This Sunday in Indianapolis the New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.  It's sure to be a great game with great commercials!  I'm not so sure about the halftime show though-it's not 1985.   Either way, the Super Bowl is sure to be super, but it's not the only thing that will be super this February!

This month Crossroads' youth ministry begins a new teaching series titled "Playing with Fire."  We'll spend a few weeks exploring the topics of love, dating, and sex from a biblical point of view.  Everywhere our students go, our culture is screaming at them to date, fall in love, and begin having sex.  God says hold on a minute!  God says wait.  In a relevant and appropriate way, we'll open up the scriptures this month and explore God's plan for our "love lives."  We will be begging, yes begging, the students to have honest and long conversations about this with their parents so get ready!

And keep in mind, Winter Whiteout is just around the corner!  Middle school students retreat Feb. 10-12 and high school students retreat Feb. 17-20.  Winter Whiteout takes place at Camp Shamineau and you can still register here-Whiteout

Have a great week!

-Jake

This week our students are wrapping up a series titled "Against the Flow."  It has been a month long look at the book of James and his encouragement to stand out from the crowd and follow Jesus.  In James 3, James tells us that our tongues (our words) are very dangerous.  He refers to our tongue as a "flame of fire" and says it is full of "deadly poison!" His point?  Our words are powerful. They can be dangerous. They can build others up and they can tear others down.  Students, how deadly has your tongue been this week?  Are you building other people up, or ripping them apart?  Parents, how deadly have your words been this week?  Are you lifting your kids up, or cutting them down?  As goes our tongue, so goes our life.  Read James 3 for more!

Next month, we dive into a series we titled "Playing with Fire."  We'll be discussing God's plan for love, dating and yes, sex.  We believe God has a lot to say about these topics but too often we don't hear him.  And honestly, it's tough to hear him when our world is shouting about these issues.  And what they shout ain't all that great!  We'll see ya in February!

Please keep in mind, registration for Winter Whiteout is still open!  Register online at www.crossroadschurch.cc/whiteout.

Have a great week and come on out to Comedy Sportz at the Woodbury Campus tomorrow night, Friday January 27 at 7:00pm.  Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are still available!

-Jake

Well it's January in Minnesota.  Now you're depressed.  Sorry.  Maybe it's too cold to go outside and you're tired of sitting at home, so... join us for two awesome events!

High schoolers join us Friday night January 20 at Crossroads (Woodbury Campus) for the one.eighty lock in!  It costs just $5 and goes from 9pm Friday to 8am Saturday.  There will be food, movies, video games, and all your friends.  Don't miss it!

And for EVERYONE, don't miss Comedy Sportz Friday January 27.  Comedy Sportz is a hilarious improv comedy show similar to the TV show Who's Line is it Anyway.  It's interactive, family friendly, and a great way to spend a cold Minnesota evening.  The show starts at 7:00pm and tickets can be purchased at the door for $12 (adults) and $10 (students).  BUT, purchase tickets in advance at the youth booth this weekend and save $2 each!  You can also call me (Jake) at 651.294.7740 and reserve yours now at the discounted price.  All proceeds benefit our summer mission trips!

And as always keep in mind Fusion (Eagan Campus, 6th-12th grades) meets every Wednesday night from 6:30-8:00pm. HangTime (Woodbury 6th-8th) meets each Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm and one.eighty (Woodbury 9th-12th) meets each SUNDAY 6:30-8:30pm.  It's the best place to be each week so be there!

Have a good one and stay warm!

-Jake