Middle School Students

Middle School Students

Event
07/13/17

Sixth Grade Welcome Letter 2017

Dear New 6th Grade Parents,

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying summer! As the new school year is right around the corner, I wanted to inform you and your 6th grade student about the Middle School Ministry here at Parkside Church. We are all looking forward to the arrival of the incoming 6th grade class, as they will bring a fresh enthusiasm to the ministry that promises to energize the rest of the group.

First and foremost, I would like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Brandon F. Smith and I serve on the Parkside Pastoral Team. After graduating from Cedarville University in May of 2013, I was hired at Parkside Church as a Pastoral Intern. I served here as an intern for a year before transitioning to my current role on staff in August of 2014. Along with the other responsibilities I’ve been given as a Pastor, I have the privilege of directly overseeing the Middle School Ministry here at Parkside. I married my wife, Whitney, who also helps out in the MS ministry, in 2016 and the Lord has given us a home in Twinsburg. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve at a Christ-centered church like Parkside, and I love being a part of Parkside’s Youth Ministry.

It is my privilege to invite your son or daughter to Club JV beginning Tuesday, July 25, which will be a  special night of welcome for new 6th graders. Club JV meets regularly on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm at the Warehouse, which is located at 31200 Solon Road in Solon. Your middle-schooler will be challenged by the Bible, develop meaningful friendships, and have some fun as well.

When we reach the beginning of the school year, your student will have the opportunity to join a small group called Powerhouse. Powerhouse groups are led by our Adult Ministry Team members and meet the first Tuesday of every month in place of Club JV. The small groups gather in local homes from September through June. The intent of Powerhouse is to allow students to spend time together in a more personal and discussion oriented environment. Our hope is to challenge students to grow in the Lord and deepen friendships with other students.

During the school year (September through June) our students are also invited to  U-Turn, our Sunday morning gathering which meets each week in room B020 (directly below the Commons) during the 9:45am worship hour at Parkside Church. Again, our hope is that students will come to know and love Christ, devoting their lives to him and having a committed and vibrant faith. 

Enclosed you will find the middle school calendar for the summer. I encourage you to take note of the dates of the upcoming retreats and events, especially Mohican Madness. Mohican Madness is our annual camping trip which will be the first retreat that the 6th graders will have the opportunity to attend. I highly recommend it to all of our incoming 6th graders, as it will be a tremendous opportunity to make new friends and develop lasting relationships.  

There are several ways to remain updated on what is happening in the middle school ministry. Sign up to receive our email newsletter by going to www.parksidechurch.com/ms. We also keep that website updated with the most current announcements and events, along with a ministry calendar you can download and print off. Parents can also receive text message updates by texting ‘ParksideMS’ to 33733, follow us on Twitter @parksidems, or on Instagram @parksidems.

Our mission is to see unbelieving students become committed followers of Jesus Christ. It is the deepest desire of my heart to see every student that passes through our youth group come to know Jesus Christ in a personal and intimate way, and that they would find their identity in Him, and in Him alone. Jesus commanded  his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)  There are countless students in our neighborhoods, our city, and our community that have yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ who saves sinners. I pray that God will use us to reach out towards these lost students in a way that puts Christ’s love on display. I truly believe that God will use this youth group to make disciples if we make ourselves available to Him and His perfect will. 

The goal of this ministry is to come alongside you, the parents, in helping to encourage your student to grow in their relationship with Christ. Please partner with me in praying that God will make himself known to your student, and that He will do incredible things in and through the lives of these students. Thanks again for your partnership and involvement in our ministry. Whether it is on a Tuesday night, a Sunday morning, our Parent Potluck Dinner on August 25, or whenever the opportunity presents itself, I encourage you to stop in and say hello.  I would love to introduce myself to you in person and get to know you. 

In Christ,
Brandon F. Smith
bsmith@parksidechurch.com