Connecting Teens to Jesus
Short Mountain Bible Camp!
Friends, we are so grateful you are joining us at SMBC on Sunday! Our prayer is that God blesses you as much as He blesses others through you. There have been many hands putting in hard work together to give you a growing opportunity and an exciting experience in one of God’s most beautiful places! Here’s some of the basics for Sunday. Remember, you can always see event information on our church website or through our app. Just look at the SMBC Event under the JA Youth Calendar.
https://subspla.sh/mj2bs7r
Contents:
*Leave Time & Check-In
SMBC Check-in is from 2-4pm on Sunday, June 15th
The JA Vans will load at 1pm at JA. We have a covered trailer for luggage. We expect to arrive at camp at 2:30pm. If you are riding a van, you need to let Topher know via text message - 615-668-6343.
Do not go straight to a cabin. Go to the check-in tables at the cafeteria.
**Medical Release
Topher must be in possession of your notarized medical release form on Sunday morning. I turn in all the forms for our entire church. If you need a notary, Lindsey Norton and Kelly Sullivan will have their notary seals at Sunday morning services. Give Topher your form before you leave church services. Download a printable .pdf of the SMBC Medical Release form here:
https://storage2.snappages.site/R2MM9C/assets/files/xSMBC-Health-Form-1.pdf
***Canteen
Our week of SMBC is a little bit different than others. We have TWO canteens. The first canteen is sponsored by SMBC. You may sign up online for that canteen or pay via debit card. The second canteen is run by Sycamore CofC out of the craft house. That canteen is a cash only system. If you want your camper to have canteen, you can put $10 or $20 in an envelope for them at the registration table. This is our first year using this system. If unsure, just bring a little cash to registration.
****Packing List
What do you need to bring to camp?
1. A Bible
2. A Notebook and Pen
3. Sleeping Bag or Bedding for a Twin Bed (don't forget your pillow!)
4. Towels (write your name on them)
5. Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc)
6. A swimsuit and cover-up outfit for walking to the pool
7. Flashlight
8. Modest Clothing
9. A camera if you want to capture the memories
10. Jackets/Rain Clothing just in case
11. Extra Shoes in case one gets wet. Flip Flops can be used for showering but do not need to be worn around camp.
12. A bag for your dirty clothes
13. Money for a canteen card
***** Dress Code
Here are the camp dress code items that were mentioned in the counselor meeting:
Overarching principle is "be respectful"
1. Shorts must be mid-thigh or longer.
2. No sleeveless shirts (no spaghetti straps, tanks, or sleeveless).
3. No tight clothing (this includes spandex, bike shorts, and leggings).
******Return Home
You may pick up your camper on Friday morning, June 20th at 9am (Dismissal Time).
The JA Vans usually stay to help clean. We will arrive home to the church building no later than 11am.
Topher needs to know if you plan to ride back on the JA van or go with someone different.
*Board Members
David Webb and Topher Wiles both serve on the board of directors for Short Mountain Bible Camp. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the week you may reach out to either of these board members.
Join the Breakfast Club! Current Signups are January through June
https://mealtrain.com/nwmndq
Each Sunday morning before Bible class we provide breakfast for teens as a way to say, "You are loved." We invite parents to take part in sharing love with the teens and visiting the basement on Sunday mornings. Stay a few minutes and chat with these great teens. Any morning that isn't volunteered for will have donuts provided by the Wiles. Milk & Juice are provided every Sunday. We average about 25 teens in class on Sunday mornings. Thanks for joining in the JA Youth Ministry!
Click here to go to our Meal Train platform to sign up: https://mealtrain.com/nwmndq
Summer Youth Ministry Intern Info - Click here to download the 1 page info sheet
8 Ways to Connect to Our 2025 Events Calendar!
Who We Are
The Jefferson Avenue Youth Ministry (JAYM) is a group of individuals who are committed to God and his Word, supportive of each other, dedicated to selfless living, and always willing to create space for more to join. JAYM exists to transform teens into vessels of God - filled and filling others with God's love, compassion and truth.
New to JAYM?
FILL OUT OUR QUICK YOUTH INFO SURVEY HERE: YOUTH SURVEY https://forms.gle/93Zddu8pD6AZQRMdA
Connect to the latest JAYM announcements through REMIND App!
Summer Youth Intern InfoSheet
Friends, we are so grateful you are joining us at SMBC on Sunday! Our prayer is that God blesses you as much as He blesses others through you. There have been many hands putting in hard work together to give you a growing opportunity and an exciting experience in one of God’s most beautiful places! Here’s some of the basics for Sunday. Remember, you can always see event information on our church website or through our app. Just look at the SMBC Event under the JA Youth Calendar.
https://subspla.sh/mj2bs7r
Contents:
- *Leave Time & Check-In
- **Medical Release
- ***Canteen
- ****Packing List
- *****Dress Code
- ******Return Home
- *Board Members - David Webb & Topher Wiles
*Leave Time & Check-In
SMBC Check-in is from 2-4pm on Sunday, June 15th
The JA Vans will load at 1pm at JA. We have a covered trailer for luggage. We expect to arrive at camp at 2:30pm. If you are riding a van, you need to let Topher know via text message - 615-668-6343.
Do not go straight to a cabin. Go to the check-in tables at the cafeteria.
**Medical Release
Topher must be in possession of your notarized medical release form on Sunday morning. I turn in all the forms for our entire church. If you need a notary, Lindsey Norton and Kelly Sullivan will have their notary seals at Sunday morning services. Give Topher your form before you leave church services. Download a printable .pdf of the SMBC Medical Release form here:
https://storage2.snappages.site/R2MM9C/assets/files/xSMBC-Health-Form-1.pdf
***Canteen
Our week of SMBC is a little bit different than others. We have TWO canteens. The first canteen is sponsored by SMBC. You may sign up online for that canteen or pay via debit card. The second canteen is run by Sycamore CofC out of the craft house. That canteen is a cash only system. If you want your camper to have canteen, you can put $10 or $20 in an envelope for them at the registration table. This is our first year using this system. If unsure, just bring a little cash to registration.
****Packing List
What do you need to bring to camp?
1. A Bible
2. A Notebook and Pen
3. Sleeping Bag or Bedding for a Twin Bed (don't forget your pillow!)
4. Towels (write your name on them)
5. Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc)
6. A swimsuit and cover-up outfit for walking to the pool
7. Flashlight
8. Modest Clothing
9. A camera if you want to capture the memories
10. Jackets/Rain Clothing just in case
11. Extra Shoes in case one gets wet. Flip Flops can be used for showering but do not need to be worn around camp.
12. A bag for your dirty clothes
13. Money for a canteen card
***** Dress Code
Here are the camp dress code items that were mentioned in the counselor meeting:
Overarching principle is "be respectful"
1. Shorts must be mid-thigh or longer.
2. No sleeveless shirts (no spaghetti straps, tanks, or sleeveless).
3. No tight clothing (this includes spandex, bike shorts, and leggings).
******Return Home
You may pick up your camper on Friday morning, June 20th at 9am (Dismissal Time).
The JA Vans usually stay to help clean. We will arrive home to the church building no later than 11am.
Topher needs to know if you plan to ride back on the JA van or go with someone different.
*Board Members
David Webb and Topher Wiles both serve on the board of directors for Short Mountain Bible Camp. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the week you may reach out to either of these board members.
Join the Breakfast Club! Current Signups are January through June
https://mealtrain.com/nwmndq
Each Sunday morning before Bible class we provide breakfast for teens as a way to say, "You are loved." We invite parents to take part in sharing love with the teens and visiting the basement on Sunday mornings. Stay a few minutes and chat with these great teens. Any morning that isn't volunteered for will have donuts provided by the Wiles. Milk & Juice are provided every Sunday. We average about 25 teens in class on Sunday mornings. Thanks for joining in the JA Youth Ministry!
Click here to go to our Meal Train platform to sign up: https://mealtrain.com/nwmndq
Summer Youth Ministry Intern Info - Click here to download the 1 page info sheet
8 Ways to Connect to Our 2025 Events Calendar!
- Download a printable .PDF of our Events and Birthdays Calendar. CLICK HERE
- Add our Google Events & Birthdays Calendar to your calendar. CLICK HERE or HERE and use the "ADD" or "+" option.
- View our Youth Page on your JACOC App CLICK HERE.
- Follow our JAYM Instagram or join our private JAYM Facebook Group.
- Join our Youth or Parents REMIND messaging system.
- View it on the bottom Youth Page on the website. (SCROLL DOWN)
- View it on our Bulletin Board at the top of the JAYM Basement Stairs or outside the Youth Minister office (at church building).
- View our church weekly bulletin (check your email or come to Sunday service).
Who We Are
The Jefferson Avenue Youth Ministry (JAYM) is a group of individuals who are committed to God and his Word, supportive of each other, dedicated to selfless living, and always willing to create space for more to join. JAYM exists to transform teens into vessels of God - filled and filling others with God's love, compassion and truth.
New to JAYM?
FILL OUT OUR QUICK YOUTH INFO SURVEY HERE: YOUTH SURVEY https://forms.gle/93Zddu8pD6AZQRMdA
Connect to the latest JAYM announcements through REMIND App!
- Teens, text “@jayouth” to the number 8101 or click here: https://www.remind.com/join/jayouth
- Parents, text "@jacoc1" to the number 8101 or click here: https://www.remind.com/join/jacoc1
Summer Youth Intern InfoSheet
Meet the Youth ministry team of Ja.
Topher Wiles
Youth Minister
ChrisTopher loves his wife and four kids. After being inspired by a youth minister to follow Jesus, Topher was baptized into Christ in 1996. Topher then received a degree in theology from Lipscomb University with an emphasis in Youth Ministry & Biblical Languages. By God's grace he also served as principal of the local homeschool cooperative, tennis coach of multiple teams, high school math teacher, and a chaplain at a local hospital. Along with 18 years of experience in full time ministry, in 2020 & 2021 he was also voted "Community Role Model" by the public of White County. His special talents include squeezing as much life as he can into every minute, sparring with three boys at one time without anyone being seriously injured, and bringing adventure to anyone who will join him. Will you join Topher in an adventure with Jesus?
Contact Topher: topher@jacoc.org
Contact Topher: topher@jacoc.org
Don Foy
Elder for Youth
Don has been involved in the Jefferson Avenue youth ministry since 1987, as a youth deacon from 2007 to 2014 and as an elder since 2014. He and his wife Jane have two daughters who went through the youth program at JA. Don has invested much of his professional career in newspaper news media and information technology management. During baseball season you can find Don immersed in everything around his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves.
Contact Don: dfoy@jacoc.org
Contact Don: dfoy@jacoc.org
Seth Gilbert
Youth Deacon
Seth Gilbert, born and raised here at JA! Seth grew up here in the JA Youth, baptized at age 14. He graduated from TTU in 2005 with a degree in business management, thanks to Brook! Seth is an entrepreneur and started a mowing business at the age of 15, which has now expanded and he continues to do. If you ever wonder where he and Brook are, you can probably find them in a gym or field somewhere watching Cara Lee or Callie playing one of their sports. In his free time, you can find him playing golf, working on the farm, on the lake, watching the Minnesota Vikings or Duke Basketball, or hunting.
Contact Seth: seth_brookgilbert@hotmail.com
Contact Seth: seth_brookgilbert@hotmail.com
Mark McCowan
Youth Deacon
Mark grew up in the church just down the street from Jefferson Avenue at Sycamore Church of Christ. Today, he is joined at Jefferson Avenue by his wife, Lauren, and four daughters, Lily, Kailee, Elin, and Isla. You're likely to run into the McCowan's at a local softball field, where all four girls play, or at a campground somewhere in the Smokies. Since volunteer coaching and camping don't pay the bills, Mark is a financial advisor at Wilson Bank Investment Services, holding his Certified Public Accountant license and Certified Financial Planner designation. When he's not busy being a girl dad, he enjoys hunting, exercising, and playing bad golf.
Contact Mark: mark.mccowan@gmail.com
Contact Mark: mark.mccowan@gmail.com