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| Below is what we did for Extreme United in 2007! My name is Helen Watts and I am the Pastor responsible for Youth and Children’s work. We believe God has planted something of his heart into extreme and we are so pleased that he has picked us to live it out. The heart behind extreme is the Fathers! Seriously… it’s about doing the God’s business… serving others, loving others, putting other people before ourselves and reflecting God’s nature - going beyond doing just what’s necessary, just like God does. God doesn’t just give us life, he gives it in abundance! He doesn’t just give joy, but joy overflowing and not just peace but a peace that paces understanding! I love that about the character of God and everything about extreme wants to reflect that glimpse at God’s heart. |
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| For us we want to make sure that every young person who comes to extreme feels loved, empowered and celebrated. We make sure that when a young person leaves extreme that even if they remember nothing else, they know that when they came to our church, into God’s house, they were loved and accepted. We cheer them as they come through the door. We give them a t-shirt, a bag of goodies, an Easter present, an evening of entertainment each night; we don’t charge them a thing but just keep on giving. We let them have fun and be young people without the huge responsibilities that so many of them have at home and we give them a copy of the youth bible so that the truth is in their households. We ask them to change the face of community; to turn it around; to do things differently. We ask them to lay aside any selfishness and to put others before themselves. |
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| Extreme started 3 years ago in August 2005 after a group of young passionate Christians returned from Soul in the City, London with a heart for their own local community. In 2005 we hosted Extreme: Lifestyles where we turned the whole concept of living an extreme lifestyle on its head – it’s not about you! Actually to live a life, even if it’s just for two weeks where you are not the focus – that’s different, that’s amazing, that stands out and changes lives. During this pilot year 60 young people joined us for the week which was an amazing time of servanthood, humility, relationship building and life changing experiences. During this week 11 people became Christians – wow! |
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| In 2006 it was Extreme: Rebuild where we challenged the foundations of our community. Think of the difference between ‘Changing Rooms’ and ‘Extreme Makeover: Home edition’. The difference between a lick of paint and actually going back to the foundations to what we are building our lives on. A quick cover up job doesn’t change much long term but to go back to the foundations and change what our lives are built on is what has eternal consequences. Extreme grew in 2006 to a total of 118 young people who dedicated their week to humbling serving. So, Extreme: United 2007 – what an experience. An amazing 232 young people united together to put others first and served hard for 4 days. They completed a staggering amount of projects in our local community including: • A makeover of Richmond Primary School canteen • Cleared the pond at Thorpedene Junior School • Gave 100 bouquets away to local households • Litter picked for 20 hours • Washed about 80 cars • Painted a local shop shutter • Ran a Kidz Klub which saw 100 children attend • Completed 150 community surveys • Made over 6 local gardens • Gave away 500 pens that said ‘you’re worth it’ on them • Graffiti cleaned for 20 hours • Valeted approx 30 cars • Gave away free tea, coffee and cakes on two sites for four days • Revarnished a school seating area • Performed street theatre in West Road • Made over the lounge at our local Women’s Refuge • Cleaned a storage container at a primary school – from black to white • Gave 400 Asda customers a daffodil • Arranged sports in the park for local young people • Donated a hamper to a local family. |
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| The week finished with a ‘Night at the Oscars’. We had dinner together, sang together and partied together. Nearly 300 were singing ‘One way Jesus – you’re the only one that I could live for’ – my hope and prayer is that through the heart and work of extreme that these words will become reality in many people’s lives Watch this space for 2008, Helen x |
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Extreme started
3 years ago in August 2005 |
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Think of the
difference between ‘Changing Rooms’ and ‘Extreme Makeover: Home edition’. |
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Time to have
some FUN! |
| God doesn’t just give us life, he gives it in abundance! |
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| Below are just some of the things our youngsters achieved |
| • A makeover of Richmond Primary School canteen • Cleared the pond at Thorpedene Junior School • Gave 100 bouquets away to local households • Litter picked for 20 hours • Washed about 80 cars • Painted a local shop shutter • Ran a Kidz Klub which saw 100 children attend • Completed 150 community surveys • Made over 6 local gardens See the full list below |
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| Wow fantastic, job done! |