Welcome Back!!

Welcome back! I was so excited to see our heroes enter Journey Academy Monday, and to kick off a fresh year! While part of me was encouraged to see the joy in our heroes from last year, another part of me was both anxious and enthusiastic about our growth. Our new EMS (elementary/middle school studio) has grown from 9 to 14, and with that comes the challenge of creating a new culture-one where old friendships are strengthened and new ones blossom.

So far, our heroes have been doing an incredible job welcoming new friends, working together, and re-creating old processes that help govern the studio. This week, they completed several team building challenges (such as creating a Journey Academy secret handshake and making homemade ice cream..yum!), began designing a new Hero’s Contract (to uphold the culture they want to create), Selected the rules they wanted to uphold during discussions, and taught new heroes how to resolve conflict as it arises throughout the year.

In addition to all of this, our heroes also began holding their first discussions. Some of the discussions this week included:

• What is 1 interesting fact you would like your studio mates to know about you? What is your favorite season, and what would you do if you had 30 minutes of time to participate in ANY activity in the world?
• If you had a super power, what would it be and why?
• Can a non believer produce the fruits of the spirit? Can ta non believer produce lasting fruit?
• What do you expect from your studio mates this year? What promises would you like to make to one another as the year begins?

Hero 1: “Well, I don’t have much of a position in life, but I think I carry some authority because my little brother really looks up to me.”

Hero 2: “I disagree with you. I think your position within your family is VERY important because you set an example for your brother.”

These discussion comments bring me great joy because through them, our heroes are reflecting that they have purpose, and that God is working in their lives…And that is what Journey Academy is all about!