wake up call

About two months ago when I came on board at Gateway Church I had our Children's director run a report on the number of 5th graders we have at Gateway. A couple days later he came back to let me know that within the last 30 days from that date we had 140 5th graders come to Gateway. Presently there is only one middle school service at Gateway. That service is at 12:30. We would be asking families after their 5th grader promotes up to come to our junior high service either two hours later or an hour later. 

 

In response to the impending boom we need to make that step a little bit easier. We need a least one more service but more than likely by the end of August we will have a middle school service at every hour. The reason there hasn't been a response like this in the past is because of our desperate need for more space. An interim space solution is being provided and a middle school exclusive space will be in the works. 

So, I have to think that with advanced planning, good promotion, and a sweet kick off we can capture at least 70% of that 5th grade group. I'm pretty stoked about for a couple of reasons. 

1. Your church families represent your base or foundation for growth.

2. The average age in Austin is 28. It's a young community. Those kids are going to grow up and we need to be the source for middle school connection.

3. If we just captured even 50% of that number every ear for the next six years our student ministry would be over 350 in attendance.

4. I want those junior high students to grow, serve, and reach out in their community to spread influence even more.

5. I think about people at our church that are looking to serve and can help junior high kids. Over the next 3 months 24 new leaders will be serving. That's off the chain!