April 22, 2008

Sarah Mayer

Birthday: September 10

Favorite Band: My favorite band would definitely be Relient K, Switchfoot, and Superchic.

Favorite Movies: My top favorite is The Goonies, I love that movie sooo much. It makes me laugh hysterically.

Why I come to VQ: I
Coming to VQ is a necessity for me. Whenever I come to VQ it feels like a recharge from everyday life and the burdens that come with it. At VQ you're surrounded by people who care about you and don't mind you talking about your problems. VQ is just full of amazing and diverse people.

Favorite God Moment: I find that every God moment is my favorite, but my favorite kind of God Moment would be when my friends who either don't know who God is or doesn't want anything to do with him, for the first time feels his power, and they are filled with the holy spirit. It makes me happy because now they know that there is a God that is real!

Favorite Quote: "Who wants to be a skinny pencil? I'm happy being a magic marker!" -Natalie Green, The Facts of Life

Posted by monoibrow at 8:19 PM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2007

Kevin King

Kevin King the ultimate ladies man, a student leader in VQ, and one of our faithful rock show sound crew, sheds some light on what he's all about:
Birthday
October 28th, 1991

Pet Peeve:
Ending sentences with prepositions, and thats it.
Seriously, it would be people who judge others without really getting to know who that person is. Whenever I see a person like that I think about all the friends I have that I might never have made if I had been unwilling to accept them and not judge them. Some of my best friends would be on that list, I can't imagine life without them.

Favorite Band
Cake is in my top 3 but I like such a wide range I'm hesitant to say one band definitely.

Favorite Movies
Anchorman, The Usual Suspects, Across the Universe

Why I come to VQ:
VQ is like a nice cool shower after a hard day's labor. You can come worn out from your week at school and just relax in some excellent company plus have quality God time. On my birthday, my mother was surprised that I wanted to go to VQ but to me, the thought of not going was more absurd. VQ is like my family, who wouldn't want to spend their birthday with their family?

Favorite God Moment:
I would have to go with one of the evening sessions during the Mississippi trip. It started out like a normal evening, but it ultimately led to a bunch of different people coming out with some personal issues and asking for prayer. It was really powerful to see these people willing to be vulnerable and ask for help. For me, it just showed that it doesn't matter how old you are or how religious you are if you want help or want to give help. Being able to be completely real with others of your own age and have them respond by building you up rather than judging you is just amazing.

Favorite Quote:
"You stay classy, planet Earth"

Posted by monoibrow at 5:03 PM

March 16, 2007

Sergio Santillan

Sergio plays at our February show in the youth lounge.
Birthday: 10 -02- 1986
Fav bands: Green day, Death cab for cutie, Beatles
Fav movies: 300, Anchorman, Almost famous
Why do you serve with the rock shows?
It gives me the oppurtunity to feel like I am making a difference, not only within my own community, but globally; and it really proves that anyone can make a change in the world. Plus I love music so much, and i like watching bands perform and performing at times myself!
Why do you attend the Overcomers group on Tuesday nights? Because it feeds a thirst that I have for community and outreach. It really gets me more in touch with how I feel about God and how I view others around me, especially those who go to Overcomers group. I feel closer to them because I share conversations with God that i may not be able to with other people I know
>What is your favorite "God moment"?
This one time, I went to some christian thingy at my old high school, and they did the ol 'who wants to have that change? raise your hand' {while everyones eyes were closed}. Then they did something different, they asked everyone to open their eyes and see all the people with their hands raised. All the christian things I attended prior had people raise their hands and pray in secrecy, which almost was reaffirming that no one should know your relationship with God. But the fact that they made everyone see everyones hands up, and even made the people with their hands up (like me) come down in front of everyone really changed my perspective of religion... how it shouldnt be hidden. This kid came up to me and started talking to me, and prophetically said 'u know, we're all not perfect, God's not asking you to be perfect, he just wants you to love him'. It was as if that kid had read my thoughts, because that was one of the things holding me back all these years from Christianity. Now I'm not afraid to say I'm Christian, and I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not perfect.

Posted by monoibrow at 2:33 PM

October 2, 2006

Josh Doo

Josh Doo with the worst hair cut ever!

Birthday: June 20

Favorite bands: The Police, Snow Patrol, Oasis, Athlete

Favorite movies: Seven, Snakes on a Plane, The Untouchables, and more.

Pet peeves: When people get angry over the smallest things.

Why you’re involved in VQ:
Its like a home away from home. If I ever need any help with anything, I know that there is always someone there that I can turn to. The people there are so cool and so real. The environment is just so welcoming and everyone there is so willing to look out for you.When we get together, I can feel God’s presence and it adds to the awesome community that VQ brings.

Who you look up to: My Dad. He is a really cool guy who is dedicated to everything he does. He works long days at the office and when he comes home, he works even more and he still finds time to drive me and my siblings places, help out with the rock shows, and do all of the other things that fathers do. He does so much, even though most of the things he does don’t benefit him directly. He is always there to help me and my family and I really respect that, and everything else he does.

Favorite God moment: Before VQ went to Washington D.C on the servant leadership trip, I didn’t really know God. I knew he was there, but I had never had a real relationship with him. On that trip, I saw all of the things he does and I started to feel his power. After that trip, I developed a more personal relationship with the Lord and he has looked out for me ever since.

Posted by monoibrow at 4:18 PM | Comments (0)

September 26, 2006

Ryan Ruiz

You might recognize Ryan as the sound guy for our rock shows for the past 3 years. Here he coaches his team the City Slickers at our Dodgeball tournament.
Ryan is actually our longest standing volunteer in our high school group, VisionQuest. Ryan has the most hilarious stories of almost anyone you've ever met.
Ryan would never have predicted when he was in high school that he'd be volunteering with a high school youth group. You can hear Ryan share some of his story at our first Alpha meeting on October 15 at 4 PM.
In the meantime, Ryan answers a few questions:

Birthday: August 18
Favorite movie: Almost Famous, Donny Darko, anythig with James Dean
Pet peeves: when people steal my bike , and people who think they know everything about everything

Why are you involved with VQ?
I am involved with VQ 'cause I love every minute of it. Whether it's dodgeball ,rock shows, Sunday meetings or just hangin out with peeps during the week; I always have so much fun. Coming to VQ in high school really changed my life and it is so great to be able to be a part of what God is doing in peoples lives.

What is your favorite God moment?
For a long time I have felt like God was calling me to do missions in Brazil but I always kinda doubted how possible it really was or whether I could really do it. Last winter I was able to spend a month in Brazil and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. God confirmed his plan for my life in so many ways durring that month.

Favorite Quote: "DATS A MAN MAURY!!!!"

Posted by monoibrow at 5:09 PM | Comments (0)

May 17, 2006

Camilla Mayer

Birthday: September 10, 1988

Fav bands: Third Day, The Killers, and Kill Hannah

Fav movie: The Fugitive, Rear Window, any Abbott and Costello movies, and Bing Crosby and Bob Hope movies. :o)

Biggest pet peeve: My biggest pet peeve would have to be fake people, people who don't stand up for what they believe in, and girls who depend on guys to give them satisfaction.

Who do you most look up to:
The person I look up to the most is my oldest sister Stephanie Mayer. Stephy is this aaamazing girl, with the brightest smile, kindest heart, and a fire for God.
When she speaks to you, it's with gentleness and genuine love.
Stephanie never fails to be different...whether it be her fashion or character. She is a perfect example of what every person should strive to be like. What amazes me is that Stephy has always stayed true to herself...100%..from elementary school to high school!

Why are you part of VisionQuest?:
I am part of VQ because VQ is my second family. Whatever life deals me, VQ is there, no doubt! VQ is filled with people who care for you, love you, and accept you exactly how you are. VQ doesn't try to change you, instead these people inspire you to be a better person and dream big in life. These are the people who I laugh with, cry with, and grow with. These people have helped me to become the person I am today.

Favorite God moment:
There are so many favorite God moments! One I would have to say that's pretty awesome is when I realized God had this awesome purpose for my life. But to make the story short, I was in this long relationship where I depended on this guy for my satisfaction or validation in life.
Instead of looking to the God who created me, who loves me unconditionally, I found this validation in something that would not last. So when this boy broke up with me--- my world turned up side down, I was a mess.... I crawled back to God! Luckily he opened up to me with huge, welcoming arms. God had missed me while I was in this relationship and was ready to put me back on track with the wonderful things he had planned. SO now I have a mission in life.... to change the world.... With God's help of course.

Posted by monoibrow at 5:32 PM | Comments (1)

February 9, 2006

Joe Lwanga

Joe shows off his new knee power.

Birthday:
January 14, 1988

Favorite Musical Artists: The Roots, Black Star

Favorite Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Biggest Pet Peeve:
Being fake.People should just be themselves and not conform.

Who Do You Most Look Up To?:
Neal Siegel. After my dad left and my family came to the vineyard, the Big Friends program was started. When I was 10 years old, I met Neal when he became my "brother" through the program.
Starting with Wolves and Cubs games, Neal became my father figure after losing one when I was so young. I thank God for putting Neal in my life at that time because every young boy needs some kind of father figure. As I got older, Neal became more of a mentor to me. As my relationship with God grew, Neal became the role model I have tried to be like. I am eighteen now and I'm considered a man in society's eyes, but Neal was the first man of God I ever knew. Through Neal's counseling and prayer, I'm slowly becoming a man of God like Neal is. I know this will be a life long journey, but I hope when I get a family, I would be a husband, and father who loves Christ as much as Neal does. I've been totally blessed for having Neal in my life.

Why Are You Part of VQ?:
I am part of Christ's family and VQ is a very big part of my Church family. I know that to some people VQ is just a youth group, but these same kids are going to be with me in heaven forever and I cherish their friendships. God called me to have fellowship. Having the fellowship that I've had in VQ, I've gotten encouragement, prayer, and positive criticism.
I also love seeing the way God is changing lives in and out of VQ. VQ breeds leaders that would carry out God's work throughout the whole world. I want to be part of it. I know this is cheesy, but I really love you all.

Favorite God Moment:
During our last VQ winter retreat, I had a pretty cool God moment. For the last 6 months or so before the retreat my knees had been bothering me pretty bad. I couldn't play football for my senior season and I was mad. My knees were getting worse and I was getting ready to have surgery to get them fixed. I've seen miracles, but not as tangible as I saw during that saturday night. Some of my bro's decided to pray for my knees. My hope was almost lost because this was like the hundreth time I'd gotten prayer for my knees. Since so many of my bro's wanted to pray, I couldn't say no.
Moses, one of the VQers put his hand on my left knee, and as they started praying, I felt a tightness in both of my knees. It wasn't painful, it was just weird. I didn't think much of it. The tightness in my knees started pulsing and then I was like "oh crap, dude!".
It felt like God was putting my knees back together. After the prayer, we went and prayed dodge ball. My knees didn't hurt at all! Then we played a little basketball, and my knees were perfect. At this time I knew what God did. He healed my knees. I was so excited that the next day I went all around the school telling people about what God did. I looked probably weird, but this was HUGE! I went to my atheltic trainer and told him that God healed my knees. He said: "I believe in the healing of mind and body" I
said: "You can call it whatever you want, but I belive in the healing power of Christ!" It's March now and my knees are perfect. This was definitely a cool God Moment.

Posted by monoibrow at 2:50 PM | Comments (1)

January 17, 2006

Corie Cram

Birthday: January 22, 1988.
Fav bands: Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, and Oasis.
Fav movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas and Garden State.
Biggest pet peeve: people hanging up the phone on me or when people are rude while someone else is talking, or when I am trying to be serious, and no one is taking me seriously. haha.

Who do you most look up to: It’s a hard choice between Michelle Ford, my aunt Laura, and Stephanie Mayer. Michelle was a VQ youth leader until she left for Ireland about a year or so ago. She has given me so much great advice and has helped me so much in my walk with God, probably even more than she knows. She is just a sweet, caring, fun, ambitious person an d I love her so much for everything that she is. My aunt Laura is the living proof that "anyone can do anything they want to do, if they just believe that they can do it," as she leaves to sail the Pacific Ocean with her husband at the end of January. She just recently spent a number of months in Indonesia saving chimpanzees from "head-hunters" and deforestation. Stephanie Mayer is just a bright influence to everyone who meets her. Immediately, you can tell she has God in her life just by the huge smile she always has on her face. She is so committed to Christ that I can't help but to look up to her.

Why are you part of VisionQuest?:
Without VQ and the people involved in it, I would not be who I am today. Though I have only been a part of VQ for less than 2 years, it has helped me have more of a positive outlook on life. There is such an awesome group of teens who are all so different from each other, yet so well placed together. I strongly believe God put each of us in VQ for a reason, and I continue to come and be as involved as I can to find out what that reason is. Regardless, I know I’ve met some of the coolest people in the world, whom hopefully, I will spend the rest of my life knowing and growing with in Christ.

Favorite God moment:
The moment I realized that if I just put my full trust in God, He will take care of it. I continue to see God help me work thru my troubles more and more everyday. I feel like I get a new “favorite God moment” almost everyday.

Posted by monoibrow at 5:26 PM | Comments (1)