most of the site is moved now

config.toml

@@ -163,8 +163,12 @@ taxonomies = [
 items = [
     { lang = "en", links = [
         { url = "/", name = "Home" },
-        { url = "/categories", name = "Categories" },
+        { url = "/about", name = "About" },
-        { url = "/tags", name = "Tags" },
+        { url = "/staff", name = "Staff" },
+        { url = "/ministries", name = "Ministries" },
+        { url = "/groups", name = "Groups" },
+        { url = "/donate", name = "Donate" },
+        { url = "/contact", name = "Contact" },
     ] },
 ]
 title = "TFC Connection"
@@ -172,7 +176,7 @@ title = "TFC Connection"
 
 [extra.index]
 title = "TFC Connection"
-image = "https://tfcconnection.org/logo.png"
+image = "/logo.png"
 image_alt = "Placeholder text describing the index's image."
 
 [extra.default_author]

content/about/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+---
+title: "About"
+description: "TFC Connection is a not-for-profit ministry that reaches out to the American teenager in the rural Kansas and Nebraska setting. We are dedicated to connecting teens with the truth of Jesus Christ, teaching and equipping them to carry out the Great Commission."
+featured_image: '/Victor_Hugo-Hunchback.jpg'
+tags: ["Loving Jesus"]
+---
+_TFC Connection_ (TFC) is a rural ministry reaching out to the mission field of teenagers in rural communities across Northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska. In rural communities where youth ministry programs and resources are limited, TFC desires to partner with churches to meet this need. Whether this is through providing community youth groups, coaching those already working with youth, or supplying resources and extra curricular activities for area ministries, TFC desires to connect teens with the truth of Jesus Christ and equip them to live out the Great Commission.
+
+# Our Vision and Mission
+- Our vision is to change the world from the heart of America by providing disciple making opportunities that serve communities where student ministries are limited.
+- We do that by, connecting teens with the truth of Jesus Christ…teaching and equipping them to live out the Great Commission.
+
+# Our Team
+- [ Brian & Julie Fischer ](/staff/brian-and-julie-fischer)
+- [Lavonne Ponstein](/staff/lavonne-ponstein)
+- [Janice Lundquist](/staff/janice-lundquist)
+- [Lewis & Susan Smith](/staff/lewis-smith)
+- [Ethan Rose](/staff/ethan-rose)
+- [April & Arnie Teves](/staff/april-teves)
+- [Rob & Taffy Lewis](/staff/rob-and-taffy-lewis)
+- [Chris & Abbie Cochrun](/staff/chris-and-abbie-cochrun)
+- [Billy Cayou](/staff/billy-cayou)
+<!-- - [Dani Rouse - Intern](/staff/dani-rouse) -->
+
+# Our Statement of Faith
+There’s no doubt that teens in the United States are in trouble. Violence, sex, drugs, peer pressure, resentment and anger all plague them. TFC’s goal of connecting these teens with Jesus is the only remedy for such a problem. Through connecting teens with other teens, Christian adults and the message of Christ, TFC serves God by connecting teens with the truth of Jesus Christ…teaching and equipping them to live out the Great Commission.
+
+1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
+2. We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
+3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood and His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
+4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
+5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
+6. We believe that all mankind will be bodily resurrected, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.
+8. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
+

content/authors/chriscochrun/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+title: "Chris Cochrun"
+---
+

content/camp-health-form.md

@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ title: "Camp Health Form"
 
 Since our health forms are only active from May to May even if you have finished the health form previously, you need to do so again in order to be eligible for camp. Keep in mind this is not due until you get to camp. If you need to wait to fill it out you may do so, but you won't be able to attend camp until it's complete.
 
-{{< health-form >}}
+{{ health_form() }}

content/donate.md

@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 title: Donate
 ---
 
-{{< donate  >}}
+{{ donate() }}

content/groups/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
++++
+title = "Groups"
+description = ""
+
++++
+
+Many of the TFC Staff pour their hearts and hours into these groups. We work within the community and kids to share Jesus's love.

content/groups/atwood/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: "Atwood"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:20:04-05:00
+tags: ["Jenny Popp"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: 6:30 for HS and 6:00 for JH (Supper for both)\n- End Time: 8:30 for HS and 8:00 for JH\n- Location: 5ten Youth Center, 510 Main, Atwood KS\n- 1st and 3rd Wed. is HS\n- 2nd and 4th Wed is JH"
+weight: 80
+---
+![Atwood](featured.jpg "The Atwood Group")
+
+# High School
+- Start Time: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of month, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 8:30
+- Location: 5ten Youth Center, 510 Main, Atwood KS
+- Ages: 9-12th Grade
+
+{{< spacing >}}
+
+# Junior High
+- Start Time: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of month, 6:00 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 8:00
+- Location: 5ten Youth Center, 510 Main, Atwood KS
+- Ages: 7-8th Grade

content/groups/codell/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+title: "Codell"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:20:20-05:00
+tags: ['Associate Group']
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Wednesdays 6:45-8:15pm (Supper Provided)\n- Ages: 6th-12th Grade\n- Location: Codell Community Church, 409 Codell Rd. Codell, KS 67663"
+weight: 90
+---
+![Codell](featured.jpg "The Codell Group")
+
+- Wednesdays 6:45-8:15pm (Supper Provided)
+- Ages: 6th-12th Grade
+- Location: Codell Community Church, 409 Codell Rd. Codell, KS 67663
+
+Rides leave from in front of the Natoma gym at 6:30pm and students are dropped back off there around 8:30pm.
+
+For more info, head on over to [our website](https://comegrowtogether.com/180).

content/groups/colby/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+title: "Colby"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:20:25-05:00
+tags: ['Associate Group']
+featured_image: ""
+summary: "- Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm (meal provided)\n- Colby Wesleyan Church 320 W Pine St. Colby Kansas 67701\n- Ages: 5th - 12th grade"
+description: "- Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm (meal provided)\n- Colby Wesleyan Church 320 W Pine St. Colby Kansas 67701\n- Ages: 5th - 12th grade"
+weight: 100
+---
+![Colby](featured.jpg "The Colby Group")
+
+- Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm (meal provided)
+- Colby Wesleyan Church 320 W Pine St. Colby Kansas 67701
+- Ages: 5th - 12th grade

content/groups/logan/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Logan"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:19:27-05:00
+tags: ["April Teves"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Monday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)\n- End Time: 8:30\n- Location: First Christian Church 204 N. Douglas, Logan, KS 67646\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 50
+---
+![Logan](featured.jpg "The Logan Group")
+
+- Start Time: Monday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 8:30
+- Location: First Christian Church 204 N. Douglas, Logan, KS 67646
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/groups/northern-valley/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+title: "Northern Valley"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:19:57-05:00
+tags: ["Chris Cochrun", "Dani Rouse"]
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, Junior High 5:00 PM, High School 6:30 PM (supper for both at 6:30)\n- End Time: 8:30\n- Location: Almena Community Building\n- Ages: 6-8th Grade"
+weight: 30
+---
+![Northern Valley](featured.jpg "The Nothern Valley Group")
+
+- Start Time: Wednesday, Junior High 5:00 PM, High School 6:30 PM (supper for both at 6:30)
+- End Time: 8:30
+- Location: Almena Community Building
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/groups/phillipsburg/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Phillipsburg"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:19:41-05:00
+tags: ["Brian Fischer", "Billy Cayou"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)\n- End Time: 8:30\n- Location: Community Church of God, 135 10th Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 10
+---
+![Phillipsburg](featured.jpg "The Phillipsburg Group")
+
+- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 8:30
+- Location: Community Church of God, 135 10th Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/groups/smith-center/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: "Smith Center"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:20:16-05:00
+tags: ["Tom and Brenda Colorassi"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM\n- End Time: 8:00\n- Location: New Covenant Church in Smith Center\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 70
+---
+![Smith Center](featured.jpg "The Colorassi Family")
+
+# Details
+- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM
+- End Time: 8:00
+- Location: New Covenant Church in Smith Center
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade
+
+# Leaders
+Tom and Brenda Colorassi

content/groups/southern-valley/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Southern Valley"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:19:49-05:00
+tags: ["Rob Lewis"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)\n- End Time: 9:00\n- Location: Rob’s House  904 Howard St Oxford NE 68967\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 40
+---
+![Southern Valley](featured.jpg "The Southern Valley Group")
+
+- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 9:00
+- Location: Rob’s House  904 Howard St Oxford NE 68967
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/groups/thunder-ridge/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Thunder Ridge"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:19:34-05:00
+tags: ["Ethan Rose", "Janice Lundquist"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)\n- End Time: 8:30\n- Location: United Methodist Church 667 Southern Ave, Agra, KS 67621\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 20
+---
+![Thunder Ridge](featured.jpg "The Thunder Ridge Group")
+
+- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:30 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 8:30
+- Location: United Methodist Church 667 Southern Ave, Agra, KS 67621
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/groups/wakeeney/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Wakeeney"
+date: 2022-10-28T10:20:11-05:00
+tags: ["April Teves"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: ""
+summary: "- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:00 PM (Supper provided)\n- End Time: 7:30\n- Location: Church of God, Wakeeney KS\n- Ages: 6-12th Grade"
+weight: 60
+---
+![Wakeeney](featured.jpg "The Wakeeney Group")
+
+- Start Time: Wednesday, 6:00 PM (Supper provided)
+- End Time: 7:30
+- Location: Church of God, Wakeeney KS
+- Ages: 6-12th Grade

content/local-trip-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+title: Local Mission Trip Form
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+---
+
+If you'd like to still do a mission trip of some kind, but the other dates do not work for you or you do not feel ready for a longer trip, then this is the trip for you! Sign up here now!
+
+## Mission Trip Agreement
+> In order to fill out the application, you must agree to the following!
+
+- I agree to obey all rules and guidelines that TFC Connection and other associated ministries establish, realizing they have my best interest and welfare in mind. I will trust their judgment and obey them. **The staff have the right to confront me if they see a problem in my attitude or in my obeying the rules.**
+- I acknowledge that I am expected to do my share of the work on the mission trip and I will be willing to do what is asked of me with an "I'd be glad to" attitude.
+- **I will work at making this mission trip a priority!** even if other events come up after I am accepted on a mission trip, I will commit to still go on this trip.
+
+{{< local-trip-form >}}

content/ministries/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
++++
+title = "Ministries"
+description = ""
++++
+
+These ministries are at the heart of TFC. We do our absolute best to make sure all things we do are centered around God making disciples of young people.
+

content/ministries/alumni/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+title: "Alumni"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:14:06-05:00
+tags: ['ministry','event']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Over the course of 40 years of ministry many teens have made their way through the “halls” of TFC Connection."
+summary: "Over the course of 40 years of ministry many teens have made their way through the “halls” of TFC Connection."
+weight: 70
+---
+![alumni](featured.jpg "An alumni volunteering at Camp")
+
+Over the course of 40 years of ministry many teens have made their way through the “halls” of TFC Connection. As a ministry we have recognized the need to stay connected with former students to encourage them to continue growing in their faith and provide them with opportunities to serve. These opportunities include anniversary celebrations, campus/city gatherings and mission opportunities. Through these activities we hope to reconnect TFC alumni with one another as they continue to grow as disciple-makers and serve in their local churches and communities.
+
+If you are interested in anything happening with the alumni at TFC, send an email to [Janice](mailto:janice@tfcconnection.org).

content/ministries/associate-groups/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+title: "Associate Groups"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:14:26-05:00
+tags: ['ministry','event']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "As a ministry we felt God calling us to begin investing in people who were wanting to work with youth in rural communities in this region so we created a structure..."
+summary: "As a ministry we felt God calling us to begin investing in people who were wanting to work with youth in rural communities in this region so we created a structure..."
+weight: 60
+---
+![Associate Groups](featured.jpg "The Colby Associate Group!")
+
+As a ministry we felt God calling us to begin investing in people who were wanting to work with youth in rural communities in this region so we created a structure for youth groups to be associated with TFC through something called “Associate Groups”. Associate groups have access to TFC resources and coaching from TFC staff members. As a ministry we have over 200 years of combined ministry experience among the staff and we want to share that experience with others. Associate groups can decide to become a full TFC group after one year of being an associate group and then they will receive added benefits including coverage under the corporate insurance policy and a 15 passenger van if one is available.

content/ministries/camp/2023/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+---
+#+TITLE: 2023 TFC Camp - Simon Says
+TITLE: 2023 TFC Camp - Simon Says
+#+DATE: 2023-08-14
+DATE: 2023-08-14
+tags:
+   - Camp
+   - Simon Says
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: Simons Says
+summary: At TFC Camp this year, we looked long and hard at Simon Peter and learned how God takes ordinary people and transforms them for His extraordinary purposes!
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showDate: true
+layout: hero
+heroStyle: background
+showTableOfContents: false
+---
+
+At TFC Camp this year, we looked long and hard at Simon Peter and learned how God takes ordinary people and transforms them for His extraordinary purposes! Dustin Mulkey spoke for us this year, and it was an incredible chance to watch as God uses people for His incredible mission. Teens experienced the Lord changing them incredibly!
+
+If you'd like to watch all the recap videos from our two weeks of camp, you can do so here.
+
+{{< pt src="https://videos.tfcconnection.org/video-playlists/embed/e6f72890-d09b-441e-9861-8e9ae0b27665" height="700" weight="576">}}

content/ministries/camp/2024/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+---
+#+TITLE: 2024 TFC Camp - Anchors Aweigh
+TITLE: 2024 TFC Camp - Anchors Aweigh
+#+DATE: 2024-07-16
+DATE: 2024-07-16
+tags:
+   - Camp
+   - Anchors Aweigh
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: Anchors Aweigh
+summary: Join us for an adventure diving deep into the sea! We are studying the anchors of sin that weigh us down. Come find out more!
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showDate: true
+layout: hero
+heroStyle: background
+showTableOfContents: false
+---
+
+* Make Sure You Are Ready!
+To come to camp, you should make sure you are ready! Follow this checklist to make sure you are ready:
+- Have my money for camp! (If you haven't paid the full amount, you likely owe $100. We also have a snack shop you may want to bring some more for!)
+- Health form! If you haven't filled it out you can do so [[/camp-health-form][here]]!
+- Packed and ready?
+- Bible: Bring a paper Bible!
+- Leave your phone and other electronics at home!
+
+** Pray for open hearts and lives changed
+Camp is one of those times of the year where God works in incredible ways. Often times the sheer amount of time and intentionality of diving into God's Word and seeing ourselves reflected there helps to change us. Please be praying for the campers who will be there!
+
+** Donations
+If you have any donations you'd like to give toward camp please go [[https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z772/campaign/C-13PK8][here]] to give a monetary donation. If you'd like to give a food donation of some sort, please bring it by the TFC Office!

content/ministries/camp/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Camp"
+description: "After attending large youth camps in the Kansas City area for several years in the late 70’s and early 80’s, the ministry leadership decided to begin designing their own camp experience..."
+weight: 40
+extra:
+    featured_image: "img/camp.jpg"
+    tags: ['ministry','event']
+---
+![camp](featured.jpg "2022 Camp Picture")
+
+After attending large youth camps in the Kansas City area for several years in the late 70’s and early 80’s, the ministry leadership decided to begin designing their own camp experience locally in Southern Nebraska. TFC Camp happens over a two-week period each summer at the Camp Joy campground east of Alma, NE. During wild and wacky games, water fun and special events the teenagers develop long-term friendships with other area teens. Spiritual growth occurs through devotions, seminars and messages which encourage campers to take the next step in growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. TFC Camp provides solid opportunities for teens to grow in the disciple-making process as they are integrated into student leadership positions through a variety of intentional leadership development steps.
+
+{{< pt src="https://videos.tfcconnection.org/videos/embed/30c22854-51ab-4c10-a5a2-034b0e506abf" width="700" height="576">}}
+
+{{< spacing >}}

content/ministries/camp/prayer-warriors/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#+TITLE: Camp Prayer Warriors
+#+date: 2023-07-10T14:31:50-05:00
+#+featured_image: featured.jpg
+#+showHero: true
+#+description: Bond together with others to pray for TFC Camp!
+#+summary: Bond together with others to pray for TFC Camp
+#+showAuthor: false
+#+showAuthorsBadge: true
+#+showTaxonomies: true
+#+showReadingTime: true
+#+showWordCount: true
+#+showDate: true
+#+layout: hero
+#+heroStyle: background
+#+showTableOfContents: false
+
+** Welcome TFC Camp Prayer Warrior!
+We'd love for you to be a part of the TFC Camp prayer warriors! There are two main places to receive these updates. We'll be posting on Facebook for the many things you can be praying for, but if you'd like to have more real time communication with what's happening we have a chat room you can join on an app called Element to stay up to date and respond with your prayers so the staff will be able to read more frequently the things their communities are praying for camp and the students.
+
+Make sure to follow our Facebook page to get those announcements! If you want to send back your prayers so the staff can have more real time connection with you, please follow along!
+
+First you'll need an account on Element! Go [[https://app.element.io][here]] and create an account! Once you have an account, you'll need to [[https://matrix.to/#/#cpw:tfcconnection.org][click this link]] and join the room!
+
+If for whatever reason the link is not working for you, that's ok! Send a message to @chriscochrun:tfcconnection.org in Element, and he'll send you an invite to the server!
+
+As a final note, please follow us on [[http://facebook.com/tfcconnection][Facebook]] and you'll see daily updates with what's happening at camp!

content/ministries/coaching/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+title: "Coaching"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:14:44-05:00
+tags: ['ministry']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Since disciplemaking is the heartbeat of TFC Connection, one of the services TFC offers is individual coaching with an emphasis on helping people discover..."
+summary: "Since disciplemaking is the heartbeat of TFC Connection, one of the services TFC offers is individual coaching with an emphasis on helping people discover..."
+weight: 100
+---
+![Coaching](featured.jpg "Lavonne coaches teens and adults alike!")
+
+Since disciplemaking is the heartbeat of TFC Connection, one of the services TFC offers is individual coaching with an emphasis on helping people discover how they were created to reflect the character of God as disciplemaker. 
+
+As a staff we have members who have been a part of the ministry for only a few years but some have been on staff for well over 30 years. We would love to share some of that experience with others who are working with youth. Some of the TFC staff are certified life coaches, and coaching has become a part of our staff culture. If you are interested in life coaching, TFC has staff who are trained to walk with you in that area.

content/ministries/connection-groups/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+title: "Connection Groups"
+date: 2022-10-27T06:31:50-05:00
+tags: ['ministry','event']
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: "The heartbeat of TFC is the weekly connection meeting. In locations where TFC provides community youth groups, connection meetings are held weekly..."
+summary: "The heartbeat of TFC is the weekly connection meeting. In locations where TFC provides community youth groups, connection meetings are held weekly..."
+weight: 10
+---
+![Connection Groups](featured.jpg "The Thunder Ridge group listening to a lesson.")
+
+The heartbeat of TFC is the weekly connection meeting. In locations where TFC provides community youth groups, connection meetings are held weekly and are designed to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of teenagers. Teens are taught the Word of God with the purpose of building a biblical foundation, igniting a passion for the Gospel, and developing the ability to share that message with others as disciple-makers.

content/ministries/internships/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: "Internships"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:13:24-05:00
+tags: ['ministry']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "TFC provides opportunities to gain hands on experience in rural youth ministry through one of three internship programs. Each of these internship opportunities..."
+summary: "TFC provides opportunities to gain hands on experience in rural youth ministry through one of three internship programs. Each of these internship opportunities..."
+weight: 90
+---
+
+![Camp Interns](featured.jpg "Summer Intern Team for 2022!")
+
+TFC provides opportunities to gain hands on experience in rural youth ministry through one of three internship programs. Each of these internship opportunities are designed around a specific “season” of the ministry of TFC and youth ministry as a whole. Whether you are looking to experience the development and production of summer camp, all aspects of summer ministry within TFC (Mission Trips, SPLASH Trips, TFC Camp), or a full year in the trenches of weekly meetings, special events and summer ministry, TFC has a spot for you to grow your faith, develop skills and abilities, and serve the Lord in the context of rural youth ministry and disciple-making.
+
+TFC is looking already looking for interns for next year! Talk to [Ethan](/staff/ethan-rose) or [Lavonne](/staff/lavonne-ponstein) now to get signed up!

content/ministries/mission-trip/2023/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+title: "Miriam's Hope & Cary, Mississippi"
+date: 2023-06-02
+tags: ["Cary, Mississippi", "Miriam's Hope", "Homestead Refuge", "Mission Trip"]
+featured_image: "featured.png"
+showHero: true
+description: "Brick by Brick"
+summary: "Brick by Brick"
+showAuthor: false
+showTableOfContents: true
+authors: ["chriscochrun"]
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+---
+
+Mission Trip this year is over, but we are so excited to share the news of what's been happening with you!
+
+## Miriam's Hope/Homestead Refuge
+The Miriam's Hope team went to Oberlin, KS, to a little ministry called [Miriam's Hope](https://miriamshope.com), check back here for some insights into what happened and all the cool stories that will be shared! Continue to pray for these teenagers as they bring what God taught them home!
+
+![Miriam's Hope/Homestead Refuge](miriamshope.png "Miriam's Hope/Homestead Refuge")
+
+## Cary Mississippi
+The Cary Mississippi team worked hard with the Cary Christian Center down in Mississippi! To check what happened more, go back in our [Facebook](https://facebook.com/tfcconnection)! Also, you can check out more about the [Cary Christian Center](https://carychristiancenter.org "Cary Christian Center")
+
+![Cary, Mississippi](cary.png "Cary, Mississippi")

content/ministries/mission-trip/2024/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip 2024"
+date: 2023-08-23
+tags: ["mission-trip", "tfc"]
+newsletter: true
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showTableOfContents: true 
+showDate: true
+showHero: true
+layout: hero
+description: ""
+summary: ""
+authors: ["Jeremy Ford"]
+---
+
+This year we went on two trips, one to Rehoboth Christian Schools in New Mexico to help with construction around their campus, and one to Roca Blanco in Mexico to work alongside them in their childrens ministries and spread the Gospel!
+
+# Rehoboth Christian Schools, New Mexico
+
+Going to Rehoboth Christian Schools was a chance to work hard and share the love of Jesus for a school that is doing a lot of really cool things! We use work trips like this to stretch the comfort zones of teenagers and help them to grow a "heart for the world". A lot of times we see teenagers learn how to die to self in big ways on these trips!
+
+![Sunday on the way home!](nm_sunday.jpg "Sunday on the way home!")
+
+Rehoboth Christian Schools is a pre-school through high school, that serves the region of Gallup, New Mexico. They use their school as a way to bring a much high quality service to students from the area and share Jesus with the people there. [Rehoboth Christian School](https://www.rcsnm.org) was founded in 1903 as a ministry to the Native American people of the Four Corners region. Today, Rehoboth continues its ministry through education with multiculturalism as a backdrop, serving approximately 75% Native American students, 17% Anglo students, and 8% of students of Hispanic descent and other ethnic minorities. Rehoboth is committed to building students up not only intellectually, but also spiritually and emotionally, helping them grow into mature Christians.
+
+
+We had the awesome opportunity to roof two buildings, paint many windows and doors, and help with all kinds of odd jobs around the campus including demoing a computer lab so it could be transformed into a new special education room. The first buildng the team did was a garage/greenhouse used by the school for maintenance and teaching gardening and agriculture. The second was the older pre-school dorms that are going to be renovated into more general dormitories for volunteer teams like ours in the future. The dorm we stayed in as well as the one we roofed had many windows that were starting to take on some water and needed to be repainted to help seal the buildings up.
+
+The final job we had was to demo the computer lab in the middle school. The school was hoping to convert it into a dedicated space for their special education students, so we tore out the counters and floors and leveled everything off so they'd be able to rebuild it however they needed. Many of the teens learned how to use all kinds of new tools as they enjoyed tearing down the room!
+
+We also were given some really cool cultural experiences around the Gallup area. Going to a farmers market gave us a huge appreciation for the culture and community there, while talking with a pastor who has worked there for over two decades greatly expanded the spiritual views of many of the teens by seeing how the Navajo people view spirituality differently than we often do. We also were incredibly blessed to have gotten to know the people who help run Rehoboth Christian Schools more and learn from them as they have led this incredible school and ministry to help many kids come to know Christ and serve him throughout their lives.
+
+![Praying for the work and ministry of Rehoboth](nm_praying.jpg "Praying for the work and ministry of Rehoboth")
+
+Our time working with Rehoboth gave the teenagers a new look on life and missions by developing a "heart for the World" in them. It was an awesome experience where many teenagers found themselves wanting to do more and more as they served God by serving the people at Rehoboth
+
+{{< pt src="https://videos.tfcconnection.org/videos/embed/193ae521-0064-4c78-a435-4cfb0ff86d2e" >}}
+{{< spacing height="h-8" >}}
+
+# Roca Blanca Mission Base, Mexico
+
+The Mexico mission trip to Roca Blanca Mission Base was a Level 3 mission trip which means that this trip was designed to help the teens develop “apostolic passion” to be sent out as disciples to spread the Gospel and make disciples. The teens were given experience sharing their faith with others and praying over people, with some incredible results.
+
+The [Roca Blanca Mission Base ](https://rocablanca.org) was founded around 40 years ago when some missionaries began visiting Oaxaca, Mexico and people began to follow Jesus. The Gospel had only come to this region of Mexico around 50 years ago and this region still contains the most unreached people groups in the Americas. The Mission base impacts the lives of people in this region (and beyond) in several ways including:
+
+- A multi-grade school (pre-k thru HS) that currently has 65 students but is growing.
+- A boarding school that has 40 students.
+- A music school that has 45 students.
+- A 3-year Bible School program that currently has 105 students (Mostly 18-22 years old.)
+- An orphanage.
+- A medical clinic.
+- A trade school that teaches many different trades including carpentry, welding, plumbing, electrical, cooking, sewing and multi-media, and they are working on adding auto mechanics, beauty, and a full nursing program.
+
+![The Mission Team in Roca Blanca](featured.jpg "The Mission Team in Roca Blanca")
+
+Steven Roberts from Hutchinson, Kansas is the director of the Trade School. He was good friends with Ken Massey (former TFC Staff member) who kept telling him that he needed to go on a mission trip, but Steve was “too busy” with his construction company to go. When Ken died Steve decided he needed to honor Ken by going on a mission trip. That led him to going to Roca Blanca Mission Base and to him leaving behind his very successful construction company to build and lead the trade school on the base. He left everything behind and followed Jesus’ call to Roca Blanca. He has an incredible testimony which the teens heard all about on the trip and they helped do some landscaping at the trade school building which is nearing completion.
+
+Through the Bible School program, they raise up missionaries and pastors to send them out to plant and lead churches. Currently they are overseeing 84 churches and are in the process of planting more. The students also attend the trade school in order to be able to support themselves in the villages and as a way of reaching out into the community they serve. Medical care is a key way that they reach people in the villages which is why they are investing in a nursing program. Medical missions open the door for sharing the Gospel with people and helping them turn away from the witch doctors in the villages.
+
+![Praying for the locals](praying.jpg "Praying for the locals")
+
+Another way they serve people and open the door for the Gospel is by delivering food to families, some of whom live mainly on rice and beans which leads to health problems. The team handed out food bags in three villages and had the opportunity to share the Gospel and pray over families. This was one of our favorite parts of the trip and we had the privilege of leading 5 people to Salvation. We also prayed for people with serious health issues and another family who was dealing with deep grief after losing three family members in the span of 8 months. It was a deeply emotional visit both for them and us. One of the villages we visited has descendants of African slaves who were shipwrecked off the coast and settled there. They still practice their voodoo religion including human sacrifices and offering their children to Satan, so there is deep spiritual darkness in that area. Roca Blanca has faced some opposition to ministering there, but the people are open to medical missions and food. Roca Blanca is working to plant a church in that village and our team provided them with the funds they needed to get a provisional church started. They still need to raise $10,000 to build a church building and one of the teen girls on the trip went home with a plan to begin raising the funds so they can build the church as soon as possible.
+
+During our time there we also had the opportunity to spend some time with the kids at the orphanage and participate in two children's ministry opportunities including an outreach event in one of their churches and a Kid’s Club meeting in a different community. The teens learned three skits to present the Gospel to the kids, learned motions to songs they sang and a couple of them even shared their testimonies with the kids. 
+
+![Kids in the orphanage](kids.jpg "Kids in the orphanage")
+
+God blessed us in amazing ways on this trip and we saw Him work in the lives of people we met. We also heard powerful testimonies from people at the Mission Base and how God is working in and through them to make disciples in that area. 
+
+{{< pt src="https://videos.tfcconnection.org/videos/embed/d2cf2a32-0d01-462c-8557-f1895046f3d0" >}}

content/ministries/mission-trip/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip"
+description: "Our desire to see teenagers develop a heart for missions was the main force behind the development of mission trip opportunities over 30 years ago."
+weight: 30
+extra:
+    tags: ['ministry','event']
+    featured_image: "img/mt.jpg"
+---
+
+![mission trip](featured.jpg "Last year's SPLASH 2.0 Trip in North Platte")
+
+Our desire to see teenagers develop a heart for missions was the main force behind the development of mission trip opportunities over 30 years ago. These trips are designed to pull teens out of their comfort zone as they learn to see the needs of others through the lens of the Word of God. With an emphasis on prayer, personal devotions, and an “I’d be glad to” attitude, teens are challenged to see the world through the eyes of Jesus while serving as his hands and feet. Every year we offer several trips and each one is designed for a different level of spiritual maturity with a specific goal of moving students to the next level in the disciple-making process.
+
+> If you still need to fill out a mission trip form you can do so [here](/mt-form) and if you need to fill out a health form still, please do so [here](/health-form). Also here you can fill out the [parent](/mt-parent-form), [teacher](/mt-teacher-form), [church-related](/mt-church-form) reference forms.
+
+
+<!-- {{< button href="/mt-form" target="_self" >}} -->
+<!-- Sign up! -->
+<!-- {{< /button >}} -->
+
+## 
+{{< pt src="https://videos.tfcconnection.org/videos/embed/aa14bf70-adc8-4efd-b15b-37c59b31f418" >}}
+
+{{< spacing >}}

content/ministries/special-events/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+title: "Special Events"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:13:43-05:00
+tags: ['ministry','event']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Understanding that growing as a disciple is a process, through the years TFC has supplemented what was taught in weekly meetings with a variety of training and/or refreshing “getaway” opportunities."
+summary: "Understanding that growing as a disciple is a process, through the years TFC has supplemented what was taught in weekly meetings with a variety of training and/or refreshing “getaway” opportunities."
+weight: 20
+---
+![180 Encounters](featured.jpg "Worship at our 180 Encounter")
+
+Understanding that growing as a disciple is a process, through the years TFC has supplemented what was taught in weekly meetings with a variety of training and/or refreshing “getaway” opportunities. Whether through large conferences or ministry specific student leadership training events, teens have the chance to step away from the everyday routine in order to dig deeper in their walk with Christ and grow in their leadership skills. Through events like 180 Encounters, all-nighters and concerts, teens also have the opportunity to gather with friends from across our ministry area and enjoy extended time to fellowship with one another while growing deeper in their faith.
+
+![180 Encounter Team](180team.jpg "The 180 Encounter team for 2022!")
+
+Want to learn more about 180 Encounters? Talk to [Lavonne](/staff/lavonne-ponstein).

content/ministries/splash/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+title: "Splash"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:12:45-05:00
+tags: ['ministry','event']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "In 2014 TFC developed this mission trip opportunity in response to the need for short local mission trip experiences. These trips focus on serving rural communities..."
+summary: "In 2014 TFC developed this mission trip opportunity in response to the need for short local mission trip experiences. These trips focus on serving rural communities..."
+weight: 50
+---
+![SPLASH](featured.jpg "A group of teens working on a SPLASH trip at [Miriam's Hope](https://www.miriamshope.com/)")
+
+In 2014 TFC developed this mission trip opportunity in response to the need for short local mission trip experiences. These trips focus on serving rural communities in our area for 2 to 3 days and they provide excellent faith building opportunities for teenagers and the adults who lead them. The trips are designed around the acrostic Surrender, Pray, Look, Ask, and Serve Happily – which is also the structure for these trips. We gather as a team to surrender our lives to God for his use and then we travel to a local community where we pray and begin looking for opportunities to serve as the Lord leads us to projects or people who need a helping hand.

content/ministries/volunteers/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+title: "Volunteers"
+date: 2022-10-27T13:14:59-05:00
+tags: ['ministry']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Within the ministry of TFC there are several opportunities for volunteers to be involved in ministry with teenagers."
+summary: "Within the ministry of TFC there are several opportunities for volunteers to be involved in ministry with teenagers. The weekly meetings are one of the main opportunities..."
+weight: 80
+---
+![volunteers](featured.jpg "volunteers at camp")
+Within the ministry of TFC there are several opportunities for volunteers to be involved in ministry with teenagers. The weekly meetings are one of the main opportunities for volunteers to join in with the ministry of TFC but we also provide other opportunities for people to join us in ministry with teenagers on mission trips and at TFC Camp. We appreciate all of our volunteers and our desire is that they grow in their faith along with the teenagers they are investing in.

content/mt-church-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip Church Form"
+date: 2022-11-11T15:03:48-06:00
+omit_header_text: true
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+---
+
+<!-- Mission Trip applications are closed until next year. -->
+
+> This reference form will be confidential. If you need to, you can print this page and return it to TFC Connection 662 7th St Phillipsburg, KS 67661 by February 1st in order for your teen to be considered for Mission Trip.
+
+{{< mt-church-form >}}

content/mt-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+---
+title: Mission Trip Form
+omit_header_text: true
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+
+---
+
+<!-- Mission Trip applications are closed until next year. -->
+
+If you are looking for the reference forms they are here, [parent](/mt-parent-form), [teacher](/mt-teacher-form), and [church-related](/mt-church-form)! Please click the appropriate one for them! Here is the [health form](/mt-health-form)! Also, if you need to pay please go [here](/donate). Thank you!
+
+## Mission Trip Options
+This year we have three options for mission trip!
+
+## SPLASH 3.0 - June 3-10 - Highschool only
+This trip is designed for students who are ready to be “sent out” as witnesses for Jesus Christ. Students applying for this trip should have reached a point in their relationship with Jesus where they want to be used by Jesus to help people be drawn into a relationship with Him. On this trip you might be sharing your testimony, involved in helping individuals understand the Word of God, and experience life on life ministry. You will learn what it is like to "be sent" by Jesus to draw people into a relationship with Him and it will challenge you to practice dependence on the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance. As a team we will learn how to follow Jesus as He opens our eyes to see the needs of people. 
+
+There will be no planned destination for this trip because we will follow the Holy Spirit to the places He wants us to serve during this time. This will be a stretch for many but will also be greatly rewarding as we learn to trust God to show us the needs of others! The team will include several TFC staff members, and we may end up traveling into the states bordering Kansas as we look for the places where Jesus wants us to serve Him. We will be self-contained including packing tools to work with and food for fixing our own meals, and we will either stay in churches or sleep in tents overnight. The trip will prepare team members to see how Jesus wants to use us in the world by meeting the needs of people and making disciples. As a team we will be provided opportunities to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we pray and follow in obedience to where Jesus sends us.
+
+- Estimated Support Goal of $700-$800
+
+## Tulsa, Oklahoma - May 24-30 - 8th Grade and above
+This trip is designed for students who are ready for the challenge of leaving their personal desires behind as they follow Jesus and help meet the needs of others through the ministry of [Praying Pelican Missions in Tulsa, OK](https://www.ppm.org/mission-trips/tulsa-oklahoma). While Tulsa’s history as an oil boomtown is well-known, many are less aware that it was also once home to one of the most vibrant black communities in the U.S. prior to the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921 when 10,000 Black people lost their homes, and an estimated 300 people died. It is considered by some to be “the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.” Now, just over 100 years later, we will be part of a renewed effort to heal deep wounds, come together as a community, and build up the local Church in Tulsa to reach across social, economic, racial, and spiritual divides. Our mission team will work alongside local church or ministry partners to meet real needs in the community and we will also have the opportunity to learn more about Tulsa’s deep history with diversity.
+
+- Estimated Support Goal of $800 - $900
+
+## Cary Christian Center - May 28-June 9 - Highschool only
+This trip is designed for students who want a chance to leave their desires behind and serve others for the purpose of building up the Kingdom of God. Students will engage with the needs of people living in poverty in the Mississippi Delta as they work in partnership with Cary Christian Center in Cary, MS. Their focus is on coming alongside people to help break the cycle of poverty through relationships. Working with the Cary Christian Center we will assist them in meeting the physical needs of individuals in Cary and surrounding communities. Projects may involve painting, shingling, minor construction, or serving the needs of the Center itself. There is a possibility of also working with Serenity on the Bayou (Emmanuel Community Center) in Anguilla, MS. The work through "Serenity on the Bayou" will provide opportunities for "face-to-face" involvement with the children of the Delta region. Projects may involve teaching Bible classes, tutoring students with specific educational needs and planning activities for the area's children.
+
+Requirements for this team are a willingness to die to self and serve even when the conditions make it hard to say “I’d be glad to.” You won’t be leaving the country on this trip but it will provide you with a great cross cultural experience and move you way outside of your comfort zone too! For more information about the Cary Christian Center check out [carychristiancenter.org](carychristiancenter.org) and for Serenity on the Bayou, check out [emmanuelcommunitycenter.org](emmanuelcommunitycenter.org).
+
+- Estimated Support Goal of $900 - $1000
+
+<!-- ## 1-2 Day Local Trip - TBD -->
+<!-- Formerly known as the SPLASH trip, this trip will be within 2 hours of the TFC office in Phillipsburg, KS and will be a 2 day trip where you can get a taste for a longer mission trip. If you don’t feel ready to go on a longer trip, or have scheduling conflicts with the other trips, this is the trip for you! You will still have the opportunity to serve and grow in your faith in Jesus. Click the button below to sign up for this trip! -->
+
+<!-- {{< button href="/local-trip-form">}} -->
+<!-- Local Trip -->
+<!-- {{< /button >}} -->
+
+## Mission Trip Agreement
+> In order to fill out the application, you must agree to the following!
+
+- I agree to obey all rules and guidelines that TFC Connection and other associated ministries establish, realizing they have my best interest and welfare in mind. I will trust their judgment and obey them. **The staff have the right to confront me if they see a problem in my attitude or in my obeying the rules.**
+- I agree to participate in the support raising part of this project. Even though I may have the finances to pay my own way, I will send out a _**minimum of 10 letters**_ to people who would be interested in this project. **I will also respect the deadlines to get my letters in the mail and realize this may lead to my dismissal from a trip if I haven’t done my part.**
+- I acknowledge that I am expected to do my share of the work on the mission trip and I will be willing to do what is asked of me with an "I'd be glad to" attitude.
+- **I will work at making this mission trip a priority!** Even if other events come up after I am accepted on a mission trip, I will commit to still go on this trip.
+
+{{< mt-form >}}

content/mt-health-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip Health Form"
+date: 2022-12-31T14:27:16-06:00
+omit_header_text: true
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+---
+
+> You will need to fill out this health form in order to finish your mission trip application.
+
+Since our health forms are only active from May to May even if you have finished the health form previously, you need to do so again in order to be eligible for mission trip since they are during May and June.
+
+{{ health-form() }}

content/mt-parent-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip Parent Form"
+date: 2022-11-11T14:47:35-06:00
+omit_header_text: true
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+---
+
+<!-- Mission Trip applications are closed until next year. -->
+
+> This reference form is to help us understand your teenager better and it will be kept confidential. We consider it a privilege to work with your teenager, but as we consider them for this mission project, we would appreciate your valuable insight. If you need to, you can print this page and return it to TFC Connection 662 7th St Phillipsburg, KS 67661 by February 1st in order for your teen to be considered for Mission Trip.
+
+{{< mt-parent-form >}}

content/mt-teacher-form.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Mission Trip Teacher Form"
+date: 2022-11-11T15:03:43-06:00
+omit_header_text: true
+layout: simple
+sharingLinks: false
+---
+
+<!-- Mission Trip applications are closed until next year. -->
+
+> Thank you for taking the time to fill out the form. This reference form will be confidential. If you need to, you can print this page and return it to TFC Connection 662 7th St Phillipsburg, KS 67661 by February 1st in order for your teen to be considered for Mission Trip.
+
+{{< mt-teacher-form >}}

content/newsletters/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+title: "Newsletters"
+---
+If you'd like to read the newsletters that individual staff write, check them out here!
+

content/staff/_index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
++++
+title = "Meet the TFC Staff"
+template = "staff_section.html"
+[extra]
+featured_image = "img/staff.jpg"
++++
+
+Staff are what make TFC happen. These people give their time, energy, and money to making sure TFC happens and are constantly following the Lord to His purpose for the communities they work in.
+
+> If you'd like to check out newsletters written by ALL the staff [click here](/newsletters "newsletters").

content/staff/april-teves/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "April Teves"
+date: 2022-10-28T15:25:50-05:00
+tags: ["Staff", "Logan", "Wakeeney"]
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Arnie and April moved to Logan, Kansas in October of 2009."
+layout: "simple"
+summary: "Arnie and April moved to Logan, Kansas in October of 2009. April’s grandfather’s family homesteaded south of Logan and she grew up coming to Logan every year for family reunions."
+weight: 70
+---
+![April and Arnie Teves](featured.jpg "April and Arnie Teves")
+
+Arnie and April moved to Logan, Kansas in October of 2009. April’s grandfather’s family homesteaded south of Logan and she grew up coming to Logan every year for family reunions. So, when they moved here, it was like moving to her hometown, although she was raised in Colorado. Shortly after they moved here, April joined TFC staff and eventually became the leader of the Logan TFC group. They now co-lead the Logan group with Lewis and Susan Smith from Phillipsburg and they love being part of the community of Logan, getting to know the families and the teens, and teaching the teens about Jesus! April also leads the junior high group in Wakeeney in partnership with the Church of God.

content/staff/billy-cayou/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Billy Cayou"
+date: 2022-10-28T15:25:34-05:00
+tags: ['Staff', 'Phillipsburg']
+featured_image: ""
+description: "Billy grew up in Oxford, Nebraska and was a part of Southern Valley TFC throughout Middle School and High School."
+layout: "simple"
+summary: "Billy grew up in Oxford, Nebraska and was a part of Southern Valley TFC throughout Middle School and High School. During college..."
+weight: 80
+---
+![Billy Cayou](featured.jpg "Billy Cayou loves disc golf!")
+
+Billy grew up in Oxford, Nebraska and was a part of Southern Valley TFC throughout Middle School and High School. During college, Billy was a summer intern for a few years and in the fall of 2021 he began his year long internship. During those years God placed a desire in Billy to serve in the ministry where he loved so dearly, then he joined staff in the fall of 2022. Billy handles our social media and helps lead the Phillipsburg Group with Brian and Julie Fischer.

content/staff/brian-and-julie-fischer/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: "Brian and Julie Fischer"
+date: 2022-10-25T14:00:50-05:00
+tags: ["Staff", "Executive Director", "Phillipsburg"]
+image: "img/brain.jpg"
+description: "As a teenager Brian was a part of the Golden Plains Youth For Christ ministry at Northern Valley and he participated in events like Bible quizzing and monthly rallies."
+layout: "simple"
+summary: "As a teenager Brian was a part of the Golden Plains Youth For Christ ministry at Northern Valley and he participated in events like Bible quizzing and monthly rallies."
+weight: 10
+---
+![Brian's Family](featured.jpg "Brian's Family")
+
+As a teenager Brian was a part of the Golden Plains Youth For Christ ministry at Northern Valley and he participated in events like Bible quizzing and monthly rallies. During his high school years he was also a part of the first mission trip teams and attended some of the first years of TFC Camp. In 2010 God called Brian back to Phillipsburg to become the Executive Director for the ministry now called Teens For Christ Connection. God is doing some great things within TFC and he continues to lead us forward into the future as we strive to do whatever it takes to help teenagers become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Brian’s wife Julie is the Office Manager for TFC and she does a great job keeping all of the finances in order. Brian and Julie also help lead the Phillipsburg TFC groups and they are the proud parents of Nathan and Natalie.

content/staff/chris-and-abbie-cochrun/2023-08/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+---
+#+TITLE: True and Better 🔝 - August 2023 Newsletter
+TITLE: True and Better 🔝 - August 2023 Newsletter
+#+DATE: 2023-09-18
+DATE: 2023-09-18
+#+AUTHOR: Chris Cochrun
+authors:
+  - chriscochrun
+tags:
+  - Chris & Abbie Cochrun
+  - Northern Valley
+  - Lessons
+  - True and Better
+newsletter: true
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showDate: true
+showHero: true
+layout: hero
+showTableOfContents: true
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: Well, we ran out of food! That was the situation for our first night of TFC! It's a problem for sure, but a good problem!
+summary: Well, we ran out of food! That was the situation for our first night of TFC! It's a problem for sure, but a good problem!
+newsletter: true
+---
+
+* True and Better
+Well, we ran out of food! That was the situation for our first night of TFC! It's a problem for sure, but a good problem! And that's kind of how TFC has gone recently, let me share with you some of our plans for this year, and what we need your help in praying for!
+
+[[file:kickball.jpg]]
+
+Our plan for teaching this year, is to talk through a lot of the same stories we shared last year in the Old Testament, however, this time, we are going to share how all of those characters in the stories, point to Jesus. In so many ways, the biblical authors have crafted such a powerfully unique story that is linked all throughout to point to the one and most important person in all our lives, Jesus.
+
+That's why we've named our theme True and Better. Timothy Keller shared a sermon once with a series of statements of Jesus being a True and Better completion of many characters and stories throughout the Bible. And Tim Keller ended it with, "The Bible's not about you."
+
+[[file:trueandbetter.jpg]]
+
+Think on that for a moment, it's not about you, because all of it points to Jesus. It's about Jesus. It always has been and always will be. He's the one who lived a perfect life when I couldn't, He's the one who died under the weight of my sin when I should have, He's the one who stands before God forgiving me when I don't deserve it. It's all about Him, not me.
+
+That's our hope and prayer this year, that as we share all of these stories of how Jesus perfects all of these characters, that we will see ourselves in those characters and how we need to adjust our lives to point to Jesus better. Ultimately, we want the teens this year to better understand their role of how they too can point to Jesus, to share Him in new and unique ways by being a light in their schools, families, and communities.
+
+I was praying through these lessons at the beginning of this year and thought, what if I make a point to ask the kids over and over, how do you point to Jesus? If we can find ways to do that each and every day? What would our communities look like? Our schools?
+
+If you see the kids out and about sometime, ask them, “How do you point to Jesus?” And maybe too, do it with us, ask yourself, “How can I point to Jesus today?” It's a powerful question that really changes the way we ought to work and act in life?
+
+[[file:allthrow.jpg]]
+[[file:pitching.jpg]]
+[[file:kicking.jpg]]
+
+* Cochrun Happenings
+So, school has started and TFC has started, but our families biggest change has been that Josiah is now going to school! He has been really enjoying it, but boy does it tire him out! Luke misses him, but is really cute playing so well by himself! Finally, Ty has been such a sweet little baby! We've been incredibly blessed by the world's best baby! He rarely complains and sleeps 12 hours a night!
+
+[[file:family.png]]
+
+* Thank You
+Thank you all so much for cheering for us, praying for us, and supporting us! Continue to pray as the start of a new year of TFC is a difficult thing!
+
+#+begin_quote
+Remember that you can help by contacting me about helping out at TFC through either food or being part of the team on Wednesday nights! Please let me know if you or someone you know is able to help! Also, if you haven't, consider donating to helping us out by going [[https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z772/campaign/C-12WG5][here]]!
+#+end_quote

content/staff/chris-and-abbie-cochrun/2023-09/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+---
+#+TITLE: Father to Many - September 2023 Newsletter
+TITLE: Father to Many - September 2023 Newsletter
+#+DATE: 2023-10-06
+DATE: 2023-10-06
+#+AUTHOR: Chris Cochrun
+authors:
+  - chriscochrun
+tags:
+  - Chris & Abbie Cochrun
+  - Northern Valley
+  - Lessons
+  - True and Better
+newsletter: true
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showDate: true
+showHero: true
+layout: hero
+showTableOfContents: true
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: God is referred to as our father in the Bible many times.
+summary: God is referred to as our father in the Bible many times.
+newsletter: true
+---
+
+
+* Chris - Father to Many!
+By Abbie Cochrun
+
+God is referred to as our father in the Bible many times. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He had them start their prayer by saying, ““Our father in heaven…” Clearly the role of father in an important characteristic of who God is!
+
+But what if you don’t have a great example of how God leads and loves you in your dad on earth? Sadly, this is where many of the teens who come to Northern Valley TFC find themselves. Yet, I see God using Chris to fulfill this role in some small way. When Chris was at camp for two weeks this past summer, I got a text from another staff member that said, “Thanks for sharing Chris this week - these kids desperately need a Christian dad!”  He picked on and encouraged and loved those kids for a solid week at camp, and the work didn’t stop there!  
+
+This past week at TFC Chris noticed a few of the boys making fun of and laughing at another kid. Rather than just ignore it or sternly tell them to knock it off, he pulled them aside, and spoke to them about how Jesus loves us, challenging them to think about their actions and whether what they were doing was reflecting Jesus well. He actually came home quite frustrated with these guys because they really should know better! But even in his frustration I saw him fulfilling this “dad” role for these kids. He loves them and wants them to know how to live life according to what the Bible says! This is a hard task when you only have a few hours with them a week so please pray that God would use what He’s doing and multiply it greatly! 
+
+He has also started meeting with a few of the older kids for a Bible Study on Friday mornings again.  I know that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives can be changed, so I’m praying that God would transform hearts like only he can, and that these kids would see how God loves them through the work Chris is doing! 
+
+This brought me to our Bible study group. I asked them to read through Luke this summer. Then I told them it isn't much. Just half a chapter a day. Mostly just 20 verses a day. And if they ever wanted to read through the whole Bible it'd take 12 pages a day and you'd make it in about 3 months. Then Josie flipped through her Bible and asked if I could help her figure out how long it'd take her to read through the entire New Testament, I think I got her convinced that it doesn't take much, just consistency.
+
+That was my final point in our last night of TFC too. Let God's Word change you. So with that, I invite you to do the same! If you'd like, read half a chapter of Luke every day this summer, and you'll get through it just a couple of months! And as you do, pray for our little group! I told them I'd be checking in with them over the summer to see how their reading is going, so pray that they'll keep it up and that they'll be changed!
+
+[[cash.jpg]]
+[[colt.jpg]]
+
+* Jesus - The True and Better
+Our theme this year has been True and Better. A deep look at how Jesus completes so many of the stories we encounter throughout the Old Testament. So many times, we read the Old Testament and feel disconnected to the stories because they seem old and strange and the practices people have in them seem barbaric, but Jesus completes so many of the incredible themes we find getting started in the OT that if we don't read it, we miss out on incredibly cool things Jesus does!!
+
+
+The stories we've talked about already:
+Jesus is the True and Better Adam. While Adam failed in the garden and brought death into our world, Jesus passes the test in the garden and brings us life.
+Jesus is the True and Better Abel. While Abel died innocent his blood cries out to God for vengence. Jesus also dies innocent, but His blood doesn't cry out for our vengence against us for killing Him, but for our forgiveness.
+Jesus is the True and Better Noah. While Noah succeeded in being blameless in God's eyes for a time, he was only able to save 8 people and still failed in his own garden. Instead Jesus was always blameless, and saves all who turn to Him.
+Next week we talk about Abraham. Jesus is the True and Better Abraham because while Abraham was the father to many and that one day someone would save the world through Abraham's line, Jesus was that savior and fulfills that promise!
+
+* Cochrun Happenings
+We have had a good September! Josiah has been doing great at school and enjoys learning new things and playing with his friends! Luke has adjusted well to being the “big brother” at home while Josiah is gone.
+We also celebrated Ty’s baptism at church this month. It is so cool to have him fully welcomed into the family of God! We’re excited to see how God will use his life for His glory!
+Life has just been really sweet lately with these three little boys! :)
+
+[[family.png]]
+
+#+begin_quote
+Remember that you can help by donating [[https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z772/campaign/C-12WG5][here]]! We love how God provides so we can serve this community!!
+#+end_quote

content/staff/chris-and-abbie-cochrun/2023-11/index.org

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+---
+#+TITLE: A Full Two Months - October & November Newsletter
+TITLE: A Full Two Months
+#+DATE: 2023-11-20
+DATE: 2023-11-20
+#+AUTHOR: Chris Cochrun
+authors:
+  - chriscochrun
+tags:
+  - Chris & Abbie Cochrun
+  - Northern Valley
+  - Lessons
+  - True and Better
+  - Mom
+showAuthor: false
+showAuthorsBadge: true
+showTaxonomies: true
+showReadingTime: true
+showWordCount: true
+showDate: true
+showHero: true
+layout: hero
+showTableOfContents: true
+featured_image: "featured.jpg"
+description: Around when I should have been writing and sending out my last newsletter, I heard that my mother was getting put into the hospital, likely with pneumonia. This started a long week of hospitals and the passing of my mother.
+summary: Around when I should have been writing and sending out my last newsletter, I heard that my mother was getting put into the hospital, likely with pneumonia. This started a long week of hospitals and the passing of my mother.
+newsletter: true
+---
+
+* Missing My Mother
+Around when I should have been writing and sending out my last newsletter, I heard that my mother was getting put into the hospital, likely with pneumonia. This started a long week of hospitals and the passing of my mother.
+
+My mom was a fireball. She was feisty, passionate, always knew she was right, and if you weren't careful she'd burn you good. My mom found her joy in her kids, in her family. It was the joy of her heart to watch her kids grow up to become self sufficient, good, strong people. And she believed in the best for us. Seriously, I can remember being in junior high, she believed I could do anything. Since becoming a parent myself, I know that you often feel your kids are incredible, but my mom was far and above. If I would have told her I was interested in government, she thought I'd become the President someday, if I was interested in computer science, she was expecting me to become the next Steve Jobs. Seriously, she believed in us, and would help to plow the way for her kids too. Of course life always gets in the way, but she was optimism incarnate for her kids. And she knew how to love us.
+
+My heart hurts so much to see her gone. The night she died, I paced the hospital reading Psalm 77. This passage is a large lament over the dangers that are surrounding the psalmist.  It gives the feeling like the psalmist has even almost entirely lost their faith in God. However, after their questions and struggles, they reflect instead on all that God has done. Note too, that this psalm is written much later in Israel's history, so the events that the psalmist is reflecting on are not ones that they've even seen themselves. This means, that just reflecting on God's Word, turned their hearts to Him instead of away.
+
+I spent time with students at TFC reflecting on these passages ourselves. As I shared about this, I realized that in a lot of ways, our world drives us away from the Lord at any chance that it can. We talked about Abraham and Isaac this last week as well, and I shared how Abraham could have been angry with God because Isaac was being taken away from him just like my mom was taken, just like many of the teens in our group have had someone or something taken from them. We could all be angry at God because of the things taken from us. And that's exactly what that liar, Satan, would want.
+
+But, that's not how Jesus combats the evil in this world. I was recently given a previewing of the upcoming movie by Angel Studios (the makers of The Chosen) called "The Shift". The premise of the movie is very similar to the book of Job. There is a man who loses everything in a lot of ways, and instead of turning against God, leans into Him with everything. The movie was pretty good honestly, it takes a lot of creative liberties since I'd call it more of an allegory set into a futuristic/sci-fi world, but gets the heart of the message. What would you be able to give up and still serve the Lord? It's a hard question really. Even when everything gets taken from you, It's a lot to think about, but even so, we must cling to Him. And Jesus was our perfect example of that.
+
+{{< figure src=momanddad.jpg alt="A Picture of my parents" caption="Mom and Dad" >}}
+
+* Lots Going On
+We also got the honor of taking the kids Operation Christmas Child shopping!! Between our small group, we raised enough for 5 boxes, but as I helped send off the TFC Drop Off center boxes this morning, the TFC Office sent off 1080 boxes this year!!!!!
+
+{{< figure src=occ/older-girls.jpg caption="The older girl group" >}}
+{{< figure src=occ/boys.jpg caption="Boys group" >}}
+{{< figure src=occ/younger-girls.jpg  caption="The younger girls group" >}}
+
+We have been having a lot of fun. If I could, I'd like to ask that you pray for some of our kids by name a bit more often!
+
+{{< figure src=bryson.jpg caption="This is Bryson, he's a squirrely one, but he has a good heart!" >}}
+
+{{< figure src=jaden.jpg caption="Jaden has been coming to TFC for over two years and in a lot of ways, has grown so much!!" >}}
+
+{{< figure src=jaycee.jpg caption="Jaycee is a fifth grader, so she isn't actually in TFC yet, but she has been around every now and then and it's fun chatting with her on my bus routes!!" >}}
+
+{{< figure src=featured.jpg  caption="Jeremy teaching about the paralytic lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus." >}}
+
+This last weekend we had another 180 Encounter! I just loved watching an alumni and now good friend Jeremy Ford teaching the teens about Jesus as they sat at his feet!
+
+* Cochrun Happenings
+The last couple of months have been so full! We’ve been busy with house projects, battling sickness, and then walking through the hardness of losing my mom. We are honestly ready for the slower pace of the winter season!
+
+But we did enjoy many fun aspects of the fall season too. Ty enjoyed his first Halloween as the most adorable lion and the older boys loved “helping” me carve pumpkins for the first time. We also enjoyed a hay rack ride together!
+
+[[family.jpg]]
+
+#+begin_quote
+Remember that you can help by donating [[https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z772/campaign/C-12WG5][here]]! We love how God provides so we can serve this community!!
+#+end_quote
+
+Thank you all so much for your love and prayers! And for the many of you who have sent and shared sympathies for the passing of my mom. We know God has placed an awesome team around us for life and for our ministry!!