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Kristina Sears

Jan 30
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Relational vs. Door-to-Door Evangelism: Which is FP?

By Nehemiah

In my community group this week, we began to talk about evangelism and the tension between grace and truth which somehow led into friendship evangelism vs. door-to-door evangelism.  Friendship evangelism is good, because most non-believers only develop a curiosity about Jesus when they know and trust someone who believes in Jesus.  Often, however, that is as far as friendship evangelism goes. The love, life, and death of Jesus rarely gets shared.  Then there is the door-to-door approach of finding a stranger on the street and sharing the information found in the four spiritual laws or the Romans Road to salvation.  There was no relationship there, but a process in a believer’s head with the hope that God has the other person ready to hear it.  As they debated and discussed, honestly I felt bored with it.  As we traveled home and I finished the night painting in our girls’ bedroom, it came to me: First Priority is the perfect union of those two opposing strategies to sharing faith.  First, students trust students.  There are believing students on most sports teams at the local school.  The believers are also on the student council, in the band, traveling with the debate team, etc.  What’s my point?  The non-believers in those groups trust the believers in those groups.  They’ve spent time together and trust each other.  That is the first step to friendship evangelism.  The second step is to actually talk about spiritual things.  That is where First Priority comes in.  We all get intimidated when we have to do something for the first time.  Especially by ourselves.  What if we brought the believing students at the school together to create an environment to talk Jesus and share the gospel with the non-believers who trust them?

First Priority of America’s goal is to see the Hope of Christ in Every Student.  We do that by Uniting the Local Body of Christ with a Plan of Action to Influence the School with the Gospel.  My point?  I want you to know that by coordinating a new First Priority movement in your area that thousands of lives will be changed because it works.  Students Reach Students.  The Good News of Jesus Christ is powerful and effective.  Take those two points to 3-5 churches this month and start a movement that will change eternity.

 

Brad Schelling

Director of Expansion

First Priority of America

Jan 24
Love0

Students Reach Students

By Student Leaders

We would like to introduce you to a student from Hartsville, SC. Cora reached out to us on Facebook. She is a student at Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology. Cora and about five other students have developed a passion to reach their school with the gospel.

 

Cora wrote, “These five students are in charge of First Priority at Mayo for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years, along with one of the school’s science teachers, Mrs. Taylor. There are four sophomores and one junior. They are David Hellmig II, Kenny Hellmig (David’s brother), Alex Barber, Elizabeth Sturgeon, and me. As a First Priority Leader’s Squad (our unofficial team name), we are spending part of our winter break trying to plan and prepare for our upcoming event, Ignite. I am asking on behalf of the group for some assistance.

 

Matthew 5:16 and 1 Timothy 4:12,

Cora”

 

We love the opportunity to help students reach students on their school campuses. We have reached back out to Cora and resourced them with the First Priority Strategy. We have begun a friendship and they are learning more each week on how to implement this strategy. Being a leader is hard but leaders are a must in making any change. If no one ever leads then nothing ever starts. We are so thankful for these student leaders in Hartsville, SC. We hope that you are encouraged by their efforts to reach your school for Christ.  Please pray for these students as they lead a First Priority movement in their school and community. Also pray for their Ignite event that is happening this March to help create momentum for First Priority.

Jan 16
Love0

Faculty eupdate 1/13 New Year Same Goal!

By Faculty Sponsors

New Year Same Goal!

We are well into the New Year and all our goals are set. As we look into the New Year of 2013, we are thankful for the past but eager for the future. This past year, First Priority of America saw 9911 students across the nation put their hope in Christ. Praise God! We are so thankful for our faculty sponsors; you play a vital role in making First Priority happen.  In this edition, hear what First Priority means to a faculty sponsor at a Priceville middle and high schoo

 

THE REFEREES IN THE GAME.

These are the faculty volunteers that open their rooms and the doors of the school for the club to hold their meetings. At the school, they are the people who help the players stay in line with the rules of the local district and state. At the monthly leadership meeting, they are the ones guiding and showing wisdom to navigate the school as only someone on the ‘inside’ can do. They do not participate in the game, even though they are right in the middle of it.

 

 

FROM A FACULTY SPONSOR

First Priority is a priceless activity to have at school.  There are other organizations and clubs that focus on God, but First Priority focuses on evangelizing and witnessing in the halls and bringing lost people to Jesus.  First Priority is an avenue to allow these kids who have given their lives to Christ to reach out and lead their classmates to Jesus.  From a teacher’s perspective, I have seen some students’ behavior change because of the power of God working through First Priority.  There is one student who invited Jesus into his heart and now he is bringing his brother to the meetings with him. That is what it is all about.  It is motivating to see students arrive at school early and sacrifice their time to stand up for God.  God gave us Jesus as a sacrifice and to see these students swallow their pride and stand up for Him here at school is amazing.  I wish First Priority would have been at my high school during my high school years.  I believe it would have made a difference in my life.  As a teacher, we hear a lot about how bad this generation is, but this generation is also amazing.  From the words of Mark Cahill in his book about evangelizing and witnessing, One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven, “If you’re not fishing, you’re not following,” summing up First Priority.  As a teacher, I am blessed to be at a school that allows First Priority to be active.

 

Joshua Sawyer

Priceville High

Gal. 2:20

 

Jan 10
Love0

New Year Same Goal

By Priority Parents

This past year 9680 students put their hope in Christ. God has granted us 2013 to give hope to many other students. As the new year comes so does the coming of new goals and resolutions. Many will start new fitness programs, and plans on how to change their goals in the new year. Will you make First Priority your strategy and tool to equip the local church to reach to influence the school with the gospel ?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
First Priority of Greater Decatur is teaming up with Moms In Prayer this month. The event is designed  to “train mothers in a way they can become prayer leaders around the schools in prayer. ” Check out this article about a training happening in Decatur, AL in a couple of weeks. We share this with you not that you need to attend, but to get the wheels turning for what is possible for your community as well.

The local Moms in prayer ministry covers about 10% of the schools in First Priority Greater Decatur’s area. First Priority of Greater Decatur knowing that they cover 90% of the schools wanted to help in seeing more mothers praying around the schools. To build prayer parent networks by partnering with Moms in touch can help them do this. The event on Jan. 31 will have two options a lunch and a coffee and dessert option that day. Campus coaches have invited mothers and retired ladies from all over the community. At the event a Moms in Touch cordinator will lead a training in how a Moms in Prayer meeting happens. The meeting will give information to mothers and others on how to become a part of or becoming a leader in the prayer ministry.

About Moms in Prayer

The Core Beliefs
We all adhere to the Moms in Prayer International Statement of Faith, a personal acceptance of
Jesus into one’s life as Savior and Lord, and that Jesus is God.
We believe that through prayer God releases His power on behalf of our children and schools. Our
faith is in God who hears and answers our prayers.

The Core Purpose
Mission Statement
Moms in Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.
Vision Statement
Our vision is that every school in the world would be covered with prayer.

The Core Priorities
God First
Family Second
Ministry Third

 The Core Format and Method
One Accord Praying
The Four Steps of Prayer
Praying scripturally
Praying specifically
Evangelism praying

The Guiding Principles
We are bond-servants of the Lord, completely dependent upon Him for guidance and help.
We do not trust in chariots or horses, but in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
We are a discipleship and a multiplication ministry.
Discipleship: teach women how to pray and trust God

Multiplication: every school prayed for by a group
We have been called to serve in Moms in Prayer.
We are accountable to represent the ministry and vision with love and integrity.
We nurture, encourage and equip with a godly, gracious, uncritical spirit, setting an example of
biblical womanhood and sexual purity.
We have a message that brings encouragement and hope to mothers.
We maintain strict confidentiality – what is prayed for in the group, stays in the group.
We pray for children and schools.

We are not a lobbying group: Moms in Prayer International is not a lobbying group, regardless of how worthy the cause. Participation in outside political and social issues must be done solely on an individual basis. Under no circumstances should the Moms in Prayer International name be used in conjunction with outside issues.
We will communicate to our financial supporters with the highest professional standards of truth,
accuracy, and propriety before God.

 

Find a Moms in Prayer in your area -www.momsintouch.org/groups/find-a-group

What is a Priority Parent – Fans in the Stands: A network of parents around each school committed to modeling healthy family relationships, discipling their students, while praying, participating, promoting, & providing for the mission and vision of First Priority.

If you are your city would be interested in starting a similar partnership we would love to help you in that.

Dec 20
Love0

First Priority Training Schedule Winter 2013

By Nehemiah

As 2013 approaches, we wanted to make you aware of 

FIRSTPRIORITY Training:

A one day overview of FP and how to launch in your community!

March 14 in Decatur, AL from 7AM – 3PM

     Come check out a premier F.P. community and see it happens first hand.

Come early and check out an experienced club in action!

Spend the day with FP staff to learn and grow in bringing a community together.

April 30 in Gulf Shore Retreat Center, AL from 9AM – 4PM

Join us at our Director’s Retreat to rub shoulders with those who have done this for years.  Gain wisdom and experience from those in the trenches.

October 2 in Atlanta, GA from 9AM – 4PM

Join us a day before Catalyst Atlanta then spend a couple of days sharpening your leadership skills from the best in the country at Catalyst East.

CONFERENCES we will be at:

Leadership Rocks events: www.leadershiprocks.com

Dallas, TX – 2/21

Memphis – 3/8-9

Student Life Conferences: www.studentlife.com

Birmingham, AL – 1/25-26

Houston, TX – 2/1-2

Arlington, TX – 2/8-9

Orlando, FL – 2/15-16

Memphis,TN – 2/22-23

Asheville, NC – 3/1-2

Atlanta, GA – 3/8-9

 

Dec 19
Love0

How Much Love Would It Take? Testimonies…

By Student Leaders
These are just a few of the testimonies that flood our office each year…
Tampa FL – Aaron is a 16yr old 9th grader that spent 3 years in his middle school before the FP group at Madison MS reached out to him.  After making a decision for Christ, Aaron was very quiet about his decision, except when spending time with his campus coach Amber. Amber was able to help him plug into the local church and find the tutoring help he needed. After failing 8th grade for 5 semesters, Aaron’s last semester of 8th grade was a (get ready)… straight A’s report card.  Needless to say we have seen transformation in Aaron’s life, both in his spirit and the results of his new perspective on life.
Boaz AL – Tiffany graduated this summer.  As an incoming freshman in 2008 Tiffany was your very ordinary raised in a good Church, follower of Christ. Tiffany’s school had a FP group with 4 only students in it.  Hearing the FP call to be a greater influence on her school than her school was on her, she decided to start reaching out with Christ’s love. Over the next 4 years, the First Priority groups saw bunches of students make first time decisions for Christ and get plugged into local churches.  And she also saw the group grow to over 250 students each week by the time she graduated.  Tiffany used FP as her platform to unite the body of Christ at West End HS and leave a legacy.
Ft Lauderdale FL – Cameron is a student at Ft Lauderdale High School. We just learned that at their most recent Mission Week they had 225 students come to the event.  During the event they used media, give aways, and took advantage of the Christmas season to share the Christmas story.  As the team presenting finished their topic of Christ being the greatest gift, 50 students made decisions to receive the free gift of Jesus for the first time.  It was awesome.
If you have a FP story to share, you can report it at FPReport.com
Dec 18
Love0

The Hope of Christ in Every Student

By Nehemiah

Hey “Nehemiah”

As we see another week coming to an end, we are reminded of the ending last week and those in desperation and need in Newtown, Connecticut. They will experience 26 funerals in the days leading up to Christmas. Though evil will always exist in our fallen world, it is these stories that rally us all the more. We are reminded of the power of life change, when the Holy Spirit walks a lost student into a relationship with Jesus Christ in a school setting and the impact of that moment in this and future generations. This is the only thing we at First Priority are here for; helping to organize the local church to share the gospel in their local school. We share a message of crisis with the church before and during the stories that make the news because these types of things happen every day in America.

Every day in America, of students from ages 5 – 17:

  • 5 are killed by abuse or neglect
  • 5 commit suicide
  • 32 die from accidents
  • 186 are arrested for violent offenses.
  • 368 are arrested for drug offenses.
  • 1,204 babies are born to teen mothers.
  • 3,312 high school students drop out.

This happens in cities, towns, villages, rural, urban and suburban each and every day. Scripture tells us why: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. The solution is spiritual. Will you organize the family of God in our community like Nehemiah did in his to rebuild the “spiritual walls” and bring The Hope of Christ to Every Student?

In Christ,
Brad Schelling
Director of Expansion – FPOA

 

Dec 13
Love0

How did St. Nicholas get a bad name in the church?

By Nehemiah

Hi “Nehemiah”,

This time of year we hear it all the time:
“Breaking News: Cashiers at Target to say Happy Holidays and not choose their own greeting.” Many times the leadership of a few churches will stand up and condemn the store and call for a boycott. We also hear the battle of how secular and anti-Christian Santa Clause is. Yet, we often forget that the first St. Nicholas was a church leader who went out to give gifts to the poor children during the cold season. Why? How did St. Nicholas get such a bad name in the church? Well, studies have shown that repeating the negative is not a great way to battle an opponent. Katya, in her blog (www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com) says this:

“When countering rumors (or myths), it’s a bad idea to repeat them. People may register a denial in the short term, but they only tend to remember the rumor or myth in the long term. Don’t deny or counter something – simply assert your competing notion.
A couple of years back, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tried to combat myths about the flu vaccine by listing commonly held views and labeling them either “true” or “false.” Examples of myths were, “The side effects are worse than the flu” and “Only older people need flu vaccine.” University of Michigan social psychologist Norbert Schwarz found that after reading the flier, the target audience incorrectly recalled 28 percent of the false statements as true. And three days later, they remembered 40 percent of the myths as factual.”

How do we best stop everyone from saying ‘Happy Holidays’? We tell the story of Merry Christmas. How do we remind people that St. Nicholas was a church leader who gave gifts to the poor? We tell that story rather than bashing Santa Clause! We start sharing the birth of Jesus.
Why do some not want to say Merry Christmas? Because they don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Do they know about him? Probably. Have they ever heard that that baby in the manger died and rose again for their sins? Probably not. Have they ever heard that He came that they may have life and have it abundantly (as opposed to religiously)?
Again, probably not. How can they hear unless someone shares? How can one share unless they are sent? I say, ‘How beautiful are you when you commission the believers in your church to go to school every day to share the good news of Jesus Christ.’
My sister spent five years in China as an English teacher. While they were not allowed to talk about religious things, they were encouraged to talk about American culture and traditions. What’s more American than Christmas and Easter? The same is true in your school this month. Help the believing students throw a Christmas party; watch Elf, play games, eat spaghetti and maple syrup, and talk about a baby who changed the world. Don’t have a plan to do that? Remember that there are more students at school that call themselves Christian than football players or band members. Pray for an opportunity to organize the church to rebuild the spiritual walls in your community!
Most leadership blogs will tell you to fight. Politics shows us that in order to win, we need some level of proving the other side wrong and incompetent. Yet, Jesus gives us a distinctly different perspective: RUN! Run the race with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). Focus this year on the gift our Heavenly Father gave to us in the baby Jesus, pray for an opportunity to share him in your community, and expect God to be faithful and change lives from the inside out.

Merry Christmas,

Brad Schelling
Mark Roberts
Brandon Starnes

Dec 12
Love0

The Gift of Good News

By First Priority Of America

The Gift of the Good News!
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Christmas Greetings!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the greatest Gift ever given, Immanuel – God with us! As each year continues to allow more reflection on the years previous, I get to see all the more how God guides and blesses each of us through the seasons of life. This year I am excited to share that we have recorded 7,362 students coming to Christ in the year of our Lord 2012!
But there is more…

Our Team in South Flordia has 5,000 special edition Christmas Bibles being delivered to the F.P. clubs this month. As you can see in this picture, Brody Howell is loading up his trunk! With two more weeks left of school and it being Christmas, there are hundreds, if not thousands more who will hear the gospel, many for the first time ever!

Our Expansion Team is seeing movement in a dozen new areas as we head into the new year. With an average of 4 new clubs starting in 6 of our new communities in 2012, that’s a potential of seeing 48 new clubs in new schools in new areas for 2013!! And that’s not counting the new clubs that will rise up as our current local organizations grow larger and stronger. We fully expect our response rate to break 10,000 in the year 2013!

The month of December has traditionally been the most important month of giving for us throughout the year. Not only does it help us finish strong, but we rely heavily on the end-of-the-year giving to sustain us for the first quarter of the next year. As we face the challenge that lies ahead, may we ask you to purposely pray about what God would have you do? As the students, teachers, and campus coaches each do their part in the schools, as we at FPOA continue to do our part in building into churches to start new schools into 2013, would you consider being a part in praying for and partnering with us to share Christ on campus.

Sharing the Gift,

~ The FPoA Team ~

Dec 07
Love0

The Two Questions That Follow…

By Local FP Communities, Priority Parents
As we travel across the US, we experience incredible stories of parents who hear about what their children are involved with in the name of First Priority at their schools and find themselves drawn to become a part of what God is doing on their student’s school campus.

 

I learned of one great story in Shreveport, LA this past month and want to share it with you.  David is a businessman in the Shreveport area and was part of the team that helped launch First Priority locally, 3 years ago.  As he began to investigate First Priority through conversations with other members of the launch team, he came to realize that this “club” was different.  What David learned is that First Priority is NOT a club; the club is simply the outcome of what First Priority does. First Priority by definition is a local organization that unites the body of Christ to reach students on the public school secondary schools.

 

It was in his conversations with John Carruth, another part of the launch team and current director in Shreveport, that David realized he too had a role to play in uniting the body of Christ around the local schools. As a business leader, David was able to bring to the table other businesses in his network that were interested in seeing positive influence brought to this local school. As parents, he and his wife have been able to share all that First Priority as meant to their family over the past few years with many other families in their area.

 

 

David now serves as the Board president for FP ArkLaTex, which is the First Priority organization based in Shreveport. His families support of the multiple schools that are served by FP ArkLaTex is awesome.  We are so thankful for the thousands of parents like David and his wife that play an active role in uniting the body of Christ around a school, or a community to reach every student.

Two Questions tend to come out of a story like this…

 

First, what role can i play to support my student on their school campus through First Priority?  We urge parents to get involved, through the 4 P’s “Praying, Participation, Promoting, and Providing.”  Those are pretty self explanatory, however we offer a very simple guide that helps you put those ideals to action.

To order your Priority Parent guide, click here…

 

Second, how can i find the local FP organization in my community? There are over 50 organizations across the US, just below in this email you will se a FP logo in the Social Networks listing, click on that logo, and it will take you to the National FP website. There you will find in the Get Involved section a listing of organizations with contact info.
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