2014 ATLAS Annual Family Christmas Party

On Friday, December 12th members of the ATLAS Family along with several volunteers gathered at First United Methodist Church for our annual Family Services Christmas Dinner. The purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Christ, families and our love for each other. When you become a part of ATLAS you step into an extended family of believers who share the love of Christ with others and this evening was no exception.

The evening featured a “Parents Gift Shop” which was coordinated by Ms. Angel Robbins and operated by several volunteers from the community. Each of our youth had the opportunity to shop from the donated gifts for their parents. Each child was provided with $4.00 for shopping and charged a fraction of the retail price for the gifts. This was an exciting learning opportunity for the youth on spending and gift giving. Once they made their purchase from our store, the gifts were wrapped by volunteers and were ready to go under the tree.

Families and volunteers were treated to an evening of praise, fellowship and dinner. We were serenaded by the voices of several of our kids singing, O Holy Night, Go Tell it On the Mountain and Little Baby Jesus. The children practiced for weeks to deliver amazing performances. One ATLAS family member noted that “It gave the children a chance to showcase their talents and gifts”. This was truly a family event and it could not have been possible without all the wonderful families, volunteers, board members and staff that are committed to the Lord and His transforming power.

The evening ended with remarks from Rob Mitchell, Executive Director of ATLAS in which he reminded us all the true meaning of Christmas by reading Luke 2.

7th Annual ATLAS Ministry Golf Event

Click here to view a video about this event.

On a brilliant late September day, 113 golfers checked in to play in a golf tournament held at Cuscowilla. ATLAS, a 501(c)3 ministry based in Greensboro. The fundraising team of 16 individuals and the 25 volunteers executed by all accounts a nearly flawless tournament.

The winning foursome was Dr Flynn Nance, Charlie Benton, Scott Ward and Frank Travetto. The tournament was unusual in that there were prizes for 5th place and 10th place. Dennis Hoffman got closest to the pin, Greg Kitch won the putting contest and Rob Bowser had the longest drive.

The fundraiser was truly a community event. There were 18 tournament sponsors who donated from the bronze level of $1,000 to the platinum level of $10,000 or more, evenly split between individuals and local businesses. Local businesses and friends donated over 80 items for the silent auction which values ranged from $10 to over $3,600. One of the most intriguing items was an offering of 100 pounds locally grown, antibiotic- and hormone-free Angus beef by Briarpatch Farms in Eatonton.

There were an average of 4 hole sponsors for the 18-hole golf course for a total of 74 signs. 8 local businesses participated in providing fun stuff at several holes to encourage and distract the golfers. 15 local restaurants donated gift certificates to a “raffle basket” that totaled $800. Out of nearly 400 raffle basket tickets sold, the winner was Barbara Johnson of Greensboro.

Executive Director Rob Mitchell was elated that the community support for the ministry will help to insure that ATLAS continues its mission to ignite hope, build families and transforming lives. For instance, ATLAS currently mentors 36 local families by giving a “hand-up” rather than a “hand-out” to those who are committed to change in order to reach vital life goals. ATLAS is also making a mark in all of the middle and high schools in Greene County by teaching values and principles for success through its’ HOPE division (Healthy Options for Personal Empowerment.)

Rob also states that volunteers are the driving force impelling the work. There are over fifteen different wide-ranging areas in which to serve. If you have an hour a week or more and want to have an impact on the lives of others, contact Jessica Bush at (706) 453-0581 for more information.

Cookies & Conversation

Cookies & Conversations Hour is off to a great start! On Wednesday night we had heartfelt, honest and open conversation about relationships, using "You Make Me Crazy" by Pastor Rick Warren as a study guide.

This is an awesome group of ladies. Everyone honors their sisters, listens to The Lord, each other, and finally what is said here, stays here!

We are here to learn, uplift and encourage! No one is here to condemn and judge. We keep it real!

So ladies, we invite you to join us for our next Cookies & Conversations hour. It is powerful! You don't want to miss it! Stay tuned for the next date for Cookies & Conversation!

CLC Day One!

AUGUST 1, 2014 WAS A SPECIAL DAY FOR ATLAS MINISTRY...... Marking the first day of classes for our Greene County Christian Learning Center. We have prayed for this day, and the Lord paved the way. We are blessed to have 39 active students starting. Thank you to everyone that has prayed and supported the CLC.

VISIT OUR CLC FACEBOOK AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greene-County-Christian-Learning-Center/600148503435577?fref=ts

Six Month Update - June 2014

Click here to view our 6 Month Update.

ATLAS welcomes Rob Mitchell to the staff

Rob Mitchell has joined ATLAS Ministry as Executive Director. Rob comes to ATLAS feeling led by God to this ministry. Rob’s career experiences have provided a strong foundation for this position. He has previously served as an executive with the Walt Disney Company, as President of Reynolds Plantation, and as a partner with a community development group. Rob is a graduate of Georgia Tech, received a Masters Degree in Management from Rollins College, and graduated fro

m the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Karen, moved from Orlando to Greene County in 1999, and they thoroughly enjoy living in this area. Rob and Karen have three grown children, all married, and two grandsons. Rob is very familiar with ATLAS, having served previously as a member of its Board of Directors. As we talked to Rob about the opportunity he shared the following: “Karen and I are excited about the opportunity to exercise the gifts and talents God has given us in kingdom work that is Christ-centered, and we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for placing us at the right place at the right time for ATLAS. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with ATLAS and the residents of Greene County as we work together to achieve our Mission: Guided by its Christian principles, ATLAS partners with those who are committed to transformation: Igniting Hope, Building Families, and Transforming Lives.”

Rob with ATLAS Board Members from left to right:  Mike Daniel, Linda McGhee, Theresa Kemp,
Joan Antone, Bo Fears and Jim Meadows

HOPE in the Classrooms - Again?

Some parents have asked if their students need to take HOPE classes every year. Often students will say to our educators, “I have already had a HOPE class. Isn’t this the same material every year?” The answer is very simple. The HOPE Program offers classes in all grades 6-12 because students need to hear the message. The idea that “Choices Have Consequences” is worth repeating. In fact, I need to be reminded of it almost daily as an adult.

Although HOPE classes do have common threads that may sound the same to students, the information increases in depth and maturity and builds a comprehensive message. For example, in the Choosing the Best series, an early middle school class will discuss the importance of setting boundaries with friends. The lessons focus on helping young teens learn to stand on their own in situations particular to in the middle school years. This is a time when it is normal for a young person to want to be seen as independent, yet so many pre-teens long to fit in with the crowd. Helping middle school students form proper boundaries with friends at an early age will enable them to form their own beliefs about what is right and wrong and have the courage to hold tightly to it.

Relationships with the opposite sex are discussed, along with the consequences of trying drugs and alcohol, but not to the degree as in later high school HOPE classes. The Choosing the Best curriculum for later grades presents a more detailed reality of how the absence of personal boundaries leads to increased premarital sex, drug and alcohol use, sexually transmitted diseases, and greater struggles in achieving future goals.

It is the desire of the HOPE Program to be an ever present voice of truth in students’ lives. We are not content to let the half-truths and out-right lies that are a constant barrage of background noise in our culture have the last say in the lives of our youth. When students ask, “Haven’t we already talked about this?” I answer, “Yes! And it is of such value that we are going to talk about it again! And again. And Again.” Oh, how desperately I wish someone had been persistent with this message in my early life.

HOPE in the Classroom "Self-Worth"

HOPE educators lead students through lessons that help them understand the importance of self-worth. Often well-meaning adults pay more attention to correcting negative behaviors than affirming positive ones. I know I am guilty of this with my own children. We get caught up in the “addressing of the urgent” and forget to go back and reaffirm the behaviors that are worthy of being praised. Both the pre-teen and teenage periods are full of self-doubt and insecurities and the most arrogant and brash teenager can sometimes be the most fragile.

How do we teach our students to value themselves without crossing into a selfish pride? How do we correct, yet affirm the positive? What qualities should adults seek to praise in children? It is important to teach children at a very young age that they have an inherent value. Simply because they are a living human being, means they have worth. Sean Covey says it very well, “Although how you esteem yourself may rise and fall, what you are really worth never changes.” HOPE educators try to convey that every student is born with a purpose. It is important for adults to understand the difference between praising an unchangeable quality and a character trait. Telling a girl she has beautiful face sounds nice. And what could be wrong with telling a boy he looks strong? However, how does the child feel who hears and wonders if her face is pretty? Or what about the young boy who knows his body frame is narrow and weak?

It is much better to praise character qualities.

• “You worked very hard on your assignment last night.”
• “You have been a loyal friend during a difficult time. “
• “I appreciate your respectful attitude to the clerk.”
• “It must have been hard to tell the truth. I don’t like what you did, but I like that you were honest.”
• “Thank you for being so generous and sharing with others.”

These affirmations don’t slight another child who may be listening, nor do they only acknowledge traits that will someday fade. Addressing the character quality you hope to correct or affirm allows children to understand there is a process to maturing. Though I have constant worth and a purpose, there is always room for growth. The “social mirror” that includes comparisons to others, culture’s newest expectations, and the media’s view of acceptance is not a good place for our children to learn of their worth. They need to hear of it from those closest to them until they are able to take it in and own it as a part of their belief system. Ideally, children hear it from their families, but it’s not always the case. Teachers, mentors, volunteers, pastors, coaches, and extended family members have the opportunity to speak words of truth into the lives of our community’s youth with the assurance that some will hear and be transformed.