by | September 14, 2011

SMS: The Downward Spiral of a Youth Leader (Part 1)

“Garrett” arrived to his first Youth Pastor network meeting with the youth pastor look! You know, young-but-confident (cocky?), backpack-in-tow, as much facial hair as his 22 year old body could produce and a tight-fit stocking cap. He was quick to speak and let us know that he knew exactly what he was doing. He had an answer to EVERY question and his energy level led me to believe that he’d already had a second (or fifth) cup of coffee before he arrived at the 10:00 am gathering.

I love Garrett. And our network loved Garrett because we all looked past the Garrett he was trying to be and with/by grace we knew the Garrett he’d become. Most of us had been Garrett.

Like the others in that Youth Pastor Network, Garrett loved the teens at his church. His love for them grew and he was able to see the initial skepticism about him change to a genuine love for one another. As Garrett began to listen to wise counsel he looked to move from a one-man show to a team of 3-4 adult leaders who would faithfully pour into the youth. Garrett was “getting it” as a Youth Pastor and it showed as our conversations deepened at network and other social situations.

But then, after about a year, the downward spiral began…

I see this spiral way too often and there are typically three things that mark this downward trend. I write this to hopefully help the younger generation of Youth Leaders identify these potential game-changers.

These three things were true of Garrett, are they true of you?

1. Garrett Began To Expand His Ministry Role:  Because Garrett’s gifts and talents were obvious to many, he was asked to step into other areas of ministry outside of Youth Ministry. The once-in-a-while worship leading became twice-in-a-while pretty quickly. Many were concerned about what was happening to the high school grads and because Garrett had a heart for these young adults a Monday night Bible Study was formed for the students who were sticking around. Since his influence had grown the Senior Pastor asked him to take part in the board meetings so that Garrrett could represent those voices he was shepherding. The young couples at the church were anxious to get something going so Garrett and his bride took on the leadership role for the “Young Married’s.” Garrett’s twice-a-week evening commitments had become at least four nights a week, if not five (depending on the board meeting nights) or six (college, young married group, etc.).

It felt good to be wanted/needed and Garrett began to think that an expanded role will please the elders and they’d give him the pay raise he deserved (hold back your laughter please… he was young).

2. Discipleship Replaced Evangelism: First let me note that I don’t think that these two should be separated, but quite often in youth ministries (or churches) they are… Okay, back to Garrett. Youth Group Night was the time that students were encouraged to bring their unchurched friends, Garrett put a big emphasis on sharing the gospel at this gathering! Sunday mornings were “growing deeper” times as were the small group times (commonly known as “discipleship”). However, about 18 months into his time at this church he noticed more and more complaints about Wednesday night being “too basic” and “always the same message.” Students began to not show up and numbers began to drop. Parents began to voice their concerns to the board and to the Senior Pastor that students weren’t having as much fun as they used to. Therefore, Garrett changed his messages to being more “discipleship” in nature, most of the core returned.

The numbers improved (which often translates to “job security”), but he was preaching three “growth” level messages a week and there was no influence on lost souls. Evangelism “events” were often just another gathering of the core-students. Garrett’s personal evangelism didn’t exist though either…

3. Garrett Was Asked About A Different Position: Because Garrett had a vibrant personality he was a natural “upfront” guy. In fact, in multiple church group settings (camps/retreats)  he was often the guy asked to lead the game or lead worship. His network was growing and after two and a half years on the job the 24 year-old was asked to apply for a position at an out-of-state church. The raise had still not come in his current situation. His frustration of being out at least four nights a week had gone unnoticed and his perception that his job was being judged just by the number of complaints or non-complaints Garrett felt the freedom to sneak a peak at not just that opening, but ALL openings. The grass sure looked greener EVERYWHERE. Hiding the search from all others (including the network), he grew more and more excited about the other opportunities and found it almost impossible to put his best foot forward here. By the time we knew about the majority of his struggles and his search he had already said “yes” to the move.

Unfortunately Garrett’s story is very common. In many ways it has been my story at times. This is not to say that Garrett was wrong to leave, I’m not looking at placing blame, I hope that I can simply help some Youth Leaders identify some of the patterns that cause discontentedness. So the question arrises, what can be done to counter this?

Tune in tomorrow for part two!

Grace,
Brian

2 Comments

Filed under Home and Ministry, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)

by | September 6, 2011

Refuge, Resource and More… Get Networked!

Back in 1995 a postcard awaited me as I began unpacking my boxes for my brand-new Youth Pastor position at Melrose Community Church. The postcard was a simple invite to the Youth Pastor Network meeting Tuesday morning at Mom’s Cafe.

I had barely even met the people in my church let alone anyone else in this town, but I decided to risk and go–if nothing else, I figured the bacon and eggs would be worth it. I walked into the upper floor of the cafe and immediately heard the distinct sound of group laughter down the stairs. “This must be the youth pastors” I thought to myself. The 90 minute gathering felt much more like family than a meeting. At the conclusion of our time, Kirk, one of the guys in attendance handed me his business card and said, “call me anytime in the next week and this card is good for a free lunch.”

I remember saying,”yeah, I’ll check my schedule and see if I can make that happen.” Internally I was rejoicing and thinking, “I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING going on, but I’ll wait at least two days to call…”

Today, Kirk is one of my good friends (and actually works with me at Youthmark). His simple invite was an invitation that has led me to a life-long commitment. A commitment that says that we are better together.

You may not feel you need a Network. In fact, many of you may have a great circle of support already. However, you may be the perfect “Kirk” for a Youth Leader in need. Or perhaps you’re the “Brian” of yesteryear and really do need to have someone surrounding and supporting you.

I have the privilege of being involved in several network circles and two local networks that I coordinate. Though no longer a Youth Pastor, I am heavily involved in Student Ministries. I am excited to serve alongside these great brothers and sisters. The younger among us teach us much about current youth culture, whereas the older among us offer up our mistakes as things to avoid as well or our triumphs as things that may be worthy of repeating.

The National Network of Youth Ministries has existed for many years and is committed to better-networking Youth Leaders with one another. They too believe that we are better together! In order to better understand what is and what is not happening in the world of the youth leader and networks they have put together a survey they’d like all youth leaders to complete. I’d love to help them get the information they need. I just took the survey and it took me eight minutes. Would you support the network in a similar way? Here is the survey!

I hope you’re involved with a network, it truly is a resource, refuge and much more. Know that you have gifts to give and gifts to receive from others! If you have questions about a local network, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask, I can probably point you in the right direction.

Grace,
Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Feeling Friendly, Random/Rant, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS), Youthmark Stuff

by | September 3, 2011

(CONTEST) WAIT: Going Green

(WAIT) What Am I Thinking?

Okay, here’s another contest. I have a Joe Poppino CD that I’ll give to the winning quote/thought/caption…

Submit your thought in a comment (if it doesn’t post right away, no worries, I’ll get to it). If yours is funny/creative enough you’ll make it into the running.

Have fun. This one’s unique.

Grace,

Brian

*********In The Running********

  • Hi, my name’s Peat. ~the wifey
  • Now THAT’S a bad hair day! ~unowho
  • “Muchas Grass-e-us” ~Wes
  • Can’t believe I have to miss the big game this week . . . I’ve got turf toe. ~the wifey
  • I think I just soiled my underpants. ~the wifey
  • Psst… wanna buy some grass? ~Kevin
  • Bluegrass festival mascot 2011 ~WhoaShmo
  • “…so when the Rogaine didn’t work, my “friend” recommended these Chinese herbs….” ~uknowho
  • When Hairy Met Sally: The Untold Story. ~AJS
  • “Up from the grave he arose” ~Kathleen Fast (note: possibly a little sacrilegious, but pretty funny nonetheless)
  • Please go out with me. I really am a fun-gi! ~Lori
********** Winner ************
Holy smokes this was a fun one! There were several others who could have been in the running as well!
Here we go, I laughed the most at “…so when the Rogaine didn’t work, my “friend” recommended these Chinese herbs….” ~uknowho
Way to go “uknowho” I’ll get you a “uknowhat” (Joe Poppino CD) next time I see ya! Congrats!

21 Comments

Filed under Contest

by | September 1, 2011

An Open Letter to Church Members/Pastors

Overheard at  any church this week: “I’ll pray for you.”

Praying for others is awesome…

But what if?

What if more often we changed the word for to with?

My friend Timothy Eldred, President of Christian Endeavor is spearheading an effort (pray with youth) that I believe can change the very makeup of YOUR church. I encourage you to continue to pray for the youth, but what if we had many actually pray with youth?

Please take the time to read-up on this movement because there are so many additional components that can/should be explored and included as to how you and your church incorporate praying with youth. However, the movement launch date is coming up next week, September 11, 2011. I suggest you talk to your Pastor, Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, or whomever you need to make something simple but significant happen!

This simple and significant cause is to get an adult to commit to praying with a youth (students approximately 12-20 years old). Though many will commit to praying for the youth, what would it look like to have the seasoned saints in your congregation praying with the youth.

In your church services on 9.11 invite any/all teens who are in attendance to come to the platform (or just stand where they are if you want to honor the shy ones). Start by praying for this group of teens.  Thank God for them, plead with God to use them as missionaries on their campuses, in their clubs, within the community and even at your church.

Now, do something even more bold…

Explain that praying for the students is great and needed, but let the adults know that we want to move from just praying for to praying with them!

Invite any adult (or several) who would like to commit to partnering in prayer with one of these standing to go and stand by them, speak with them and pray with them (perhaps have a worship song led for all others?)

It’s small, but five minutes set aside for partnering in prayer can lead to something that becomes very significant. Ultimately I believe you should do the entire Pray21 program (which partners adults with youth for the purpose of prayer for 21 days… please note that they’ve thought through all the liability issues, please follow their lead).

I believe that the youth can and should be the best missionaries we have in the United States (and beyond). But they need not just our prayers, they need our partnership. Praying with them will lead to greater intimacy in the church. Students will sense their significance and the church (the one body) will unify. I firmly believe we’ll see more and more students stay in our churches and we’ll see a significant missional movement in the lives of our students. Such a movement that we’ll actually see the hearts of our adults melt and our congregation members will become missional as the youth are unleashed to do ministry!

At Youthmark we’re committed to Mission51, the 51 weeks beyond a mission week, a retreat or even a pray with youth Sunday! I believe this Pray With Youth movement will FUEL mission51!

Will you take this to your people?

Grace,
Brian

1 Comment

Filed under Feeling Friendly, Mission51, Random/Rant, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)

by | August 29, 2011

Gospel Conversations… Living/Speaking Mission51

Do you find it difficult to bring up Jesus, the gospel or spirituality in your conversations? I believe that which is difficult now, could become addictive soon (addictive in a good way of course)!

Launching Youthmark a few years ago was truly an answer to a prayer I had prayed for several months, I was asking God to “free me up to do the things I am most passionate about and the things He had most gifted me to do.”

As a Youth Pastor I was very passionate about students being equipped/empowered to share the Gospel on their campus, in their club, within their communities and with the non-believers who show up at their church. I wanted the end-result of our (parents, leaders and my) shepherding to be a young-beleiever actively pursuing the lost with the rescuing message of the gospel.

This is what I get to do more on the macro-level now through Youthmark. Working with Youth Pastors, Christian schools and para-church organizations I get to write and speak about these things… but the macro must translate to micro, even in (or especially in) my life!

I am not an evangelist when it comes to giftedness, however, I am because of calling. And if you are a follower of Christ, you are to be an evangelist as well (“do the work of an evangelist”… “make disciples”… “be my witness”… “pass on to others what you have heard from me”…etc.).

From time to time I’ll post an adaptation of a conversation I (or others) have had to give you an idea of how a regular conversation can become a gospel conversation. If nothing else may it serve as a prayer-request to pray for the person who heard the good news. The following conversation had some interjected “small talk” throughout the conversation, but I removed these for the sake of space, but please understand the “small talk” only helped establish the relationship/understanding more!

Setting: Starbucks Coffee in Colorado (I was speaking at a camp and had gone off-campus to get to some emails and do some last minute tweaking of notes). I was on my macbook pro and a 20-something young-man was three of four seat away pounding away on his.

Young Man: Do you know much about Firefox, Explorer or Safari?

Me: I pretty much use Safari, simply because it was built by Apple so I think it has Apple security in mind and I’ve heard that the others are a little less safe, but no, I don’t now much about the differences.

Young Man: Cool, thanks man, I am pretty new to mac, but I have found some limitations with Safari, and used Firefox on my PC before, so I’ll probably stick with that.

Me: Yeah, thus far I have found only one glitch with Safari and my website, it won’t let our teams post pictures for their mission blogs with Safari without crashing, so we suggest they use a different browser for those posts. But that’s the only problem I’ve had to date.

Young Man: Missions? Do you travel a lot for missions?

Me: Well, sort of, I train students not just for missions, but for what we call Mission51, the 51 weeks beyond the mission trip. But yes, I get to travel some, but my biggest goal is to see students able to share about Jesus in their home-setting too.

Young Man: Do you train teams who just want to do the mission work but not the spiritual stuff?… I mean, can people use your organization to go on help-oriented trips to help people in need just because? I ask because I have done that sort of stuff in the Gulf after the Hurricanes?

Me: Well, Youthmark, my organization, has done relief work there too, we go in wanting to help in ANY practical way we can, but we also want our students to be prepared to share about the Lord as well. What motivated you to go to the Gulf?

Young Man: Oh, I got paid. But I’m interested in helping people… it was a good experience, but I want to volunteer somewhere here in Colorado, just to help people… ya know? Soup kitchens or helping teens with stuff, that sort of stuff makes me feel good.

Me: There are some great opportunities to volunteer I am sure. My organization mainly works with churches though because I want to see it be more than just the physical help, I want people to know about God’s love too! Have you done any of your volunteer work through a church?

Young Man: Well, I was raised in a strict home, so I had to do stuff when I was younger, but now that I’m out of the house, I can choose to do stuff, but I don’t want it to be with the church.

Me: You feel like spreading your wings and discovering things on your own?

Young Man: Well, don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, but I just don’t like the… I forget the word… here’s how God wants you to be so you can go to Heaven. I just don’t think that’s how it should be, I mean, maybe later in life I’ll want that sort of thing for my kids, but now that I can choose, I want to live how I want to live.

Me: Legalism? That’s the word I think of… like, it’s following rules that get you to heaven. I don’t believe that at all. I think it is only grace that gets me to heaven. Legalism sucks the life out of people, I think.

Young Man: You seriously believe you get to Heaven by grace, not by works? (I couldn’t believe he asked me that).

Me: Absolutely I do! But more than that, it’s what the Bible itself says… my name is Brian by-the-way (I approach him and shake his hand).

Andrew: Hi, I’m Andrew… dude, I just don’t see how it can be all about grace and not the stuff you do? I mean, I think I’d probably go to hell right now because of the stuff I am doing, but I also believe that I can change that and do better later and still get to heaven.

Me: But we don’t know if we have “later…” But I do understand your thinking, I think a lot of people think that same way. I know I did until I heard about God’s love and desire.

Andrew: When?

Me: When I was 17 I heard the whole story of Jesus. The gospel is what it’s called, I’m sure you’ve heard that term (he nodded and said, “yeah, Sunday school stuff”)… It comes down to this Andrew. I believe that God created us to be in relationship with Him. But He also gave us choice, free will, to choose to live in relationship with Him or to reject that. I chose to go my own way, make my own choices, just as you describe yourself right now. My sin, my choosing to go my own way, has separated me from that relationship. The Bible describes the only way to heaven is to be in relationship with God, but because of my sin that was impossible. There is nothing I could do to remove my own sins. I can’t do things to get to Heaven on my own… my good works cannot be good enough, because my sin has marred anything I did. But God knew that and provided a way back through Jesus. The Bible describes the Messiah coming to live a perfect life, die on a tree (tree) and prove that He is God by rising from the dead.  Jesus did that. Scripture goes on to say that if you trust in Jesus, and Him alone, you can have that relationship with God again and live eternally with Him and for Him. So, when I heard this at age 17, it made sense. Everything about my life was about acceptance of others and though I had a loving family and great friends, I didn’t know the security of God’s acceptance until I trusted in Jesus. Now I want others to know this! I want you to know this Andrew!

Because I was already late for dinner and about to speak I had to leave the coffee shop, but was able to invite Andrew to the camp to hear me speak that evening. He didn’t show up, but I am trusting that he heard the good news. He was VERY attentive, respectful and literally gave me a hug at the end of the conversation.  Please pray for this 21 year-old young man, Andrew. I was able to name a couple great churches in the area I trust he’d find relationship with strong believers and the answers to the questions he has!

I look forward to sharing more Gospel Conversations soon. I am hoping to hear Gospel Conversations others are having even more. Even now as I finish this post, I am about to go back up to a Starbucks register and feed my addiction… I’m getting a refill of coffee, but hoping that even the refill will continue the conversation started with a barista-friend months ago!

Grace,

Brian

 


 

1 Comment

Filed under Gospel Conversations, Mission51, Travel

by | August 25, 2011

The Tale of Two Stages

Sunday it was “set” for church. By Wednesday it was rocking for Youthmark’s LIFT event and by Saturday it was decked out for Stephen and Jenny’s Wedding.

Thanks Faith Church!

LIFT was all it was billed to be- concert :: training :: worship

Fun to see friends get hitched!

Grace,

Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Home and Ministry, Mission51, Random/Rant, Youthmark Stuff

by | August 23, 2011

SMS: 4 New or Renewed Commitments

Believe it or not it rained in Seattle yesterday… I know, shocking!

Though it is a little strange in August to receive the downpours we experienced the rain did more than just water my lawn and dampen my wife’s spirits. As the collected waters flowed toward our downspouts, so my thoughts grew rapid toward  the fall and the return to routine.

Of course part of your routine as a youth pastor will be the return to weekly group gatherings, staff meetings and crafting some outreach events. Before you get back to the grind, you should consider four areas of recommitment we all know should be part of our DNA, but few are prioritizing.

  • Commitment to the Campus: I recently (privately) asked 10 youth pastors how much (if any) time they spend on a junior high or high school campus. Of the 10, one person spent any significant time (1 hour or more per MONTH) on a campus. I completely understand that our hours can be consumed by ministering to our flock, but your encouragement to show up on their mission field will greatly enhance your ability to partner with them. But think outside of the box… what if your primary purpose is not just relationship with students on these campuses, but also to bless, encourage and build relationship with the adults on that campus?
  • Commitment to Families: Most youth leaders understand the influence they have on students, but you can be very significant in the lives of the entire family of those related to the teens in your group. Without adding too much time to your schedule a renewed commitment to the parents of teens will go a long way in building community. Be creative and intentional by looking for entry points into the lives of the families of your teens. What would a youth group “bring your family” night look like? How about an hour a month was spent shooting off 7-10 personal messages to parents just for the sake of encouragement and thanks? Maybe even an “open house” at a coffee shop one evening just for parents to come and socialize with you?
  • Commitment to a Network: One of my greatest joys in nearly 20 years of ministry is the network of youth ministers I call friends. In fact, in the last year alone the circles of youth leaders I run with have been able to experience life together through each of the following areas: marriages, moves, newborns, engagements, firings, hirings, separation, financial stresses, personal evangelism and much more. The word REFUGE is what comes to mind the most when I think of the two networks I am a part of. I love the guys and gals I get to partner and pray with. I love that I see THE church (not just my church) in this way. Most youth leader networks meet monthly, if you don’t know of one, certainly contact NNYM, but a simple phone call to another youth pastor in your area will probably get you on the right track. Let’s not lead from an island anymore!
  • Commitment to Peer Ministry: I’ll keep this one short and sweet. We need to be pursuing peer-t0-peer (similar age) relationships with those who don’t know Jesus if we expect our students to do the same. No longer should our mantra be “bring your n0n-churched friends to this event.” Our new example should be that we are actively pursuing relationships with the unchurched. Find ways to get outside the four walls of your church personally and love on the lost. Which brings us full-circle, what if those “lost” are the teachers, coaches, custodians and administers at one of the local campuses?
As you are thinking through your routine and your fall schedule, I urge you to renew your commitment to peer-level relationships with the unchurched, to be committed to other youth leaders in your area, to love better the families of your teens and to recommit yourself to the mission field our students are at daily!
Grace,
Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)

by | August 11, 2011

SMS: Back from Mission, Camp or Retreat? Now What?

NOTE: This article/blog was originally written by me for youthworkers.net (click here to read it there).

I’ve read some amazing stories on blogs and Facebook of the things God has done at camps, retreats and on mission trips this summer! I believe youth ministry is alive and kicking and God is at work, but was it just there (on the trip) that the Lord moved? Of course not, but for some reason growth and change there seems more obvious, practical and tangible. I’d love to see these things here (at home) become just as evident.

Imagine with me some of the first century Tweets we might have read had the technology existed then …

From Luke: As @saulpaul was preaching I saw a snoozing teen @eutychusrocks fall from 2nd floor 2 his death! PTL the dude was healed and now lives! #paulkeptpreaching

A ReTweet: RT @weddingcrasher Just saw the strangest thing, Mary’s son Jesus changes water into the best wine I ever tasted! #whoisthisguy

Of course a status update didn’t happen in real time back then, but rest assured, news did travel quickly. Praise God for people like Luke and John who recorded these amazing acts.

The wonderful reports of what took place on your mission trip have landed on the hearts and ears of parents and friends back home. Students have Tweeted about how great the camp was and they have become fast-Facebook friends with those they met at the retreat.  But is that it?

How are you handling the transition off of the trip and into the next 51 weeks? This is a question I grappled with as a youth pastor. I got tired of students living for the “camp high” or the “mission trip great feeling.” But the bottom line is that those feelings produced are the things that often bring kudos from parents, other pastors and/or the board.

I believe a plan is needed to merge your students onto the freeway of life that has been flowing back home. We can help students navigate from commitment there to commitment here.

Three Tips for Merging Back Home

  1. Give them a Practical Way to Remain In The Word! I believe God’s Word and God’s Spirit were key in the things that took place there. Hopefully your group was consistent in God’s Word on your mission trips; the Bible was teaching and challenging students, life was lived together in fellowship, service and witness; and students were responding to the Spirit in obedience: crucial components for life-change were merging together in amazing ways. And it doesn’t have to stop when your kids come home! Give them a practical way to remain the Word. I’ve seen it work, through our MERGE resources for returning home from the mission, retreat or camp (or other experiences). Of course I’d love to see you use our resource, but at minimum, give them a one or two week outline of passages to study, journaling questions and some practical questions to go through as they merge back home.
  2. Throw a Better Than A Reunion Party! There’s nothing that can kill a youth group faster than a holy huddle. Because your students who were at camp together came home with great inside jokes and other shared memories they usually think that these stories are funny to all, but we all know THEY AREN’T! As the leader, you should throw a “Summer End Celebration” to celebrate all that God did in and through the ministry as a whole, not just one specific event. Give ample opportunity for stories from those who went to sports camp (rather than the youth group camp), or those who shared Jesus at their summer jobs, for instance.  Invite them to share their stories of what God did in and through them, in their varied settings. This can be organized with specific testimonies chosen so that all participants can see and hear the collective work of God through the summer!
  3. Invite them to the next Mission! A body of water like a lake or pond becomes toxic when it becomes stagnant. So it is with a body of believers. The camp, retreat and mission were exciting and active because there was movement! The mission-high ceases to exist if the mission is complete. Help students to know that there is a new mission ahead as they return to their campus, engage in their clubs and reinvest in the community! This is something we at Youthmark coined Mission51–the 51 weeks beyond the mission or camp!

As summer comes to a close, perhaps you already sense that the momentum has been lost, but I urge you to jump back in now, it’s not too late! Your students are cause-oriented, give them a cause greater than reliving memories. Challenge them to get back (and stay) in the Word through something like MERGE, reunite them so they can testify and remember His faithfulness, and above all, invite them to fully invest in their new mission field at home!

Grace,

Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Faith Foundations/Bible Study, Mission51, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS), Three-for-Thursday, Top 5 Tuesday, Youthmark Stuff

by | August 10, 2011

Worth more than $5!

I’m finishing up another week of speaking at a camp; this time in my beautiful home state of WA! It’s nice to not have to go “over there” to share the best news ever. Sometimes “over there” is a lot of fun, but I’ll tell you, it’s a lot of fun to be sharing with teens right now who get to share “right here” with their friends and family!

In a few short weeks, teens will be heading back to their “mission” on their campus, at their clubs, building into their community and probably participating in the new programs at their church… I am praying RIGHT NOW for this mission.

However, I am not just praying, I am doing my part to actively train them (and I hope even more importantly, participating with them by pursuing any opportunity I have to share the good news too)!

If you are in the Northwest, I’d love to have you participate with me in a training event we have at Youthmark. It’s not just a training event, it’s a concert  and also will have a time of wonderful worship through song! My friends, Everfound, will be there as well as soon-to-be-friends, Kye-Kye! I can’t wait. LIFT takes place in just one week (Wednesday, August 17, 7:00 PM) at Faith Church in Kent. It’s only $5!

Here’s the promo materials.

Whether you’re young or old, this event will entertain and equip! Mission51 exists, let’s reach our community now!

Grace,
Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Adelphia Bible School, Faith Foundations/Bible Study, Mission51, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS), Youthmark Stuff

by | August 4, 2011

Three-For-Thursday: Vacation Pics with Kids

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a 3-for-Thursday, but today, I couldn’t resist the challenge of posting a few of my favorite pics from our vacation. I’ll probably do another post or two about the vacation/speaking/meeting tour, but for now, here are three of my favorite pics from our 23 day trip!

5:15 am day one start in PJ's with much anticipation!

Montana beauty!

In Western CO visiting the Drumm family!

What a great trip!

Grace,
Brian

Leave a Comment

Filed under Three-for-Thursday, Travel