A note from Mark Roberts in December 2010

This is the season when we hear the word Emanuel sung and spoken of often. As a kid I never knew what that word meant. I know now it means God with us. It sure makes a lot more sense knowing that God became flesh (John 1:14). I love how the Message Bible puts it: “God moved into the neighborhood.” The reason Jesus came was to show us who God is and we know he came to seek and to save that which was lost.
As a former lost person, I sure am glad I was sought and saved. I am grateful to the people God put in my life to show me who God is because God was in them. One of the men God put into my life is a board member of First Priority, JB
Collingsworth. Another man who has influenced my life is a First Priority initiator in Oklahoma City, Stan Stafford. If you have been sought and saved it is often because you saw Jesus in someone. As we reflect on the year and celebrate Jesus’ human birthday, remember the people God has placed in your neighborhood and go seek them because God wants to save them. This was Jesus’ First Priority and it must be ours as well. Mark Roberts - FPOA Staff

Priority Parent November 2010 eUpdate

Just talked to the Faculty Sponsor of FP at Chuckey-Doak Middle. They are one of the two formerly "nomadic" ministries that were trained last month and just held their first Hook Week during Kah-riss (7 responses).

Yesterday, they had the girls basketball team attend their meeting...something their b'ball coach has not allowed in years. Coach said that it must be important to her players, so she is now giving them 30 minutes off to attend.

Also, they held their second Focus Week yesterday, and a Senior from the High School gave his testimony before small group time. An 8th grader approached the senior and began asking questions. Before the meeting was over, the 8th grader gave his life to Christ.

Faculty Sponsor was "surprised" at a salvation outside of Hook Week. I told her that when FP's purpose is evangelism, God will honor that at all times...not just on Hook Week. She now understands that Hook Week is only one plan for the gospel to be shared on campus!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Haley - FP Blueridge

to see the rest of the update, go to our FP News Headlines at www.fpoa.org

Bottenfield Middle School Exciting Update B'ham AL

Students at Bottenfield Middle School are hungry to know and live for Christ daily. They are praying more and giving testimonies about how God is moving in their school in mighty ways. Bottenfield's First Priority Campus Club is growing every week with nearly 100 students in attendance right now. On Oct. 28, 2010, three students prayed the prayer to accept Christ into their lives for the first time. Wow! We serve a great and holy God.

Every week this campus club is an adventure. You might see a stomp dance or even hear a song sung by students. Club meetings should never be boring. Students like involvement. And, the key for a successful club is students reaching students with the love and message of Jesus Christ. Student involvement will always breed a healthy campus ministry.

I would like to give a special thanks to Bottenfield Middle School's Campus Coaches Debbie Marshall and Tyrone Fox for their dedication to inspiring students to live for Christ daily. They are showing us how the First Priority Campus Ministry continues to make a huge impact when students have ownership.

"Students are standing up and wanting people to know they love God," said Debbie. "It is truly amazing to see how God is moving on this campus."

James Cato

Another Life Changed - from October Newsletter FP South Florida

It is such a blessing when we see a student whose life was touched through First Priority return to invest in other students at a First Priority club. Stephanie Weinberg is one of those students. here is her story in her own words:

I was raised in a Jewish home, but i drifted away into New Age stuff such as tarot cards and reincarnation by the time i was 14. By that time i was smoking, drinking and hanging out with the wrong crowd. My childhood was very difficult and i struggled with depression as a result. I overdosed on drugs, nearly taking my own life. But God had another plan for me and I finally gave my life to Christ. I was 16 when i was introduced to the Christian world through the First Priority Club at Spanish River HS. Soon i found out how wrong i was about Christianity, God, life, and just about everything. That's when i started opening my heart and learning about God's attributers. He is good.

I attended First Priority because a friend invited me, I didn't want to disappoint her, so I went. Thank you Rachel! I felt so out of place at first, but I still kept going back every week. People actually cared to talk to me and i started asking tons of questions. They gave me a Bible because i didn't own one nor had i ever read it before then.

Even though at times i asked the most difficult questions, i never felt judged. Pretty soon, instead of it being just another after school club, First Priority because a safe place to hangout. I learned a lot from all the different speakers that came. I am now 21 year old, and i recently graduated from a two year ministry school. I am helping out as one of the campus coaches at Olympic Heights HS First Priority Club. I truly love and support this ministry with my whole heart because of what God has done for me through it. i believe that everything that i went through will be used for God's glory. I am SUPER excited for what he has prepared for me now and in the future. To whomever reads this article, i personally want to let you know that God DOES love you and everything good and bad will be used for His glory. God Bless you, Stephanie.

Every week 300,000 students participate in First Priority Clubs all over the country. God is up to something incredible, and we count ourselves fortunate to serve the Stephanies that are out there in Middle and High Schools all over our country!

Just 3 days til Kah-riss...

Name: 5 days of Kah-riss (5 days of grace)

When: the week of Otober 25-29

What: every First Priority Club in America is to put focus on missions

Where: at your school

Why: to see 7,000 students accept Christ in one week. This will only happen by the grace of God to bring glory to Himself. Would you pray for us as we get close? A number of our key cities have already jumped on board. Our goal is share the love and message of Jesus Christ and see lives changed. Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to unite the local church to reach students at their school.

for more information, go to www.fpoa.org and click on the Kah-riss link, it will take you to our FB "fan" page...

Priority Parent October 2010 eUpdate main article...

A Note From a new City Director with F.P.

After coming to a realization that I, as a student pastor, was making a small ping (not even a dent) on the 10,000 students in my county, I started searching for a tool to make a huge impact for the kingdom. I contacted First Priority of America and asked how could I get this going in my area. The national guys got me right on the path of the 4 phases. i admit it seemed like a lot of hoops to jump through.

At times I became frustrated with others who had lack of motivation to help. I also was tempted to breeze right through and skip steps to just see the clubs happen. For the first time, I said no I will do this the right way, I will put in whatever it takes to build a lasting ministry for my city and county. By doing this, it took a lot of time. But a year later, after making a phone call to the national office and having Steve come and share the vision with about 8 youth ministers, today we have around 300 hundred people in our database and are launching at 15 schools.

I want to encourage whoever is reading this to follow the phases to the T and then you will see a thriving ministry a ministry that will out last you. If you don’t follow the guides and just throw a club together, you will see students come to know Christ but you will also experience that club failing over time, because it has no foundation. Take the time to build the foundation. Luke 6:49 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” This verse can apply to First Priority, Just as Christ was saying to those who do not put His words into practice is like building a house without a foundation, it will fall. The same can be said by not following these amazing guides, they are full of tips from past City Directors giving advice all summed up together to see you become successful.

I can not thank those enough for putting in the hard work before us to make this process as smooth and efficient as I have come to see it.

BRANDON STARNES FP of Greater Decatur, AL

Exciting updates from FP Birmingham

This year's "See You at the Pole" far exceeds any previous year I've seen. Students all around the state seem to have a new hunger for Prayer like never before. Campus coaches and teacher sponsors in the Hueytown, Fairfield and Pleasant Grove areas are reporting that students are on fire with a new passion to see the message of Christ be shared on campus. Being in a new school, Pleasant Grove in particular has seen teens come to Christ and receive salvation. Students at Hueytown Middle School are arriving early to hear the message of Christ each week and are encouraging their friends to join First Priority.

These are some exciting times to be in ministry when you see students take the lead and make a difference. All the hard work and dedication of local youth pastors and campus sponsors is paying off in big ways and we would like to thank you. The love and message of Jesus Christ is going forth and it's a difference-maker.

James Cato
Area Director