The Denver United Chronicles

Pastor Sean Hatch Licensed

 
On July 17th, the Elders of Denver United licensed Sean Hatch, who has served faithfully as Denver United's youth pastor since launching The HUB in February of this year. The congregation, led by members of the Elder Board, prayed for him in both morning services.

Launching The HUB

On Thursday, February 10th, over 40 high school and junior high students and their parents gathered at Colorado Community Church (CCC) for the launch of the HUB student ministries.  Pastor Rob shared how students are the church of today, explaining that Denver United is committed to creating a community where they can thrive in their relationship with God and be empowered in ministry to their city and their world.  Sean Hatch, Denver United's new youth pastor, shared his heart for the future of the youth group.  After this combined time, the students and parents split up into separate sessions, and Pastors Rob and Justin took time to talk with parents, while Pastor Sean spoke with the students. 

The high schoolers will continue to meet at CCC every week on Thursday nights in addition to a Sunday morning discipleship group.  The HUB junior high will meet on Sunday mornings at Sturm Hall during the 11:15 service.

For more information, visit The HUB tab on the Ministries page of DenverUnited.com.

Fuse: Summer Camp 2010

Denver United hosted its second annual high school summer camp June 12-18.  Student Ministry leaders Jonathan and Mandy Pratt led four leaders and 19 teens on a trip to Galveston, TX for a week of seeking God and enjoying the sites and sounds of the Gulf Coast.  This year's theme was Fuse, based on the leadership's desire to see the students form lasting relationships that would fuse them together with God and with one another.  Some of the topics taught that week were prayer, the power of being fused with God, the fear of the Lord, drawing near to God, and being fused to others in the Body of Christ.

This week away from the norm proved to be fertile ground for spiritual growth in the lives of the teens.  During the camp, five were baptized, some experienced God in powerful new ways, and a few began learning about the spiritual gifts God gives His people.  Others felt like God confirmed in their hearts things that they had been thinking through, and several came to a true realization of His love and forgiveness.  In the end, comfort zones were stretched, and prayer lives were nurtured to grow.  It was a spiritual mountaintop that provided real momentum for the teens to continue seeking God in new ways when they headed back home to their everyday lives.

The camp also provided plenty of time for the teens to fuse with one another.  There were trips to the beach, fun times exploring the city of Galveston, and plenty of opportunities to hang out and enjoy each other's company.  Friendships grew stronger as the teens enjoyed new experiences together.

Enjoy some photos from Fuse, courtesy of Mandy Pratt.

To learn more about Denver United's student ministries, visit the Ministries page on the Denver United website.

Spring 2010: Honoring Denver United's Graduates

With summer just around the corner and commencement ceremonies occurring across the Front Range, Memorial Day weekend proved the perfect opportunity for Denver United to honor those among the congregation who were graduating from high school and college.  During the second service on May 30th, those graduates who were in attendance were asked to come forward to the front of the auditorium so that they could be honored and prayed over.  They also each received a copy of Timothy Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism to further inspire them in their quest for knowledge and academic excellence.  View a few photos from that morning.

Spotlight on Denver United's Student Ministries

Not long after Denver United's launch team started meeting in Denver, there was already a strong emphasis on the need to minister to the younger members of the church.  With United Kids thriving and growing in leaps and bounds, it was time to start a ministry to the teens of the church.  Jonathan and Mandy Pratt stepped up to answer the call, meeting weekly with kids in their apartment.  Since those early days, the ministry has continued to grow, providing vibrant ministry to the youth of Denver United. 

For those in grades 6 to 8, Static is the place to be.  Every Sunday morning at the 11 AM service, you can see these energetic students in the front row during worship. When worship is done, they head down the ramp to a classroom for junior high specific teaching and discussion led by Jonathan and Mandy Pratt.

Renown is the ministry dedicated to high school students.  Meeting weekly at the Pratt's house in Centennial Hills, the ministry is based on the simple philosophy of loving kids and teaching them to love Jesus.  Recently, the members of Renown went shopping together to help fill Operation Christmas Child boxes for the church's Christmas outreach.  

Youth leaders Seth and Esther Bentz launched a small group to the high school crowd, "the DIVE."  Named such because they "are diving head first into the deep end of our relationships with God," this group now meets during the 11 am service on the second and fourth Sunday of every month right there  in Sturm Hall.

With all the excitement happening with the student ministries of Denver United, we wanted to share some of their fun-filled memories with you, our loyal readers.  Enjoy some picturesthat the Pratts have provide, and be sure to continue praying for the ongoing ministry success of Static, Renown, and the Dive as they make a difference in the lives of the youth of our church and our city. 

Desperation 2009: Denver United's First Summer Camp Experience

From June 25th to the 28th, Denver United held its first summer camp.  Student Ministry Leaders Jonathan and Mandy Pratt took 18 youth and 2 leaders to Desperation at New Life Church in Colorado Springs.  With the theme of Light Up the World, the conference featured 3 days of intense worship, prayer, and seeking God's face.  Special worship sessions were led by the Desperation Band, Brandan Bustamante, LEELAND, Kari Jobe, Jared Anderson, and Charlie Hall. Sermons to encourage the youth to go deeper in their faith were given by Pastors David Perkins, Brady Boyd, Aaron Stern and more.  The Denver United youth enjoyed the event, as well as the opportunity to spend time together building stronger connections with one another.  After their summer camp experience, the youth returned to the June 28th Sunday morning service at Denver United fired up for God's heart and His purposes in this generation.  Take a look at some of the memories from Denver United's first summer camp.

For more information on United Student Ministries, visit the ministries page on the Denver United website.

To learn more about Desperation or to view their 2009 conference video, click here.

Special thanks to Mandy Pratt for providing photos of Desperation 2009.

Love Experts of the Week: Jonathan and Mandy Pratt

This week in our continuing Love Experts series, where we highlight some of the many servants at Denver United, we wanted to introduce you to a dynamic couple, who recently moved to Englewood from Colorado Springs.  Jonathan and Mandy Pratt are the leaders of United Student Ministries, the arm of Denver United Church that focuses on ministering to youth in grades 6 through 12.  The Pratts are passionate about inspiring this generation to impact the city and our world for Christ. 

Take a few moments to learn some more about Jonathan and Mandy.


Jonathan Pratt

Position at Denver United: Youth Leader, United Student Ministries; Group leader, Men's Bible Study; also serves on Prayer Team 

Life Goals: To make God the center of his life and marriage,  to focus on his wife and someday their children

Educational Background: BBA in Accounting from University of Montavello

Interests: snowboarding, volleyball, hiking, leading worship, watching movies, funny TV shows, hanging out with friends, intelligent conversations, goofy times, fun stories, and much more.

Favorite Music: He's currently listening to Desperation Band, New Life worship, Hillsong United, Hillsong, Coldplay, The Fray

Favorite TV Shows: 24, LOST, The Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy, House of Payne, House, Smallville, SportsCenter, Prison Break, Private Practice, Meet The Browns

Favorite Movies Jonathan says, "I'm easily entertained and the best movie ever, is the one i just saw! Unless, its really bad, in which case its the one before that which didn't stink it up!"

Favorite Book: The Bible

Mandy Pratt

Position at Denver United: Youth Leader, United Student Ministries; Group leader, Women's Accountability Group; also serves on Prayer Team 

Life Goals: To make God the center of her life and marriage, to focus on her husband and someday their children

Interests: Football, running, snowboarding, taking pictures, graphic design and traveling

Favorite Music: Snow Patrol, Anberlin, Desperation Band, Killers, Augustana, Goo Goo Dolls, U2, Sleeping at Last, John Mayer, The Fray, Hillsong United, Dashboard, Jonzetta, Death Cab, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts.

Favorite TV Shows: 24, LOST, Grey's Anatomy

Favorite Movies: The Notebook, Sense and Sensibility, Man on Fire

Favorite Books: The Bait of Satan by John Bevere, Fight Like A Girl by Lisa Bevere, A Life Unleashed by Christine Caine and Joyce Meyer