you need skills to be able to lead your flock. You have to make tough decisions. Go with your instinct, only you and God know what is best for your flock. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help make these decisions. Be willing to do the hard work, humbling yourself and being able to open your mind to learn new things. As a shepherd, it is important to put your ego aside and humble yourself for your community.

Endurance is a key quality of a shepherd. Some days it feels as if you cannot keep going, but rely on your shepherd, God, to lead you to water and rest to continue shepherding your flock. If God has called you, you can’t quit! You are meant to be shepherding and leading your flock. Don’t deny the things the Lord has brought you to do.

Start observing your clubs and getting to know them fully. Engage with them, keeping your eyes and ears open. Notice the condition your sheep are in. But most importantly, keep them safe! Make sure your flock all feel as if they have value, from volunteers, campus coaches, to students!

The best way to learn how to be a good shepherd is learning from God himself. In Psalm 23, the passage describes ways that the Lord is our perfect shepherd. He has given us the ability to be an example of Him, and we get to shepherd those around us and involved in our lives. Bring your flock peace, protection, and lead them to the table that God has set for us.

If you would like to hear more on what Mark Robbins said about being a shepherd, click the link here.

This blog was written by Kenley Kizer

Dec 08
Love1

Crediting God with what we Learn

By Local FP Communities, Leadership Development, Podcast

This week’s podcast revisited Chris Lane speaking at our Fall Conference. He touched on the fact that God is at work in First Priority of South Florida, and God is bringing Him along for the journey. He is God’s faithful vessel, and Chris calls others to be God’s vessel too. God has called you to bring the Gospel to the unreached community, students. Chris goes on to list the 10 things that God has taught him in his 25 years with First Priority.

Get to versus got to attitude: There is nothing too small, the kingdom of God is at hand, and we should be glad we get to do it. Our attitude matters!

Satan hates me and you, and he wants to ruin our lives: Satan is working non-stop every day to prevent us from doing ministry. He is a thief (John 10:10), and he hates you! But stand strong in the Lord who gives you life.

People are greater than accomplishments: We cannot sacrifice our family for accomplishments in ministry. Not only family, but even your team! Relationships are important, and we need to make sure we are intentional in maintaining them.

Having an eternal mindset: We have to be careful about this! What are the things in your life that you can bring with you to Heaven? The Word of God and souls, the things that matter most.

Stay focused and fight missional creep: Over the course of time, you may feel a bit off-mission. Our strategy-based mission helps us set us apart from others! Stay focused on your clubs’ journeys.

Be bold and share the God-sized vision he has given you: Expand your vision for Him. Pray and ask God to show what he has in store for you to bring his vision into reality.

Be teachable: It is important to ask questions, be coachable, and always be willing to learn. We have to start out by learning. We cannot do things if we previously haven’t learned how to do them yet. God has given us His Word as our textbook, use it!

Do you spend time with people or invest in people? We aren’t going to live forever. Have you made the investments into people to take over for when you won’t be here anymore? The legacy we need to leave needs to be better than before, to help bring the next people to success.

We must celebrate regularly: Celebrate what God is doing in your area! When we celebrate, we don’t forget what we are doing and why we are doing it. But we also don’t get burned out. Remember God is faithful, and don’t lose trust in his plan.

Reflect over the ways Chris has learned from God these last 25 years. Find ways God has taught you in your time with First Priority, and how it can help you in ministry for the years to come. You can listen to the podcast here.

This blog was written by Kenley Kizer

Dec 05
Love1

What Defines a Mission Field

By First Priority Of America, FP Success Story

What defines a mission field? As a missionary serving the people of Puerto Rico, it can be easy for me to simply say that my mission field aligns with my job. After all, my task is to meet physical needs while sharing the message of redemption available in Jesus. However, I feel the need to press into that question more deeply. To define the idea of a mission field is ultimately to understand that God has purposefully placed every Christian in unique and specific locations. Whether school, life, work, or recreation brings us into communities and neighborhoods, a true analysis of a mission field reveals that all around us there is a world in desperate need of gospel transformation.

For me, long before God called me to serve in Puerto Rico, God sent me into Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee. As is the case for many kids in the Southeastern United States, I spent a significant amount of time in a church building. I was saved at ten, and I grew up hearing of how the sacrifice of Jesus was the ultimate gift of grace. I heard the gospel message every Sunday, and I was blessed with parents who lived this out at home and instilled in me the truth of the gospel.

In high school, I became familiar with First Priority. It was then that I began to see the damaging and detrimental effects of “cultural Christianity.” All around me, classmates who had grown up inside a physical church building were searching for something. They knew a lot about Jesus, but they were searching for a relationship with Jesus. That is where First Priority stepped in. Walking through the H.O.P.E. cycle every month both equipped me and gave me opportunities to share the message of Jesus and His gospel with my friends, classmates, and teammates.

Now, in serving vulnerable families and communities in poverty-stricken areas marred by the effects of economic crises, political instability, and natural disasters, the impact of First Priority in my life is still evident. First Priority helped me to see the pressing need of Jesus at Science Hill, and God used those four years to begin to prepare me for my next mission field, my college campus, and my current mission field in Puerto Rico. I do not view Puerto Rico as a mission field simply because of my job, but rather it is a mission field because, just like Science Hill, people in Puerto Rico are desperately in need of a relationship with Jesus. Whether in classrooms in Science Hill or a rural community in Puerto Rico, people are searching. In high school and today, my response to a searching population is the same – the life changing hope of Jesus.

Matthew Hembree
NAMB Journeyman – Puerto Rico

Dec 01
Love1

Shepherding the Flock

By Podcast, First Priority Of America, Leadership Development

Natalie Kenney spoke at this year’s Fall Conference. She spoke about the theme of the year, shepherding! Natalie was told that we are so busy shepherding, we forget that we are sheep. But if we are shepherding in a way to honor God, we are still his sheep and should smell like our flock!

1 Peter 5: 2-3 says, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

To start shepherding, you must show up! Show up for your community and show up where they can see you. Whether that is a football game, choir concert, or helping your local youth groups. Find ways that you can show up in your community and where God wants you to be. When you’re in the community, it makes it easier to talk about First Priority. Never underestimate the power of showing up and how the Lord will reward you for doing so.

Another way is to start looking for volunteers outside of the church realm. It limits us when we only have pastors and youth pastors partnering with us. Find active and patient parents or family members. Though church leaders are great volunteers, local volunteers will be able to show up year after year! Natalie challenges her listeners to show up with First Priority gear and to be intentional about having a conversation. Does your community know that you are involved with First Priority?

People want to be surrounded by love. When people watch how you serve, lead others and love, they may want to serve alongside you! Loving people is showing your volunteers they have value. Through your actions and speech, show your volunteers what they mean to you through love.

Lastly, communication is key anywhere you are. Natalie asked, “Are you communicating with your volunteers weekly or weakly?” As an expert of First Priority in your city, it is important to communicate with your volunteers weekly! Communication will help you and your clubs to succeed. It can help you retain relationships with your volunteers. Train your volunteers by equipping them with what they need, so they have a desire to stay with you.

First Priority is a relational ministry. It is important to be more about the people than the program. We cannot do this by ourselves! Show up, recruit volunteers, and shepherd your flock.

This blog was written by Kenley Kizer

Nov 21
Love1

Fall Conference 2023

By First Priority Of America, Events, Podcast

This year’s fall conference was a blast! We saw so many of the amazing people that make up our First Priority community. To start us off, Justin Theroit welcomed us all to kick it off this year!

Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.”

At the Fall Conference, we gathered as believers and worshiped the Lord. We gathered in breakouts to learn and talk all things First Priority! When the body of Christ is together, we are more aware of the work He is doing in our lives and clubs. We are capable of learning new ways to serve our clubs and communities better. Whether that be through finding donors or learning how to work our new app.

Fall Conference was filled with fun too! Steve Cherrico and Stephen Summit set up this year’s First Priority Olympics. The games included a scavenger hunt, brain games, and even dodgeball!

We were able to take a tour of Black River Entertainment, and it was incredible. The tour was followed by a Hattie B’s dinner at The Well, where we heard Gordon Kerr give his personal testimony and his daughter Hannah perform.

To end the conference, we had a great Wednesday morning filled with more worship, another opportunity to join different breakouts, and hear one final take away from John Carruth! We are so thankful for all who joined us this year! If you didn’t get to make it to our Fall Conference, we hope to see you next time!

Stay tuned for our podcast to listen to some words from those who were with us at Fall Conference!

This blog was written by Kenley Kizer

Nov 18
Love1

Faithful Disciples

By Local FP Communities, Podcast

As Christians, letting go and recognizing where Jesus can lead us is difficult. We may be fearful of the next chapter, or content at the place in life we are at. But when Jesus calls, we should answer! Ministry is a gift from the Lord to expand His kingdom. God calls us to be willing to expand it, to make disciples of many nations.

Matthew 4:18-19 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon also called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “‘Come follow me’” Jesus said, “‘And I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Larry Bragg is the area director for First Priority of St. Louis Metro East. Larry has been with First Priority for 10 months. Before First Priority, he was the Managing Director of a Chick-Fil-A in his town. While making a delivery to a local high school, Larry was introduced to First Priority. God made it very clear that the door was wide open for him to join the First Priority family.

Larry has a passion for students since he was previously a youth pastor. He knew that First Priority was a way to get Christ to the kids in school. Larry trusted God and knew that where God calls, he should go. Larry is an example of what it looks like to surrender to God and follow what His will is for our life. In doing so, Larry is impacting students’ lives.

If you would like to watch this week’s podcast, click the link here.

This blog was written by Kenley Kizer

Nov 17
Love1

The Harvest is Plentiful

By Uncategorized

The first week of November has kicked off a BUSY month with four Celebrate the Win donor luncheons across the Northeast TN District and lots of other things to plan and coordinate! Attendees heard directly from our Student Leaders on the impact First Priority is having in their lives and in their schools.

Emma Grace and Teagan, two of our middle school Student Leaders did a fantastic job speaking at the Greeneville luncheon. I was particularly struck by their words “more than a club” in describing how they have each taken on the responsibility and leadership of their club and are seeing lost friends attend and hear the Good News of Jesus.

A grandmother of one of our Student Leaders was particularly moved as she saw her granddaughter preparing to speak. She told me that recently she had lost her husband who taught Sunday school for 50 years. Then she smiled and added, “He would be so proud to see his granddaughter up there speaking about Jesus.”

Will, another First Priority Student Leader from Kingsport was asked how First Priority has impacted his life. He told of first hearing the Good News about Jesus after being invited to a First Priority club. Will gave his life to Jesus and then fully engaged in the club, volunteering as a Student Leader. Today, Will is speaking regularly to his peers about Jesus and has plans pursue a career in medicine where he can continue to share the Hope of Christ with many people.

As Will shared, his classmate and fellow First Priority Student Leader, Caroline, stood beside him smiling. Three years ago, Caroline spearheaded the effort to launch First Priority at her school and now she is seeing the fruit of her labor and obedience to following Jesus.

My friends, the Harvest is truly plentiful and it reminds me to ask you to join us and as Jesus said, “…pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

More than 20 individuals have joined us in the last 40 days as monthly financial partners and many others have become prayer partners or volunteered in a club. Thank You!

Has God prompted you to get involved with First Priority in some way?

Please consider participating with First Priority to help students in your area Take the Hope of Christ to Every Student.

Happy Thanksgiving!

David North
District Director
Northeast Tennessee

Nov 08
Love1

The Fire From the Spirit

By Local FP Communities, First Priority Of America

Do you ever feel spiritually hungry and thirsty? You know, when you are constantly feeling the need to be in reverence to God. He works like that! God knows your needs and that you need to submit to Him. With God, you don’t go hungry or thirsty. He has given us the Bread of Life with His son, Jesus.

Phil Springer joined Steve Cherrico at the First Priority National Fall Conference this year on the podcast. He told listeners that the kids in his clubs are hungry to hear the gospel. His clubs are growing, and a recently-opened club had over a hundred students at their meeting! One student in particular is on fire for Jesus, he says, and it only takes one to spark a flame.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

When we seek Jesus when we are hungry, He sparks the fire in our heart only He can provide. The Spirit of God! He provides us with His Spirit that can give us power in our faith to continue spreading the Word.

Our campuses are our mission field. We must have a passion for our students to have an eternity to spend with Christ. Continue pouring into the students to help fan the flame that the Spirit of God has given them. We are here to gather to help the students grow.

Reminder! Don’t forget that chapter spring meeting dates are out! May 7-8 in Decatur, May 12-13 in Ft. Lauderdale, and for First Priority District Staff: May 22-23 in Nashville!

If you haven’t had the chance to listen to this podcast, click the link here to watch it.

This blog post was written by Kenley Kizer

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