Hear the Roar

Recently, I have entered a season of deep, personal change. Through His promises and revelations, God has seen fit to bring me back to where I have always belonged in Him. Not only are my days brighter and my nights kinder, but I now see where He wishes to fulfill the blessed potential I’ve always been told resides within my heart and soul.

During this period of replenishment, I have been extremely fortunate to work with one of the greatest youth groups I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and being a part of. Not only is this incredible group of young people passionate about what God is doing within their own faction, but each and every person seems genuinely enthused to reach out to a world that is both hungry and desperate for a word from God. Smiles paint our faces and love graces our hearts as we all gather in the holy name of the one true God. This comforts me and makes me that much more grateful to be back inside the gracious walls of a thriving church.

But, despite the great and mighty moves of God we feel each and every service, I can’t help but believe that we, as a youth group, are not allowing ourselves to live up to our full potential. Yes, we are growing and excelling in places we have never even attempted to go before but with the talent and personnel that is housed inside our youth group, I can’t help but notice that we are not living up to our potential. In my belief, there is not only a general calling from God upon us but rather a deep, eternal roar to greatness that is calling us to depths and heights we have never imagined. I can feel it and see it each and every time we gather in tribute to Him. Our fantastic youth pastor Nathan Smith can feel it vibrate our entire congregation of youth as well. It’s there waiting on us if we would but listen.

There is absolutely nothing that can hold us back and I believe each and every member of Backstage understands this. It is up to us as individual parts of a magnificent whole to be quiet and still and allow ourselves to quit becoming preoccupied with trivial things so that we can hear and accept that earth-shaking roar that God has pointed our way. Such phenomenal and mighty things are planned for us and expected of us but it solely depends on us to comprehend this challenge and ready ourselves for His glory.

Backstage Student Ministries is a youth group of promise and potential that will be realized with a power and greatness that has yet to be seen. It is up to us to willingly accept what God wants and needs from us. There’s no doubt in my mind that we are capable and even willing in our eager hearts. We simply must be quiet to hear the roar.

I challenge each one of us to delve deep into prayer and God’s word so that we can discover, accept and execute the great things He has waiting for us.

Peace, Love and Jesus,

Cory C.

The Power of One...

This whole month of August has been fantastic for Backstage. Revolution service have been crazy good! The Power of One person can change the world....

Two weeks ago we talked about "Following the Leader." Basically, if you want to change the world, you need to change your world first. In order to do that, you need to follow the only person who ever changed the entire world, Jesus Christ. 

Last week we talked about "Be the Change." With the sweet t-shirts blazing and the Gandhi quotes flying, we looked into the story of the good Samaritan. It's important to learn that our lives must be filled with compassion. In order to see the change we want in the world, we have to go be the change we want to see. The longer we sit and ignore these problems, the worse they get. It's time to BE THE CHANGE!

This week is called "Why Can't We Be Friends?" I would tell you what it is going to be about, but you'll just have to show up at 7PM on Wednesday to find out...

Don't forget about these announcements:

1. SFC Rally in Bryant on September 11 (next Friday)

2. Flag Football Tournament on September 12 (next Saturday)

3. Night of Revelry, a band benefit starring Knox Hamilton on September 25

4. Fall Retreat on October 2nd & 3rd (details at Revolution)

You guys rock! Love all of you

Dream Big and Love Relentlessly,

Nate Smith

Up and Coming!

Summer time is wrapping up as school is fast approaching! Bummer, I know. But we have a lot of things in store for the next few weeks and months! Next Wednesday our crew leaves for North American Youth Congress at 7AM! Slightly early, but everyone will survive with the help of some Starbucks and donuts...

Returning home from Congress will be when the good times start rolling out! Not only will we begin a brand new series called "The Power of One" but our stage will be completely redesigned!! It will blow your mind, I promise!

I look forward to great things. Starting today, let's go make a difference!

Dream Big and love Relentlessly,

Nate Smith

BSM is moving forward

It is an exciting time to be apart of Backstage Student Ministry! Friday starting at 10 PM is our lock in/rock-a-thon to raise money for North American Youth Congress. It's going to be one "rockin" party!!!

Ok, that was a bad joke, but nevertheless its going to be a good time! The cost for NAYC is $250 a person but that does not include spending money, so bring what you want to eat and shop on. The trip is from August 5th - 8th and its going to be in the music capital of Nashville, TN. You really do not want to miss it!

For the past two weeks our focus subject has been on Worship and Praise. We know their is a difference but we also understand that they are intertwined. Worship is a lifestyle of estimating God's greatness and praise is the outward articulation of God's greatness. A powerful concept that we must embrace by living a lifestyle of worship so that a burning passion of praise will come out of us. God desires our praise and he dwells in the midst of it....

Looking forward to great things and I hope all of you guys are ready for what God is about to do!

Dream Big & Love Relentlessly

Nate Smith

It's been too long...

My deepest apologies for the lack of blogging. Things have been crazy! Between being sick, driving around the state, and working on individual church projects, times are hectic!

I just want to leave you guys with a quick thought and I hope to get some responses....

What really matters in life? If you are anything like me, you can probably make a list of 25 or more things that "matter" in life. Friends, family, sports and obviously the winner of American Idol! OK, maybe not. Let me tell you what matters to me. My spiritual integrity. I refuse to be one person around a group of people, and a completely different person when its just God and I.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Psalms 19:14. "May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable unto thine sight, O lord, my strength, and my redeemer"

I pray every single part of my life is found please. All the parts that everyone sees. All the parts that no one sees.


Dream Big & Love Relentlessly,

Nate Smith

my day, His lesson

I know our blog hasn't had a new post in a a few weeks and so I decided that today, of all days, I would share a little bit of my thoughts with you. Here we go....

Today, April 8th 2009, has just been one of those days. Its like you trip, fall down, and then as relentless as a hurricane, bad thing after bad thing after bad thing occurs. Without going into any details and attempting to draw pity out of you, let's just say it was not a day for sitting on the porch, drinking lemonade, while reading a book. Simply put, it was a rough day....

I could not help but want to throw a big pity party for myself. It would be incredibly easy to sit here and boast about how bad things are for me. But are they? I mean, I live in the wealthiest country in the world, I drive my own car, I have my own apartment with plenty of food, I own shoes, I have more clothes than an African village, I receive more money in one week than most do in one year, I get to take showers every day, I live in complete abundance. So why would I say "God bless me"? God has....

Today was a lesson. I learned the grace of God first hand. A savior loved me, died for me, filled me with His spirit, and gave me more than I will ever deserve. I must do more. I must be more.

Exciting things are going on in Backstage! We are about to start our first 40 days of prayer and fasting and I believe this is going to be the start of a great revival. I know God is standing, ready to transform students of Apostolic, we just need to take that step towards Him.

I love you guys forever and I'm always praying for you.

Dream big and Love relentlessly,

Nate Smith

So I was thinking...

I'm sitting in my office, trying to work on Apostolic Church Family Day 2009, and I just cant help but be overwhelmed. I'm the Student Pastor for the greatest group of Christ-lovers on the planet. I know I have failures and major short comings, but this opportunity that has presented itself in North Little Rock is just to amazing to take lightly. If your reading this, I feel like I need to tell you that I love you and God loves you.

I'm excited about what is happening at Backstage! If you were in attendance last Wednesday night, then you were privileged to hear our plans for the future. Just to run down the list:

1. Prayer more often (Every other week following this weekends retreat)

2. Fundraising for Youth Congress in Nashville

3. Fundraising for Revolution room improvements

4. (Last but not least) MISSION TRIP TO AFRICA in 2010!!!

All of this will not be possible if you do not get involved and contribute to the cause! Backstage needs your help.

Also, check out the website. We have added the new Backstage logo. You can see the new logo at the top of this blog. Thank you guys for all you do and always know that I love you and am here for you!

Love God. Love people. Love His word.

Nate Smith

From the Student Pastor

Sorry for the delay....

Last week was absolutely incredible! Revolution experienced a move of God that changed hearts. If you were not able to attend, or if you need a refresher, we talked about the story of Mephibosheph. How about we call him "Meph", well on second thought, we better not.

Mephibosheph was Johnathans son, which would make him Sauls grandson, and had a slight problem. He was lame in both feet. When Mephibosheph was about 5 years old, his nanny heard the news of war and fled to a safer place. As she was running, holding Mephibosheph in her arms, she stumbled and dropped the child. This fall broke both of the child's feet and crippled him for life.

Years later, David is handed the kingdom and he decides for the sake of Johnathan, his best friend, he will show kindness to Sauls family. He calls for Mephibosheph, brings him into his throne room and tells him some shocking news.

"Mephibosheph, from now on, you will eat at my table and you will not worry about anything"

This story is a direct parallel to some of your stories. You see, a lot of us have been dropped. Whether is was your fault or someone else's, you got dropped. You could have watched an abusive father, your parents could have goen through a divorce, you could have lost a loved one too soon. Whatever the situation was, it resulted in you being dropped and its crippled your life. But THANK GOD we have a King that says, "you can come eat at my table, and you wont have to worry about anything." When we are at the King's table, no one see's our brokeness.

I hope to see all of you this Wednesday to learn another lesson on an encounter with God's presence. God is doing something great with us and we have to continually seek him.

Thanks and God be with you all

Nate Smith

Wait...what just happened?

Hello, readers of the most awesome blog ever! Hope this post finds you living, loving and being happy!
Just a couple of quick paragraphs about our service last night, Wednesday February 25th, as well as what to expect with the introduction of our Life Groups that will begin this Sunday the 1st of March.
Last night, our student pastor Nathan Smith, spoke on the mighty presence of God and what it means to do nothing without God and His will being present. This was the first installment in a series of lessons concerning having God's presence ever present in our everyday lives. A powerful altar call was the result of such an awesome move of God in our service. DON'T MISS NEXT WEDNESDAY!
This coming Sunday, we will be starting our Life Groups at the Apostolic Church. These small, intimate groups will be a tool to allow each and everyone of us to delve deeper into the word of God with a hands on approach that will be sure to touch and minister to all. If you aren't sure which Life Group you belong to, call or text anyone of the student staff and they'll be glad to point you in the right direction.

We love you guys and are always here if you need anything at all.

Staff of BSM

Hittin You With Some Knowledge!

‘ello, mates!

We wanted to stop by real quick and give an update on what’s going on around the awesomeness that is Backstage Student Ministries. And to say we love you.

DO NOT FORGET: Wednesday nights are a time for Revolution! Be sure not to miss this coming Wednesday night, the 25th of February. Our fearless leader, the handsome and charismatic Nathan Smith, will be starting our discussions on getting closer to God and His presence. Missing this would be a travesty…and that’s a bad thing!

Coming Attractions!

March 6th and 7th: Backstage Student Ministries will be hosting the first annual “Roundball in the Rock” basketball tournament. Churches and teams from all over the state of Arkansas, as well as a few out of state groups, will converge on our Apostolic Activity Center for a fantastic time of basketball and togetherness. BUT! We need your help!
We need volunteers from within the youth group, as well as the older congregation, to help with serving in the concession stand, taking admission at the door, running the game clock etc. See previously mentioned fearless leader Nathan or the somewhat frightened Cory Copeland to sign up and do your part to help our ministry raise some much needed funds!

March 27th and 28th: We, as a youth group, will be heading out on a retreat of epic proportions! Leaving on the 27th, we will head up to Mount Nebo for a great time together! We’ll be staying in a stinking sweet cabin that will be sure to impress all! The total cost of the trip per individual will be $50. Now, we realize that this is a lot of money for anyone, especially students now days. So, to help with the cost of such a wizard trip, we will be having a worker auction on Sunday, March 8th. All funds raised will go toward the overall budget of the trip so that the financial burden to each student will be lightened somewhat.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them here and we’ll be glad to address them all!

Love you guys!

Staff of BSM

Introduction to Awesomeness

Congratulations! You are now reading the most awesome blog in the entire known universe.

Welcome to The Backstage Blog!

We are your one and only stop for all things Backstage Student Minstries. From new happenings within our student ministries to outreach opportunites with our community, from the spirtiual direction, focus and goals of our minstry to weekly recaps of services throughout the week.

Feel free to speak your mind within these cyber walls. This is an open forum for the members, visitors and parents of the greatest youth group on the planet. We are here to listen and discuss any and all problems, situations and triumphs that may happen in your life so feel free to comment on any postings or other happenings within Backstage Student Ministries.

In the coming days, weeks and months, the staff of Backstage Student Ministries will be frequently posting issues, news and subjects that strike close to our hearts. It is our hope that you enjoy your time here at The Backstage Blog and use it to further your own personal minstry to our world.

Love and peace,

The Staff of BSM