2008 was an exciting year, Vertical Ascent grew both in number and in Spirit.   We lost some, we gained some.  All in all God has Blessed and prepared us for 2009. 

Ross Allen Jenkins.  Died this July in a car crash.  Ross was from Fairmont, WV, he’d come to the youth group on quite a few occasions while visiting family.  We had the great pleasure of leading Ross to the lord.  We learned at his funeral that not only did he know Jesus but he lived the life of a Christian around his friends.   We loved Ross deeply, not just as a member of the youth group but also Youth Pastor Tracy’s cousin.

We miss you buddy.

<

We lost a few more of our young men from the youth group, but on much better circumstances.

 

This is Dustin and Don.  Graduates at Southern High School.  Sadly at Graduation, they move into the Adult classes on Wednesday.  However Don has come back to us as a Youth Leader in training. 

 

Below Don and Dustin is Jonathan, a long time member of the youth group and also our Pastor’s son. 

 

We had one more graduate,  Desiree, but don’t have any pictures just yet. 

 

We are really proud of our graduates, and we know God will send each one in the direction he chooses..

>

We got the Teens and Tweens together for a group picture not too long ago,  we had a few missing however.

Ross Allen Jenkins 1989 — 2008

Above are some pictures from our all-day sing at the Church.  In the first picture, Jason performs a human video.  In picture two one of the little ones explored the bounce houses we setup for the kids.

Second Annual Carnival

Youth “Lock-In”

Bowling Outing

Hay (Pray) Ride

Passover Feast

Mt. Aetna Youth Camp

Multiple Sunday Night Youth Services

Much more...

A note.  It poured down the rain during graduation.. Everyone was soaked,  a lot of people had umbrellas, but in a crowded set of bleachers someone has to be at the edge of the umbrellas.  Notice Youth Pastor Joel’s hair,  it’s not just a new hair style.