“It’s a joy to watch them having so much fun on the beach.”

This was a quote I overheard while building a sandcastle on Assateague Island. FLAVA youth took a trip to the Maryland coast to camp out for a couple days. I looked up to see who was in the ocean and what exactly they were doing. The man was right. Two of our students were in the water, launching themselves over the waves crashing on the shoreline. Their loud giggles brought smiles

to all the faces around us. These two students had never been to the beach before that afternoon. Everyone was able to partake in the joy they found in God’s creation!

We continue to feel blessed to be a part of moments like these. Bringing FLAVA students to the beach might seem like just a fun trip to some, but it is so much more than that. Students were able to experience a new part of creation, and catch another glimpse of our amazing God and His work. The people around us were able to get a glimpse of this as well. Memories were made, and we had a lot of fun, but seeing our NETwork students connect with God in a new way was definitely the highlight of the trip.

- Tasha

New Focus: Arts Ministry

Dear Friends of NETwork,

We are thrilled to announce the beginning of a new arts ministry for kids in Chambersburg! Our enthusiasm is rooted in a belief that God will use this to reach more youth in our community with the good news of Jesus! As we continue to pursue our mission, you might be curious to know why we’re focusing more on the arts. At our recent banquet, we took time to communicate some of the vision for this new focus. I’ll reiterate several key points from what was shared.

If we look at the Scriptures, one of the first characteristics we learn about our God is that He is Creator; the first recorded action is God creating the heavens and the earth. With this in mind, we’re led to believe that our God loves creativity! Just look at the animals, flowers, mountains, or the ocean. Or even better, look at the capstone of his creation: you and I. The uniqueness and intricacy in each person is truly wonderful! We’re convinced that as kids create and engage with the arts, there is incredible potential to teach and reinforce biblical themes and to instill a sense of wonder in our awesome Creator God!

Secondly, we know that you love the arts. You might not consider yourself to be an artist, but just about everyone has an appreciation for some form of art, be it good music, architecture, writing, painting, or

a well-designed product. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback in the past when we’ve helped kids to use their creativity for good and to bless our community, and we invite you to continue celebrating our youth in this!

Thirdly, we know that kids love the arts! Throughout our history, we’ve used different art forms - music, painting, dance, and more - to connect with kids, and we’ve found the response to be overwhelmingly positive. We’re planning to significantly expand this component of NETwork’s ministry and aiming to reach new kids - many we don’t even yet know.

Not only do kids love the arts, but the arts are also good for them! Through the arts, we know kids can learn crucial skills in observation, movement, imagina- tive thinking, creative production and more! The

arts can also deepen kids’ sense of belonging, their understanding of others, of culture, and of history. Research even shows links between the arts and improved grades and decreased delinquency among high-risk youth. And in a very practical way, the arts can give kids opportunities to express themselves and tell their stories, and build their confidence in who God has created them to be! As we step out in faith, we believe that God will use this for His glory!

To lead this effort, we plan to hire a new Director of Arts. As we prepare, we’d appreciate your prayers and your assistance in helping us to find quality candidates who love Jesus, the arts, and of course, kids! We also know we’ll need a solid team of volunteers to make this ministry a success, so please do let us know if you know folks who might want to be involved!

Our goal is to start this new ministry in September, just a few months from now. This is pos- sible because of your generosity and encouragement, as so many of you are responding to the Holy Spirit stirring your hearts with enthusiasm for this ministry. We are excited to see where God leads us in this new endeavor, and are blessed by your partnership as we share the gospel with children and teens!

In Him,
Ben

Juanita

Dear Friends of NETwork,

When I first met Juanita, she was an energetic young girl in first grade, with several siblings who also came to NETwork. After years of being involved at NETwork, Juanita Johnson is now in high school and serves as one of our StreetLeaders. A few days ago, we sat down after Kids Club to talk about her experiences at NETwork. I think you’ll enjoy hearing what she shared.

Juanita’s earliest memories of NETwork are of “playing a lot with the leaders and kids, having a good time, and being surrounded by positive people all the time. I’d never come to something like that before.” In Kids Club, she had opportunities to “get closer to God, and make a lot of posi- tive friends. I was able to just be myself at NETwork.” From a young age, Juanita also dreamed of someday being a StreetLeader.

Now serving in the role she once dreamt about, Juanita notes that the best part is “being around the kids and forming relationships with them, giving advice, and being a positive role model. With kids, what they see - that’s how they act - so being a role model and a good influence is important.” Juanita’s work ethic is impressive, and she takes her job as a StreetLeader seriously. She genuinely cares about each child, and we’ve seen her confidence level grow as she’s become more involved

in teaching and mentoring students. She adds,“Before I came here, I didn’t know much about Jesus, but now that I’m older, I’m teaching other kids about God. You have to know what you teach.”

A few months ago Juanita’s family faced very difficult circumstances. Juanita reflects,“Along with some of my close friends, Miss Denise has been part of my support system, and she has told me to keep my head up and not give up. She’s someone that I look up to because she’s strong spiritually.” Juanita’s been able to support other students in ways similar to how she’s felt support. After listening to one young girl share about how she’d been traumatized by domestic abuse, Juanita reassured the girl that “it’s not her fault that she’s going through these things,” and she took time to pray for her. She’s “been impacted by the stories of kids” and has reassured many other students “that they’re not alone” in the midst of hardships.

Where is Juanita headed in life? “I didn’t have an idea about what I wanted to do. But because I come to work every day and enjoy working with the kids and helping and teaching them, it’s made me think,‘Maybe this is what I want to do, because I enjoy it so much.’” Along with Denise, Juanita recently spent a career-exploration day at Thaddeus Stevens, the school she attended as a child. The teachers embraced the opportunity to have her back in the classroom. They recounted memories of her good work, and her return visit made her parents proud. Now, because of these experiences, Juanita wants to pursue a degree in education, in hopes of someday teaching kids.

Juanita talks and laughs often with other StreetLeaders, but she reveals there’s a profound depth to these friendships: “My relationship with other StreetLeaders has made me want to grow closer to God. NETwork is a good place to work. Not only will you learn to work with children, but you’ll also learn more about yourself and your relationship with God will grow stronger.” NETwork has truly become a second family to Juanita, a community of faith, and a place to explore her personal sense of mission and call. What a powerful testimony of God at work here!

Thank you for making this ministry possible!
​Ben