Graffiti 2 Ministries Blog

07/13/10

01:28:15 pm Be Joyful  

Categories: b2evolution, 416 words

Today, Graffiti 2 began its summer sports camps and fine arts institute. This is the 6th year for the sports camps and the 5th year for the fine arts institute. Also, this morning we began our first ever preschool program called Summer Tots. This is a pilot program which we hope will continue into the fall.

The theme of G2's summer is "Joyful," and is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. It states, "Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do." Each week will focus on a different aspect of the verse and a different Bible story.

This week a mission team from First Baptist Church (Moss Bluff, LA) is leading out in the Basketball Camp and helping with the art program. The theme for the week is "Be Joyful."

Please be praying for all the activities and for the students and adults to have true encounters with God.

We have been busy the past month.

June 13-17 Andrew, De'sean and Thomas went to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. If you would like to see the NAMB presentation which featured the work of Graffiti 2 use the following link: http://mediasuite.316networks.com/player.php?p=fga5sa1z Click on Wednesday evening and then Part 6.

June 26-July 2 fourteen teens and five of our staff members headed to West Virginia. We joined Norm and Debbie Cannada at West Charleston Baptist Ministries. The students led in worship, helped with service projects, went camping, attended a minor league baseball game and had fun at a water park. Much thanks to Norm and Debbie for all of their help.

July 4-10, Ashley took 3 girls and one of our young adult leaders to Virginia for a week of camp. They attended Camp Little Crossroads and spent a lot of time riding horses. Jon took one of our 4th-5th grade boys to Camp Caraway in North Carolina. They had a stellar week of fun activities and opportunities to encounter God. The same week, I traveled to Fort Caswell in North Carolina and spoke at the North Carolina Baptist Convention's World Missions Week. What a blessing to share what God has been doing here in the Bronx.

As you can tell, a lot of things are happening. I am constantly amazed and humbled by God for all the ways he is working here in the Bronx.

Please keep us in your prayers.

God bless.

Andrew Mann
Director

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06/06/10

11:26:58 pm Updates  

Categories: b2evolution, 536 words

Some updates and prayer requests

The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund Grant

On May 5, Graffiti 2 received a $4,600 grant from the New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund Grant. This grant will be used for the summer sports programs and G. S. A. L. T. program.

March Against Gun Violence

Saturday, May 8th, Graffiti 2 participated in the March Against Gun Violence in our neighborhood. After walking through the neighborhood with posters and chants, we gathered with others in the community for a rally. The rally featured speakers, performers, and families that have been victims of gun violence. Please continue to pray for the gun violence in our neighborhood. The night after the march, while at a party where an argument got out of control, there was a shooting where a young teenage girl and a teenage boy were killed.

Immanuel Baptist Church Mission Team

May 23-29 a mission team from Immanuel Baptist Church in Princeton, West Virginia came and assisted with Graffiti 2 programs. In addition to helping with the School Staff Luncheon and Coffee House, they truly exhibited Christ's love through working and serving with the kids. We are always grateful for servant's hearts.

School Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Thursday, May 27th, Graffiti 2 hosted a come and go luncheon for teachers and school staff from around the neighborhood. We had 50 people come by to get a meal and we were able to build stronger connections with many schools nearby. We had the help of a mission team from Immanuel Baptist Church in Princeton, West Virginia. They provided the meal, as well as a small gift for the teachers and staff that came by.

Coffee House

Thursday, May 27th, Graffiti 2 also held its first coffee house. We had kids and teenagers prepare skits, songs, poems, and testimonies to share. We had a full house with traditional coffee drinks and treats.

Welcome Summer Missionaries

Welcome to Graffiti 2 Summer Missionaries. Jon Hoffner is back for his second year and is from Texas. Hannah Phelps felt called to serve after assisting with G2's Fall Festival in October. She comes from Tennessee.

First Baptist Church, Georgetown, TX

We are grateful to have a mission team serving at G2 from FBC Georgetown, TX. They are assisting with computer needs, helping in the after school program, hosting a BBQ for our children, taking the teenagers to Bear Mountain and helping G2 to honor parents, teens, children and volunteers with an Appreciation Banquet.

Prayer Requests

We are seeing God move in many ways. At the same time, I sense that Satan is trying to thwart this movement of God. Some of our members are facing some exceptional struggles that I believe are Satan's arrows being shot to deflate their faith. The amazing thing is Satan has not been successful. God will win the victory and will be glorified!!

Please pray for Andrew, Proof, De'sean and Thomas who will be traveling to Orlando, Florida next week to present at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.

Please pray for Graffiti 2's ongoing search for resources. G2 is in need of new financial flow to continue programs as they exist today. I believe God is going to catapult us beyond where we currently are.

God bless.
Andrew Mann

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04/22/10

11:43:47 am Go Dog Go!  

Categories: b2evolution, 50 words

Check out these new videos that have been posted on the North American Mission Board website.

Click the underlined title above or cut and paste this link into your browser.

http://www.essentials.tv/site/c.bqLKI1OKKtF/b.5950011/k.97EE/Proof_God_Exists.htm

God bless.
Andrew Mann
Director

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04/08/10

11:53:31 am Mega Easter Egg Hunt 2010  

Categories: b2evolution, 214 words

Saturday, April 3, Graffiti 2 held its 5th Annual Mega Easter Egg Hunt in St. Mary's Park. God was good in many ways. One hundred volunteers from all over the city and country came to help out. Over 500 children and 220 adults were registered. We estimate that there were at least 1,000 people attending the event.

This year Graffiti 2 collaborated with some old partners as well as new partners. Much thanks to Harvest Center, World Vision, the Betances Community Center and the New York Police Department--40th Precinct.
Activities included concessions (popcorn and cotton candy), games, face painting, and of course the hunt for over 8,000 Easter eggs. The children were also entertained by magician Wallace Bell from Louisville, Kentucky. Following his performance, a Gospel presentation was given. At least 50 people responded to the Gospel presentation.

The Easter Egg Hunt included the debut of Graffiti 2 Children’s Choir. The kids performed two songs. The soloist for the performance was Graffiti 2 Church member Clifford Dickson. Clifford has played the role of Simba in the Lion King on Broadway in the past. Clifford and all the children did an outstanding job.

Please pray for Graffiti 2 as we follow-up with the many individuals who responded to the Gospel.

Pictures and video are posted on Graffiti 2's facebook page.

God bless.
Andrew Mann

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03/24/10

08:53:47 am Old Life has Gone, New Life Has Come  

Categories: b2evolution, 296 words

Monday afternoon I was in the worship room of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church preparing for our children's choir to rehearse. A young man that recently became a Christ follower and got baptized came into the room. He sat down in a pew, half way back. It was obvious he had something on his mind. I walked down the aisle and sat on the pew in front of him. Asking him what was on his mind, he said, "I think God is disappointed in me." When I asked why, he told me the following story:

"Saturday, I was supposed to be at the G. S. A. L. T. training but instead I decided to hang out with my friends. These are friends that I had before I gave my life to Christ. I know I shouldn't be with them. They went out and were stealing things . . .shirts and hats. I didn't feel right about it, but when my friend told me I should get some, I took a shirt and we all ran. As I was running away I knew that God didn't want me to be doing that. I stopped. My friend asked me what I was doing. I told him I was taking it back. I went back to the store and gave the shirt to the security guard. He told me thank-you."

I proceeded to share how proud I was of him and that God was not disappointed in his actions. Even more importantly, he had heard the Holy Spirit and he responded. How exciting.

Yesterday in after school the Bible study was about honesty. Upon Ashley's request, this young man stood up and shared his testimony. What a powerful statement for our children and teens to hear!

God bless.
Andrew Mann
Director

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