Young Adults:

While everyone believes they are “Young Adults,” this group is designed for those who are college-age to early 30s.  The group includes males and females, singles and newlyweds.

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 17 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 10, 9, 6, and 5.  Londa has been involved in Kenwood’s MOPS ministry and currently coordinates the RISE mentorship program at Kenwood.  Kurt completed an MA in Old Testament and an MA in Biblical Languages from 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.  He has served the Kenwood community for several years as a Pastoral Intern and deacon before pairing with his wife to lead Kenwood’s Young Adults together.  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.

Sunday Mornings:

We are blessed to have sound teaching on Sunday mornings and encourage each Young Adult to tap into that resource.  Young Adults are encouraged to attend the 9:30 am service and then use the listening guide below [LB1] to take notes and facilitate processing and reflection of the sermon.  Following the service, we will meet at 11 am outside, in the Courtyard (or indoors in Fellowship Hall if weather requires), to review the sermon and our thoughts and questions together.

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:

On the first Sunday of June, July, and August, lunch will be provided for all the Young Adults to eat together after Sunday School in the Backlund’s backyard.  Please email the Backlund's at kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org if you plan to attend so enough food will be available.  Couples with children are welcome to bring their children to this monthly food fest.

Make a Friend Mondays:

We have chosen Mondays as an informal and organic reminder to connect WITH those around you on a regular basis.  COVID 19 brought isolation in many ways; however, God is always WITH us and others can safely be WITH us also.  We encourage all Young Adults to safely explore the Great Parks of Hamilton County this summer to meet WITH God or WITH others as they tackle the Hiking Staff Program https://www.greatparks.org/recreation/trails . The Staff Program can remind us that Jesus, the good shepherd, is “WITH me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Ps 23:4 ESV).  This is an opportunity to make a friend or renew a friendship in an outdoor environment, and no it does not have to happen only on Mondays.

Testimony Tuesdays:

Each Tuesday an email will be sent out to the Young Adults group. The email will have a brief message or video sharing the testimony of a person in Scripture, history, or the Young Adult group of how they know God has been WITH them.  Anyone wanting to share their testimony is welcome to type/record their testimony and send it to kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org and it will be sent out one week.  Weekly reminders of events in the upcoming days will be sent in this email as well.  If you would like to be added to the weekly email communication or our group’s GroupMe chat, please let Kurt or Londa know and you will be added.

Bible Study Groups:

-A men’s Bible study group is meeting in person Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm over dinner.  Men interested in joining can contact Matt Swallen at meswallen@gmail.com.for location and topic details.

-A women’s Bible study group is meeting Saturday mornings from 10 am -noon.  Women interested in joining can contact Brittney at britkburkhead@gmail.com for location and topic details.

Fun Friday/Saturday/Sunday:

Summer schedules make getting together difficult, but we are still going to make an effort to do life WITH each other this summer.  There will be one formally organized event each month this summer for Young Adults to participate in together as well as at least one formally organized event for the entire church body to enjoy together as well.  Contact Kurt and Londa for RSVP requirements and specific questions about cost and so forth @ kurtbacklund@kenwoodbaptist.org

Young Adults Opportunities:

June 26: Scenic River Excursions Canoe/Kayak Adventures @ 2:45 pm.  RSVP required. (free)

https://scenicrivercanoe.com/

July 23: King’s Island from 6-10 pm. No RSVP required. (individual cost)

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/

August:  Kirkwood Adventure Park and Fall Semester Launch!  RSVP required. (free) https://www.kirkwoodadventurepark.com/

 Whole Church Opportunities:

June 19: Movie Night under the stars at Kenwood’s Pavillion @ 7:30 pm (free)

June 23: Worship Night in the Sanctuary @ 6:30 pm (free)

July 3: Red Bird Hollow Hike at 8:30 am (free)

August 7: Meet at the giraffes @ 10:15 am at the Cincinnati Zoo (individual cost)

August 21: Urban Hike at Eden Park @ 9 am (free)