(From the TLW website)

True Love Waits challenges teenagers and college students to make a commitment to sexual abstinence until marriage. Created by LifeWay Christian Resources, True Love Waits encourages moral purity by adhering to biblical principles. This youth-based international campaign utilizes positive peer pressure by encouraging those who make a commitment to refrain from pre-marital sex to challenge their peers to do the same.

(From Pastor Chris)

True Love Waits can be one of the most insignificant programs that teenagers can ever do. Insignificant because all too often, commitment cards are signed and purity tokens are given as a ritual that signifies a life of purity. However, purity is so much more than a ring. It is so much more than a 3×5 signed card. It’s more than a conversation, or a book ordered online. Purity is a lifestyle that begins in the heart through a sincere faith in Jesus Christ. It is taught through an 18 year conversation from parents, the type of conversation that never ends. It is emphasized through parental boundaries. It is practiced through wisdom in dress, actions, language, and choices. And it is demonstrated in all areas of life. Purity is so much more than a ring and a card.

In February, (the love month), I will teach a series on Purity to our students, explaining the things that I just wrote about. I will also be challenging parents to begin or continue to have the conversation about purity that is absent from so many families. Each week, families will be provided with a weekly discussion to assist in the efforts to promote purity. Those discussions can be found on my blog, chrispalmer.me. The final weekend in February, we will celebrate our commitments to Christ to live purely by a family dinner and an exchange of vows and purity tokens (links below). I trust that your family will join us in this Purity Revolution.

2012 True Love Waits Month

-Weekly discussion guides for families found on chrispalmer.me (released each Friday)

-Family Dinner (for 8th grade and older and their families): Saturday, Feb. 25th from 6-8pm. Details below:

$11/person. Please register by February 19^th (payment due with registration) Call office to register.

Dinner Buffet by Brocks: BBQ Pork and Grilled Chicken, Cole Slaw, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Steamed Vegetable Medley, Tea and Lemonade.

The purpose for this dinner is to explain the token ceremony, enjoy the fellowship of a meal together, complete Commitment Cards and receive a challenge from Pastor Chris.

-Purity Token Ceremony (for 8th grade and older and their families): Sunday, February 26, 10:30am

In preparation for our True Love Waits Weekend, the following resources are available to families:

1. A Ring Size Guide will be in The Bridge on February 5. This will assist anyone wishing to order a purity ring online. *The church is NOT taking orders for tokens, nor are we providing any tokens. The purchase of tokens is the responsibility of the family.

2. The following websites have tokens available for purchase: www.lifeway.com/tlw, www.silverringthing.com

Inclement Weather Dates: March 3 – 4, 2012

Updates can be found on our website, www.ironbridgeyouth.org or on our IBC Youth Facebook page.

Sunday Mornings:

Breakfast Workers: Pretty self-explanatory, I hope
Breakout Leaders: No prep necessary. Leaders can receive discussion questions in advance if they desire, or they can just show up and ask the questions that are assigned! Breakout begins at 10:40ish, and lasts for around 45 minutes. Leaders can help out once per month, or every month, depending on how often they choose. This is a great introductory level into the leadership of our student ministry.
Registration Table Workers: Assist in the checking in of students. Helps new students complete registration. Helps students register for baptism. Gives away/sells Bibles and other materials.

Wednesday Night:

Chaperones: monitor areas that students are hanging out. Ensures that students are acting appropriately and lovingly corrects them if needed. Great introduction into our small group ministry.
Café Workers: Self-explanatory. Great introductory role in the student ministry.
Small Group leaders: Provides high accountability during meeting and challenges students throughout the week to live for Christ through text msgs, FB, twitter, etc.
a. Small groups will consist of:
a. More indepth studies
b. Reports from students regarding their personal devotion time
c. Accountability questions
d. Prayer for each other
Outreach Workers: Provides transportation to and from outreach location if necessary. Serves as chaperone and worker during the scheduled outreach. Occurs monthly. Great introductory role in the students ministry.

Beginning Sept. 15, FUZED is moving to Wednesdays…….okay, okay. You may be wondering, “Why the move?” Well, we thought it would be easier for many of you who have younger siblings to attend, since AWANA is meeting on Wednesdays as well. FUZED will still have the same food, fun, and games, so don’t worry! Come on out beginning on Sept. 15, at the same time of 6:45pm.