 | ||||||||||||||||
| Home | | | Contact Us | | | About Us... | | | Pictures | | | Events | | | Links | | | Parents... | | | Chain Reaction | ||
|
What are FSM event scholarships?
From time to time FSM sponsors bigger events that may represent a sizable investment to your family budget. These events can especially become challenging if you have more than one student involved with FSM. Even though we purposely try to keep participation in this ministry at a very low financial cost, we recognize the benefits that come with camps, retreats and conferences. Therefore, FSM keeps a scholarship fund available for discretionary use. This fund is resourced by caring individuals from both within and outside the congregation of FBC. These people believe in Fellowship Student Ministries and feel led by God to give donations that will enable students to attend bigger events without causing financial hard ship on the family. The way these scholarships are awarded is as follows: Students requesting financial assistance must be an active member of FSM. Scholarships given are on an "as needed" basis. We simply ask that you provide what you're able to contribute and we'll strive to meet the rest of your student(s)' expense. Scholarships given are kept strictly confidential. We may encourage your student(s) to write a general “testimony/thank you” note that can be passed along to scholarship contributors but rest assured your privacy will be protected. We know that even the best prepared parents have to address unforeseen expenses, especially during the middle and high school years! We never want finances to stand in the way of a student's spiritual journey. It's our pleasure to assist families through our scholarship fund but the responsibility lies with the parent and student to make us aware of the need. How do you handle the "S" word? Relevant youth ministry obligates the discussion of our sexuality. Unfortunately, at a time when students are undergoing the most radical physical transformation of their lives, they are bombarded with confusing and false information from the world about their God-given sexuality. FSM believes sexuality to be designed by God and necessary for the equilibrium and health of the human race. Sin has perverted God's original blue-print and the Devil has teamed with society to convince young minds that you can't trust God with this area of your life. FSM desires to address this lie on a consistent basis. However, we do not approach this teaching like a typical "sex-education" course. On the contrary, we believe that as a student understands the purity of God's design and the promise of God's blessing upon holy matrimony they will naturally commit themselves to God's plan. As a parent you can rest assured that we know our boundaries when it comes to addressing the topic of sexuality. We have a long track record of parent endorsement in this area and parental trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. When appropriate, we will segregate by gender in order to provide an environment that is less awkward and less provoking to the opposite sex. We also keep in mind the wide range of ages we are dealing with during our corporate gatherings. We take great precaution in preserving the innocence of all students who gather under the influence of FSM. The focus of all of our teaching is Jesus Christ. We believe that people ultimately become like who/what they love the most. Therefore, we keep Jesus Christ the center of everything. All though we do not side-step tough cultural questions regarding sexuality we approach our dialogue with reverence to the Creator of our sexuality. What is Chris and Cynthia's background info? Chris and Cynthia Campbell have been doing student ministry since 1991. They began as youth leaders at the church they grew up in and eventually accepted a call to step away from their professions (Chris was an engineer and Cynthia was an accountant.) to serve the Lord by ministering to teenagers on a full-time basis. Chris' primary spiritual gifting is shepherding/pastoring and Cynthia's primary gifting is exhortation. Together they founded and developed Fellowship Student Ministries, Bridgeport. Chris' graduate work is through Trinity Theological Seminary where he has a Masters in Biblical Studies and continues to pursue his education toward an M.Div. He is a certified counselor and trainer with Freedom in Christ Ministries in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is also a facilitator with Forward Edge International. He is a long time co-director of Burrito Brothers Flying Youth Camps (www.bbfyc.com). He and Cynthia are founding members of the Harrison County Youth Network. Cynthia is a long-time student of God's Word and provides a very unique approach to leadership development. She runs the S.A.L.T. team (Student Action Leadership Team) and acts as a primary counselor for the gals of FSM. She is also a programming extraordinaire. Her specialty is engaging students with the “fun factor” so that they will become more relationally and theologically open. Chris and Cynthia have served full-time at Fellowship Bible Church since 1996. They also do a variety of consulting and training in the areas of student and family ministries. Chris and Cynthia have two daughters, Bailey and Emma. Does FSM have a counseling ministry? FSM does provide adolescent and family counseling. Our approach to Christian Counseling is somewhat unique in that it focuses in on "Christ-Centered Therapy" or "Discipleship Counseling" rather than behavioral or cognitive therapy. We strive to provide a more holistic approach to helping students. This approach goes well beyond just correcting a behavior. Instead we believe that behavior is directly influenced by the belief system (Prov. 23:7). Working with the parent(s) we patiently coach the counselee into honest exploration of root issues under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Rather than treat symptoms, we desire to correct beliefs according to the absolute truth of God's Word. This counseling comes without a fee. New counselees are taken on as Chris and Cynthia's schedule permits with preference given to students and families inside the community of Fellowship Bible Church. When warranted we also provide referrals to trusted Christian counselors within the community of FBC and throughout our immediate area. What's the deal with S.A.L.T.? S.A.L.T. stands for Student Action Leadership Team. The SALT Team consists of students who are maturing in Christ and are ready to be challenged to not only a deeper level of discipleship and accountability but ministry oversight as well. Being on the SALT team is special. There is an application process, recommendations, an interview, and even a commitment sheet to be signed by the parents. We believe that students who hunger to see God work in their lives will automatically rise to the challenge if the standard is raised. SALT stresses servant leadership, teamwork, purposeful ministry, creative thinking and of course becoming a student of God's Word. Throughout the years we’ve seen over 90% of SALT participants go on to be influential leaders as young adults. SALT not only helps a student transition into adulthood but equips and empowers individuals to be integrated into the universal work of the Kingdom by embracing God's design, gifting and calling in their lives. SALT isn't for everyone. More accurately, what we mean to say is that students and parents should prayerfully consider the timing of SALT participation regarding a student's maturity, passion and other extra-curricular obligations. While it's true that we take SALT very serious, overwhelming SALT students will tell you that it's their favorite aspect to FSM. They love it!!! FSM offers two sessions of SALT annually. SALT's winter term is January –March and is open for Sr High applicants only. SALT's summer term runs from June-August and is open for both middle school and Sr High applicants. |