What's up in the Henderson Youth Group

ENLIGHTEN Youth Rally Ad

2008-01-24T10:52:00.001-08:00

This is the first advertisement for our 13th Annual Spring Youth Rally. This year the Youth Rally's theme is "Confronting Culture" and it will take place on the weekend of May 2-3! Hope to see you there!

Haleyville Youth Rally

2008-01-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

The trip to Haleyville, Alabama for the 9th Avenue Youth Rally was awesome! We left from Henderson around 4:30 pm and finally made it down there at 11:30 pm! I admit that I might have miscalculated how long it would take us; however, the drive down wasn't terrible.

We stopped to eat outside of Hopkinsville, Kentucky at a Wendy's/Subway/trashly truck stop to eat. Kayla almost ordered the "Baconater" but decided against. Not to worry, Caleb took up her slack and pounded the sandwhich, fries, and a dessert.

Without a doubt, the most eventful point of the night came when we stopped just before we entered Alabama at a little gas station to get gas and use the bathroom. Apparently, the girls bathroom was just a little bit nasty (for more info you'll have to speak with Ariana and Kayla)! As we were leaving, I heard one of the girls say in a cringing voice, "I NEED A SHOWER!!!" Shortly (2 hours) there after we were in Haleyville and off to our host parents houses! Everyone I know had a good place to stay with good food, company, and hospitality. The boys I stayed with (Sam, Jesse) and I stayed up a little while trying to play XBOX 360. We were treated in morning with breakfast pizza, a great combination.

For the rally...everything went well. One of the keynote speakers, David Bragg, has MS and is partially confined to a wheelchair. He did an excellent job as did all the class teachers. For a funny side note...Adam Faughn, the 9th Avenue Youth Minister, called upon me to lead the opening prayer that morning. However, I was outside trying to get some of the kids' luggage loaded into the van. While Adam was trying to locate me, he figured (out loud) in the auditorium that I must have been in the bathroom. Thankfully, Alan Bush from Washington Avenue took my place and the catastrophe was averted! Overall, the trip went great. Except for the long drive, each of us enjoyed every moment. We are definately going to return to Haleyville next year with one modification, we're going to stay somewhere between Haleyville and Henderson next year on the way home.

There are some pictures posted to the Flicr account. If you just follow the link to the left entitled, Youth Group Pictures, it will take you there.

Neal Mathis

What a Beatdown!

2007-11-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Well, the Ballot Bowl was great! However it was only great for one team! I can't believe that the game took such a drastic and unbelievable turn. The defeat was monumental and without doubt. Congratulations is all I have to say to the winning team! I cannot gloat or complain, you beat my team fair and square!

Winning Score: 28-7
Winning Team MVP: Sam "Boo-Boo" Morris
Winning Team Roster: Sam, Annie "Too Nice" Shockley, Lauren "Bookworm" Carter, Caleb "Baby Seal" Burke, Audie "the Hottie" Cherry, Lisa "Kong" Bundy, and Kyle "Caleb's Cousin" Putman.

Check out the link on the right for some pictures. Also feel free to check out or Facebook page, "Henderson Youth Group (Past and Present Members) for some more pictures!

Neal Mathis

The Ballot Bowl

2007-11-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

All right...it's time! The shirts are ordered, the field is ready! All we need now is a few brave men (and ladies) to step up and deliver the goods! I won't settle for anything less than touchdowns, tackles, and bloody noses! What we have is an extravaganza of extraordinary athletic achievement waiting to be unleashed on the world! (Well at least unleashed on Caleb, Jonathan, and the boys!)

That's right - THE BALLOT BOWL is here! At least it will be next Tuesday at 3:00 pm at Waterfront Park here in Henderson! I can't wait for the carnage, camaraderie, and courage to be here! If you're as excited as I am then start your preparation now, because I'm bringing everything I got to the game! I probably won't even sleep the night before! Do you know why? Because I'M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!

I hope that the picture from last year stokes the fires of memory and to hopefully will motivate each of you to prepare yourselves for battle, victory, and the eternal glory of being BALLOT BOWL CHAMPIONS!!

(Neal Mathis)

The Back to School Bash

2007-08-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

Our Second Annual Back to School Bash has come and gone! The festivities this year were fun, eventful, and as always entertaining! I do have to admit that the Four-Square Arena was used a whole bunch more than I expected. Amy killilng 19 people in a game of "Murder in the Church" was also spectacular! However; nothing compared to the Food Games!

Here is a quick rundown of the competitions and winners: In the "Mustard Twinkie" contest, Cody L. from Providence proved to be too quick for the rest of the competitors. A special reward should be given to Lauren M. for the best face of pure disgust! In the "Who Can Drink Fastest" competition, Melissa P. proved her mettle! Special consideration should be given to Amy B. for the fastest to the clam juice and the fastest to spit out the clam juice! In the "Happy Meal Milkshake Splurg," Lisa B. proved to be more than just a volleyball player with her endurance and courage in downing the compustible concoction! And finally in the "Meat from a Can Pass," Kelly L. (Cody's sis) stepped up to the plate and proved that Cody isn't the only one with a hollow stomach by eating a bowl full of sardines, liver cheese, fish steak, and spam! Congratulations to all the winners and to all those who graciously participated!

I think that without a doubt this year's Back to School Bash was definately more fun than a "Moose on the Loose!"

(Neal Mathis)

Our Final Day in Grant County

2007-07-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Our trip is almost over! The only thing left on our trip is a fun day in Louisville! The VBS finished with a bang. Our story tonight was "The Faithful Centurion." Adam, Ryan, and Lauren C. pperformed wonderfully in the skit, the classes all went well, and the "Roman Chestplates" the kids made were awesome!

Today's activities were mostly taken up with our trip to the Creation Musuem. The trip there was quite incredible. Each of us toured the entire musuem, visited the planetarium, and saw a unique show that seemed to involve the angels Gabriel and Michael. While there were some things that seemed odd, the overall experience was worthwhile and I highly recommend that each of you take the time to visit.

There are some really funny pictures involving a dinosaur that was eating Patrick! There will be proof this Sunday in Bible class! We'll all be traveling home tomorrow, please pray for our saftey!

(Neal Mathis)

Our Third Day in Grant County

2007-07-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well our third day is done and each of us can now admit that we have demolished something with extreme prejudice! Relax we didn't hurt any church pews, tables, or children. We did get to destroy and pile away an out building behind the building! There is photographic evidence of Kathy and Amy wielding a hammer mightily! After that job and some minor painting our group had a great afternoon of napping and rest.

Tonight at VBS we taught the children about Nicodemus. Our skit involved Nicodemus (myself) and his daughters (Kayla and Kristen W.) discussing his visit with Jesus. The kids then went to class and crafts. We had 9 of the 11 kids from the congregation here tonight - our best showing yet!

Each of us here on the campaign are tired but enthusied about the work being done in Grant County! Tomorrow we're going to check out the Creation Musemn located just north of us in Kenton County. Here is a link to the website of the museum, http://www.creationmuseum.org/ I highly recommend that you check out the site and look for the pictures from our trip tomorrow on the Flickr.com account located in the right column of this page!

Please continue to pray for the success and safety of this trip!

(Neal Mathis)

Our Second Day in Grant County

2007-07-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

There are many words I could use to describe our second day in Grant County. However, the words that come to mind first are these: male bonding! What would any trip in the youth group be without that time-tested, mother-approved, pope-authorized bonding between a man and another man or perhaps several men at a time!

Before this conversation gets out of hand...let me asure you that all of this has been on the up-and-up! Our time has been spent in great service to God and in great fellowship with our compatriots from Mayfield. Let me explain in simple terms - We got matching shirts! Ones that can only be described as tasteful, yet putride! (I'll admit that this is the first and last time I'll buy a shirt from Wrangler!) There's nothing like a blissful afternoon of monochromatic dress to bring out the deep, lasting, and meaningful moments that guys spend a lifetime talking and laughing about!

For photographic evidence of our bonding, check out the Flickr.com account later this week! (There is a link on the right hand column on this page). VBS went well tonight, our numbers were down...but the kids who returned came back excited and ready for more! By the way, Adam taught each of us a new song tonight about the sons of Jacob...it really takes a lot to appreciate a song so full of information and possible confusion. Thanks Adam, I really think the kids are more confused now than they were earlier. (Just Kidding! Keep up the good work...Great White aka Snow Bunny aka Burkumas)

Everyone at home please keep praying for the great work that is being done here and the saftey of each of us here in Grant County!

(Neal Mathis)

Our First Day in Grant County

2007-07-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

Well our trip has started...all 4 and a half hours in the van were as exciting as they sound! Once we arrived we checked in to the hotel, unpacked our supplies at the church building, and then ate dinner with the group from Seven Oaks at Wendy's. (Patrick and Adam ate the "Baconator")

Then this morning we ate breakfast at the church building (cinnamon buns and cereal) before worship services and Bible class. Ryan S. (Youth Minister at Seven Oaks) led singing and helped me teach the teen class on Ezekiel (kids' choice). Today for lunch we all stopped at a local Chinese bistro. I know that right now it might sound like all we have done is eat, but so much more has happened!

This afternoon around 2:00 pm local time we all went to the building to set up for VBS! During the set up Ryan, Patrick, Kayla, and Lauren C. got into costume for the skit (Zacchaeus' meeting with Jesus). While they were attired, someone remembered that we forgot batteries, baking sheets, and a coin pouch! Then one of us (myself, not to toot my own horn) suggested that each of them go to Wal-Mart in costume! It turned out to be even more funny than I suspected it would be! (Look for pictures on the Flickr.com account tomorrow!)

Everything went really well tonight during VBS! We had 14 children ages 3-16. There was also an adult class of around 20. Out of that number there were around 7 visitors. We're planning for another great night tomorrow! We'll be studying the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Please continue to pray for our work and the success of this trip!

Full list of those attending the trip - Neal M, Adam B, Patrick O, Amy B, Kristen W, Kayla N, Lauren N, Lauren C, Kathy H, and 4 people from Mayfield (Ryan S, Marylee F, her daughter Marilyn, and Big Al S). Our plans are to hold VBS each night through Wednesday followed by a fun day in Louisville on Thursday and a trip home that night.

(Neal Mathis)

The Water Balloon Massacre

2007-06-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well VBS 2007 is over! The Journeys of Jesus have come to an end! The time to look back and reflect and learn for next year is here! Let's take a quick inventory of what was learned at this year's event. Marcey makes a really good Jewish woman in the Interactive Room! Caleb will work for Hawaiian Shaved Ice (a Jumbo is only $4)! Maybe 200 was a little high for the projections! Scripts are definitely needed in the Interactive Room! Only 1/3 of the kids wore the buckets from the "Woman at the Well" Night on their head! The sound Stephanie made while pretending to throw up on the last night was awesome! Sam probably looked the best in the Centurion costume! The batteries in the lights in the Interactive Room will run out if left on all night! Gary just doesn't like Samaritan Women! Those things along with Adam falling on his butt, me forgetting the words to "Jo-Jo-Jonah," the shark song, and little Camron trying to beat me up as the Centurion are all memorable (he actually had to be led away by Karl Wayne)!

However, the thing that will go done in infamy from this VBS is the Water Balloon Massacre that took place last night in the parking lot! Just exactly how many balloons were filled by Sam, Jamie, Jonathan, Adam, Marcey, Stephanie, Kyle, Caleb, and Crystal still eludes me. It seems like the blue cooler was an everlasting supply when child after child came coming up to me with a new balloon! I'm really thankful that most of them can't throw very well! The only times I remember it hurting were when Jake got me in the side, Katherine got me in the stomach, and Triston got me from behind (when I had no idea the balloon was coming)! The attack at the end wasn't nearly as bad (I think because Marcey didn't get to hit me in the crotch)! Overall, I'd say the massacre will go down in history as the best pummeling of a youth minister in our parking lot ever! I hope it will also go down as the last!

(Neal Mathis)

It's Been A While...

2007-06-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

I apologize everybody! I know it has been a while since the last post. There have been many things going on and I have to admit that this site is what fell behind! Sorry about that. When VBS is over I know that this site will be updated on a much more regular basis. Until then I leave you with this short story of humor from our beloved "Baby Seal," Caleb:

When the boys (Caleb, Adam, Patrick, Hunter, and I) were moving the furniture and things from my apartment to my new home a funny thing happened - Caleb showed us his lack of moving experience! I hadn't quite gotten everything packed up before the U-Haul truck found its way to my front door. I asked Caleb to gather up all the hangers he could find and seperate the wire and plastic hangers. Within five short minutes, with a puzzled look on his face, Caleb approached me and asked, "Which ones are wire and which ones are plastic?"

I have to admit that at first I was floored. How could this young man of 14 years not know the difference between wire and plastic hangers? And then it hit me! Caleb has probably only ever been exposed to plastic hangers! There is no possible way he could have even known what a wire hanger was! It was my naivity that believed all of mankind must know the difference that was the real problem! So I send my sincerist apologies to Caleb! I hope that I am never again shortsighted in my assumptions that most people know the difference between wire and plastic hangers! I know I will be a better man for it and you would be too! Hang around for any future thoughts on this troubling condition and my growth through and out of this problem!

(Neal Mathis)

The Birth of Corn Pop

2007-02-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Attention Everyone...We have a birth! Not a typical birth, not even a new birth in the biblical sense! What we have is the birth of a legend. The birth of a persona, a personality, a man, myth, and legend! This weekend's trip to CYC in Gatlinburg was amazing!

The van ride...the flip out...the Chicken fingers...there all memorable in some sense! However, with out a doubt the most fantastic, stumpendous, outlandish, and just plain ridiculous thing to happen was the birth of Corn Pop!

For those of you that don't know Jonathan was inducted into the "I'm so embarrassed by this event that I'm going to adopt it and laugh with everyone who did it to me" club by Marcey and Stephanie! While on the way home, he was suddenly and without warning taken by force and force-fed corn pops into his underwear!

How? Why? What did it feel like? Those are the questions to be asked another day! Right now, the only explanation can be, "It was Marcey and Stephanie!" For Jonathan's sake, I hope it was a one-and-done retaliation and not just the start of an endless supply of good-humored revenge!

At the end of the day...when we finally take inventory of the incident we find this one bit of closure - Jonathan's new nickname is Corn Pop and he'll never live that down!

(Neal Mathis)

New Year...New Blog

2007-01-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

Well, the new year has come! With it has come the New Year's Eve Lock-In. There are many great stories to tell and many great pictures to see! Truly this year...a picture will be worth a thousand words!

Take the time to check out the pictures on our Flickr.com account. You can follow the link on the right hand column of this page. Also check out the videos of some of the competitions on Google Video under the titles, "Henderson Youth Group Food Game 1, 2, and 3."

For those of you into some high-octane action, I recommend that you check out while in Google Video, "Henderson's Top Guns!" It's really amazing!

(Neal Mathis)

MudFest 2006

2006-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

Wow! There aren't enough words in my vocabulary to describe the day of football and fun that was experienced by those of us on Tuesday! That day may go down in history for American Politics, but those historical records will shrink in comparison to the carnage that we witnessed!

The inagural King-Kong Bundy slugfest, the battle of the "Hobbits," and Hunter taking down Jeremiah. Oh yeah, let's also not forget the tackling prowess of Sam, Marcey, and Jed (my knee still hurts)! I can't wait for another day of muddy football and wrestling!

Oh yeah...if you haven't heard about it, YOU BETTER ASK SOMEONE!

(Neal Mathis)

He Fell Where...

2006-10-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

This story is almost too good to be true...

Kyle, one of Alex's friends actually walked into the baptistry last week during our fun day! Some of the guys were playing hide-and-go-seek and well you know the rest. He said and I quote "I thought it was the floor!" My immediate horror was quickly replaced by a sense of laughter when I saw the boy walking down the annex hall with soaking wet pants, shoes, socks, and unmentionables! It's really too bad that I don't have a picture to go with the story!

(Neal Mathis)

RUSH - Reaching Unrealistic States (of) Humility

2006-09-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm going to take you to a place that very few people have gone. A place where time and space and the ability to breath clearly have gone the way of the Doodo bird! Several kids and myself spent the past weekend in Henderson, TN for the RUSH (Reaching Unlimited Spiritual Heights) Youth Rally at Freed-Hardeman University. The events of this past weekend are beyond compare and I know that I can't in my own words fully describe what happened, but I will let you in on one small story!

Have you ever said something that was just plain stupid! Without even realizing it, the words that are coming out of your mouth insult a person or persons just terribly! While most of us have at least experienced this a couple of times, some of us are constant abusers of our own stupidity!

One such instance happened this weekend to Patrick. In one instance, not only did he insult one of the girls (name being left out to protect the innocent) but also showed his absolute ignorance in dealing with the opposite sex!

Patrick, here is some advice: NEVER EVER EVER TALK ABOUT ANYTHING THAT RELATES TO THE SIZE OF A WOMAN'S CLOTHING OR HER SIZE IN GENERAL! Now that we are all up to date, I wish to console Patrick in this moment!

From all the men who have lived before me and who will come after me: Patrick, pay attention next time! Girls, in general are sensitive to their weight and size. And any comment like "Obviously you're not a small!" would fall in direct conflict to a girl's opinion of herself!

Please for the sake of "male"-kind, don't ever get caught saying something like that again! It only makes all of us look stupid!

Neal Mathis

Trouble at the Office Depot!

2006-09-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

Let me take each of you back to a time when shopping at "The Office Depot" was fundamentally innocent and harmless. That time was before Wednesday, August 30. It was a typical Wednesday; hot, muggy, and beautiful.

That afternoon, I picked up Marcey and Stephanie from school. We proceeded to meet Ashley at "The Office Depot" in Evansville. We were all going there with the mission of buying a new digital camera for the church. Upon arrival, the girls and I went to the camera section. After some careful consideration, I was almost convinced to buy this Kodak camera. I wanted to check out some of the features. One such feature was the action setting.

I asked Marcey to run towards me so that I might see the full affect! However, Marcey (in her infinite wisdom) decided to run towards me and not stop! As she lowered her shoulder and through all 98 pounds of her weight into me I fell back! The only thing that saved me from a sure fall was the giant shelf full of office supplies!

When all was collected and a careful evaluation of the incident was taken, I had shoved that shelf a good 6 inches. The look we recieved from "The Office Depot" employee was piercing! I quickly decided that we needed to leave, so I grabed the ticket for the camera, paid the lady at the register, and left as soon as possible!

For those of you reading this blog, I offer you some quick advice: Never go shopping with Marcey! Never ask Marcey to run at you! Never "hack off" an employee of "THE OFFICE DEPOT!"

I Don't Have the Words

2006-08-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

I have seen many things in my life that fit into the mold of "ridiculous" but I have to admit, this "takes the cake."

http://www.whiteboydj.com/babygotbook.html

Follow this link to a rap parody of "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The song is universally regarded as one of the most vile and lewd songs about women. In this rendition, the object being "oogled" is the size of a girl's Bible.

I don't know what makes a person spend the time to come up with this stuff. I do have to admit that it is equally funny and sad. A good mixture of entertainment, but a sad statement about the "seriousness" of some Christian's faith(s).

Neal Mathis

The Legend of Adam B----!

2006-08-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

For the past 11 or so months, I have had the privilege of knowing the man, the myth, and the legend of Adam B----! His name is being hidden to protect the countless innocent people who have been effected by this "powderkeg of humanity!" What I am here today to do is tell you a simple story of his wonder and glory! One that will let each of you who doesn't know "The Adam B----" to gain a little access into his life.

Take yourself back to any summer of your teenage-hood. Imagine, once again, the sweat of a hard day's work, the taste of really sweet Kool-Aid, and the sting of one too many candy bars before swimming. In that line of thinking, also look back at the mission trips you or those you know have taken.

The setting is Newport, Kentucky at the Garrard St. Church. The boys (myself, Hunter D-----, and the aforementioned Adam B----) were given the opportunity to stay in the apartment above the fellowship hall. Times were good. The "Male-bonding" was rampant. However, all the adventures came to a roaring stop when I was poisoned by those dreaded villians of LaRosa's Pizza! (By the way, their future is in weight-loss! "La Rosa's Pizza: Lose 10 Pounds in 2 Days!")

After the second day of dreadful and violent regurgetation, I was almost to the end of the road. There simply wasn't anything left to come up! The poison wanted to inflict one last sense of anguish on its victim though! I woke up early that morning and was very quickly hugging the porcelain throne. I rushed in to the "john" so quickly that I didn't even notice Hunter in the shower!

What I did notice (hear actually) was Adam B---- leaping from the bed in his domicile, camera in hand. With a sudden click I was photogenically violated. The picture, which has since been deleted was and is a testament to the uniqueness of "The Adam B----!"

There are many theories as to why a grown, healthy, and fairly normal man would take a picture of a half-naked bent over the toilet man! None of them seem to make any sense when applied to this story! My theory seems to be simple yet conclusive. "The Adam B----" doesn't have to have a reason to do anything! If he wants his ying to be out of place with his yang, it's okay! No one should ever question that. Quite simply, the legend of "The Adam B----" is this.

He is who he is and there is no one who will ever understand that!

Neal Mathis

Marcey - A Man of Her Word

2006-08-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

For those of us who were on the last trip to Dexter, a single moment stands out as almost historic. On our way back home, somewhere around the outskirts of Paducah, Jonathan made a mistake that he would eventually come to regret.

As the story goes, Annie was talking about one of her teachers at school who had compared a girl's purity to chocolate. Jonathan made the funny, albeit foolish and rude remarke that was heard round the van and the world! "Marcey - your chocolate's bad!"

In the moment, laughter and hysteria filled the van. Above the noise came a voice from, well, you know where. "Jonathan, I will get you back!"

Most of us in the van expected the punishment to come in a realitively close interval. However, the payback was pushed aside. Marcey waited for the opportune time to pounce. Her patience paid off in the best of ways.

Fast-forwarding to the summer, we find several of the members of the youth group, including Jonathan and Marcey, working during a service project at the buidling. Suddenly, a voice crys out, "No!" Who could it be? I run up the hallway and see Jonathan beneath Stephanie and Annie, with Marcey circling like a hungry lion, "duck" tape in hand.

Without the ability to stop it or turn my eyes from it, I watch as Jonathan is mercilously tied up and put in a desk chair. I can almost see the joy in the eyes of the girls. For Marcey, the joy is in the revenge. For Annie, the joy is in the respect she's earning from her little brother. For Stephanie, the joy is in the trampeling of Jonathan.

I don't have the words to describe the look on Jonathan's face, the twinkle in the eye of his captors, or the sheer amount of effort it took to subdue the tiny, yet fierce captive.

What I do have though, is a picture! A really funny picture! Take the link on this page entitled "Youth Group Photos." It will take you to our new page at Flickr.com. When you take a look at the infamous photo ask yourself, "Can I miss the photo of a tied-up pre-teen and a girl like Marcey who is without a doubt, a "Man of Her Word?" The answer is a resounding "No!"

Neal Mathis