Ready To Give? Here's how...

If you're thinking, "I want to give, so how does this all work and what do I do to help?" Then here are directions for how to give:

1. Decide who/what you want to give to and how much. Then, send me (Justin Talley) an email including details about who/what you want to give to and how much you want to give.
2. Decide if you would like to give by check or by making a payment on The City.
3. If by check, please make the check out to Shoal Creek Community Church and write "Crash CO Trip" in the memo. Mail the check to:  Justin Talley - SCCC, 6816 S Church Rd, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068.
4. If by City, first log into your City account and click on the Giving section (on the left hand side of the home page). Then, when given the option to Select a Fund, select "Student Ministry Event Payments" and write "Crash CO Trip" in the comments. Continue to follow the directions from there on out.

If a particular student receives more than enough financial support to meet their need, then the extra money will go to the other students and/or other needs that are still remaining. If you wish to give to one student or need only, please contact me to see if that need has already been met. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me at all!

The students and I thank you so much for your willingness to be a part of the amazing things God is going to do this summer!

Buya Camp Fundraising Overview

Buya Camp is the three-day camp that Shoal Creek offers to its middle school students. We take our Buya Students over to the Heartland Center in Parkville, MO, for some extremely meaningful relationship building time. These three days at Heartland's outdoor facilities provide us, the Buya Volunteer Leaders, with some real quality time to get to know who each Buya Student is--what they like, who they want to be, what events and relationships have formed and shaped them the most so far in life. There isn't another event all year that provides as much relationship building time as does Buya Camp.

Not only is Buya Camp wonderful for building better relationships with leaders and peers, it's also huge on FUN! We create a giant hill-long slip'n'slide and play some crazy games (like Siamese-Kickball) and have smores around a bonfire all on day one. Day two is centered around a "low ropes/team building" obstacle course in the morning, followed by an highly challenging individual "high ropes" course in the afternoon. Every day at Buya Camp we help the student journal through the developmental concepts of "Identity, Community, and Purpose", and each night we have "cabin time" where leaders go more in-depth with what the students are dealing with inside.

This camp is worth every penny, but because it is a high quality opportunity, it requires many pennies to make it happen. This isn't out of the normal. Every year we have students who could use a little help to make Buya Camp a reality for their summer plans. This year, we have one such student needing a little extra help. Please click on the link below to read more about her.

• Kailee Shewell

If you're thinking, "I want to give, so how does this all work and what do I do to help?" Then here are directions for how to give.

1. Decide who/what you want to give to and how much. Then, send me (Justin Talley) an email including details about who/what you want to give to and how much you want to give.
2. Decide if you would like to give by check or by making a payment on The City.
3. If by check, please make the check out to Shoal Creek Community Church and write "Crash CO Trip" in the memo. Mail the check to:  Justin Talley - SCCC, 6816 S Church Rd, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068.
4. If by City, first log into your City account and click on the Giving section (on the left hand side of the home page). Then, when given the option to Select a Fund, select "Student Ministry Event Payments" and write "Crash CO Trip" in the comments. Continue to follow the directions from there on out.

If a particular student receives more than enough financial support to meet their need, then the extra money will go to the other students and/or other needs that are still remaining. If you wish to give to one student or need only, please contact me to see if that need has already been met. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me at all!

The students and I thank you so much for your willingness to be a part of the amazing things God is going to do this summer!

Crash CO Trip Fundraising Overview

For the last four years our Crash Students have taken an eight-day summer trip to Noah's Ark in Buena Vista, CO, all for the sake of connecting to God and gaining clarity in His vision for them. As the Student Director at Shoal Creek, I (Justin Talley) have come to enjoy this CO Trip as one of my favorite activities that I've ever participated in with the students of Shoal Creek. Every single year God shows up in big ways for the students that step out of their comfort zones and sign up for this trip. Each day of this trip is setup to create an environment of relational growth and spiritual challenge through physical adventure.

We start off with a twelve hour van trip out to CO sets us up all getting to know one another as only twelve hour van trips can. We spend our first day in CO connecting to each other through serving in the CO Springs area. This year, we'll be volunteering with Crossfire Ministries, helping sort food, clothing and other items that are available to those in need. After serving in the morning, we'll take a quick stop at Garden of the Gods and then cross over the Rockies and arrive at Noah's Ark to really take our journeys to a deeper level through rafting, rock climbing, and a three day backpack and overnight in the mountains.

The coolest part of this trip is getting to see how God speaks to each student that goes on this trip. That's what really matters. The visions that students' receive for their lives while journaling through the bible and praying while on the mountainsides are keep us coming back. By leaving their cell phones at home and opening themselves up to God in some of the most beautiful landscapes God has created, we see students slow down from their normally over-busy lives to stop and hear what God has to say to them.

This trip truly is amazing! However, due to it's amazingness, it comes with a higher price tag. What you will find below are the financial needs of specific students, and also some more general financial needs we're asking for to keep down the overall per-student-cost of this trip. I would encourage you to take some time to really pray and read through each need listed below, asking God to guide you or open your heart to any student, or any service, that needs some extra financial help. Click on the profiles and links below to hear more specifically about the needs we have this year.

• Emily Goodwin
• Trevor Belk
• Isaiah Ramirez
• Alan Donoho
• Amber Donoho
• Avery Donoho
• Leadership Needs

If you're thinking, "I want to give, so how does this all work and what do I do to help?" Then here are directions for how to give:

1. Decide who/what you want to give to and how much. Then, send me (Justin Talley) an email including details about who/what you want to give to and how much you want to give.
2. Decide if you would like to give by check or by making a payment on The City.
3. If by check, please make the check out to Shoal Creek Community Church and write "Crash CO Trip" in the memo. Mail the check to:  Justin Talley - SCCC, 6816 S Church Rd, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068.
4. If by City, first log into your City account and click on the Giving section (on the left hand side of the home page). Then, when given the option to Select a Fund, select "Student Ministry Event Payments" and write "Crash CO Trip" in the comments. Continue to follow the directions from there on out.

If a particular student receives more than enough financial support to meet their need, then the extra money will go to the other students and/or other needs that are still remaining. If you wish to give to one student or need only, please contact me to see if that need has already been met. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me at all!

The students and I thank you so much for your willingness to be a part of the amazing things God is going to do this summer!

Emily Goodwin

Hi! My name is Emily Goodwin and I am going to be a freshman at Liberty High School.  I live with my mom, Lydia, my dad, Kevin, my older sister Hannah who is graduating this year from liberty and my younger brother, Caleb. I love singing and acting. I have been in several productions at my school. I was the lead in my school’s musical this year. I also enjoy jamming out to 80’s songs with my dad in the car on our way to school and on our way home. But the thing that I love most is kids with special needs. There is a classroom for kids with autism at my school and I go down to the classroom whenever I can to hang out with the kids.  They are my best friends really.  I have been going to Shoal Creek for my whole life and it is like my second home.  What I love about Shoal Creek is that is makes everyone feel welcomed and we try to help anyone who is in need. We care about others and we try our best to spread the word of the Lord.

On this trip to Colorado I am hoping to deepen my relationship with God. I have always had doubts or questions about God and I think going on this trip will answer some of them. Being in the wilderness just makes me feel like I am at the heart of God’s creation.  I feel so close to God in the mountains, and I think reading the bible and journaling out there will help build my relationship. One of the last things that I am hoping is to become closer to the people that are going, and to become closer to my mom because she is one of the leaders going on the trip.

The total cost of the trip is $550 dollars. I have been working at home to get money and I have been babysitting frequently to try to reach that goal. My parents are helping me out, but I still need about $350 dollars to reach my goal. I have been praying about this trip and I would really love your support!

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my hopes for Colorado. This is one of the great journeys God is going to take me and everyone else on.  I just want to thank you so much for any support that you give me or to my fellow friends.  I can’t wait to come back and share what I learned and what I have experienced.  

Thank you so much again!  

Want to help Emily? Here's how...

Kailee Shewell

Hi, my name is Kailee Shewell.  I am in the 7^th grade at South Valley Middle School.  I like to cook, swim, be out doors and play soccer.  I volunteer at church every Sunday that I attend.  I am always in the ECC (Early Childhood Center) and go back and forth between 2 & 3yr old’s classes.  I like going to school because I love reading in ELA and right now we are learning about the Dust Bowl.

I want to get closer to God.  I go to church but I want to be closer and have a better relationship with him.  I want to get into a better routine about praying.  I pray every night with my Mom before bed, but I want to get closer and pray more regularly.  I want to grow closer with my peers and my community.  I have a bunch of friends but I want to grow closer to them and I want to get to know more people my age from church. 

BUYA camp this year is a three day, two night camp and it cost $220.  I’m raising money by babysitting and participating in our neighborhood garage sale.  I have a bunch of stuff I need to get rid of and I think this is the best time to do it.  I think I can raise $50 and am only asking for a $170.  I wanted to go last year but we couldn’t afford it. 

I just want to thank whoever it is that donates me the money I would really love to go to camp.  Also I want to thank you all for taking the time to read my essay it took me forever to write.  And Thanks again for any help you can give.

Want to help Kailee? Here's how...

Trevor Belk

My name is Trevor Belk, I am age 17, and I am a Junior at Winnetonka High School. I spend most of my free time either on a computer or a gaming console, as video games are my passion. I intend to someday become a video game developer, managing either code or art, or both. My parents include Richard and Tabitha Belk, and I have two older siblings that have moved out with their own children.

Like most others would say about themselves, my primary motivation for wanting to attend this trip is to have some quality time with friends while participating in awesome activities. I have taken part in the trip before, and what I love most is the time that we have in the backcountry of Colorado to strengthen our relationships with each other as well as with God. The activity I am looking forward to most this year is the three-day hike through the mountains, as it allows us the best time to connect with each other while enjoying the beautiful view that God created for us.

The current amount that we need to finish paying for the trip is $300. The payment so far has been coming from my parents, but I hope to have a job as soon as school is out at the end of May. If you feel inclined to assist us in reaching the goal with any amount, it would be much appreciated and it will go towards a good cause.

I thank you for taking the time to read this, and hope that whatever decision you make about giving is best for yourself. Thanks again for considering providing for my need.

Want to help Trevor? Here's how...

Isaiah Ramirez

Hello, my name is Isaiah Ramirez, and I’m a to-be sophomore at East Buchanan High school in the East Buchanan school district. I currently live with my mom, stepdad, and 2 younger nieces who are 10 and 7. I live in Gower, Missouri (in between Kansas City and St.Joe on 169) and we live a block away from the Elementary and High School. This is great because whenever I forget something at my house it isn’t that big of a deal...yay! I am a year-round athlete playing football, basketball, track, and cross-country.  It is very hard balancing these sports in order to be good in each one and to get good grades. I play Linebacker/slot receiver, shooting guard, and am a long distance runner. I recently ran a 5:46 mile time. I have been going to Shoal Creek since I could remember and feel they translate the Bible into what it means and how it can be applied today (I also think Roy is pretty funny). I also feel that Shoal Creek accepts anyone no matter their past or present.

I have chosen to go to Colorado this year because it was so fun last year. I met and got to know a lot of new people that I wouldn’t have otherwise known. Last year my sisters forced me to go, even going so far as giving it as my birthday—how cruel, right?! This trip gives me a chance to escape from it all whether it be football lifting, cross-country build-up, or life in general. It also gives me a chance to grow closer to God in ways that I even didn’t think were possible. In the thrill of white water rafting/rock climbing it’s very easy to get scared, but once you do overcome that fear, it liberates. Hiking shows God’s original design of the world as it was meant to be which is...wow!

In order to go on this trip I need to raise 350$. My family is going to be able to help with some of the cost but I’m definitely going to need some help. To reach that goal I will be doing chores and getting a job at Royals stadium to earn money, but I really need your help to get me there.

Thank you for your time spent reading and considering donating. Last year was a blast with tons of inside jokes, stories, and memories. This Colorado trip means a lot to everyone so thank you for your time and effort.

Want to help Isaiah? Here's how...

Alan Donoho

Hello, I am Alan Donoho. I am in 10th grade at the moment. I go to Northtown, which is a High School in the North Kanas City School District. My favorite things to do are Sword Fighting and playing the computer game, League of Legends. I also love to play soccer. I like that my school is similar to a college campus and thus has multiple buildings and an open lunch. I have an older sister named Amber and a younger brother named Avery. My mom is named Dawn like the dish soap and my dad is named Jason, but he goes by JD.

This year is my first year going on the Colorado trip. I really hope to enjoy myself and get a bit closer to all my friends that are going. I have heard all kinds of good things about it from my friend Trevor Belk. I also hope to see God’s wonders with my own eyes. This is also something that gets me out from under my computer screen in the summer.

To be able to go on this awesome trip with my friends in the church high school group, Crash, I need to raise $250. My parents, who are also going on the trip will be taking care of most of the costs, but I am hoping the God can help them out to pay it off. I am hoping that he uses you to make this come true but helping with the costs with whatever amount you see fit to donate.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about my plans and my need for this summer. I know God will supply the means to go and experience his wonders. Thank you very much again for your time and if you feel God’s put it in you to donate some funds thank you even more.

Would you like to help Alan? Here's how...

Amber Donoho

Hi, my name is Amber Donoho, and I am a 12th grader at Oak Park High School. I live with my two parents, Dawn and J.D., as well as my two brothers, Alan and Avery. I have been attending Shoal Creek Community Church since I was about 5 years old.

This year I am going on the Crash Colorado Trip to Noah's Ark I Buena Vista, Colorado. On this trip one can grow closer to God and learn an easy way to journal. You also get to enjoy the quiet in God's creation, away from the buzz of everyday life. Not only do you get to know the people on the trip better, but you get to know yourself.

In order to attend this trip, I need $350. My parents might be able to pay for some, but my whole family is going so it's hard to raise the money for each one of us. Hopefully God will help us get the rest. I thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the help from anyone and God who opens doors for me.

Would you like to help Amber? Here's how...

Avery Donoho

Hi, my name is Avery Donoho, and I am an 8th grader at Antioch Middle School. I live with my mother, Dawn, my father, JD, and my brother, Alan, and my sister. Amber. We live by Oak Park High School. I love playing baseball, and I also run a lot. I have been going to Shoal Creek all my life and have many friends there,

This year I chose to go on the Crash Colorado Trip to Noah's Ark in Buena Vista, CO. There are many reasons why I want to go on this trip. I want to grow closer to God and learn more about Him. Also, I want to grow closer to my friends and learn more about them.

To be able to go on this trip, I need $350. My parents are going to be able to pay some of it, but because my whole family is going, we are going to have to rely on God to help us get the rest.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my plans for this summer. I know God will help us reach this goal and I appreciate any help that you might be able to give me and the other students. Thank you so much! I can't wait to get back and share what God showed me while I was there!

Would you like to help Avery? Here's how...

Crash CO Trip Leaders Needs

You might be wondering what "Leaders Needs" means exactly and you should. Basically, to get the overall per-student price that we charge each Shoal Creek student to an affordable amount, we have to find ways to come up some extra non-student-designated money to help pay for things like gas, van rental, tolls, leaders' costs, and other random things.

Having leaders for this trip is absolutely crucial. It can be hard to find adults year after year that will not just see this trip as a personal vacation, but see this trip as an investment in the spiritual journeys of the teens that are participating. Because the adult leaders are making such a quality investment in our students, we try to invest in them if they need financial help to make this happen. Having these leaders is VITAL to the trip, and by offering to to give our leaders a 50% discount (if they request the financial help) is HUGE to getting the quality leadership we need that will help our students get the most out of these trips.

We do try to figure in some of these costs into the $550 registration fee we charge each student, but if we were to figure in all of the extra cost into each students fee, then the per-student cost would start to exceed what is affordable for families. Overall this year, we need approximately $1500 in Leadership Fees to keep our per-student cost at $550.

$800 of this Leadership cost will be or us to rent 15 passenger van. This trip is the biggest we've ever sent, and I'm super-pumped to see 25 people going! But to make this work instead of take three, or even four separate vehicles, we definitely need to rent a van.

The other $700 will go to helping pay for gas. We've learned that each summer we spend a ballpark of $1200 on gas for the 1300 mile round trip.

Helping pay towards these two causes may not seem as personally meaningful as helping the financial needs of a specific student. However, by choosing to help with these Leadership Needs, you're actually helping every single student participating in this trip by keeping their overall costs at a manageable level.

Want to help with any of these needs? Here's how...