The Pulse of The CORE Ministry - Fall 2009

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Events, News
• Date: Sep 11,2009

The CORE Student Ministry has been spiritually and mentally gearing up the students for a better school year to honor God.  Previously, there have been a number of good years for students’ maturity in the Lord, but the continual growth and progression in the personal relationships with Christ is now the center focus over the next few months.  We are primed to have great success due to the caliber of strong Christian leaders that are in place in The CORE (Tombrella, Cracker, Skyler, James, and Bean).  God is going to move mightily on the young generation of Pine Drive.

We will be conducting a number of services in preparation to discuss the subject of Bible Prophecy.  This is a highly controversial subject among churches and ministry.  With that said, we will spend time coming closer to God so that students won’t freak out as bad.  Prophecy is an excellent tool in proving the accuracy and dependability of God’s Word.  If you want to hear about the signs of the Lord Jesus Christ’s soon return, then I would highly recommend you show up to The ATTIC. 

Congratulations to Tombrella

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: News
• Date: Sep 11,2009

It is a pleasure to announce another spiritual Timothy of mine, Chris Tombrella, is officially now a Youth Minister.  He is serving at Center Point Church in League City.  I have known Chris since his 6th grade summer as he was a student in my old youth group at Santa Fe Christian Church, 2001.  Center Point is a new church just starting out.  They do not yet have a church campus of their own and meet in a nearby public school.  As Chris was putting together the vision for his ministry, we discussed the best possible method to minister to students in our area.  After much prayer and discussion, we have now combined our Wednesday night services.  The transition is very easy since they did not have a venue and Chris has been a leader in The CORE Student Minsitry for many months.  His youth group is brand new and starting out with about 5 to 10 students in attendance.  We welcome our brothers and sisters to Pine Drive and look forward in serving our God together on our Wednesday night services in The ATTIC.  This arrangement will last as long as it needs to continue.  They still have their own bible studies, Sunday School, and worship services on other days of the week.  As they get on their feet with a permanent location, adjustments will be made accordingly.  Pray for our ministry together as we help out our neighbor church family.

And congratulations to Chris & Leanna Tombrella.  They are now a happily married couple.  May God richly bless the two of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

A Week When God Flexed In & Through Pine Drive

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: News
• Date: Jul 26,2009

During the week of July 12 - July 18, some radical things took place in separate locations at the same time. 

TRUE OUTREACH:  There were about 5 students along with 30 other members of Pine Drive who put a Vacation Bible School together and then went to the Jordan Cove Apartments down the road from the church.  They were there for 3 days.  Many kids, youth, and adults from the apartments came out to participate/ see ‘what in the world is going on?!’  It is the second time the P.D. has done such a crazy thing for Jesus.  And it seems each time is better (we plan to hit an apartment soon).  Now there are a lot of new visitors coming to church on Wednesdays and Sundays due to the VBS outreach.  And I know that one of our church members is now doing a women’s bible study at the apartments on Saturday mornings and another member is putting together a praise dance ministry for students. 

GIFT FROM ANOTHER CHURCH TO ANOTHER CHURCH:  At the same time, a couple of our girls in The CORE went to New Mexico for a summer camp.  One of the two girls is a member of a church in Surfside Beach.  Their church was destroyed by evil Ike and so another church in Houston gave them thousands of dollars and said, “take 36 people to camp in New Mexico.”  So they did!  They came back on fire for Jesus.  Their camp was about ‘Faith.’  And believe you me they are a lot more faithful in all areas of there lives. 

SHOPPING SOULS FOR JESUS:  At the same time, (meanwhile, back at the ranch) we had a number of students stay at home and held down the fort.  Thank you Beaner and Mikey D.  They immediately took it upon themselves to make sure that The CORE did not miss a beat.  So they rounded up 7 students and headed down to the local Baybrook Mall and did some ‘good ole fascion’ cold witnessing.  They approached 8 different people in the span of an hour and asked them questions about Christ.  They talked to atheists, agnostics, fake Christians, and others.  It really was challenging to them all and in Beaner’s own words, “there wasn’t one of them that was not peeing themselves before they arrived in the mall parking lot.”  All of them are bolder witnesses for the Lord and are looking forward to the next outing.

THE OTHER YOUTH GROUP [Focus]:  At the same time, my dear brother Adam P. (former CORE worship leader/ now youth minister at First Baptist Alta Loma - Santa Fe) took his youth group to camp at Piney Woods.  He came back with a strong testimony of God moving on him and his students.  But I’ll leave that one for his website.  Ask him about the note he found while on a pray walk with his crew… 

The CORE at The ONE CAMP (God’s favorite youth group at God’s favorite camp in the whole world - I’m just saying…):  At the same time, you can read the article below about The CORE’s  experience at ‘One Camp’ on this fateful week.

One Camp - Summer 2009 Report

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Site Update
• Date: Jul 26,2009

The CORE went to “One Camp” in Palacios, Tx on Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17 at the Texas Baptist Encampment.  We are not the same! (and I’m sure you say, “that’s what all youth ministers say.” well you might be right, but so am I.)  Mike Satterfield was the camp pastor.  If you ever have an opportunity to sit under his teaching, you will not come away saying, “I’ll never get that part of my life back.”  (And if you do, you are probably a satanist - I’m just saying…)  One of our college students went as a sponsor/ family group leader.  I cannot properly express the amazing growth and breakthrough in his life a leader in Christ.  He is now very bold to say the least.  Everyone else, including my self, came back changed.  We also had a very strong time of worship throughout the week the Drew Cline Band.  There were about 800 souls in total that were present.  I would have to say hundreds ended up weeping in the presence of God at some point during camp.  I had the privilege in counseling/ praying with about 20 students that had made a decision for baptism.  Team Word Play was there, and did a very strong job of bringing the message of God in an effective and entertaining form.  It is hard for me to describe the environment of ‘camp.’  You just have to experience it.  There is no way to put 96 hours of all out Jesus time into an article.  Rec time was awesome with the HBU Rec team.  James M. had to drag two grown women across the field of battle when they tried to stop him from taking the inner-tube to his base in Wheel Steal.  Yes - The CORE takes no prisoners.  It was a big point of breakthrough in his walk (across the field) with the Lord.  For the awesome details, contact James M.  Messy Rec day was very messy.  It was my first time to witness such an event.  I don’t know how to describe 300 students in the middle of a field, with enough peanut butter, nacho cheese, ramen noodles, sodas, Hersey’s chocolate, pickles, shaving cream, cheese puffs, alka-seltzers, watermelon, baby food, etc. to fill a SAM’s grocery section for two weeks, and then given NO RULES!!!  I guess that is why One Camp is so ALL KNOWING that they have the Palacios Fire Department with a truck there every year to hose down the unclean.  You’ve got to see the professional video that was made or look at some of the still photos that were taken (soon to be on the website).  Check out the One Camp website - it is listed in the links to the left.  They have videos for your viewing pleasure.  We will be returning next year, so if you are interested in the madness for Jesus - come on!  Many other things happened, and eventually all of the war stories will be told.

Pillar / Fireflight Concert Report

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Events, News
• Date: Apr 13,2009

The CORE headed over to New Hope Church in Manvel, Tx Friday, April 3 to attend the Pillar and Fireflight concert in the very cool night air… yup - it was awesome.  The event was held outside under a huge, $10,000 tent with nicely spread out sand where we stood – no seats (just the way we like it).  They had their worship leader on the acoustic guitar open up the night with a few songs.  He was good.  Adam said he liked his Hebrew tat on his forearm (for whatever reason).  Cracker said he played four chords the entire 3 song set, but that it was well done (glad you approve, Cracker).  Then Pillar opened up for themselves… it was a first for me too.  They did a small ‘unplugged’ acoustic set including ‘Majesty,’ it was a great song greatly done.  Then Fireflight came out and did quite well.  There were about 4 songs that vividly stood out in my mind in their hour long set.  The other songs were decent – like concert filler quality.  Pillar stepped up on stage with their new drummer and bassist (didn’t see that one coming) and nicely interacted with the crowd of about 300 – 400 people.  They played for over an hour and had the crowd jumping up and down (and maybe a few youth ministers or so).  After the concert, Fireflight and Pillar hung out with everyone – thank you Fireflight and Pillar.  And I also want to give a huge thanks to an awesome guy named by his parents, ‘Brandon Kennard;’ thank you very much for all your runnin and gunnin for Jesus to make this event happen for my crew and all the other students who were in attendance.  Brandon, nice prayer mountain.           

Pillar myspace - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=2648534

Fireflight myspace - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=2345663 

New Hope Church - www.mynewhope.org  

Youth Rally May 7, 2009

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Events, News, Youth Rally
• Date: Mar 14,2009

An ‘Appointed’ Evening - a reunion of ministries

Thursday, May 7 at FBC Alta Loma in Santa Fe, TX  7:oopm in the Youth Building’s Gym

Wow, where do I begin with this one… There are so many cool things that make this upcoming Youth Rally special for many of us.  I will start with no particular order after God is number one.  Everyone involved with planning and preparing is putting in a lot of prayer time with God as to what He wants done.  We are looking forward to His presence in this service with great anticipation.  The reason for the word reunion is that Adam, Banjo Dan, and I have not worked together for many, many months now.  Banjo Dan moved off to Nashville, TN to pursue a music career with his Christian Contemporary Blue Grass band ‘Appointed,’ containing four guys wielding four stringed instruments (Banjo Dan plays the drums… MORE COW BELL!!).  As you might already know, Adam Prouty was The CORE worship leader since the start of my position of youth minister at Pine Drive in July 2006.  He left The CORE in February 2009 to become the youth minister at First Baptist Church Alta Loma in Santa Fe, TX (and because of that whole baptist youth group split in the CORE, with the vote of no confidence in the worship leader. but that was weeks ago…  we multiply through division - it’s an important part of ministry growth and outreach). 

So Banjo Dan called me and said he would be in town on this May 7th week and wanted to get together.  Now we are making most of the opportunity.  We plan on having ’Appointed’ open with a mini-concert, then I’ll sling the word for a few, and finally Adam, Josh, Banjo Dan, and The CORE worship band will unite once more to rock your face off for Jesus.  The event will only cost you your time.  There is no charge at the door.  All students and adults are welcome to come. 

All of the band members would never talk about their experience and abilities, so I will for your own knowledge sake.  Everyone of these guys have no less than 5 years of experience playing in front of audiences and congregations.  Half of them have been playing for longer than ten years.  I am very excited and look forward to them leading in worship together again.  To say the least, it will be very enjoyable. (and did I mention, BANJO DAN is playing…)  Every single person that will be playing an instrument, working in the concession stand, speaking, running sound and lighting, setting up, and tearing down are all madly in love with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And I believe this is why it will be a blessed occassion.  We all want this night to fully please God.

We are going to set up in the Gym of the Youth Building at First Baptist Church Alta Loma in Santa Fe, TX.  We will bring in a stage, lighting, big sound system equipment, and seating.  The setting/ venue will have a concert hall feel to it.  We are not ones to do ministry quietly.  We are going to bring a strong and quality sound.  The doors will open early.  Air Hockey, Foosball, Pool, Ping Pong, etc. will be available to help develop students’ eye-hand coordination.  There will be a full concession stand provided throughout the evening.  If you have any questions let Adam or I know, and we will help. 

There is a promo flier available for copy and print on this website’s home page.  Simply double click the flier on the home page, then right click, push ’copy’, and then past to whatever program you wish to use on your computer to print (adults, if you can’t figure it out, you can get a 4th grader to help).

You can find more info about ’Appointed’ at their myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=195488809         

Adam’s Bitter/ Sweet News

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: News
• Date: Jan 21,2009

The CORE Student Ministry Worship Leader, Adam Prouty, is leaving us.  He is now the Part-time Youth Minister of First Baptist Alta Loma in Santa Fe, Texas.  I will miss his fellowship and work in The CORE, but pray for God to use him in an even more influential way than here.  There is not a better compliment than to have a leader in your ministry leave for reason of promotion.  Adam, thank you for your devotion to the Lord and your ministry call.  Now we will begin a new era of working together as fellow youth ministers.  I have named Josh Gibson the new Worship Leader of The CORE Ministry.  Josh and I have had a relation starting in 1991, and he has been a part of The CORE Worship Team since I came in as Pine Drive’s Youth Pastor in July 2006.  I have worked under Josh’s father when he was my pastor at Santa Fe Christian Church.  Our transition will be seamless with steady growth in students’ worship.

Gym Service 101508 report

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Events, News
• Date: Oct 16,2008

I don’t know exactly how to begin describing what took place. There were many amazing events and demonstrations of God’s Spirit.

From the chronological order: We started the evening off with the Newsboys ‘Go’ tour DVD filmed live from Houston’s Berry Center. In the lowly lit room, the worship kicked the night off and set the tone with four songs (including ‘Mighty to Save’). Students worshipped God from the 4 bleacher stands which were facing the setup in the back corner of the gym under the score board. Then the Holy Spirit moved through Chevy as he gave the word. If you were there and heard Chevy speak, you understand why it is very difficult for me to describe his delivery. It was just ‘ON,’ love that guy… If you were not there, you missed it. (You might be fortunate enough to get a peak of the entire service via the DVD that was made – thank you Tombrella.) Chevy set the worship crew up perfectly after talking about living for God in every area of your life, taking up ‘YOUR OWN PERSONAL CROSS,’ and following Him based in Mark 8: 34 - 38. The CORE Worship Band went into two songs (including ‘Sweetly Broken’ by: Jeremy Riddle - recommend that one, check it out.) Then I stepped up and read Deut. 4: 25 - 31, I Chro. 28: 9 - 10, Jere. 29: 12 - 14, & Luke 9: 57 - 62. The choice offered was whether or not to seek the Lord your God the rest of your life with all your heart. We went into a time of prayer and chasing after God. It was awesome to see people crying before God on their knees. The gym floor was baptized in the sweet tears and snot of the saints, AMEN! Others were praying together in a secluded area (prompted earlier by Chevy via the Holy Spirit saying get away from each other and be with God - not your neighbor). Lots of people were hungry for God, so we extended the time of prayer to the fourth song with ‘We Fall Down.’

I don’t know how many decisions were made for salvation or how many rededicated their lives to Christ this night. However, I do know He was there and the students had to deal with God. Perhaps some ignored Him while others out right rejected Him, but there were many who embraced the grace and mercy of God that was present. People were changed forever and this will be a monumental event in their lives never to be forgotten. It was a great privilege to be part of such a Holy occasion.

Afterwards, we had an awesome time at the after party until… … …whenever it was. (You see I don’t remember when the party ended because I was cleaning the floor with students in a friendly game of Halo 2. Master Chief was mopping-up like a teenager trying to hide a spilt dr. pepper on the kitchen floor that has been there for 3 hours and it was not mopped earlier because you were too involved with a game of Halo, but now your mom is pulling in the driveway and you have 45 sec’s to get the job done… … …and you do… because your the best, your Master Chief.) Anyway, those who saw me lay down the law (I am The LAW GIVA) understand first hand the above stated. We had pizza, drank our official ‘CORE Slushy drink,’ ate snacky foods, visited, played Halo, jammed Jesus music very loudly, and had a great time doing it all.

All Glory to God for being there, without You it would have been real weird - in a bad way. I want to give a very huge thanks to Adam for all the prayer, thought, time, sweat, blood, and sleepless nights. And also to my Godson, Josh a.k.a. ‘Cracker’ for putting your God given vision on the table and running with it to the end. Mikey D. for coming all the way from College Station and skipping school for Jesus, I won’t tell anyone - anymore… Your service always makes the worship music fuller than when you are gone. And I know it’s easier on both Adam and Josh because you carry a huge load on the technical aspect of music. Thanks Tombrella for being you. You are a great support spiritually, a huge encouragement, and it’s nice to have you worshipping ALL THE TIME no matter where we are in the set or service. Chevy for not with holding ANYTHING. It’s just the way it’s supposed to be done. The Jesus Annointing on you scares people. And I say nice… very nice. We will do more in the very near future - guaranteed unless Killed, Captured, or Raptured. And I got you again with the whole lights thing (or lack there of). I forgot that you were visually challenged. Thanks Skyler and James M. for staying late and carrying all the dirty, heavy things for the old people. You guys were a HUGE help cleaning up and turning the gym and room back around. Now I am not saying she was the only one, but a huge thanks to Savanah for inviting/ bringing a lot of people to the event. Nearly every new person I shook hands with would say Savanah told me about it or that they were a friend of hers. Thanks Lynda and Kathy for working with our crazy schedules that change more often than a teenage girl’s emotions.

Financial Planning & Investing

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: News, Site Update
• Date: Aug 20,2008

Recently I did a mini-series on the topic of money.  I wanted to pass along a cool resource for those interested in more knowledge on the subject.  A new addition under Links listed as Crown Financial.  It is a Christian based organization designed to give money strategies.  If you want to be a wealthy individual and secure your personal finances, now is the time to begin your research and efforts.

Signs of Jesus Christ’s 2nd Coming to Earth

• Author: Phillip
• Filed under: Events, News
• Date: Aug 13,2008

Okay Boys and Girls, we are studying Bible Prophecy in conjunction with geo-political current events, and how they are pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ back to earth.  Sound interesting?  If you are interested in learning about the days in which we live, if you want a better understanding of the contraversial subject, and if you want to know how the signs of His soon return will effect you, then come pull up a couch and join in with The CORE in The ATTIC every Sunday Morning at 9:30 AM.  We might even continue the study until we are Raptured out of here, at least I hope so… 

Cordially Inviting You,
Eschatologist Phillip C.

P.S.(s.s.t.)

If you have any questions - this would be a perfect time for you to use the “Grill Phill” button to the right!