[Know Jesus | Love others | Have fun]
Ways to Get Involved
Age Appropriate Small Groups - during the Wildfire Gathering nights, all students are grouped according to their grade in school. 5th and 6th graders are teamed-together. 7th and 8th graders are teamed together. And the Freshmen - Seniors in High School are all one large group unless there is a sensitive subject that requires separation. Additionally, our Junior High and Middle School ages are portioned by genders, as well.
These small groups DO lots of things together! Besides interacting through relevant discussions for today's kids and laughing with each other...they also get the chance for deeper sharing, building long-lasting relationships among peers and really being known. Praying with, consoling, and learning how to listen to a friend in-need are all critical skills we teach in Wildfire.
Aside from the Wildfire Gatherings, our small groups get together often, usually on a monthly basis. These times include activities, such as: round-the-town scavenger hunts, going putt-putt golfing, seeing a movie together, baking cookies together, or having competitive ginger bread house making activities!
Bible Studies (Larry Meyer) (Every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Vineyard Church) - the Bible is far from boring if we spend time reading it and listening for what God has to share with each of us. It becomes even more fun when hearing from the kids what God is doing in their lives while they read, prepare, and share with their friends. Come and get free donuts and juice!
Book Reading Group (Beth Faga) - for those of you that love to read in a community setting, this is the group for you! Beth chooses books that are interesting, that stir the mind and soul, and provide great material for weekly interactive discussions.
Environmental Care (Erika and Geoff Lauer) - nature hikes, canoe and camping trips, ecosystem discussions, and more are all the different ways Erika and Geoff get your mind, hands, and feet heading down a path that cares for the environment. Jump in on the fun and learn how to help take better care of our wonderful planet.
Worship Bands (Heath Hospodarsky) - Wildfire has two youth bands (bass and electric guitars, drums, hand drums, keyboard, etc.) which take turns leading the students in worship at our Saturday evening services. We are always wanting more and different band members and we are actively seeking to build new worship bands, too. If you can play an instrument, love Jesus, and want to lead others in worship, please contact Heath.
Missions (Meg Tisinger) - During Summer 2011 Wildfire had a group of 13 travel to Lake Traverse, South Dakota learning what life is like on an Indian Reservation while working to clean up the nearby towns, caring for children in the area, and building friendships through joint experiences and much prayer, together. Another Wildfire Mission trip will happen in 2012 but is yet to be announced.
Outreaches (Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli) - outreaches to families in need, local hospitals, senior facilities, Food Pantry, Crisis Center, Homeless Shelter, and other groups/organizations in our communities are this group's forte'. We care and we share...our time, labor, and love. Stephen and Melinda are part of the leadership team in the Vineyard's Hands-on-Faith (HOF) organization and tie-in very well to Wildfire.
Special Events (Brian and Amy Boelk) - specialists in the "Special Events" field at finding great Christian events to go to, sometimes even for free, are Brian and Amy Boelk. Beyond the Christian concerts in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Quad Cities, and Waterloo areas...we make an annual pilgrimage to whereever the nearest Acquire the Fire (ATF) event is.
If you are not familiar with ATF, please check out this site: http://www.acquirethefire.com/. We have found that the money our kids invest to go to this event is very well worth it. Many of our kids' lives have been transformed while at this event and we, Wildfire, get to be that good friend who helps support, sustain, and hold accountable each student afterward. Wildfire won't miss it in 2011!
These small groups DO lots of things together! Besides interacting through relevant discussions for today's kids and laughing with each other...they also get the chance for deeper sharing, building long-lasting relationships among peers and really being known. Praying with, consoling, and learning how to listen to a friend in-need are all critical skills we teach in Wildfire.
Aside from the Wildfire Gatherings, our small groups get together often, usually on a monthly basis. These times include activities, such as: round-the-town scavenger hunts, going putt-putt golfing, seeing a movie together, baking cookies together, or having competitive ginger bread house making activities!
Bible Studies (Larry Meyer) (Every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Vineyard Church) - the Bible is far from boring if we spend time reading it and listening for what God has to share with each of us. It becomes even more fun when hearing from the kids what God is doing in their lives while they read, prepare, and share with their friends. Come and get free donuts and juice!
Book Reading Group (Beth Faga) - for those of you that love to read in a community setting, this is the group for you! Beth chooses books that are interesting, that stir the mind and soul, and provide great material for weekly interactive discussions.
Environmental Care (Erika and Geoff Lauer) - nature hikes, canoe and camping trips, ecosystem discussions, and more are all the different ways Erika and Geoff get your mind, hands, and feet heading down a path that cares for the environment. Jump in on the fun and learn how to help take better care of our wonderful planet.
Worship Bands (Heath Hospodarsky) - Wildfire has two youth bands (bass and electric guitars, drums, hand drums, keyboard, etc.) which take turns leading the students in worship at our Saturday evening services. We are always wanting more and different band members and we are actively seeking to build new worship bands, too. If you can play an instrument, love Jesus, and want to lead others in worship, please contact Heath.
Missions (Meg Tisinger) - During Summer 2011 Wildfire had a group of 13 travel to Lake Traverse, South Dakota learning what life is like on an Indian Reservation while working to clean up the nearby towns, caring for children in the area, and building friendships through joint experiences and much prayer, together. Another Wildfire Mission trip will happen in 2012 but is yet to be announced.
Outreaches (Stephen and Melinda Pradarelli) - outreaches to families in need, local hospitals, senior facilities, Food Pantry, Crisis Center, Homeless Shelter, and other groups/organizations in our communities are this group's forte'. We care and we share...our time, labor, and love. Stephen and Melinda are part of the leadership team in the Vineyard's Hands-on-Faith (HOF) organization and tie-in very well to Wildfire.
Special Events (Brian and Amy Boelk) - specialists in the "Special Events" field at finding great Christian events to go to, sometimes even for free, are Brian and Amy Boelk. Beyond the Christian concerts in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Quad Cities, and Waterloo areas...we make an annual pilgrimage to whereever the nearest Acquire the Fire (ATF) event is.
If you are not familiar with ATF, please check out this site: http://www.acquirethefire.com/. We have found that the money our kids invest to go to this event is very well worth it. Many of our kids' lives have been transformed while at this event and we, Wildfire, get to be that good friend who helps support, sustain, and hold accountable each student afterward. Wildfire won't miss it in 2011!
