ChrisMoncus.com

As you know I’m a graphic designer at St. Simons Community Church. Well I also manage the tech and media for the youth group. Well I’m sitting right now in the sound booth while Justin, one of our youth pastors, is teaching the kids. The first picture is Justin teaching. The second is the youth band playing “The Stand” by Hillsong. We have 60 or so kids here tonight. Rock on.

The photos are from my MacBook iSight.

Tomorrow’s gonna be a busy day.

Stink. It is tomorrow.

Today’s gonna be a tired and busy day as I get ready for the Fusion Fall Retreat that starts today. The fall retreat is a weekend where 250 or so youth from the Golden Isles get together for a mini youth camp of sorts. It’s full of music, fun, teaching, games, and food. Last year was amazing and from what I’ve heard from the other youth leaders participating… it’s gonna blow last year away.

I’m on assignment again this year as the event photographer. It’s gonna be a blast getting to hang out with all these amazing kids and their leaders for a weekend. They are an inspiration in their walks with God as they seek Him out and try to get to know Him better. I wish us adults had a couple retreats a year to get away like this.

Leading worship this year is Unnamed Servant, who I’ve never seen before but their CD is great. And the speaker I hear is going to be great also but 3am doesn’t allow for me to remember his name. I’ll fill that gap in during future updates.

Pictures will be up soon as well.

So you guys have a wonderful weekend and pray for us. Some kids’ live are gonna get rocked! Yeah!

… to worship

During the last worship set at youth group tonight I look up to find my light guys gone from the production booth. Disappeared. Both the lead guy and the guy in training.

My sound guy pointed them out… hands raised… singing their heats out to God in the crowd.

I’m ok with that.

It seems that recently things like this are happening more. Like God has finally gotten through the blocks our youth had in their hearts - allowing Him to move in their lives. The event we call Inside Out on Wednesday nights has been going so well as well.

Shannon is getting better and better at leading and the music is getting cleaner and cleaner. The band is worshiping while leading worship. Their sound is great.

The messages recently have been outstanding. We’re seeing kids change their lives and appear to be following God like never before. It’s so amazing.

I could go on and on but I’ll leave with this.

When you find your production crew forgetting their jobs because God is moving in their hearts, consider it a triumph. I do. Praise God.

“Discipleship is Only for New Christians” is a myth I’ve been asked to speak on at Elevate, our young adult ministry at SSCC. I’m speaking in two Tuesdays (August 26th) and by God’s grace the group should be somewhat inspired to grow closer to their Teacher throughout their entire lives. So as I study up I wanted to ask for two things from you guys:

1. Prayer. Seriously. God’s grace and anointing will be key to communicating His truth.
2. Your input. Got any ideas? Questions? Any input would help me direct my talk towards what’s on your minds.

I appreciate any comments back no matter how little you think they are. Even a “neat” in the comments helps me know people are reading.

Thanks. God bless.

Last year I got to give a message at Elevate, our young adult ministry at SSCC. I finished up a series through Colossians that Jay and Corey started. Being that I get to speak about twice a year I felt rusty and said “um” a few hundred times. And I also laughed at my own jokes. Lame. Oh well.

If any of you have some constructive criticism, please leave it in the comments below.

Hopefully this will bless whoever listens to it. You can listen here or download the MP3.

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Download the message on Colossians 4:2-18

Look up the verses

Colossians 4:2-18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah —for which I am in prison — 4 so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
   
7 Tychicus, a loved brother, a faithful servant, and a fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is with Onesimus, a faithful and loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.