STUDENT MINISTRIES PARENT PACK

Middle School 2015 - 2016 Page | 1

CONTENTS Contact Information

2

Youth Pastor: Matt Koomen

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Leaders

4-5

Campaign – Deciding to Love

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Profession of Faith

6

Fundraising

6

Calendar

7-8

CONTACT INFORMATION Feel free to contact me at any time; I will always answer any questions you may have but if I don’t answer just keep reminding me. You can reach me anytime through the following ways: E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: Matt Koomen Cell Phone: (616) 886 - 2582 For information about upcoming youth group nights and events I will send out information through the following: E-mail: Constant Contact Facebook: Like our page – South Harbor Student Ministries Instagram: MattKoomen15 If you are not connected but would like to be just let me know so we can get you connected.

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YOUTH PASTOR: MATT KOOMEN My name is Matt Koomen and I have been attending South Harbor for just over 2 years now. I have been the Youth Pastor for a year, and was an intern with student ministries a year before that. I have also been able to start some great relationships with many of the students. Last spring I graduated from Kuyper College with degrees in Youth Ministry and Bible Theology. In my free time I enjoy being outside. I spend a lot of time hunting waterfowl in the fall and turkey in the spring. I also enjoy running, hiking, kayaking, boating, and skiing. More importantly, I have a passion for students. I grew up in a Christian family where my second home was the church. I went to cadets and youth group all my life, but it wasn’t until a special experience with my youth group that I finally made my parents faith my own. That is what I am trying to create. I am trying to create an experience for students to not only learn more about God, but make that commitment to Him. There is a huge difference between students knowing information about God and actually having a relationship with God. By equipping leaders to build relationships with students in small groups, through inviting new students to be a part of our youth group nights, and through serving once a month in our community, student ministries can help make that relationship with God possible. Therefore we will have 3 different types of youth group nights in each month. We will have what we call “In”, “Out”, and “Up” nights. The “In” nights are where students will gain community with leaders and other students through fun and interactive activities. “Out” nights are those where we will go into the community to serve. This can look like a block party, serving the homeless, or anything that shows the world the light of Jesus. “Up” nights are where we focus on going deeper in our relationship with God. This night will consist of music/worship, a message, and small groups. I believe by building relationships, being in small groups, and going out to do service, students will not only know more information about God, but they will be able to build their own relationship with God. Someone who is going to be working along-side of me is my wife, Jilynn Koomen. She is going to help make sure that everything is running smoothly with organizing events, making forms, and building relationships with the students. More or less, she is really helping me run the show behind the scenes. She is currently working towards her Masters of Social Work at Western Michigan. Jilynn enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, and crafting. She is excited to give students a great youth group experience like she was able to experience when she was in youth group. Matt Koomen

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LEADERS Kim Oppenhuizen 6th Grade Girls

John Oppenhuizen 6th Grade Boys

Jenn Rainer 7th Grade Girls

Travis Baar 7th Grade Boys

I have been attending SH for almost 4 years. John and I have 3 kids – Nate (25), Austin (20), and Ashlynn (16). We live in Hudsonville and I work at Royal Technologies. I am a Human Resource Manager which means I get to hire, fire, and help people (I enjoy 2 of the 3 ). Outside of my family and job I like to be outside – biking, hiking, running, walking the dog, kayaking, paddle boarding. I also like a good book! I am looking forward to serving in a new way this year! I am excited to work with the youth because I want to help young adults get connected in the church and build a lasting relationship with Jesus. Youth group was a big part of my upbringing and I hope SH youth ministries can impact the young adults at our church. I love the excitement they bring and passion they have. I hope and pray that I am able to be a godly example in their lives and a person they can trust and talk to. I look forward to getting involved in their lives and supporting their interests. I know I will learn to have fun from – I am sure I will get pushed out of my comfort zone and I can’t wait! I have been attending SH for almost 4 years. Kim and I have 3 kids – Nate (25), Austin (20), and Ashlynn (16). We live in Hudsonville and I also work in Hudsonville. I enjoy most all outdoor activities – biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and hunting are some of my favorites. I am a huge supporter of student ministries and have been involved as a cadet leader and recently involved in Transitions, a post high ministry at SH. Our students are the future of the church and our faith and they have so much to offer. I hope I can give back and share this experience with my wife.

My name is Jenn and this will be my second year helping with youth group at South Harbor. Before I came here, I was a youth leader with middle school students for 4 years and high school for 1 year. Right now I work full time at Farmers Insurance and go to school full time at Cornerstone University (business management). In what little free time I do have, I roller skate with the roller derby team on Grand Rapids. I have two cats named Fred and George. I'm excited to see what this year has in store for the students! I am currently working at GR Automation. My hobbies are boating, anything on the water, whether it’s floating, skiing, wakeboarding, or fishing. Also enjoy golfing, tennis, running, and watching college football. I have been attending South Harbor for 2 years. I am one of the many leaders in the transitions ministry and involved in the 4% group. I have very strong family values and I love spending time with my niece and nephew.

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Kendra Avink 8th

Grade Girls

Dale DeRoo 8th

Grade Boys

I work at CareLinc Medical, helping people get the equipment they need to heal. I take night classes part time at GRCC, working to get a degree in child education. On Sundays, you can find me hanging out with the preschoolers in the kid's wing and then hanging out with some pretty awesome middle schoolers at night. I'm excited to work with these students to help them grow a relationship with Christ and decide to love others! My name is Dale DeRoo and I am the proud uncle of Brandon DeRoo. I am a honored Spartan and enjoy watching anyone beat Michigan. I am 47 years old and work as the local ice cream truck driver. I am not yet married, but am currently on Farmersonly.com. My hobbies include long walks on the beach, bird and people watching in the park, and I am a renowned hippopotamus whisperer where I have learned to master the native hippopotamus noises. I enjoy student ministries because I love helping students grow in their faith. The end.

CAMPAIGN –

D E C I D I N G TO L O V E

This year we are deciding to love. Deciding to love came out of our mission work during youth week where students came up with something to fight for. We are doing this campaign to raise awareness to students and the broader community that we were put on this earth for a bigger reason. Along with the other harbor churches we will have messages that incorporate how students can decide to love in every environment. Through having youth group in the format of “In”, “Up”, and “Out” nights, the students will be able to be missional and build a community where they can learn how they want to decide to love. We encourage you as parents to challenge your students to decide to love in everything they do.

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PROFESSION OF FAITH We will be having a profession of faith class where students who are ready to make the next step in their faith can make that commitment to Christ. Students will be paired with a mentor to discuss questions about their faith and take part in a class where they learn what it means to be a part of the church. These classes will go for a period of 6 weeks and starts at the end of September. E-mail Matt for more information of if you student is interested.

FUNDRAISERS In order to reduce the cost of trips students go on, there will be some fundraising opportunities. Students will be able to work at different fundraisers throughout the year and they will be paid hourly. The money they earn will go directly to their student account which can be used for trips.

- Pig in the Blankets Students will have the opportunity to make Pig-in-theBlankets to sell to the South Harbor community. We will be making them:

NOVEMBER 7 starting at 9AM

- Valentine’s Dinner Students will be able to help make and serve a Valentine’s Dinner for the South Harbor community around Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned for more information on this event!

Do not let financial issues stop your student from attending a trip or event. We also have a scholarship fund set up for students who would not otherwise go on a trip. Please talk to me about how the church can come along side you and get the student on the trips.

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FALL CALENDAR Middle School Meeting Time: 6:15PM – 7:30PM

SEPTEMBER 13: Fall Kick Off

@SOUTH HAROBR

Middle & High School Combined 6:30-8:30 20: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

27: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

OCTOBER 4:

INnight

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

11: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

18: OUTgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

25: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

NOVEMBER 1:

INnight

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

8:

UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

15: OUTgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

22: RALLY

@ SOUTH HARBOR

29: NO YOUTH GROUP – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER 6:

INnights

13: UPgroup 20: OUTgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR @ SOUTH HARBOR meet @SOUTH HARBOR

27: NO YOUTH GROUP – Christmas Break

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SPRING CALENDAR - T E N TAT I V E JANUARY 3:

NO YOUTH GROUP – Christmas Break

10: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

17: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

24: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

31: INgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

FEBRUARY 7:

RALLY & Superbowl Party

@ SOUTH HARBOR

14: OUTnight

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

19- Winter Retreat - Middle & High School 21: Combined

@ CAMP GENEVA

21: NO YOUTH GROUP – Winter Retreat 28: INgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

MARCH 6:

UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

13: OUTnight

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

20: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

27: INgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

APRIL 3:

NO YOUTH GROUP – Spring Break

10: NO YOUTH GROUP – Spring Break 17: UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

24: OUTgroup

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

MAY 1:

UPgroup

@ SOUTH HARBOR

8:

INnight

meet @SOUTH HARBOR

15: RALLY & Summer Orientation

@ FAIR HAVEN Page | 8

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