At the end of September, we kick off small groups for students. Over 500 students and leaders will walk into houses all over the valley and do life together. They will hang out, have fun, but most of all, take steps to grow in their faith.

Life is busy. We all know that. Why is it important to make small groups a priority for your kids/students?

1. QUALITY FRIENDSHIPS.

Your student will become who they can hang out with. If you want to know which way your student is headed, look at their friends. Friendships are a huge influence in students lives, especially in high school. Small groups provide a place where students can meet and do life with quality friends that will help them make wise choices.

2. SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

Let’s face it, Central can feel BIG. Small Groups provide a place where a student is known and knows others. Sitting in a circle with a group of other students and a leader who cares about them is what God meant the church to be. Small groups provide connection and accountability, both critical for your student if they are going to take steps in their faith.

3. ANOTHER VOICE.

As students enter jr high and high school, developmentally, they are becoming adults. You will notice their desire to separate from you, as their parent, more and more. It can be frustrating!! It’s critical that they have other voices reinforcing your values and what you’re trying to do. At Fuse, we do not want to be their parent (that’s your job!!). But, we can partner with you to help your student navigate some confusing years. We are here to partner with you in the most difficult job a parent will ever have to face…parenting a teenager!!

As small groups kick off at the end of September, life will get busy. These are a few reasons why small groups matter. Getting your student connected and committed to small groups will make all the difference in their year. It’s simple to sign up. Just go to fusegroups.com.

Robert Poliszuk | Fuse High School Pastor

Although many private schools started the new school year, let’s not say goodbye to summer just yet. There were so many memories created at camp just weeks ago at UCYC. In listening to my own 6th grader, Jordan as he shares them with our family and friends I am certain they will last a life time. From the great talks with Chris on How Big Your God Is, Matt on Worshiping from the Heart and Tony sharing his own Life Living In Pursuit of 212. As for me having the privilege of being up at camp, its the wholesome fun environment that reminds our students (&leaders haha) that its ok to just be a kid, doing kid stuff, having kid fun in spite of what the world may imply or suggest to our students to grow up faster and faster with each generation. We’ll below you will find a link that will give you that peace and comfort in knowing that you’re student has those wholesome memories and encouragements they will carry with them as they walk the next school year with the Lord. Enjoy!
Marlene Hughett
Central Family Ministry Team

Summer Blast 4th & 5th Grade July 18-23
http://www.ucycsummer.com/456Wk6.html

Junior High Ignite 6th, 7th & 8th Grade July 30th-Aug 3rd
http://www.ucycsummer.com/678WkCentralMS.html

High School Ignite 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th & Grads Aug 4th-8th
http://www.ucycsummer.com/HSCentral.html

The school year’s end sent me running to multiple locations to find the “perfect” gift card that my daughter thinks fits her teacher. This
year, our eight-year-old, wanted to add a new person to the
buy-for-list. Every morning Kiara anticipates her drop off on the
street in front of school. It is there that she will meet Joe, her
crossing guard. Joe’s stature, beaming smile and constant radiant glow
create a protective grandpa figure right there at the crosswalk. Be it
rain or shine, Joe is on the street making sure the children safely
cross. Kiara insisted that Joe be given a special treat for all the days
he helped her. After a little investigative chatting with Joe, Kiara
discovered some of his favorite treats. The next morning, Kiara had a
definite bounce in her step as she handed Joe his present. They were
both beaming ear-to-ear with mutual appreciation. At that moment, I was reminded how many times I overlook people that make a difference. I promised myself to pass on this random act of kindness. Think of someone that you can celebrate this week, someone who wouldn’t expect it. School is going to start again, challenge your kids to make it count- make a difference! Then relish in the happiness that it brings!

Kim Trethewey
Central Kids

I wanted to give you a taste of one of the evening sessions at Ignite and to feel the energy, excitement, and what God is doing in the lives of students this week. It’s been such an awesome week so far!! Can’t wait for the last two days. Click on the link below.

Robert | Henderson High School Pastor

Evening Session

Today as I was riding on a school bus full of high school students who were belting out a Kelly Clarkson song loud and off key I thought to myself, “This camp is awesome!”

My particular group of students was on our way back from an off-site kayaking trip during our rec time this afternoon.  Kayaking is one of many activities offered to our students during rec time each afternoon.  If your son or daughter isn’t kayaking they might be climbing rocks or rock walls.  They might be doing cannonballs into the pool or trying to dunk in pool basketball.  They might be throwing footballs or throwing dodgeballs.  They might be getting bruised with paintballs.  OUCH!  To say it simply, camp is fun!  When your student returns on Sunday, make sure to ask them their favorite free time activity.

I need to finish typing so that I can hop back into the auditorium to participate in our evening worship service.  I can’t wait to worship with these students again and hear our second message of the day on the topic of Biblical community.  This is a crucial message for Christ-followers or every age, but teenagers specifically.  High school can be tough and God did not intend for us to go through it alone.  My prayer is that this week of Ignite will serve as a catalyst to get students into dynamic, Christ-centered friendships.  As parents, you can help make this happen by getting your students to church and signing them up for a Fuse Group when the school year starts back up.

Matt Vairetta

Student Pastor- Southwest Campus

Here are some photos that capture many of the images from day 2.

Here are some photo highlights from Day 1.

Six buses and 6 hours later, we arrived at UCYC safe and sound!! We just finished our first session and students are already on zip lines, playing dodgeball, and swimming. You can feel the energy in the air!! Students seem so excited to be here.

We will be posting throughout our time here, so check back for the latest.

Robert (High School Pastor | Henderson Campus)

Everyone knows how rewarding a good deep breath can be, right? At the right time, it can melt tension and make the world seem blissful. Summer is often a time of deep breaths. You know those times when you put aside responsibility, get away from distractions and you just let yourself be. You can feel how each breath seems to shed weight you’ve been carrying on your shoulders. Vacations are a perfect example. You suddenly find a version of yourself you forgot you had, and you think “I could get used to this.” Having just gotten back from 4th-5th grade camp I can say camp is another example. For many of you parents who have sent or are sending your child to camp, I know camp will be a deep breath experience for them. There is something so profound about being smack dab in the middle of God’s beautiful creation, away from electronics and noise. It makes you take in life, breathe in God’s goodness, relax into His arms, and remember all the good stuff about your life and yourself, even while God is simultaneously doing surgery on your heart.

Probably makes you say, “I could use that!” Well, my sincere hope is that YOU DO get to have an experience like that this summer. Whether it is a vacation you’ve taken, or a solitary weekend where someone else keeps your kids, everyone needs to take a deep breath now and then, and as parents, you fully deserve it! As relaxing and calming as deep breath moments are, they are actually more important than just that. Scientifically, a deep breath does wonders for your body. A deep breath gives your lungs the ability to oxygenate every blood cell in your lungs, cells that travel to the rest of your body. Only deep breaths push your lungs against your diaphragm which in turn helps your diaphragm push back against your lungs to exhale toxins. A deep breath lowers your heart rate, which helps regulate blood pressure, and I could go on and on about the supposed benefits. But, the fact of the matter is this: in your life, as a parent, you need deep breath moments for more than blissful purposes. God uses these times as a way to reset you & keep you healthy; reminding you of God’s goodness, aligning your life with His, and reminding you of the ways you appreciate your family.

If you haven’t had any good deep breath moments in awhile, there’s approximately 4 weeks left in summer! Get some, and if anyone questions you…you need it for medical and spiritual reasons!

Heidi Sandifer

Central Kidz

Colassians 4:2-4 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.”
Tony, continued to talk to us about being unleashed for God. Listening for the Holy Spirits leading to when He puts opportunity in front of us living in pursuit of 212. Opportunities can happen anywhere, at school, at Aunt Betsy’s family dinner, on a plane, at a baseball game.
We have so many tools that can we can reach for when God puts us in these places. Every Christ follower has the Holy Spirit, Prayers, An Unreal Church, Having a One Life, First Step and the truth of God’s Word.
Tony challenged students to think about God using them to make a difference in the places we live life at 212.
What a night of encouragement for students to take home back to Vegas. Where they can continue to grow closer to their BIG GOD, building an authentic life of COMMUNITY with other believers, WORSHIPING Him from the heart, as they allow God to use them to make a difference in His name through EVANGELISM. All the while living a life in pursuit of 212!