Dear Parents and Teens,

Some of you know that I have been working on my Doctor of Ministry degree for the past three years. The degree is both learning- and project-based, and I am at the project implementation point of the program. To that end, I would like to invite your 8th-12th grade child(ren) to participate in an 8-week curriculum focused on helping them understand and internalize their God-given identity in Christ.

The basis for this project arose from my own family’s challenging journey, but has been further encouraged through interactions with seemingly countless other families. Among this rising generation, anxiety is rampant, insecurity reigns supreme, self-harm is plentiful, and matters only seem to be intensifying. In conversations with various adolescents, the reasoning behind the challenges is commonly rooted in some element of self-image and a failure to measure up to the standards of the world around them. The problem involves those inside and outside the church, and often without discrimination.

My hope is that as students internalize a concrete identity rooted in the biblical truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they will develop an inherent armor against the societal deluge of devastating messages. In so doing, they will not only be protecting themselves from harm, but also become a bastion of hope for peers and others facing similar struggles.

In terms of details, we will gather Sunday mornings from May 11 – June 29. The class will be held during the teen Sunday school hour through June 1 (with Memorial Day Weekend still to be worked out as a number of students will be at Tuscarora). Once the church switches to our summer schedule (June 8), students will stay after church for about one hour for the class. Food and snacks will be provided.

Baylor University and MBC leadership have given me permission to incentivize the course. As such, students who complete the first four sessions will receive $10. Students who complete all 8 sessions, along with the required coursework (which will be limited), will join me on a trip to see a matinee performance of the Broadway musical Wickedon Wednesday, July 2. Importantly, the students must complete the course in its entirety to receive the New York trip.

I am expecting this class to be an important part of the students’ personal faith journey. Any help you can provide in encouraging your child(ren) to attend is extremely appreciated. They are welcomed to invite friends to participate in the course as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Pastor Chris

chris@mountbethelchurch.org