Upcoming Fusion Topics

Dear Parents,

This year we have been discussion challenging topics in Fusion youth group including death, depression, self-destructive behavior and more. These “hot topics” are problems not only in our country today, but more specifically they are an issue and problem within the youth community. We want to make sure we are addressing these challenging issues that many youth deal with in a spiritual and Christ-focused manner as well as answer their questions.

In continuing to address these issues, we will be touching on two “sensitive” topics in the upcoming weeks. In the coming two weeks (April 19^th and 26^th), Assurance Care Service For Women And Girls will be coming and speaking to the middle and high school about two different topics. The first week they will be talking about their ministry to women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy. The second week they will be discussing abstinence.

I know that your students are already being taught in schools about these issues from a worldly perspective and I feel it is very important for us to be proactive in teaching our students the Christian view on these topics. We do not want to abuse the innocence of any of your youth regarding these issues, but we do want to be forward in talking about this from a Christian perspective before they are inundated by what the world says.

Assurance is headed up by our very own Cindy McDaniel (the wife of Discipleship and Outreach Minister Ken McDaniel). She will not be using any graphic images but will be showing images of things such as healthy unborn babies to help students realize the reality and truth of these issues. She will be forward but very discreet as she and her ministry team speaks on these issues to our middle and high school students.

This coming Sunday we will not separate the youth as Cindy talks about the ministry of Assurance. However, the following week we will separate the high school and middle school as we discuss the topic of abstinence.

For more information on the ministry of Assurance please check out their website at www.assurancecare.org .

Also, the following week (May 5) David Dicks will be talking about the very sensitive topic of addictive behavior, particularly pornography. We will be discussing this issue separately to the middle and high school groups. David has a great testimony and does a great job of helping youth understand the consequences of addictive behavior.

We encourage you to bring your youth to these upcoming weeks of Fusion, but also understand if you would rather address these issues in a different setting with your youth. Feel free to come along and sit in if you wish so that you can better understand some of the issues and continue the discussions started during our Fusion program.

Please read the letter below from David to get a better understanding of what David will be discussing.

Thank You,

Cody Shepherd, Youth Minister

Dear Parents,

Thank you for trusting me with your kids during Fusion. I have had a great time hanging out with the middle school crew and playing games. It has also been very rewarding spending time with the high school students and developing a relationship with them. Cody has been doing a series on hurts and self destructive behaviors over the past few months. Continuing this series, he has asked me to give a talk on pornography addiction and abuse. It is my belief that pornography represents the greatest threat to Christian families in the church today. I feel so strongly about this because of my own struggle and victory over porn addiction. You can read a brief summary of my story at www.m528.org .

I will talk to the middle school students and the high school students separately. In dealing with pornography, a general discussion of Biblically based sexuality in relationships is prudent for high school students but not necessarily for middle school boys. Young men in high school tend to take the subject more seriously than most middle school boys due to maturity. The basics of my talk will be communicated to each group but my presentation is geared toward maturity level.

This is a sensitive subject, which is why we feel it is important for you to know that we will tackle this issue. Over the past five years, the Lord has placed many men in my path that have struggled with this issue. The sooner a young man can begin to truly understand what porn can do to them, the better.

If you have any concerns or questions, please email me at dadicks@gmail.com or call me at 859-333-1184.

Thank You,

David Dicks