Who Are They???

New Youth Pastors?


Im sure by now you've had some time to adjust to the "new people" coming in. Amanda and I are so excited to have been given the opportunity to be the High School Youth Pastors. We are totally dedicated to God's calling for youth ministry and are 100% committed to you! So, who are we? I (Shane) am 27 y/o with two daughters. I married my best friend from High School, Amanda. I received God's calling to youth ministry in 2008 and have been running wide open ever since that day!


A few facts about me:

• Passionate...
• Percussionist for 17 years
• I have been playing guitar for 15 years (bass and acoustic)
• Graduated from Central High School
• Certified Personal Trainer from UWG
• I like LOVE Music
• Avid Cyclist (road and mountain)
• Enjoy shooting firearms
• Outdoorsman, Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, etc

A few facts about Amanda:

• Plays the tambourine
• Graduated from Central High School
• Certified Cosmetologist
• UWG Graduate- Education
• Enjoy biking on the Silver Comet Trail
• Enjoys working out
• Youth at heart

What Do You Have to Offer?

Amanda and I are coming to you with quite a bit of experience leading and serving in youth ministry. But, most of all we have been led to you with a passion and drive that consumes us. God has spoken many visions to us about CSM as well for CSM. We are on fire for the Gospel and extremely motivated to see the Holy Spirit poured out on all of you! My desire for CSM is not only to lead and serve you all, but to raise up passionate leaders with a fresh vision that will reach this generation for Christ.

I am not one that stands still for very long... so buckle up and get ready for what God is about to do! Amanda and I are looking forward to getting to know you all better. We're bringing some fresh ideas, fresh visions and a passion that is bound to be contagious! We hope to inspire you all to lead others to Christ and make YOUR passion contagious.

It's On Now!

As once a student in a youth ministry myself I can completely relate to the journey you all have been on. When I was 13 years old, I remember going through approximately 3 or 4 youth pastors in a 2 year time period. Needless to say this was not healthy for the stability of our youth group. So, why am I telling you that? I'm telling you that to tell you this... Amanda and I are here to stay!

We do not "shop around" for the best youth pastor deals nor do we go out searching for "mega churches" OR "camp out" for a little while. We are led by God and the Holy Spirit's direction upon our lives. Philippians 3:13b says: and reaching forth unto those things which are before [ahead]. Amanda and I will never forget where we started/ came from... however, we never intend on staying there! Amanda and I desire a great freshness from the Holy Spirit and we intend on pursuing God's will and desire for our lives.

Inspire!

Our desire is to inspire you to have a hunger for God. We want you to CRAVE His righteousness and sanctification... and NEVER become complacent. Reach for the unreachable and desire the unobtainable! If you run after the flesh, you will get nasty dead skin... but when we thirst after the Living Water... we are filled continuously. Matthew 19:26 (NLT) says: Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

To Sum It All UP!

We are very excited to be apart of a new family and are looking forward to what God is about to do! Get on fire and fan the flames!

The Cross: The Believer's Motivation

Flickr; © All rights reserved, by fishfish_01 on April 9, 2009

1 Corinthians 2:1-5


Why the picture of a slingshot when we're talking about The Cross? Simply put... The Cross should be our Slingshot into a passionate relationship with Jesus!

Paul was single-minded in the message he preached. The cross was not only his primary subject; it was also his motivation for living. When we begin to understand all that Jesus did for us at Calvary, we, too, can receive fresh motivation to live for Him. For instance, we can...

Walk humbly before God. Since the power to live the Christian life is supplied by Christ, there is no room for pride. When Jesus died, our "flesh" nature was crucified with Him so that we could live in newness of life. Any success we achieve in living righteously or walking in obedience is possible only because He is working through us.

Serve the Lord faithfully. At the cross, we were placed "in Christ," and He is in us (Gal. 2:20). We are now His body on earth, created for good works which God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Jesus wasn't crucified so we could sit in pews each Sunday and listen to sermons. He has specific tasks for each of us to achieve during our lifetime.

Share our faith. Knowing all that Jesus accomplished at the cross should motivate us to share the gospel with others. This world is filled with hurting people who know nothing about salvation. Since their eternal destiny is at stake, how can we keep our mouths closed?

Too often we view the cross only as a past event that secured our eternal destiny, and we fail to see how it can motivate daily choices and activities. Stop to contemplate all that God is continually accomplishing in you though the cross. Let it be your motivation to live wholeheartedly for Christ.

The Cross: The Believer's Victory

1 Corinthians 1:17-31


From a worldly perspective, Christ's death signaled His defeat. After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. BUT IT WAS! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be victorious in life. Just consider what He won for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross.

Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation. Without it, we'd have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn't died in our place, we'd have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin we've ever committed.

Power over Sin: Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin; He also brought us present victory over it. When He was crucified, our old sinful nature died with Him (Rom. 6:6). The power of the "flesh" was broken, and Jesus now lives His triumphant life through us. That means we are no longer enslaved to sin and can choose obedience to God.

Defeat of Satan: At the crucifixion, the list of decrees against us was nailed to the cross, and the Devil lost his power over our lives (Col. 2:13-15). None of his accusations can stick, because God holds nothing against us anymore. And now every time we yield to the Spirit within us, Satan is defeated once again.

Christ met all our needs on the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live a victorious, obedient life.

The Necessity of the Cross

Colossians 2:13-15 NKJV



What does the cross mean to you?

photo © 2007 Doug1021 | more info (via: Wylio)

Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.

Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.

How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified?

Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.

Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was-- an instrument of execution. [Link to a post from Laura Ziesel] Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.

Please take the time to watch this video and meditate on what Easter really means!

Farewell Address

 Dear Fire 12:29 Student Ministry,

Four years ago our family embarked upon an amazing journey. Upon receiving God's call to Youth Ministry in 2008, Amanda and I didn't have any idea of what youth ministry was about. Starting off super green in ministry, the only reliance we had was that God had called us to this great ministry and He was going to have to equip us... or we'd fail miserably. We quickly moved into the roll as youth pastors at Temple Church of God- but were not as quick at developing relationships with all of the students.

"Why won't they just acknowledge our postion?", we'd often ask each other. As time moved on, Amanda and I struggled with what youth ministry entailed. "Do we take them on trips?" , "What do we teach them?" "Are we sure this is where we've been called?" These were just a few of the hundreds of questions we asked each other and ourselves. The longer we struggled with these questions the more frustrated we became... until God finally spoke into our lives and clearly said, "If I've called you, I'll equip you". From that moment forward we decided to dedicate our lives to this great ministry!

As time passed we became more comfortable with our calling and position as well as developing a trusting relationship with the youth of Fire 12:29. As anyone, that deals with teens and pre-teens, will tell you- they [teens] are not always the easiest to develop true relationships with. They've [teens] been through broken homes, battered emotions, broken promises, etc and are not always willing to "let you in" at first. But, we were up for all of the challanges that ministry had to offer. God has truly provided a grace and mercy for Amanda and I in this ministry.

As Amanda and I grew into the calling of our ministry, the youth group began to grow too. I'd be lying if I said we didn't have times of discouragement as well as the thought of leaving- but then again, who hasn't had those thoughts a time or two? It was our commitment to God and the students he entrusted to us, that kept our faith and fire alive. If you are a youth minister, you will rub many people the wrong way- but without the frictions there would be not motion. Combustable engines can not combust with out the spark and constant friction from the pistons, provided they are well oiled. Youth ministers, although you may "cause friction" at times- make sure it is not without the oiled anointing. We had to discern this at an early time in our ministry.

This journey has been most rewarding. Although the youth didn't grow into super spiritual Christians at first- Amanda and I had the gracious opportunity to help them grow into their spiritual jumpsuits. Watching them [Fire 12:29 Students] grow into the strong, maturing Christians that they are today has been one of the greatest rewards that God has allowed us to receive. We will never forget where we started- every rocket needs a lauch pad! You have encouraged us when we were tired and weary. You've made us cry, laugh and pray harder than we've ever done. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to lead you and teach you.

We are forever grateful for the mentoring, rebukes, encouragement and tears we've had at Temple and with the Fire 12:29 Students. Leaving you guys has been one of THE toughest decisions we have ever had to make. Know, that you will always be in our hearts and prayers and are always welcome to visit anytime.

From the bottom of our hearts, Amanda and I want to say a sincere Thank You!


Your former Youth Pastors,

Shane, Amanda, Connie & Carsey Tarpley

- Keep the faith and fire alive-