Kenwood’s Young Adult Vision
Kenwood’s focus on discipleship for the 2021-2022 year is an exciting adventure in our church community. Both structured and organic opportunities are available for the Young Adult community (ages 18 through 20s) and the newly added Young-ish Adult community (30s ish and up) to get to know other generations in the church better, resulting in a richer understanding of what it means to be WITH each other and grow in our relationship WITH God together.
Who are the Backlunds?
Kurt and Londa met at Providence College in Manitoba, Canada and married in 2003. They spent many years in their former church leading small groups together. Over the last 18 years, Londa finished her teaching degree and taught high school Math, English Language Arts, Psychology, and Science. She also completed her MA in Organizational Leadership while staying home with their four children, now ages 11, 10, 7, and 6. Kurt completed an MA in Old Testament and an MA in Biblical Languages at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and an M. Phil in Hebrew and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College, where is he currently completing his dissertation for his PhD. Kurt and Londa are excited to use their gifts, training, and experiences to remind Kenwood’s Young Adults that God is WITH them and so is the Kenwood community. Kurt and Londa are extremely thankful for the variety of gifted individuals who are helping lead and disciple the Young Adults in multiple avenues this year.
Sunday Mornings:
We are blessed to have sound teaching on Sunday mornings and encourage each Young Adult to tap into that resource together at 9:30am. Young Adults are welcome to use the listening guide below to take notes and facilitate processing and reflection on the sermon for when we discuss the sermon together during the 11am hour in Room 234. Currently masks are strongly encouraged when inside the church building, required when in the multipurpose room, and optional when outdoors.
Listening Guide
- I never knew_________________________________________________________.
- I had forgotten that ___________________________________________________.
- When I heard _________________ I was reminded of _______________________.
- I wonder how ________________________________ fits into this new knowledge.
- ______________ adds to my understanding of _____________________________.
- I want to look into________________________________as a result of this message.
- I was reminded God is WITH me when I heard _____________________________.
- I was reminded others are WITH me when I heard/experienced _________________.
- This week my time WITH God might look like _____________________________.
- This week my time WITH others might look like ___________________________.
First Sunday:
The first Sunday of each month, Young Adults in Sunday School will decide where to go out for lunch together that day (individual expenses). The result will be posted to the GroupMe chat so those who missed Sunday School will still have an opportunity to come WITH the group.
Last Sunday:
The last Sunday of each month, our Young Adults Sunday School class will have a potluck lunch outdoors in the Pavilion with one of the other Sunday School classes following second service. It is a fantastic way to get to know others in the church.
Monday Minutes:
On Mondays, a weekly email will be sent to the Young Adults with reminders of events and meetings in the upcoming week. Anyone wanting to receive these weekly emails (or be added to our GroupMe chat) can request so by sending an email to kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org. The Church Center App is also a great resource for information and is helpful to RSVP for upcoming Young Adults events and other church events.
Wednesday Nights:
Not every church has a professional caterer who makes dinner once a week, but we do! Come for dinner at 5:30pm and stay for a class from 6:15-7:30pm. This semester’s classes include an art class, choir, a multigenerational men’s campfire discussion, “Chronicles of Narnia” book club, and an intro to Biblical Hebrew class taught by some incredible experts in their fields. There are classes for kids and childcare available as well if that fits your family dynamic.
Fun Friday (or maybe Fun Sunday, or Fun Saturday):
It is easy to take this world and ourselves a little too seriously these days, but there is “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecc 3:3 ESV). Once a month, we will have an event where we can be WITH others and embrace a time to laugh. This event is always open to friends and people interested in checking out the group. Contact Kurt or Londa at kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org to find out where and when we will next meet.
Brunchin’ Ladies
Starting September 18, ladies have had a unique discipleship opportunity as women from multiple generations are reading together “Adorned” by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. Ladies meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 10am-noon in the church. For information about the book study, email Londa at kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org.
Kenwood Women’s Bible Study:
For Young Adult women who are unable to attend “Brunchin’ Ladies,” there are also Women’s Bible Study classes offered Thursday mornings in person at Kenwood as well as via zoom Thursday evenings at 7pm. Check out the link for more information.
Men’s Bible Study:
Thursdays guys get together for dinner and a devotional. Interested guys can contact Matt Swallen at meswallen@gmail.com.
Newlywed Night:
Discipleship for engaged and newlywed couples will occur at church on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month through May 2022 (pizza and childcare provided) to encourage each other to grow both personally and in their marriages using Biblical principles and church community support. Kyle and Catherine Reynolds can be contacted if you’d like to join or have more questions about the group @ kreynolds327@gmail.com.
Young-ish Adults:
Those who are in their 30s and even early 40s (we won’t check ID) are invited to be part of the Young-ish Adults Small Group who will be tackling the topic of spiritual disciplines this semester. This group includes both marrieds and singles and meet every other Tuesday evening at the church. They also have a social event together each month. Please contact Kurt or Londa if you are interested at kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
