First Priority Blog

School Highlight – First Priority Making An Impact in Pell City

fpbham — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:58 +0000

First Priority is “alive and kicking” in ALL nine schools in the Pell City School System. About 25 adults, including teachers, youth pastors and community leaders, volunteer their time each morning to make this happen at every school. lola Roberts Elementary School Principal Roy Bliss said, “First Priority has been a tremendous blessing to Iola. We have had some very unusual needs this year and First Priority has played a role in helping us keep our focus on Jesus. First Priority has turned our humdrum Mondays into joyful and worshipful Mondays.”

First Priority gives students an opportunity to share with others and take a stand for Christ on their campus. It also serves as a place to be encouraged by fellow believers. According to a middle school student that isn’t allowed to go to church, “First Priority IS my church.” The growth in Pell City has been tremendous in the past year. Other schools in the surrounding area are also gaining strength. Munford Middle and High Schools in Talladega County have also implemented First Priority this year. We are excited that First Priority continues to spread into more and more schools. We can’t wait to see how God is going to continue to move in our area.

Benny Bowman

Area Director

Have you purchased your tickets yet for “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special?”

fpbham — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:02:43 +0000

It’s not too late to purchase your tickets for “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special!” First Priority would like to invite you and your entire family to “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special” with Veggie Tales. The live show will be held at Metro Church of God, 2800 Metropolitan Way, Birmingham, AL, 35243, on Sunday, March 4, 2012, at 5 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m. You don’t want to miss your favorite Veggie Tales characters in a live show! Click here for an article about Veggie Tales and the live show.

Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie Tales crew are taking the stage for “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special.” You and your kids can enjoy seeing your favorite Veggies live and on stage. Larry the Cucumber at 8 feet and green, and Bob at 5 feet round and red makes for an eye-popping event that charms and delights the kids. You’ll enjoy the fun for the whole family nature of VeggieTales while also appreciating the Godly messages and encouragements to the kids.

The show brings the best of the best, the most classic of the classic and the absolute silliest of the silly in songs, dance and fun. A high energy song and dance spectacular, this show will have you singing along, dancing in the aisles and smiling so hard your teeth ache! Fan favorites include classic silly songs like His Cheeseburger, I Love My Lips, The Hairbrush Song and many more.

Ticket prices are as follows:

VIP Tickets: $25 each (includes preferred seating and a meet and greet with Veggie Tales after the show)

Advanced General Admission: $15 each

General Admission for Groups of 20 or More: $12.50 each

Admission at the Door: $20 each

Click here to purchase your tickets online today or call 800-965-9324 (non-refundable service fee applies).

We look forward to seeing you at “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special” with Veggie Tales! Click here for more information or call 205.871.8886.

We invite you to “VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special”

fpbham — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:20 +0000

Click here to purchase tickets online

Save the Date for First Priority Night with the Birmingham Barons!

fpbham — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:22:41 +0000

Save the date for First Priority Night with the Birmingham Barons, Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Regions Park. Bring the whole family or your church group for a fun-filled evening. It will be a great night for baseball and softball team parties as well. Your group will enjoy a pre-game event, ticket to the Barons game, pizza and a drink in a souvenir cup for only $10 per person. Come out and enjoy a time of fun and fellowship. Mark your calendars now! Reserve your group’s tickets today by calling 205.871.8886.

Did you attend First Priority’s 7th Annual Leader’s Summit? What did you think?

fpbham — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:16 +0000

We would like to thank you for attending First Priority’s Seventh Annual Leader’s Summit sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Samford University and Food for the Hungry. God moved in mighty ways and students left enthusiastic to use their talents to spread the love and message of Jesus Christ with their peers. We hope the in-depth leadership training you received will help you as you reach out to students on your campus. You were one of nearly 1,000 students and teachers that attended this year’s event! What did you think about the Summit? We would love to hear from you! Please fill out the brief survey by clicking on the link below for a chance to win some really cool First Priority gear! You have until Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, to complete this survey. We truly appreciate your time and feedback! Thank you!

Take this survey

Thank you for your participation in our survey! We truly value your feedback!

Get your FREE Valentine’s Lesson from youthministry360 today!

fpbham — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:00:25 +0000

Our friends at youthministry360 are giving away a FREE Valentines lesson. It’s a solid lesson that uses the story of Ruth and Boaz to talk about the God-centered love we see in the Bible versus the broken image of love the world bombards students with. The lesson also makes the connection that the aspects of love seen in Ruth’s story are perfected in the love we see in Christ. The lesson features a really cool, really interactive PowerPoint slideshow as well as a Leader’s Guide. If you want to teach the lesson, all you have to do is click here to check it out. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Leader’s Summit Recap and Pictures

fpbham — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:25:06 +0000

On Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, First Priority held its seventh annual Leader’s Summit sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Samford University and Food for the Hungry. Nearly 1,000 students, teachers, youth leaders and parents from 85 middle, intermediate, junior high and high schools across Central Alabama attended this year’s event. Leader’s Summit is an in-depth leadership training event for students, teacher sponsors and campus coaches involved in First Priority local campus ministries. School boards of education endorsed the program, allowing a group of students from each school to attend the Summit and count the event as an excused absence.

Students enjoyed a day of intense training from Thought-provoking Visionary and Speaker Brent Crowe, Founder of Field of Grace Ministries Mike Satterfield and Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham James Spann. Students also enjoyed praise and worship by Finding Favour. These respected leaders provided students with timeless knowledge to propel them as leaders in their school. The event was held at Samford University. Students received a Leader’s Summit wristband, workbook and a Chick-fil-A lunch. Students also received door prizes as well as information about scholarship and employment opportunities. God moved in mighty ways and students left enthusiastic to use their talents to spread the love and message of Jesus Christ with their peers.

We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, speakers and band who helped make this event such a great success. We would like to thank everyone for their continuous thoughts and prayers for our Leader’s Summit as well.

Please click on the links below to view pictures from this year’s Leader’s Summit. You will also find below a link to a video about Student Leadership University. Be sure to check out all the links!

We will begin providing details about next year’s Leader’s Summit in October. Thank you again for your prayer and support!

Click here to view Leader’s Summit pictures on Facebook

Click here to watch Student Leadership University’s video

Click here to view Leader’s Summit pictures on First Priority’s Web site

The following is what some had to say about this year’s Leader’s Summit:

“We need to be sharing the love and message of Jesus Christ with others. It’s not Jesus, myself and I; it’s Jesus, Himself and Him.” – Candice, Student

“I’ve learned to be an example for Christ, be responsible for my talent and do what God has called me to do.” – Miracle, Student

“I’ve learned how to be bolder and not to be as selfish at school.” – Caleb, Student

“This was my first year, so I didn’t know what to expect. It’s nice to come in open-minded. I’ve learned that God wants to take who I am and make me into a story. I know that God can use me.” – Abby, Student

“GREAT message today at SAMFORD. If your child was lucky enough to be there, they were blessed. Parents, take time to thank the person who took your child. The speakers were AWESOME.” Sharon, Parent

“This Summit was very beneficial to our students. The types of things the speakers talked about are what kids struggle with in school. The speakers hit all the characteristics of a good leader. They challenged the students to go back and be that leader on campus.” – Stacy, Teacher

REMINDER: Today is Alabama Gives Day – You have 24 hours to give!

fpbham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:48 +0000

Today is the day to make a difference in our community and to help make history in Alabama!

We would like to remind you that TODAY is Alabama Gives Day. This is a day to make history in Alabama, so please take a moment to make a tax-deductible donation today! You have 24 hours to make a real difference right here in our community. The Alabama Association of Nonprofits, in partnership with the Alabama Broadcasters Association, is taking this one day to harness the power of individual contributions statewide. Never before in our state have Alabamians had the opportunity to come together in such a unique and synergized way to support hundreds of nonprofits like ours during a dedicated day of giving.

First Priority is among the 850 participating nonprofits in our state and we need your help! If you love seeing students reached with the love and message of Jesus Christ, then you love First Priority Greater Birmingham. And, by showing your love through Alabama Gives Day, you help sustain this amazing organization, which gives so much to our community.

Alabama Gives Day begins NOW and concludes at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Please be our champion, and help us see it to the top! We can’t wait to celebrate the difference your generosity will make.

Please support Alabama Gives Day and First Priority:

1.) Click here to support First Priority by donating online. For assistance/questions about your gift, click here or call 866.322.1722.

2.) Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and help build the buzz.

3.) Spread the word! Forward this information to your family and friends along with a personal note as to why you believe in our work, and why they should support First Priority today.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Sincerely,

Matt Wilson

Executive Director

From October through December 2011, 397 salvations were reported across the Greater-Birmingham area.

Mark Your Calendars – Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, is Alabama Gives Day

fpbham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:52:25 +0000

I woke up really excited this morning. While I’m always passionate about the work I do here at First Priority, there’s something else that’s got me pumped. As our partner, we would like to inform you about an opportunity to join us and make a huge impact in our community THIS THURSDAY, February 2, by participating and encouraging others to participate in Alabama’s first ‘day of giving’ called Alabama Gives Day. The Alabama Association of Nonprofits, in partnership with the Alabama Broadcasters Association, is taking one day to harness the power of individual contributions statewide. Never before in our state have Alabamians had the opportunity to come together in such a unique and synergized way to support hundreds of nonprofits like ours during a dedicated day of giving.

On Thursday, our community will come together for Alabama Gives Day, and we need YOU to join us. It’s 24 hours of unprecedented Alabama nonprofit giving, and it’s your chance to make a real difference, right here in our community. First Priority is among the 850 participating nonprofits in our state and we need your help! If you love seeing students reached with the love and message of Jesus Christ, then you love First Priority Greater Birmingham. And, by showing your love through Alabama Gives Day, you help sustain this amazing organization, which gives so much to our community.

Alabama Gives Day begins at midnight on Thursday, February 2, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. Please be our champion, and help us see it to the top! We can’t wait to celebrate the difference your generosity will make.

Please support Alabama Gives Day and First Priority:

1.) Click here to support First Priority by donating online. Please submit your donation on Thursday, Feb. 2.

2.) Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and help build the buzz.

3.) Spread the word! Forward this information to your family and friends along with a personal note as to why you believe in our work, and why they should support First Priority this Thursday, February 2, 2012.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Sincerely,

Matt Wilson

Executive Director

From October through December 2011, 397 salvations were reported across the Greater-Birmingham area.

Campus Update – Hueytown Middle School students and local churches uniting as ONE for Christ

fpbham — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:22:57 +0000

First Priority is a mid-week must for most students at Hueytown Middle school. It’s not hard to find the students on Wednesday morning standing outside the door telling their friends to come worship and hear the word. Local youth pastors and worship leaders join together to help students reach their peers with the message of Jesus Christ. Guys like Jonathan Hopkins, TJ Phelps and Parker Smith along with David Hobson rally every week to encourage students to lead not follow. It’s amazing to see what God will do when we work together as one. This is the focus of First Priority, uniting local churches to impact schools. The Hueytown area is a great example of this in action. It is a pleasure to serve alongside students and pastors who work as one to reach many for Christ.

James Cato

Area Director