I don't know if you know this, but we have an amazing group of youth at Higgins! We are crossing denominational borders, joining with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and chasing after Jesus!

In late March, we attended a Youth Rally at Rebel's Creek Baptist Church with several other youth groups. It was at this Youth Rally that many of our teens grew closer to God, and one, in particular, started following Jesus. Over the last couple of years, I have had the pleasure of watching this young man listen to the gospel and learn. I've seen the Lord tugging at his heart. It gives me such joy to see our Father's work and relentless wooing come to fruition. I was reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, "So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." So many believers have reached into this young man's life, some planting, some watering... and when he attended the Youth Rally, we saw that tiny seed sprout!! God is good!!

We're excited to be bussing the teens over to The Bridge in Spruce Pine to worship with their youth group on Wednesday nights. God is doing amazing things there! Just this past February, the youth pastors, Tyler and Jordan Anglin, had reached a point of deep discouragement and were debating if they should move on from youth ministry. That very week God showed up in a powerful way and has continued showing Himself in greater ways! I'll admit, sometimes ministry can be discouraging. Sometimes you can feel like you are doing exactly what God has called you to; pouring your heart and life into people and don't seem to see results. But, God's ways are not our ways. 2 Peter 3: 9 says, "The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance." Sometimes He's working in people in ways that our human eyes can't discern. We need to remind ourselves that seeds are planted, watered, and begin growing under the surface.

We're eager to see what God is doing in our youth and in the Body of Christ. We're enthusiastically chasing Him so we can be witnesses to what He's doing. 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." We don't want to be like the Pharisees, held back by traditions (do this, don't do that), but instead be freed by the Spirit of God. We know God is always with us (His Spirit lives in us as believers in Christ. Where two or three are gathered in His Name, He is in the midst), but we want to be where He is freely working. Amen?! We don't want to hear secondhand about Jesus' miracles and words, we want to be in the crowd following Him and witnessing for ourselves!

He said if we seek Him we will find Him. Well, brothers and sisters, we are running full out into His open arms. We are open to what He has for us. And what He has is so good. He offers peace, love, truth, freedom, life. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

 

Kristy Sutton

On behalf of Higgins Youth Leaders

(Jake & Jordan Honeycutt, Mitch Rote, and Kristy Sutton)

 

Congratulation to the Class of 2017!!

Michael Ruane Bingham, Jonah Creech, Caleb Grindstaff,

 Maggie Howell, Raelin Reynolds, Austin Timma

Join us on Saturday, June 03, 2017, to support our graduates!! 

Graduation will take place at Mountain Heritage High School at 10:00 am. 

May 14, 2017 - Sunday from 4-5 pm across from the Nu Wray Inn. --If the weather is bad, the prayer time will be held in the Family Life Center at Higgins in the classroom next to the kitchen.

The Defense Department has partnered with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution to provide a bronze pin and DAR to provide a certificate honoring them for their service to a grateful nation. The upcoming presentation will be mid-morning during the Home Town Hero's day on the square. If you are a vet or know one please call or email the following information to our own Elaine Dellinger who is with the Greenlee Chapter NSDAR in Marion  682-7524 or elaine@trilliumplace.com by May 15th. Note: Even if you did not serve in Vietnam but was in service during the period of 1955-1975 you are eligible.

Full Name, Rank, Branch of Service, Years of service during this era of [1955-1975] and contact number.

 

My National Honor Society students have a Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) food packaging event scheduled for after school on May 12th, here in our school cafeteria. We are in need of funding, and probably warm bodies. Could you please pass this message along to your missions' committee to request any available funds to help out? And also, could you include a message about our event in the bulletin over the next couple of weeks?

 

I really appreciate any help Higgins Methodist can give to us!

 

Peace,

 

 

Suzanne Gavenus, LCSW, CSSW 

Mountain Heritage High School

(p) 828-682-6103 ext. 116  (f) 828-682-4287

email: sbgavenus@yanceync.net