One who has defended himself from Satan’s disguised tactics is Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Senior Pastor, Bob Coy. Shepherding a mega-church of over 20,000 people and being husband and father all at the same time cannot be an easy task. Yet Pastor Bob is filled with a power that pales in comparison to all others—that which comes from having an intimate relationship with the Most High God. Recently, he took some time to talk to us, and here’s what he said…

DG: As the pastor of Calvary Chapel for almost 25 years now, how have you maintained the fire in your faith to wholeheartedly serve the church?

PB: God is eternally exciting and He’s always acting in new and dynamic ways.  That’s just who He is.  His fire never goes out, and the key to maintaining the fire in my faith personally and in my service in ministry, has been to simply stay close to Him.  When you’re connected to God, when you’re abiding in Him, then it’s His fire that’s going to fuel your faith and everything that you do in His service.

DG: How must a CCA student guard against apathy in his or her walk with God to ensure that ministry and service is a lifestyle and not just a list responsibilities?

PB: Keep it real!  Stay absolutely sincere and transparent with God.  A lot of times I think we’re under the impression God can’t handle or understand where we’re at.  He can and He does, and we just need to trust that.  We need to honestly express what’s going on in our hearts to Him, whether it’s anger, temptation, disappointment or even doubting His existence.  He can handle it, and when you open up this way with Him we keep things real and protect yourself from spiritual apathy.  And when your walk is strong, your service will naturally follow.

DG: Being the leader of both a family and a church, how have you determined where your top priorities lie and have you found it difficult to follow them?

PB: Again, it all goes back to my relationship with God.  He’s the one who provides the wisdom and perspective that has ordered my priorities over the years.  I learned a long time ago that God knows more than I do, even when it comes to myself!  So I depend on Him to show me how to prioritize the relationships and responsibilities that He’s brought into my life.  And because it’s coming from Him, it’s always right and reliable.  Has it been difficult?  At times, but I’ve also found God’s grace to be more than sufficient when I’m following His lead.

DG: What are the dangers of overcommiting one’s self? even in seemingly harmless areas such as ministry?

PB: In ministry, the danger is that you can become an imposter.  When you take on more than the Lord has actually called you to, you fall into the trap of talking about Jesus instead talking to Jesus.  That can only last so long before burn-out sets in.  Outside of ministry, you fail to fulfill God’s higher calling on your life when it comes to your family.  God can change where a person ministers, but family is forever.  I will always be responsible to pastor my wife and children, and I’m not doing any good if I forsake that calling by overcomitting myself.

DG: Why do you think many students experience burnout from their involvements in ministry, school, and social activities?

PB: I honestly believe it all stems from 2 things.  First, not really praying about what God actually wants them involved in.  And second, engaging in more events and activities than He’s called them to.  The Lord doesn’t want to burden or burn us out, and is we find ourselves in that condition, then it means we’ve run through a red light somewhere.

DG: What advice would you give to CCA students who struggle with balancing their spiritual walk, academics, and extracurricular activities?

PB: This is going to sound simplistic, and I want it to…the best advice I can give to anyone is to develop a real intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.  Get familiar with what it means to hear His still-small voice inside your heart by being in the Word on a consistent basis, because that’s how He primarily speaks to us.  When you get that going, you’re going to find it a lot easier to be led by Him.  And when you’re led by the Spirit you’ll find the balance you need, and be able to by-pass the things that the Lord just hasn’t called you to.

DG: As CCA continues to excel in areas of academics, fine arts, and sports, what must we do to ensure that the school’s main focus of spiritual discipleship still plays the number one role?

PB: By being disciples.  By understanding that CCA is only going to become a bigger version of what’s happening in the individual lives of the students and faculty.  When discipleship is happening outside of school, I believe discipleship is going to happen in school.  If it’s who we are, then it’s what we’ll do.

With almost the same feeling as a senior in high school entering college, eight graders are hit with daily challenges in becoming ready to go into the new section of education, becoming a good example for the rest of the middle school, and keeping themselves connected with God in every way they can. They are growing much more mature and ready to conquer all obstacles, and are the leaders of middle school at CCA. With all these responsibilities, it’s no question why they are so nervous and thrilled for next step in their school career.

For an eighth grader at CCA, responsibilities are bumped up a notch. Because they are older, they are expected to do everything in a quicker and better way than the rest of the middle school. They have midterms and final exams, unlike the rest of the middle school. In essence, things are a lot more challenging. But one of the most important responsibilities is to keep a close relationship with God, and to make sure they are good role models for the lower grades.

“We have to make sure we are God’s light for the grades below us,” said eighth grader, Cassandra Cammarano. “We have to represent Christ in everything we do and say.”  But are they successful?

“It is evident that they love the Lord through their actions and attitude toward others,” says Micky Moore, CCA’s middle school guidance counselor. “They are respectful to their peers and elders, hold friendships dearly, and also maintain good grades.”  This blend molds them into great leaders.

“Many of our eighth grade students realize that they are in a position of leadership in the middle school,” explains Secondary Assistant Principal, Michael Ellis. “I feel that these students do their best to glorify Christ through their relationships and personal walk with Him.”

Still, there are challenges and obstacles in this journey. Let’s face it, that’s just part of growing up. According to Ellis, the challenges of balancing acceptance of their peers with living out the Word of God is something that all students can struggle with, and eighth graders are not immune to that. The good news is that “CCA provides for them an environment that is essential in cultivating their faith with like-minded peers that encourage them to live out their faith on campus, as well as when they are out in the world,” says Ellis. 

So with keeping their grades in check, their minds fully open, and their hearts and consciousness open to God, each day that passes brings our eighth graders closer to high school. In the meantime, Ellis says, “They are making strides to be prepared for that next level spiritually academically, and socially.”

Just imagine how much time and detail was spent in planning the perfect outfits and preparing for each event to make this year’s Homecoming a futuristic success. Senior Stephanie Taylor comments with a laugh of excitement, “I had to raid thrift stores, attack every single mall in South Florida, and practice my dance moves in front of the mirror.”

To kick off the exhilarating week, students came into the cafeteria Monday morning dressed as stars from 20th century TV shows for “Rewind to the Past” day. Former black and white TV shows such as “I Love Lucy,” “The Addams Family,” and “The Mickey Mouse Club” came alive again in color as dressed-up students paraded through the hallways. On Tuesday, students were given the opportunity to “imagine the future” and dress according to their ideas. Students came to school dressed in stellar, innovative clothing with hopes of impressing the judges.

The annual “Class Spirit Day” came next which took place yesterday. Each grade arrived at school wearing their class homecoming shirts and, later in the afternoon, participated in the competition events from 12:45 to 1:15. The long-awaited powder puff football game began immediately after. The girls and guys switched roles as the girls slapped on the war paint and the guys grabbed their pom-poms to cheer on their lady classmates.

Today, students turned the clocks back as early as primitive, cavemen times. Dressed in different time periods for “History is Back” day, the Freshmen represented medieval times, the Sophomores “Roaring ’20s,” the Juniors “Stone Age,” and the Seniors “Wild West.”

The school week will conclude tomorrow with “School Spirit Day” when students will be covered from head to foot in blue, gold, and white and will display school spirit for their Eagles. The Homecoming pep rally will take place at 1:00 to pump up the fans and football players before they go out to play American Heritage-Delray at 3:30 on the West Field. Senior CCA football player, Dominick Pierre shares his high hopes for the approaching game, “It’s definitely going to be a tough game but we should come out on top because we’re more unified as a team this year and more connected with God.”

Think it ends there? Well, think again for the fun isn’t even close to being over! As a final ending to the adrenaline-packed week, the Homecoming Social will take place at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North from 7:30-11:30pm on Saturday night. The night will be filled with refreshments, dancing, and the crowning of the Senior King and Queen. So hang on to your cowboy hats and javelins as Homecoming 2009 continues to blast back to the future.

At first take, the only sounds we hear are the crickets chirping loudly while sea gulls from a nearby beach lazily fly overhead. In the places where the canopy breaks with a space, between two trees, dangling a few feet off the ground, I see a gigantic, yellow and black spider hanging a couple of feet above our unsuspecting heads. I stop in mid-stride, and yell, “SPIDER!” Nothing can energize teenagers—especially girls—more than the cry of danger averting us from a critter crawler looming overhead.

I would have never guessed how symbolic that spider would become to the spiritual lesson we would learn at the Eighth Grade Retreat last Thursday, October 8, at Spanish River Park, in Boca Raton. As our buses rolled onto the park, our eighth grade class got more than just a taste of nature, but a real spiritual retreat that would help refocus ourselves with the Lord, and connect more with one another—as a class and as a group. Teachers, parents, and even Middle School Vice Principal, Mr. Michael Ellis, accompanied us on our little getaway, but it was our Middle School Youth Ministry leader, Josiah Graves and Pastor Topher Harrison, who did much to encourage us with their devotions. We were prompted to think about all the things we had learned about the Bible and our faith since elementary school. We were challenged to share the truth about what we know with those people who don’t know anything about Jesus—to be bold about our faith, to be “dangerous” for Christ.

Some of us felt convicted for not being as bold as we should have.  It was a harsh reality for us to stop and consider the fact that it would actually be selfish for us to not tell people about God and His Son, who was sent here to save us from death and give us eternal life. If we actually know, believe, and understand what hell is, and realize that many people will go there if they don’t make the right choices in life, then it is our duty to share the Gospel. But for many of us, it was also reassuring to hear that the work of sharing the Gospel will not be complete in middle school or even in high school. This is, after all, not only our school’s mission, but also the mission of our lives. Still, are we ready to do the work? And better yet, are we willing? I could see that question reflected on my peers’ faces—a reflection I know too well.

Like most teenagers, I’ve had my share of excuses; it’s easier that way. It’s easy to say that I’m fine the way I am, or that I’m not really qualified to teach others. I, like most of my peers, may even convince myself saying, “I’m just not the right person to go out and tell people about Jesus.” Yes, I guess it’s easier to say or do nothing. But, that’s not what God wants us to do. He wants us to be bold—to be dangerous for Christ by telling others about Him and showing them what love really is all about.

This eighth grade retreat was a lot of fun. We had relay races with hoola hoops and tennis balls. We had as much pizza and free time as our teachers would allow, and although the half hour we enjoyed by the seashore left us wanting for more of the surf and sunrays—that time was nice, too. As I watched the buses roll away from Spanish River Park, I kept wondering what I was going to write about for this article—an assignment that I had been commissioned for and had been willing to accept. And that got me thinking…

I remembered some of the last words that Jesus left us with over two thousand years ago. His words were dangerous and revolutionary. They had the power to change the world. And so, I thought about it. And then, the realization came. Thinking about it is just not good enough, not anymore. That’s for little kids. We’re eighth graders now, moving into a new season of our lives. A season that demands action, not just thought. It’s a daring thought, I know. To be dangerous for Christ requires courage, commitment, and belief.  The courage to be bold and share the Gospel with the world. The commitment to do it when we don’t feel like it. And the belief to do it simply because Jesus commanded us to do so. 

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” –Matthew 28: 19-20

There is a dual, give-and-take aspect of a graduation that is not always readily recognized. Just as a wave has the power to mold and shape the shore line, each class has the ability to effect their school during their high school career. But a wave also, as it is pulled away from the shore by an unstoppable force, takes bits and pieces of sand and shells with it; and each senior class is presented with that same opportunity come graduation; now is the time when they can, as they are pulled away into something so much bigger, take vital pieces and fundamental truths from CCA with them forever.

The senior class of 2009 has always strived to impact CCA; to imprint, mold, and shape just as a wave can. As a senior who has been a proud member of her class for the past seven years,
I can remember countless class meetings and “pep talks,” inspiring this group of 67 to passionately strive to leave a mark, but not just any mark, but one that changes thinking, that motivates others. A mark that changes injustice to justice, and a mark that always points back to God. Yes, if I had to pick an inspirational, behind-the-scenes driving force for this group of seniors it would be 1 Timothy 4:12, “ Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.”

Focusing on our legacy has been a theme interwoven throughout our senior year. This focus can not only be seen as the title of our yearbook this year, but it could be heard in our class meetings and get-togethers throughout the year. Ultimately, it has always been our hope and prayer that the theme of legacy could be felt throughout CCA.

Clearly, the class of 2009 has done much to shape their shore during the past four years, and it is our hope and prayer that our efforts have inspired underclassmen and faculty alike. And as we must rush away now, only time will tell which grains of sand we will take with us from CCA—but one thing is for certain, we will never forget the shore we did so much to shape.

(A Student’s P.O.V.)

The seventh grade class enjoyed educational, spiritual, and just plain amazing fun on this “totally awesome” two-day trip on the Joshua Expedition tour in Key Largo, with tour guides Tate, Kim, and Michael on May 7^th and 8^th.

We had a blast on the Shallow Bay Exploration, as well as kayaking and squid dissecting. Yes, squid dissecting. On the first day of the trip after arriving, Mr. Michael Ellis and Mrs. Laura Quinn, the trip’s group leaders, separated us into three groups: Groups A, B, and C.

Group A went on the Shallow Bay Exploration, where we received nets and buckets to catch “critters” on the shallows of a small beach where we caught multiple crabs, mollusks, jellyfish, and even a puffer fish! Student Jenna Slade, or “nature girl,” as her friends commonly called her on the trip, caught a puffer fish that was swimming by some sea sponges.

Meanwhile, Group B went kayaking; where many of us hadn’t gone kayaking before. Let’s just say it was a very wet experience for some; and for those who were quite relaxed in their surroundings, they got to salute the fallen kayaks and the students scrambling to get back in.

In the shallow water, some people in Group A saw a nurse shark cruising in the water. Tate, one of the tour guides, had told us about how the red mangroves were his favorite out of the white, red, and green mangroves, because in order to get the salt out of the leaves, one of them had to die so the others could live. Now doesn’t that sound familiar? Could it be like how Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could live? Everyone thought that was a pretty cool story and it opened up conversations along the way.

Back on shore, near the picnic tables, Group C was left with the task of dissecting a dead squid with Kim. Our job was simple, but a bit smelly. Without receiving any gloves, but given a knife, scissors, and a pair of tweezers, we went to work; some of us better than others. The rest is, well, like a picture from a girls and guys book on science: boys signing on to dissect the giant squid while some of the girls were making faces and saying, “Oh, gross!” But really, most of the girls behaved admirably considering the scientific specimen.

Later, we were allowed to swim freely in the small beach were we goofed around playing games. “I think it was great as social walls were taken down,” said science teacher Ms. Castagna. “I loved observing the volleyball circle of about thirty kids that formed naturally in the water that day. There was a sense of unity.”

After all of our groups had rotated and had time to swim and have lunch, we were taken back to the hotel to shower and have dinner. After that, we got on the buses again to go view a live feeding frenzy involving many tarpon, sharks, and even sea gulls that were getting a little too close to the snapping tarpon. The hungry fish were just out of reach as the sea gulls swooped down and back up again, not getting any fish. I guess it’s tough being a sea gull. 

That night we were to go to the hotel pool for swim tests in preparation for what was to come the following day. Everyone passed the test with “swimming colors.” Later we were able to hang around in the pool and listened as Tate shared a small devotion about the marvelous things in creation. 

Waking up at five-thirty in the morning the next day, was no easy task; but everyone seemed to be ready for what proved to be an amazing day out on the ocean. Our group was divided into two boats: The Dolphin and The Sundance.  And in no time we were all snorkeling in the ocean where barrier reefs were about ten to fifteen feet below. There we saw Jesus—a statue that is. It was covered in fire coral except at the hands, where we were allowed to touch. “Only the hands,” Tate told us. “Or else you’ll have a very religious experience.” Seventh grade history teacher, Mrs. Larson took that as her cue and decided not to go down to see Jesus because she said, “I touch Him everyday!”  

As our field trip was coming closer to an end, we were taken to two different shops to buy souvenirs and Mother’s Day presents for the upcoming Sunday. There, we also enjoyed drinking milkshakes and feeding tarpon, where some of the guys got a bit too close and personal with the four-foot long fish. Luke Niles, a student that went on the trip, was bitten by one of the tarpon and had just one thing to say, “It got me.” Seventh grade Bible teacher, Mr. Collins said that it just felt like a bad scrape when he was also bitten. “That Mr. Collins not only stuck his hand in a fish, but lived to tell about it,” said Mrs. Larson with a chuckle.

Late Friday afternoon, the group saw their venture to the Keys come to a slow stop as they were sent back to the buses for an almost quiet ride back home. Some feel as though they never went at all, as the two days went by so quickly. But even though going back to school the next Monday proved to be an exercise that perhaps brought mainland Florida to an extreme focus, leaving the Keys in a distant memory—it will not be one quickly forgotten by any of us.  

She Said, She Said…

(A Teacher’s P.O.V.)

The Keys. Class trip. Mother-teenage daughter bonding time. Enough Said. Nothing gets a teacher and an ocean lover at that, rushing harder to get her beach tote and suntan lotion out than a call to chaperone her daughter’s seventh grade class trip to the Florida Keys. Although getting up at four o’clock in the morning wasn’t too cool, the anticipation of the days ahead packed enough adrenaline to see us all leave the Calvary Chapel gates on time by 6:00am to begin our adventure.

The assignment was simple: keep the students safe, and make sure they have a good time while maintaining good behavior. And the itinerary that came with those orders? Taking a note from my daughter’s journal—”totally awesome.”  Snorkeling, kayaking, squid dissecting… wait, squid dissecting? The thought brought me back to my own high school science class—a classroom memory I had no desire to repeat. “You don’t need to touch the squid,” affirmed high school science teacher and trip coordinator, Laura Quinn at the chaperone’s meeting a few days before we left, and her word was good enough for me.

So, with two school buses, a van and a truck as part of our road trip caravan, we were on our way to the Florida Keys to explore God’s creation. Maybe it’s the whole idea of a road trip that gets kids all excited and adults carefree, but in a matter of minutes the buses were ignited with pure synergy. “I loved the fellowship and bonding that took place between the students, parents, and teachers,” said middle school science teacher, Holly Castagna. “Everyone seemed to get along and new friendships were made.” And that very well describes what happened during those two glorious days of our “sweet getaway.”

Middle school Bible teacher, Marty Fanning, was driving our bus and as we got to Key Largo, all we could see on either side of the road were clear, warm, impossibly blue-green waters. Boy, could God paint or what! “The trip was laced with creation lessons and an evening devotion,” commented Holly, who was happy to see her classroom lessons alive in this way. “We are currently doing a chapter on oceans and to talk about the coral reef one day in class and be swimming in it the next is amazing!”

Holly, along with the other teachers saw that it is good from time to time to get out of the school’s four walls and go on a field trip. The Joshua Expeditions crew provided a great “classroom to the field” experience. Terri Yeago, one of the parents who chaperoned the trip saw God doing a marvelous thing in the lives of our students as they listened and learned from the tour guides. “Of all the trips I’ve taken since 3^rd grade, this by far, was the best. The three guides from Joshua Expeditions really made the difference. Their knowledge was like none I have ever experienced before. Each time they spoke to teach the kids about the subject, they emphasized God’s creation in it. In addition, they would make it fun and test the kids about what they had just learned to re-emphasize it.”

The kids had fun but so did the adults. As the night began to fall and the students were taking their swimming lessons in the pool, deep conversation among the adults began to surface. The main topic: Key Lime pie. I mean, you just don’t go to the Florida Keys without eating authentic Key Lime pie. This pie is considered the official pie of the Florida Keys. Aficionados of key lime pies argue that the filling of authentic key lime pie is a light yellow and science and Bible teachers alike were about to prove this hypothesis.

So, with nothing but good intentions, on this quest went Marty Fanning, David Collins and Holly Castagna. After driving for miles, they stopped at Mile Marker 100—where they found a little shop about to close down for the night. Marty went in first with one mission in mind as he asked, “Pie?” The three workers raised their eyebrows almost in sync, perhaps wondering if this man had lost his marbles on the way in. Hardly undefeated, Marty proved again, “Pie?” to which one of the waitresses folding the neat paper napkins for the next business day replied, “Sorry, we’re closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.” 

Marty came closer and said, “Money is no object, I assure you. We have traveled very far for your Key Lime pie…pie?” The waitress stepped back with eyes wide open, but after a moment of silence she conceded, “Okay, how many do you want?”

“We want two pies,” quipped Marty, while David and Holly stood motionless nodding their support, afraid to add a single word lest they were escorted out the door without the pies. As it turned out, the waitresses prepared the pies with whip cream on top and Marty and his team walked out tall with big smiles on their happy faces. As they arrived back at the hotel, they gathered the adults who listened to the story, as told by David with pure “mission impossible” flair. The adult chaperones were spotted crying and clutching their sides from laughing so hard. This chaperone still has a twitch on her side from that night’s comedy relief.

Something else left us smiling the next day. As we were about to return home, we stopped at this place called Robbies, where students got a chance to feed some fish, drink delicious, cold smoothies and shop around the small kiosks. One of the clerks of the shops asked us how many students had just gone through. When we told them 70 plus students had just gone by, they began to applaud the kids and told them what good kids they were. “Momma Larson was proud,” said middle school history teacher, Beverly Larson, and of course, we had to tell them to check out Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and Pastor Bob’s sermon online! Making disciples is this school’s mission, and we were now on the mission field.

Two days in Key Largo were simply not enough, as there is so much to explore and discover in God’s awesome creation. The charm of the Florida Keys and the local flavor and feel was not lost on anyone, either. And as we stood there, taking a group photo of the students, laughing with them over a fallen flip flop into the ocean (you had to be there)… the sights and sounds of the Keys were already beckoning us to come back, perhaps with next year’s seventh grade class…maybe sooner.

Coming to a new school is hard enough, but imagine what it would be like to be the new kid at a new school your senior year. This was the experience of Kim Agarth who graduated with Calvary’s first senior class and is now a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. After coming back from a life-changing missions trip to Bangladesh last summer, Kim allowed her academic interests to be redirected by the Lord. Currently majoring in International Relations, Kim explains what God has in plan for her future, “I’ll be leaving San Diego for a semester next fall to study global trade and economics at Peking University in Beijing.” Even though Kim was only at CCA for one year, her legacy is still remembered for leading the Varsity Girls Volleyball team to Regional Finals in 2006, her godly example to underclassmen, and her immeasurable impact she had on the high school as a whole.

For Jesse Lash, college has been a quite different experience, taking him on twists and turns he never expected. The youth worship leader, 2007 valedictorian, and football star is currently at University of Florida and is involved with many programs and events. Besides starting the Gator Skim Club, he has also founded a non-profit association, the National Collegiate Skim Boarding Association and works for Red Bull as the student brand manager on campus. After getting a taste of the typical “college life” freshmen and part of sophomore year, Jesse’s eyes were opened to his foolishness and how God’s heart just broke over his sinful behavior. Jesse comments, “The most amazing thing was that even through the times when I was farthest from Him, I always saw Him looking out for me and helping me to accomplish all of the things I have. It’s amazing to look back and see God’s favor so much in the things I’ve done in college.” Just getting back after a missions trip to Guatemala and growing closer and closer to the Lord one day at a time, God is definitely not through with Jesse Lash as many opportunities still lie ahead.

A passion for drama, a heart for ministry, and an abounding love for God, is what drives freshman Tim Davis to accomplish so much in so little time at Taylor University. Already involved in three theater productions and majoring in Biblical Literature, Tim is so excited for the future and to see what God has in store for him. Tim explains, “Next year I have the honor of being a discipleship assistant on my floor and I am thrilled about that. This year has opened my eyes to a lot of things about myself and has been a great experience.”

Another alumnus, Ashley Grebe, is loving college at Liberty University and is currently a sophomore studying Psychology with a specialization in Counseling and a minor in Women’s Ministry. Ashley is finding that counseling is where God wants her to be and also where her heart is; she is involved with a middle school ministry and is a great role model to eighth grade girls. Her time at CCA was likewise spent mentoring younger students who shared common passions with her and is greatly missed by many.

Freshman Natalie Bautista is getting around after attending both Palm Beach Atlantic University and Broward College. Her next destination: an intense, mission-driven program in the Bahamas…Patmos. Currently preparing for probably the biggest and longest four months of her life, Natalie is convinced that God wants her to go through with this. She explains, “Since I have decided to go to Patmos, it was pointed to me that the learning process starts now instead of when I get there. I would say that the two main things that God has shown me is the importance of allowing yourself to be guided by your convictions and the importance and safety of obeying God.”

Currently at Savannah College of Art and Design, Brooke Mullen absolutely loves where God has placed her. Starting her freshman year at Asbury as a theater major, Brooke decided that the school just wasn’t for her and transferred to SCAD. Brooke felt that she was being called to share her faith in the “real world” of theater. Despite hardships and spiritual warfare she is experiencing, Brooke is being used mightily by the Lord to point many others to Christ and knows that this is exactly what God had in mind for her. Brooke comments and gives the following advice, “The biggest thing I’ve learned is that when you are faithful, God is faithful and will bless you and keep you safe no matter how hard the circumstances may seem. Don’t be scared!”

Being in the center of God’s plans is always the best place to be and like each alumnus has learned: God has some exciting plans just waiting for you to discover!

He Said…
Perhaps the worst time for the chivalry-is-dead philosophy is prom asking season. As high school boys try their best to adopt the gentile image of the classy date, boys become men with a single word: yes. Unfortunately for most “cooty”-crazed juniors and seniors, no Romeo or Prince Charming used text to sweep their maidens away, and neither can any modern prince-hopeful.

First of all, guys and girls don’t think alike. Sorry, but I have no insight into the labyrinth of the female mind—that’s for the “She-said” half of this column. What I do realize is that what guys view as practical, including asking through friends, girls view as wimpy. So whether it really is the fear of losing dignity with a rejection or the incapability to comprehend that girls don’t see a voicemail as a convenient way to ask, there are a few ways to avoid an embarrassing dismissal, and it begins long before the walk of shame back to watching friends.

Number one: pick carefully. As weird as that sounds, it’s important to try and pick someone that small talk will prevail over awkward silences for the majority of the night. Which means if conversation hasn’t breached the “hey, do you have paper?” level, either there needs to be a lot of catch up, or it may be time to think realistically, even if that means letting go of day dreams.

Number two: ask her friend first. Every girl has a list, written or not, and all her friends know who’s on it. Trust me, if there is hope of one, this is where a very honest answer comes from, and it’s better to cut the losses at this stage than to take a major blow when it’s time to put it all on the table. If she says that there is a chance, then that is a green light to use whatever creative license sent from God to make the asking experience a good one. Of course, some girls are too nice to crush the dreams of a nice guy and are willing to let an unsuspecting romantic walk into the cruel clutch of reality. Which brings us to…

Number three: take a hint. There are some horrible stories of poor guys falling on their faces because they couldn’t read into the uncomfortable sentences and unusual facial expressions. From planted conversations to weird hand gestures, these precious warnings have too often fallen on deaf ears. But it also works from the other side. If a girl keeps coming up in conversations with an abnormal emphasis, it means something. If the question “so who are you taking to prom?” won’t go away, there is usually a certain name that is supposed to follow. Realize that these breadcrumbs are the pathway to a happy prom, so follow them before they disappear.

These are the preliminary preparations that can either make or break the asking phenomenon, and they should be well heeded. May no man fall victim to a needless rejection, nor be dwarfed from the smooth prince he is because he picked up the wrong Cinderella. This is where it begins.

She Said…
She sees him slowly approach her out of the corner of her eye and turns to avoid his steady gaze. She strikes up another conversation with her friend who’s standing next to her but she doesn’t seem to notice. Her heart beats faster and faster as she realizes a pathetic, wilted rose is dangling from his hand.

“Uh, Uh…Hey, Jane,” stammers John.

It was so sad, so…desperate. How could she say “no” now?

Many girls find themselves in Jane’s shoes with the countdown to prom now at only two weeks away. So what happens next? Jane could say “yes” and compromise her expectations for the night of her dreams, or say “no,” leaving John heartbroken, and her “dateless.” So just what should a girl do when she would like nothing more than to say “no” but is afraid of hurting a guy’s feelings? Here are some quick and easy steps to remember when it comes to making prom preparations for you and your possible date.

Rule number one: learn how to say “no” kindly and truthfully. No guy would want to go to prom with a girl who is merely giving him sympathy and who sees it as a “pity date.” Believe it or not, he would definitely rather go solo. When giving your reply, ladies, be sure to include a thoughtful “thank you” for flattering you with his invitation, but also give a reason for your decline. But be honest. Maybe you are planning on going with a group of friends, or are waiting for someone else to ask you…the guy will totally understand. Lame excuses just won’t cut it and can even leave the guy feeling even more rejected than if you had given him a cordial reply.

Now for those brave, outgoing girls who have adamantly decided to take the initiative themselves to ask a guy, wait just a moment and give some consideration to this action. How will your dream date take this bold step of yours? If you want to guarantee that he won’t be scared off, just let him be the guy and allow him to do the asking. That’s right…don’t ask the guys—rule number two. You wouldn’t want him to feel weak after your overpowering proposal. You can be sure that he’s already intimidated by you and is having to work up the guts just to ask you to prom. Be easy on him; don’t switch roles and drop an even more unsuspecting bomb on him.

Lastly, rule number three, make the plans and preparations for the big night, crystal clear and in advance. You don’t want to reach May 21st and find yourself wondering if your date has purchased your ticket yet. Don’t be afraid to talk to your date ahead of time to decide on transportation, who’s paying for what, and the color tie he needs to wear to match your dress. This simple step, very often forgotten, can allow for a much more peaceful and stress-free evening.

Prom 2009 is meant to be a special, and uncomplicated memory. . . whether you decide to go with friends, or are asked out by the guy of your dreams. Just stick with your gut feeling and don’t do anyone any favors.  

If our worldview is colored with the rare commodity of abundance, how can we relate to those who have less than enough? In Rob Bell’s most recent book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, Bell wrote, “How do kids who are surrounded by more abundance than in any other generation in the history of humanity take seriously a Messiah who said, ‘I have been anointed to preach good news to the poor’?. . . and How does a twelve-year-old who has never had hunger pangs that lasted more than an hour understand a story about a twelve-year-old providing fish and bread for thousands of chronically hungry people?”

It’s an overwhelming question….how could we ever possibly understand what it means to have nothing when we have so much…does anyone even know the answer?

So we can look at pictures or watch a documentary on those who don’t have, we can even visit for a week on a church or school missions trip, but for any of those who have experienced that kind of “spiritual high” they can also attest that, more often than not, after we hear the heart breaking statistics, participate in important fundraisers, volunteer for local outreaches or even travel on to the mission field….after the fact, it is all placed at an arms length, as it slowly drifts out of our minds.

So how do we expect to really understand this Messiah, who came to preach to the poor, if we continuously put the information we have out of our minds and the means we have right back into our pockets?

This is such a massive topic to tackle; you see, we know these things about ourselves, we know we can be hypocritical, complacent, and a host of other ugly things, but how do we fix it?

We would all, including myself, love for someone to provide us with an answer that fits perfectly into a box we can easily wrap our minds around, but this can’t be answered just like that. The best we can do is also probably the hardest—challenge ourselves, every single day—every selfish choice, every narrow-minded stance, challenge it all. Because, if we challenge our mindset we can color our world view with new, open minded strokes. 

Homework, sports practices, fine arts performances, and college preparation are all part of a very complex juggling act most CCA students have to manage throughout the year. Whether it’s a Saturday SAT or an early morning football workout, you could say high-school students have their schedules booked up. If extracurricular activities don’t seem to be supplying the constant “on-the-go” lifestyle a student is looking for, try squeezing a job into the equation. For many over-achieving students, work beyond the classroom in a real-life environment outside the Calvary bubble provides both a little extra cash and an opportunity to expand upon their futures.

For Junior Carlos Rivera, his job at Chick-Fil-A provides the much-needed funds for his class trip to Mexico next month. His classmate, Kaylee Groeneveld, on the other hand, works only in the summertime as a camp counselor to earn some extra cash.

You may be thinking, just how does a student keep a part-time job when 663,000 workers have lost their jobs in March alone because of the economy? Fortunately, most CCA students still have their jobs and seem to be unaffected by these statistics. In fact, high-school jobs are becoming increasingly popular, with the majority of high-schoolers holding a regular job.

But just how is this possible on top of everything else a student has on his plate? Two words sum it all up: “time-management.” While some students seem to have perfected this vital life principle, others are content sticking to their studies and graduate before embarking into the unknown territory of work.

Junior Meghan Mason, an Advanced Placement and Honors student as well as a Varsity soccer player, has mastered this concept. As a veterinarian’s assistant, Mason explains, “It is hard to manage a job on top of everything else. Sometimes I’ll have to stay up late to get my homework done, but I use the weekends to try to get everything done ahead of time.” Mason would like to major in environmental studies in college and sees interacting with the animals at her job as a way to get a feel for it. “I absolutely love my job and I think it will be well worth the sacrifice in the end,” comments Mason with a smile.

For other students, this rigorous routine isn’t as manageable. For them, a job is the last thing on their mind. Sophomore, Brooke Bennett, comments, “I can’t even handle homework when I don’t have anything else to do.” Some students are simply content to just stay a student and concentrate on school as their primary full-time position. Whether you can maintain a job, school work, and your social life all at the same time or can only stick to your studies at the moment, managing your time wisely is important in every aspect of life so that we can work at everything “heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”