'We make No Apologies!'

(Photo submitted) Teenagers are often pulled in many directions with the decisions they face. One teenager along with several members of the No Apologies Team from Dickinson and Clay counties demonstrate the struggle many kids face. That's why it's important that both teens and their parents attend the No Apologies events on Jan. 20, and Teens Jan. 21.

That's the shout made by many teenagers who will be returning to the 8th Annual No Apologies events scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21.

No Apologies is a program for kids that "tells the life, love, and sex." It is sponsored and organized by Cherish Center, formerly known as Shepherd's Fold, for students, parents, and teachers. Although Cherish Center is best known for their maternity home for teens called Cherish House as well as their parenting programs, the organization is also committed to the prevention of unplanned teen pregnancies.

"Last year's record attendance is indicative of students' interest in learning how they can make positive decisions for their life without making apologies for their decisions," said Jan Turner, executive director of Cherish Center. "It is a challenge to present information that is engaging, informative and also age-appropriate. That's why we're offering two events: one geared for 5-8th graders and one for 7-12th graders so that parents have a choice of programming that best suited for their own kids."

No Apologies for Tweens (5th thru 8th grades) will be held Tuesday evening, Jan.20, at First Lutheran Church on Hwy 86 north of Milford. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. with supper furnished by Piccadilly Pizza. Game time led by Pastor Jay of Hope Reformed in Spencer will follow at 6:30 p.m.

The parents, however, will have a quieter venue during this time to hear from Rob Roozeboom from RISE Ministries (www.riseministries.com) on how to communicate with their children about such issues as decision-making and sex. Rob was diagnosed with Becker MD in early children and today speaks about how gaining the right perspective has led him to overcome adversities. He communicates clearly to the students that it isn't always best to go along with the crowd and that it's ok to be your own person. Parents and teachers will then rejoin the students to hear Rob's presentation to youth at 7:30 p.m., with expected dismissal time at 8:15 p.m.

No Apologies for Teens (7th thru 12th grades and above) is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Clay County Events Center in Spencer. Doors open at 6 p.m and concessions will be available for purchase.

Remedy Drive, a highly popular and well-known Christian band, will start playing at 6:30 p.m., while parents attend the parent session with Justin Lookadoo in another room. Following the concert, the parents will rejoin the teens in the main auditorium at 7:20 p.m.for a short, but intense drama by students from Northwestern College. This is quickly followed by a dynamic, in-your-face Justin Lookadoo who says, "you are the choices you make!" Lookadoo is an author and nationally recognized motivational speaker that connects with students of all ages through comedy. He empowers students to make the right choices for their lives. Expected end time is 8:30 p.m.

"These events are possible because area youth pastors are willing to work together across denominational lines to make it happen," said Turner. "This year's lead team consists of 14 youth pastors/directors from both Clay and Dickinson Counties."

Serving in one of the lead roles is Jon Pausley from First Baptist in Spencer. "Teens need to see and hear that they are not alone when they make the decision to choose purity and abstinence," said Pausley. "Our goal is to help students reinforce those positive decisions to follow God's plan for purity."

Pausley is just as emphatic when it comes to the parents' role in students' lives. "We want to help parents start the conversation on these topics….to help their teens through the journey of adolescence. We want them to be able to continue the conversation that is started through No Apologies," he concluded.

Emily Dalen is another member of the lead team.

As the youth director at First Lutheran of West Okoboji, she said, "No Apologies is such a great event. It not only brings area youth workers together to work towards a common goal and to encourage each other, but it brings many youth together to stand for purity and finding God's best plan for their lives. No Apologies does a great job of helping youth see who they are as Christ's child, presenting God's view of sex, and giving them ways to stand up for their decisions."

Dalen also emphasized the importance of the parents' session: "Parents are the ones doing life with their kids everyday. We need to continue to resource them as much as possible to help them deal with an often difficult subject."

Registrations fees for the events are $5 per person if paid for by Jan. 1 and $7 per person after Jan. 1. Those who pay to attend Tuesday evening do not need to pay again on Wednesday evening.

"We want to keep this program affordable for all families," Turner said, "So some of the costs are provided by underwriters. We're very appreciative of their financial help."

"No Apologies is an event our youth groups really look forward to attending! Thanks for providing great music and amazing speakers to help guide our youth to make good life long decisions," said Rev. Deborah Wise, Associate Pastor at Spirit Lake United Methodist Church.

Other members of this year's No Apologies team along with Turner, Pausley, Dalen, and Wise, are Jay Van Gelder and Sara Olsen of Hope Reformed and Bonnie Kabrick of First English Lutheran, all of Spencer; Leland Schmidt of Faith Evangelical Free, Matt Gearke of First Presbyterian, and Curtis and Melissa Franzen of Spirit Life, John Winebrinner of Timber Bay, all of Spirit Lake; Steve VanKleek of New Journey in Milford; and Rob Roozeboom of RISE Ministries.

Pre-registration is encouraged and helpful and can be done by calling Cherish Center. For more information, visit www.cherishcenter.org or call Cherish Center at (712) 338-3333. A video of last year's event is available on the web site.

* Underwriters this year are Piccadilly Pizza, First Lutheran Church of West Okoboji, Avera Spirit Lake Medical Center and Avera Lakes Family Practice, Brad and Sara Olsen and Sioux Tank Lines, Crossover Youth Ministry of First Baptist Church of Spencer, and KJIA Christian Radio 88.9FM. Many other area churches have contributed additional dollars to help cover expenses for students who are not part of a youth group.

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NO APOLOGIES AT A GLANCE

No Apologies for Tweens

Tuesday, Jan. 20

First Lutheran Church -- Hwy 86, West Okoboji

Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Supper by Piccadilly's

Games at 6:30 p.m. (parents with speaker)

Speaker Rob Roozeboom at 7:30 p.m. (kids, parents)

No Apologies for Teens

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Clay County Events Center -- Spencer

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Remedy Drive Concert at 6:30 p.m. (parents with speaker)

NW College Drama at 7:20 p.m.

Speaker Justin Lookadoo at 7:30 p.m. (kids, parents)