What's It All About?

Good question! 8th grade is a year of transition...as students become more mature, they begin preparing themselves to enter into the world of high school. We would like to come alongside students and assist them on their journey. We have designed  a 10-week series during JAM lesson time (on Wednesday nights) just for 8th grade students. These lessons are interactive and taught by passionate youth leaders. Students are invited to attend a “class trip” to Chicago in May as a celebration of completion (see requirements below). It is our intent to build relationships with these students during lesson time and on the trip so that they might form lasting friendships prior to entering high school. We believe these friendships will enable students to encourage one another and hold each other accountable. We’re excited to offer this program to your child.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:14-17

Chicago Trip

May 18-20, 2012
Cost: $150/per student

Due by Wednesday, April 18 with Registration form belowMake checks payable to Midland Free

All 8th grade students who attend 5 or more PaceSetter lessons are invited to attend this celebration weekend in Chicago. 

We are offering an incentive for students who attend more than 5 of the 10 meetings. 

Attend ...

  • 5  Qualify for trip
  • 6 Earn $5 spending money
  • 7 Earn $10 spending money
  • 8 Earn $15 spending money
  • 9 Earn $20 spending money
  • 10 Earn $25 spending money

*Only students attending the trip are eligible to earn trip money.

Trip registration online below.

Chicago Trip Registration Form

APW 8th Grade PaceSetters Trip

For Parents

We are very excited to offer your child a chance to take part in a 10-week program entitled Pace Setters: Rising Above Peer Influence. This program will be held DURING our regular JAM meetings on Wednesday nights. Students are encouraged to attend J.A.M. from 6:15 – 8:00 pm like normal but break off at 7:00 pm for the Pace Setter lesson held in Room 203.

The purpose of this program is to come alongside you and your child as he/she prepares to enter the world of high school. Many decisions and ideas are formulated during this time, and we are hopeful that by teaching age-appropriate topics targeted at entering high school, students will be able to make better decisions within their peer groups; and in fact, rise above peer influence to become pace setters in their schools.

A brochure describing the program, including topics, is online. We have also listed the presenters for your reference. It is important to note that the lessons do not run consecutive. Please mark your calendar so your child does not miss a lesson.

Students who attend 5 lessons are eligible to go on our class trip to Chicago in May. This trip is social in nature. Our plan is to take a maximum of 25 students and 4 adult leaders on a fun adventure, which we hope will encourage lasting friendships. We believe that “rising above peer influence” as a group will give students accountability and trusted friendships as they enter high school.

Some key information to look for in the brochure:

  • Students must attend 5 lessons to be eligible for the class trip.
  • Students can earn free spending money by attending additional lessons.
  • Dates of the lessons do not run consecutive; mark your calendar so you don’t miss one!

Topics

The meeting time will run from  7:00—8:00 pm in Room 203. Note: Mark your calendars. 

Classes do NOT run each week. Students are encouraged to attend special event nights at JAM during off weeks.

Attendance will be taken each week. Students MUST attend a minimum of 5 meetings to qualify for the Chicago trip.

Class Presenters

Kelly Biggs
Parent and Youth Leader

Mike Carpenter
Parent & Youth Leader

Darrell Jacobs
Parent & Youth Leader

Pastor Chuck Lloyd
Parent & Youth Pastor

Shelley Rajewski
Parent & Youth Ministry Assistant