What does a typical day look like for you?  Wake up early, get ready before the kids get up, play taxi, and the list goes on.  Next thing you know it’s 8:00 and it’s time for the kids to get to bed.  And the rhythm starts all over the next day.

Now, what would you like your typical day to look like?  Sleep in a bit, hang in your pajamas, spend time with your family, and the list goes on.  And you wonder…if only there were a day.  If only I had one day a week where I didn’t have to be somewhere first thing.  At this point you may be mentally looking at your calendar thinking, “there is no way”.

Have you ever thought about giving yourself and your family a break on Sundays?  A day to sleep in and just hang together – a true “family day”.  Try one of Central’s services on Saturday or Wednesday night. These services give you the same “Central Experience” as those offered on Sunday.

Go ahead, give yourself a break and give your family a Sunday.

Andrea Kessler
CentralKidz

As the dodge balls flew past my head this Sunday I couldn’t help but think I was going to die.  I have played dodge ball a few times in my life and I never remember it being this scary. I entered the game with my head held high and confidence in my team. My strategy was SIMPLE: run around and look as ridiculous as possible to distract the other team so the good players on my team could get them out. The best I can say about my plan is that it failed miserably, as I hid behind key players on my team and tried not to cry.  I never imaged that playing dodge ball with junior and senior-high students would be so intense. But it was! And we had a BIG turnout for it! We had around 120 kids involved, either playing dodge ball or watching the games! It was such a cool atmosphere and so cool to see new students there just to play! We had 22 new students this week which fulfills our purpose alone as a ministry! This excites me because they came the week after block party! We also had a total attendance between both services of 190 which is almost double our regular weekly student attendance at Summerlin! I am so excited for what God has done, is doing, and will do through all of our ministries this upcoming year.  God has truly blessed our mission here at Central and we can do nothing but be THANKFUL!!!

Emily Wood

Fuse Summerlin

Ok parents… I don’t fully get it but I do get it a little more. I will tell you that, up until approximately 9 weeks ago (when my daughter was born), I didn’t quite understand how difficult it is to be you! A parent! As I write this at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, there is a mom with a brand new baby who is screaming. I used to get angry with them for this, now I have sympathy… I want to tell her that I get it.

It takes a ton of stinking work to be a parent; I can’t even imagine how the teenage years will go! I share this with you because as we have said before, we are here to partner with you and to do this to the best of our ability; we need to understand where you are coming from. I imagine that with a teenager or a baby, sometimes we as parents just don’t have the answers, we need help. I want to remind you that at Fuse, at Central, this is a place to find help. This is a place that wants to partner with you to raise your child to love God and love others. We are here for you.

Derek Bareman

Fuse | Summerlin

KIDZPALOOZA, was a blast. At all four campuses Central Kidz celebrated kick-off weekend with a gigantic carnival event during service for the kids. There were many first time families that experience Central this weekend. Summerlin and Southwest had tons of kids and excitement. Weekends on Wednesdays launched its very first service. Henderson had over 1400 Elementary kids in attendance. Kidzpalooza was filled with games, prizes, candy, giveaways, carnival music and so much fun. I can still smell the aroma of pink and blue cotton candy and see the smiles on the kids faces.  One exciting moment from this weekend was the laughter from the kids as they watched a kid get the opportunity throw a whip-cream pie in the face of their favorite leader.

One of my favorite moments of the weekend was when a fifth grade boy came up to me and said, “I bought my friends!” His joy was so contagious as he was so excited to introduce the four friends he brought to church. This fifth grader understood the importance of reaching out to his friends and sharing his faith by inviting his friends to PLUG IN to Central.

This weekend in Central Kidz small groups begin with the “SKOOL WARS” series where kids will be learning how to make Wise Choices by treating others the way they want to be treated (Luke 6:31).

Michelle McLemore

Central Kidz

Last weekend was Block Party, a huge event that happened at all of our campuses to celebrate the kickoff to the new school/ministry year. Summerlin was a hit, Southwest had more brand new students than returning students, and Henderson was packed full of students and volunteers. There was food, music, inflatable games, and a ton of friends and community. It was so great to see students excited to be at church and excited to bring their friends to church too. This upcoming year, there’s Breakaway for Junior Highers, and Elevation for High School students, Insomnia, Summer Camp and a ton of things going on with Fuse Groups. It’s really refreshing to be able to start off a crazy year in such a good, healthy, and exciting way. I’m super excited to see all the work God is continuing to do in our ministry and to see all the work our students are doing in their schools this upcoming year!

Bradley Brittain- Fuse Junior High Intern

Laura’s recent blog post reminded me of a few different conversations I have had with PreK children or parents and how they’re relating to God.

One little man, as we’re listening to the song “Give Your Heart to Jesus”. He sort of rubs his chest furrows his brow and asks, “How do you give your heart to Jesus?” Without missing a beat, he asks, “When you give it to him, does he give it back?” This little guy, thought you literally gave your heart to Jesus.

Another sweet girl asked her mom recently, “Mommy, why didn’t you pray that I would be born earlier so I could be taller?”

I had a parent come up and say that their four-year old child has asked why Jesus died on the cross and she didn’t know what to say.

What do these sweet little conversations create? They create opportunity! What a wondrous door God has opened for you to talk with your child about Jesus’ love. I know that four-year olds have a million questions and sometimes their questions are overwhelming… you may not know how to answer in an age appropriate way or… you just may not know because you’re not that far in your own journey. Moms & Dads, you’re not alone. Whether your child is four or fourteen…. just a toddler or headed for college we’re here to walk along side you and help you answer those tough questions.

Each weekend of this new ministry year we’ll have take-home questions to sit down and discuss with your child. Make it a family event and if they give you a question that you’re stumped on… seek us out. We’re here to help!

Melissa Millwee
PreK Coordinator

When my oldest daughter was much younger (4 years old), we had an incredibly deep theological conversation one morning sitting at the breakfast table.  As she dipped her spoon down into her milk-covered cereal, she chatted on and on about her favorite things to do at preschool.  The deep theological stuff came later as she picked up her glass of milk.  She paused with the glass touching the edge of her mouth, turned her little blonde-haired, blue-eyed face to me and asked the following question, “Mommy, if Jesus lives in my heart, will he get splashed on the head if I drink this glass of milk?”  So what’s a mom supposed to say to that?  My first instinct was to burst out laughing at the “cuteness” of the question, but I didn’t.  We had a great conversation that morning, and then we had more after that which eventually led to her making a decision to call Jesus her Leader, Forgiver and Friend, a couple of years later.

I was reminded of something that morning.  Young children take things literally!  When you tell a young child that Jesus lives in their heart, they really think he lives in their heart!  Oh how a First Step for Kidz class would have been great to attend back then with my daughter.  First Step for Kidz is a class where kids (and parents) learn how much God loves them and that making Jesus their Leader, Forgiver and Friend is as easy as ABC.

What questions are your kids asking you about God?  Let us link arms with you on that journey.  Register your child for a First Step for Kidz class.  Check out the parent website for upcoming class dates and then sit back and enjoy the journey with your kids.  While you’re at it, enjoy a bowl of cereal with them in the morning!

Laura Murphy

Central Kidz

This past weekend marked a significant “finish line” and also some new beginnings in Central’s Junior High Ministry.  We officially said goodbye to Frank Tappe.  Frank has been on our Junior High Henderson team for 3 years and he’s made a huge difference in the lives of our leaders and students.  He is going to head up our Student Ministry on Wednesday Nights at Central.  He’s not leaving Central – but he is leaving “us” and we’ll miss him!  It has been a good process for our kids to see a solid leader transition with honor and dignity.  We’re excited to have Holly Skarpac take over Frank’s role on our team!  Holly is great and we haven’t missed a step during this transition.

Also this past weekend we had 61 junior high students make first time decisions to become Christ-followers!  It was an awesome thing to see!  If you’ve never seen our ministry in action, you should consider stopping by some weekend.  We meet in the Rotunda on Saturday nights at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 10:20 and 11:45am.  When you come, just talk to one of our leaders and let them know that you’re a guest.  Sit in the back and just connect with what’s going on.  Pray for us while you watch – pray for our kids!

Tony Schwartz

Fuse Junior High Henderson Director