Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here with your summer edition of the parent newsletter—your quick connection point to what’s happening in Student Ministries, what’s on the horizon, and how we can keep partnering together to help your student follow Jesus this summer.

Before We Dive In: This Month’s Parent Resource

With the summer comes endless options of activities and things to compete with family time. In this month’s parent resource, we want to help you develop a Family Discipleship Guide to intentionally make the most of the time you have this summer and lead your family in consistent and meaningful discipleship conversations. Whether this is your first time leading your family in discipleship or you have been doing it for years, we pray this resource sparks meaningful connections as you grow in your understanding of God’s love and faithfulness toward your family.

👉 To see this months Parent Resource, click HERE.

👉 Need more support? View past resources HERE.

Looking Back: Graduation + Mission Mindset

May was packed! We celebrated our graduating seniors with meals, prayer, and some really meaningful moments as we launched them into their next chapter. It was powerful to see how our church wrapped around them with love, wisdom, and support.

We also wrapped up registration for our Junior High Missions Weekend and got a glimpse of how our students are ready to serve and lead. It’s incredible watching their faith come alive when it moves from theory to action!

Summer Schedule Highlights ☀️

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up this summer for Maple City Students:

📍Youth Worship Night: June 18th
Join us for a night of worship lead by our student worship team. 7pm-9pm. All are welcome.

📍No Regular Youth Group on June 11 & 25 and July 23
Due to various events like VBS, Mission Trips, and Fair week. We will not be meeting these Wednesday nights.

📍Water Wars: July 2nd

Come ready for a fun night of water based games! Dress accordingly.  

📍Pond Day at the Bontreger’s:
Join us for a day at the Bontreger’s Pond (14193 CR 36 Goshen IN) for swimming, yard games, and hang out. Bring a snack to share.

Jr High will be meeting at the Bontreger’s July 9th 6-8pm.

Sr High will be meeting at the Bontreger’s July 16th 6-8pm.

🗓️ Full Summer Calendar:
Want all the dates and details in one place? Click HERE

A Final Word of Encouragement

Summer isn’t just for breaks—it’s for breakthroughs.

These next few months are full of opportunity: spontaneous conversations, slower rhythms, and space to see what God is doing beneath the surface. Stay present. Stay prayerful. Keep creating safe spaces for your teen to talk, question, and grow. Even when it feels like they’re not listening, they’re watching—and what you model matters.

We’re with you. We’re for you. Let’s keep pointing our students to Jesus—together!

Blessings,
Pastor Jordan

Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here with this month’s parent newsletter—your quick connection point to what’s happening in Student Ministries, what’s on the horizon, and how we can keep walking alongside your students together.

Before we jump in, I want to highlight this month’s Parent Resource. Our kids face doubts and fears and ask hard questions? Are you making your home a safe place for hard conversations? Can your kids come into your house knowing that no matter what they do or say, you will love them? We want our kids to come to us on their best days and their worst. In order to create a safe home, we must create a culture of safety. For 5 ways to create a safe home for hard conversations click HERE.

👉 View past resources HERE

Looking Back: Me, Myself, and iPhone

Last month, we took on the challenge of navigating technology and screen time—a topic that hits home for nearly every student (and parent!). Our series, Me, Myself, and iPhone, helped students reflect on how they use their screens, how those habits affect their identity and relationships, and how they can use tech in a way that honors God. We dug into tough but important questions like:

• Are we addicted to our screens?

• What does my digital footprint say about me?

• How do I stand for Christ in an online world?

These conversations sparked some great small group discussions and personal reflection. I encourage you to ask your student what they learned—maybe even ask them what kind of "digital disciple" they want to be.

Upcoming Events

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser: May 4th

Join us on Sunday, May 4, between services for a delicious pancake breakfast! Enjoy a warm meal while supporting our Senior High mission trip to Puerto Rico—donations are welcome and appreciated.

Graduation Recognition: May 28th & June 1st

Marking the end of the school year, it's Maple City tradition to honor our graduating seniors and their families with a night devoted to celebration! This year we want to honor our graduates not just on Wednesday, May 28th, but also on Sunday, June 1st in a unique and meaningful way.

On Wednesday May 28th, we will have a free dinner for our graduates and their families, a time of worship, and a service of celebration at 6 PM.

On Sunday, June 1st, we are going to have a time of prayer and commissioning for our graduates, as well as, a fun and meaningful way for our church to encourage and support them on their journey.  

If you would like to be part of Either or Both, you can register HERE. If you are not able to attend either date, we still want to honor you! If you would still like to be honored please fill out THIS FORM before May 23rd! Please also send a Picture (In Portrait view) to Pastor Jordan at jordanpearson@maplecitychapel.org

June 12th-14th: Jr High Missions Weekend

Our Jr High students will be serving locally for their mission experience! They will be serving the local community with a variety of projects depending on the current needs. Examples could be: painting, landscaping and yard clean up, helping serve food, just to name a few.

We will be staying at Bethel University in Mishawaka and the weekend will be a time where the students are challenged, equipped, empowered, and deepened in their faith as they grow in their personal walk with Jesus. The cost is $125, before May 13th, or $150 between May 13th and May 26th. The cost covers housing, meals, session guests, transportation, 2 shirts, project supplies, etc. For more information and how to register, click HERE

🗓️ Check out our Student Ministry Calendar [HERE]
You’ll find key dates, ongoing events, and everything you need to stay in the loop.

Final Word of Encouragement

Keep Going – You’re Crushing It

Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart, and in case no one’s told you lately: you’re doing better than you think. Your love, presence, and prayers matter. We see it, and more importantly, your students feel it—even if their current love language is eye-rolls. You are the greatest spiritual influence in your student’s life. What you model, how you listen, and how you love—it all matters more than you know.

If you ever want to talk, pray, or just need to know you’re not in this alone, we are here for you. We’re honored to partner with you as you help your student follow Jesus in this season of life.

Let’s keep pointing our students to Jesus—together.

Blessings,

Jordan

Maple City Parents: Newsletter Vol 5

Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here again with another parent newsletter. As we step into a new month, I want to take a moment to update you on what we’ve been covering in Student Ministries and what’s coming next. But before I do, I want to quickly highlight our parent resource on technology just below this newsletter. A lot of useful stuff you don’t want to miss. So check it out HERE!

Looking Back: Relationship Goals

Throughout last month, we dove into our “Relationship Goals” series, where we explored what it means to build healthy, God-honoring relationships in a world that often distorts His original design. We challenged students to love others like Jesus, understand God’s purpose for relationships, and evaluate how they navigate friendships and dating. I encourage you to continue these conversations with your students at home as these topics are extremely important and cannot be talked about enough.

Looking Ahead: My, Myself, and iPhone

This month, we’re tackling a topic that affects every student today—technology. Our new series, “My, Myself, and iPhone” will help students reflect on their screen habits and how they can use technology wisely. We’ll cover questions like:

• Are we addicted to our screens?

• What screens are right for me?

• How does what we see online affect us?

• Who am I in a world of screens?

• How can I use my platform for Christ?

Technology isn’t going anywhere, so our goal is to equip students to navigate it with wisdom and purpose rather than being consumed by it.

Upcoming Events

• Jr High 30 Hr Famine: March 14-15 our annual discipleship opportunity for our JrHi students to learn and raise awareness for World Hunger, sponsored by World Vision. They will learn about other struggling nations, play fun and interactive games, and fast in support of those who go hungry. The event is free and you can sign up HERE.

• Jr High Bake Sale Fundraiser: Sunday March 16th will be our Jr High Bake Sale. After both services we will be having all kinds of baked goods to raise money for the Jr High Mission Weekend this summer. If you would like to help provide some baked goods for the fundraiser, you can sign up HERE!

• Silent Disco: Wednesday March 26th will be a special event night for both Jr & Sr high. Event is free and no need to sign up.

• Worship Night: March 21st 7pm Salt & Light Co from Rosedale Bible College will be having a night of worship and testimony at Maple City in Teen Haven. All ages are welcome.  

Don’t miss our Student Ministry Calendar included below or click HERE! You’ll find all the details about upcoming events and opportunities for your student to get connected. You can also click HERE for a full list of upcoming events.

Parent Resource of the Month

To support you in guiding your student through the world of technology, in our Parent Resource this month we’re sharing a helpful video with simple practical tips on setting healthy boundaries and encouraging wise screen habits. This resource will give you tools to start meaningful conversations and create a tech environment that honors God in your home. There is also links to great technology resources, one in particular I think is very helpful, “Our Pact”. Be sure to check it out below! To view this resource click HERE. To view past resources click HERE.

Keep Pressing On!

Parenting in today’s world isn’t easy, but you are making a difference. Your influence matters more than you know, and we are so grateful to partner with you in pointing students to Christ. If you ever have questions, need support, or want to talk through any of these topics, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are in this together!

Looking forward to an amazing month ahead!

Blessings,

Jordan

Maple City Parents: Newsletter Vol 4

Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here. As we are stepping into the second month of the new year, I’m excited about all the ways God will move in the lives of our students in 2025. It’s been a great start so far, and I wanted to take a moment to share what’s been happening in our student ministry and what’s ahead for February.

Last month, we wrapped up our series “Hide & Seek,” We all tend to hide parts of ourselves at times, whether it’s our past, struggles, or even our true selves, often out of fear or a desire to fit in. We call these “masks,” and we talked about how we don’t need to hide behind “I’m fine” or try to go through life pretending everything is okay. Instead, we encouraged our students to embrace honesty and vulnerability, trusting that God meets us in our weaknesses and pain.

As we move into February we’ll be diving into a brand-new series called “Relationship Goals”. This series is all about building healthy, God-honoring relationships. We’ll be answering big questions like:

• What does it mean to love others like Jesus?

• What is God’s purpose and design for relationships?

• How can we navigate a world that often distorts God’s original design?

As we tackle important topics like love, dating, and sex, this series may present great opportunities for you as parents to have meaningful and intentional conversations. These are conversations that, while sometimes awkward or challenging, are so crucial for shaping their understanding of purity, love, and God’s design for relationships.

In this newsletter’s Parent Resource, we are focusing on having conversations with your child about sexual purity. I hope this tool gives you confidence and encouragement to engage with your child about this vital topic.

Lastly, don’t miss our February Student Ministry Calendar included below! You’ll find all the details about upcoming events and opportunities for your student to get connected. You can also click here for a full list of upcoming events.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there are specific ways we can come alongside you as you parent your student. It’s an honor to partner with you in helping your child grow in faith, character, and love for Jesus.

Blessings,

Jordan  

Maple City Parents: Newsletter Vol 3

Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here. Can’t believe we are already in December and the new year will be hear before we know it. We are excited to see what God has for us as we look ahead and so thankful for how He has been moving as we look back. We finished up our series “He Speaks” as we looked at how God speaks to us, practical ways on how we can know/discern God’s voice over the other voices in your life, and what are the barriers in our lives that prevent us from hearing God. We also had a listening experience night where students spent time seeking and listening for God’s voice.

As we step into the whirlwind of the Christmas season, it can feel as if time is moving faster than ever. Between work obligations, school assignments, sports, practices, events, and the hustle of holiday preparations, life becomes a blur. In the midst of all this busyness, we want to encourage you to embrace this season as an opportunity for intentional and meaningful connection with your family. Christmas is a special opportunity to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and His love for us, while also creating lasting memories with your student. We know life can get overwhelming, and the sheer number of things to do can make it challenging to plan meaningful moments. That’s why I write these newsletters, to support you. My goal is to make your life a little easier by offering thoughtful, practical, and simple ideas to help you engage with your student during this season. Let’s lean into faith, family, and meaningful connection, so this season becomes more than just busy—it becomes beautiful. We are cheering you on, praying for your family, and are here to support you every step of the way.

This newsletter’s Parent Resources come with some extra gifts, specially designed to support you during this busy and meaningful season! First, we’re offering practical tips to help you navigate moments when your student is hurting. Pain and disappointment are a part of life, and how you come alongside your student during these times can make a significant difference. Additionally, we’ve included a Daily Family Advent Devotional to help your family focus on the heart of the Christmas season. This simple resource is designed to foster meaningful conversations grounding your family in the hope and joy of Christ. To make your holiday time even more special, we’re also sharing with you, Christmas Conversation Cards. These are fun and engaging tools to spark discussions that point your family toward faith and connection amidst the festivities. I hope these resources will bless your family and provide practical ways to grow closer to God and each other during this season of joy and gratitude.

Also scroll down to see our Student Ministry Calendar for December and January. You can also click here for upcoming event details. As always let me know if you have any questions and any ways in which we can help come alongside you as parents.

Blessings,

Jordan  

Hey Maple City Parents,

Pastor Jordan here. As you are now hopefully settling into the routine of the new school year, I wanted to take the time to fill you in on what has been going on as well as help you be intentional with the limited time you have with your student between work, school, homework, practices, etc. In the midst of the hectic schedules, I want to encourage you to take time and focus on the important things and be present with your kids. Look for those moments where you can be intentional with them.

Now I know sometimes we don’t have the mental capacity to add one more thing that requires intentional thought no matter how important it may be. That is why I am writing these newsletters. I want to help take some of the extra thinking off your plate and give you some already thought out ideas and resources that are simple, helpful and practical that you can implement in your home today.

Today our resource is aimed at helping your time at the dinner table to spark authentic and meaningful conversations. Simple conversation starters with follow up questions that get beyond the simple “yes” and “no” responses we all dread. So scroll down and see today’s recourse from restorethetable.org.

Also scroll down to see our Student Ministry Calendar for October and November as well as what we have been teaching and where we are going. You can also click here for upcoming event details. As always let me know if you have any questions and any ways in which we can help come alongside you as parents.

Blessings,

Jordan  

Pastor Jordan here.

Wow, it’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and the new school year is just around the corner. I’m sure for some of you it went by way too fast. Maybe even for some, it has gone by so fast that you are scrambling to get things ready for the fall. In the midst of all the hectic schedules I want to encourage you to take time and focus on the important things, be present with your kids, and look for those moments where you can be intentional with them.

One of the things that I want to do is give you helpful, simple, and practical resources for you to use in the home. I know when you are already busy with work, running a home, being a spouse, and being the family’s personal Uber driver, sometimes we don’t have the mental capacity to add one more thing that requires intentional thought even though we know it may be important. So I want to help take some of the extra thinking off your plate and give you some already thought out ideas that you can implement in your home.

So if you scroll down you will see the resource I have for you today, practical ways to help raise Kind Kids! Because in a world full of hostility and division, where kindness has been on a steady decline, let us step up and be different from the world and show the kindness of Christ in our everyday behavior.

Also at the bottom is our Student Ministry Calendar for August and September. You can also click here for upcoming event details. As always let me know if you have any questions and any ways in which we can help come alongside you as parents.

Blessings,

Jordan