Dawson–doing some homework!
Posted in Autism, Family | Tags: Aba therapy, Autism, autism awareness, Dawson Shelton, how to deal with autism, Jody Shelton, jodyshelton.org, therapies for autism
Some of my ministry secrets!
The Internet has opened up so many amazing opportunities for the world of student ministry. I can remember the days where youth pastor’s used overhead projectors and transparencies. When I first started in youth ministry we also used books of clipart to copy images for flyers and other activities. I want to share with you some tools I use that have made an awesome impact in the way I communicate with our students and our Wednesday night program thExchange. One thing I really enjoy about my job is networking with other student pastor’s if I can give you any ideas that will help you—please take it—chances are someone gave me the idea as well!
1. Simply Youth Ministry offers all kinds of incredible games, crowdbreakers, countdowns (t-minus), message series, powerpoint backgrounds and many other items. Send me an email if you need some recommendations. This site is by far the BEST for practical help in preparing for your program!
2. Powerpointsermons.com, My Pastor introduced me to this website, it does require a fee however it has made our Sunday morning graphics at our church come alive. I use it for messages and announcement slides on Wednesday nights and it has made a tremendous impact. Here are a few of my favorites.
3. 
Not sure what we did before moving images during worship. This will add a whole new dynamic to your praise and worship time. Make sure your computer has the specs that Media Shout needs. I know there is other companies out there but Media Shout is what we use and I have been very happy with the results!
4. 
When I first started out at my present church Mount Zion I sent mail to all of my parents, then I went to everything being on the website (which I still do), email….facebook….now I send out mass text messages to my entire group. I have the largest plan so for $40 a month I can inform over 100 people an important announcement in a matter of seconds. They just added a new feature that allows text forwarding back to my phone so if I need to answer a question I can. You can also create groups and teams within the software. One thing we know for sure…..teenagers ALWAYS have their phone and they love getting text messages! This software has become invaluable to me!
5. 
Remember all the video books we used to have to buy and the many rentals in order to show video clips in our groups—now you just have to search hard enough on youtube and you will find good stuff. I have saved money by having wi-fi in our youth building and showing clips from the internet rather than renting. Here are some recent clips I have used from youtube.
Making friends, What is a friend, Be Still, God’s Chisel, Intro to Jesus, In the Beginning
6. 
It is difficult to impress a teenager however this software will do it—have you ever wanted to see what your students were really thinking about the topic you are speaking about? Are you curious where they are in their relationship with Christ? Poll Everywhere is completely confidential so it allows you to get a sense of your groups thoughts and beliefs. Here is a video of the software being used in my youth group MZS, watch our Wednesday night promo video here. I have the $65 a month package and Poll Everywhere allows you to pay month by month as needed. Thanks to Josh Griffin for the idea!
7. 
One great way to inform your students of what is coming up in your ministry is a website. One of the best decisions I have made was purchasing 2 snapshot websites for our church and my student ministry MZS. If you decide to buy a website, I would be happy to get you started and help you with your ministry site just shoot me an email. I had no experience in building a website until we bought from snapshot and it was a great decision and very simple to use! Now I am able to update both websites with no problem at all!
Here is a few more tools:
—I use the group feature for getting word out along with Simplytxt.
—Absolutely amazing–requires a lot of space on your computer but if you got the space you need glo, we use it for pictures on Wednesday night and also bookmark passages that you can navigate with the click of a button!
—Josh is the owner and does amazing work, he designed our MZS logo and has done a ton of work for our church, his prices are great and he is easy to work with, which is a big deal. Here is one piece he just did for our recent emphasis at Mount Zion. Checkout Fit Brochure
—I have been using these guys for t-shirts, logos, sweat shirts etc.. They do a fantastic job at a great price–talk to Spencer when you call he is a great guy and will do anything to help you get what you need.
So here are my secrets, hope you get some fresh ideas!!!
Posted in Advice, Misc, Student Ministry | Tags: action awards, actionawards.com, churchgraphics.org, companies that do great graphics, finding a website for a youth group, glo, globible.com, graphic companies in the atlanta area, great bible software, helpful websites for student ministry, helpful websites in student ministry, how to find good youtube videos for studet ministry, ideas, Jody Shelton, jodyshelton.org, josh feit, media shout, mount zion baptist snellville ga, mountzionstudents.com, MZS, need some fresh ideas for student ministry, new ideas for my youth ministry, new ideas for student ministry, poll everywhere, Polleverywhere.com, simply text, simply youth ministry, simplytxt, Snapshotweb, snapshotweb.com, spencer melton, technology and student ministry, texting in student ministry, The Exchange, ThExchange, tools for student ministry, what is the best bible software, who should I use to do a youth group t-shirt
Watching Dawson—the light bulbs are coming on!
When we first were told Dawson had autism we thought he would never be able to truly function in the real world. There was a time that Dawson could hardly understand anything we said. However, with so many people working together Dawson understands so many amazing things. For instance when you see on these videos Dawson picking the right picture like shoes, hat, car… that enables us to tell him what we are doing or where we are going and he understands and follows our prompts. This translates to an easier life for us and cognitive growth on Dawson’s part.
The hardest part of this process is that ABA therapy is NOT covered by insurance. Every hour of Dawson’s therapy has come from wonderful people giving sacrificially to help him become who he is today. All I can say to those who have helped is you are truly a blessing not only to Dawson but to all of us. Words cannot express how much we thank you. Every month is a new venture to pray that God provides for Dawson through people from all over. If you would like to make a donation for Dawson’s therapy and expenses you can do so here. If you would rather send a check make it payable to Mount Zion Baptist Church with “Shelton Fund” in the memo line. Please understand any gift you give to Dawson is a tax deduction. We greatly appreciate your help and you will now see in these 3 video clips how far Dawson has come. Thanks Again.
Posted in Autism | Tags: aba, Aba therapy, Autism and vaccines, autism awareness, Can autism be helped, Dawson Shellton, Dr. Coby Lund, IBS, Integrated Behavior Solutions, Jody Shelton, jodyshelton.org, mount zion baptist church, Nyemade Baker-Marsh, videos of aba therapy, What is ABA, What is autism
Some new videos
Tebow sharing his faith
Checkout this video of Tim Tebow
thExchange t-shirts
Every year we like to offer t-shirts for MZS–these shirts are by far the best yet! There are 7 different colors—choose as many as you would like, notice we tried to represent most of the school colors of MZS. Shirts are $12.00 a piece. The last day to order will be Wednesday Sep 30th. To see a bigger image click on the picture.
Posted in Uncategorized
A New Name for a New Season!
Have you been asked the question what your favorite season of the year is spring, summer, winter or fall? I would say without a doubt it is fall for me. The weather is cooling off, the leaves begin to change, but most important football season begins. There are not many things on TV these days enjoyable to watch, but when it comes to watching a college football game on Saturday is there anything else better? Really?
Observations to why we like football so much in America—see if you agree.
Everyone loves a good rival game. How much fun is it when a close friend is rooting for the opposition? Yes, it stinks when you lose to the rival and oftentimes you hear about it for a whole year. The most intense rivals in college football would have to be: Georgia/Florida, Ohio State/Michigan, Alabama/Auburn, Texas/Oklahoma, Clemson/South Carolina. I try as hard as possible not to talk too much trash just in case my team loses. I don’t want to listen to all the SMACK talk!
I did not grow up a HUGE Cowboy fan, however when I moved from Texas to the east coast my Texas pride increased. There are not many Texans who are not Cowboy fans, the Houston Texans—come on what is that all about?
Jason Elam and Tim Tebow are two players I really enjoy watching. Jason goes to my church
and is an awesome Christian example. He is taking classes right now at the seminary I graduated from LBTS. I admire his intensity and focus on the field and his character and love for his family off the field.
Tim Tebow is unbelievably dedicated to sharing Christ with the world. His big sister was friends with my wife, Ruth went to church with the Tebow’s at FBC Jax. The Tebow family was at my wedding in April of 2000 and Tim’s sister was one of Ruth’s bridesmaids. Tim would have been in middle school. I look forward to seeing Tim live out his Christian faith on and off the field. 
During the National Championship last year Tebow had John 3:16 under his eyes, that day John 3:16 had more hits on google then any other word or phrase. I love athletes that use there influence to share Christ with so many people who are in search for the truth that is only found in Jesus Christ!
Closing thoughts: Why we love football
1. Gives us something to talk about!
2. Life is HARD–Gets your mind off life when things are difficult–but if football is your life not sure what you do?
3. Gives you a reason to get together and hang out with good friends and family
The new name for fall—Football!!!
Posted in Misc, Uncategorized | Tags: baptist churches in gwinnett county, bob tebow evangelistic ministry, dallas cowboys, do all texans love the cowboys, fbc jax, Football season is here, great churches in the snellville area, great rival games, jason elam, jason elam monday night jihad, john 3:16, liberty baptist theological seminary, monday night jihad, mount zion baptist church, nfl players who are christians, tebow family, tim tebow, tim tebow christian witness
Apologetics for a New Generation
It has been 10 years since I graduated from Liberty University. After graduation, I left school and flew to Amarillo for the summer before beginning a new job in Jacksonville, FL . Something really cool happened to me as I was walking in the Dallas airport. I saw a man with his wife who looked familiar and sure enough it was Josh McDowell. I walked up to Josh, introduced myself, and insisted on buying him and his family dinner at the airport. He said, “college students have no money, I’ll pay”. I still insisted on paying and ended up buying everyone dinner at McDonald’s!
I felt honored to sit down and discuss youth ministry and culture with a legend in the Christian faith. We sat and talked about youth ministry and he shared some life experience with me. As I left Josh got my address and sent me a copy of his latest book which at the time was “The New Tolerance,” WOW, what a day to remember! Apology for those who know me well—I realize you have it heard this story many times before!!!
Josh McDowell’s son Sean is my age and I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with him at a couple of camps in the past and hear him speak. Sean is an extremely gifted communicator and author. Apologetics for a New Generation is the book that I am reading by Sean, what a tremendous impact this book has made on me. The third chapter is written by Josh McDowell here are some of the comments he makes in the chapter entitled “Relationships that Transform”.
- The culture we live in is generally uninterested in the truth of the gospel, partly because they are unimpressed with those who proclaim it.
- Some opinions from nonchurchgoers & non-Christians, on average 86% believe the church is judgmental, hypocritical, phony and unreal.
- The bottom line, people are looking for truth in the context of relationships.
When asked the question to non-Christians what would make the Christian faith attractive and irrestible the answer was “I wish the church was a loving place,” and “I wish the church would respect my intelligience.”
After Josh and I had dinner at McDonald’s the last thing he said before I walked away to catch my flight was, “Jody just love those teenager’s.” Amazingly enough he hit the target of what people around us need to see and feel. People need to hear the truth of Jesus Christ and see it modeled before them.
1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.
Posted in Apologetics | Tags: Apologetcs, apologetics for a new generation, Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell
4 Square and Student Ministry
If there is one thing I truly love about student ministry it is the process of planning a BIG event. I enjoy making the contacts with different places and people and thinking through the purpose of the activity.
However, sometimes it is better to let things happen on their own and allow the creativity of your group to take over. Last week we had a HUGE cookout with parents and students. The purpose was to reconnect students into our group and have a relaxing time talking and “hanging out!” No real activities were planned other than eating hamburgers and hot dogs and drinking lots of soda. Someone decided to get a ball, and someone had some chalk and then 4 square took over. I was 
reminded as I watched the students play 4 square with true intensity, bigger is not always better and sometimes the simple things are what bring the most fun and fulfillment. So next time you decide to plan that BIG activity don’t forget that sometimes simple is better!
I’m thinking it has been said
Keep It Simple S________!
We don’t say that word in my house so you will have to figure it out.
Summer 2009
Summer 2009- As summer comes to an end I thought I would share my favorite pictures with you. Anyone that knows me knows that I love pictures, they allow you to save a memory from an experience you had with someone. This summer was one of my favorite I was able to do some really fun stuff with a lot of really great people. I encourage each of you to travel, spend time with family, see places you have never seen before, but most of all cherish the time you have with those God has given you!
Some of these pictures are as follows:
Jax beach, Graham with his crab, singing with Puertoricans, standing outside El Torro in San Juan, water skiing, snorkeling in the Caribbean, horse and carriage ride in Helen, GA, building a house, claw marks from a bear in my backyard, my nephew John Shelton-graduation, reconnecting with an old friend from LU- Jon Bonar, Larry Mize and I at the top of Brasstown in North GA, Class of 2009, white water rafting with the college age class, camp at Ridgecrest and the Jax zoo with Dawson!
What a great summer!!!
