You may want to read the previous three posts if this is your first trip back to the blog in some time!

Sunday and Monday were such a blessing to me as we did the full-scale launch of Youthmark Mission Ventures.  Sunday to Monday the Lead Retreat was a real “iron-sharpens-iron” time.  Monday night gave me goose-bumps as I saw our team expand (about 18 teams represented by the 14 Youth Pastors and additional leaders).

Well, Tuesday became the exclamation point!  

One thing I really wanted to accomplish at this retreat was to have the participants feel like it was truly a “retreat.”  Therefore, we didn’t have any formal event until 9:30 AM on Tuesday (giving many the opportunity to sleep in!).  With that being said, I did offer an extra session for those desiring to go a little more in-depth with a specific topic.  We met at Starbucks for a 7:30 AM “The Art of Family Time” discussion/training.  I was quite surprised to see about 10 of us greet our Veterans Day together.  We examined the “Student Ministry” Psalm (Ps. 78) and then I shared for about 15 minutes before we opened it up for discussion.  I was blessed to have two of my Lead team members there helping guide the discussion and ask great questions.

I had our last Lead Team prayer meeting at 9:00 AM in my room before our brunch and session, entitled, “The Training.”  We were very blessed to have Tom Horton as a guest at our brunch.  I had asked Tom to come and share about “The Culture of the Rural.”  Tom and I have partnered for over 10 years in doing this style of mission trips.  There is a misperception among some that Tom and I are competing in what we are doing.  The reality, Tom and I are partnering in what we are doing.  Tom often puts me in contact with the rural communities that need trained students to come in and serve. In many ways Tom concentrates more on the “where” and I facilitate the “how.”  Tom and I consider it a privilege to be in ministry together and I can’t wait to see how Tom continues to expand Tom’s sphere of influence!

During the Brunch each of the Lead Team members were able to share about a section of move: Mission Prep Workbook that really excites them.  I feel the group understands the nature of the training much better.  We were also able to encourage the group to “maximize their effort.”  We’d like to see as many students from each group equipped to serve on the mission trip so that their is as much unity and experience coming back to their campuses, clubs and families in their own Jerusalem.

We commissioned each other in prayer and called it a very successful first run!  I praise the Lord for the group gathered and the time we had together!  May He increase the number of teams and the number of students as we ask the Lord of the Harvest field to provide the workers (Matt. 9)! 

Grace,

Brian

As I stated yesterday, if you haven’t done so yet, I’d love for you to do the latest “Aab-Lib” before you read anything more about the Youthmark Mission Ventures Retreat.  Scroll down and do that first if you want a good laugh.

My view at the Crowne Plaza

In my previous post I wrote about the Lead Team pre-retreat which took place for 24 hours prior to the actual retreat. The rest of the group started arriving in the late afternoon on Monday.  Upon check-in they were given a little “welcome basket” with some treats (my wonderful wife assembled these baskets), a welcome letter, lanyards, and a couple other items.

The Welcome Baskets

Some arrived early enough to enjoy the beautiful afternoon downtown.  Others met us at The Old Spaghetti Factory for our opening meal.  The group was very festive and it was very exciting to see new and old friends sitting together and reminiscing and/or creating new memories and friendships.

After a great dinner and the drive back to the Crowne Plaza we did our first session, entitled, “The Mission.” Our goal was to give the participants a good idea of what the actual mission trip would look like.  Because my main goal with Youthmark Mission Ventures is to train the students for the “51 weeks of life back home” it was important to start with the conduit (the mission) and end with the main purpose (I’ll share about that in my next post)..

We finished right on time (10:00 PM) and called it an evening (though many stuck around until nearly 11:00 talking).  I already have ideas as to how I’d like to change this first evening next year, but that is a later post as well!  I went to bed feeling very good, but very tired after a great beginning!

Grace,

Brian

For those who have not done the most recent “Aab-Libs” (previous post) you may want to stop reading this right now and participate in that first…

We are now three days removed from the Youth Leader/Spouse Retreat and Training for the Youthmark Mission Ventures.  I look back at this as my second “major” event of Youthmark (360ºParenting last year was the first).  I am very pleased with the event.  

Over the last few months I developed a Lead Team who will help me serve through the entire process, beginning with the retreat and ending with the last debriefing of the mission trip, these men will be a huge support and resource.  I have developed friendships with these guys over the last few years and felt the blend of giftedness and diversity of age/experience as well as excellent character would meld well as I prayed God’s wisdom in my pursuit.  I believe He got it Right On!

We arrived one day early (on Sunday) and spent 24 hours together.  This time together was very valuable.  I believe this team is of one heart!  It was so nice to have that “team” feel again.

Acts 2:42-47 is a passage I come back to often.  In this passage we see four key elements the early believers were committed to in the formation of the early church.  The Apostle’s Teaching (the Word), Prayer, Fellowship and the Breaking of Bread (common meal and communion).  

Our 24 hour pre-retreat was filled with these four elements.  It was so fun to share dedicated times in the Word, challenging one another.  I loved our times of prayer (and we spent a good time in prayer!).  The fellowship times walking in Seattle, hanging out in my room (I was upgraded to a suite!  Very cool!).  We enjoyed a lot of good food together with our families (Gordon Beirsch, The Edgewater and Johnny Rocket’s). So, though we aren’t the church, we are an extension of the church, I felt this group really bonded and united our hearts for the common purpose of seeing the church encouraged!

The Youthmark Mission Venture Lead Team 2009:

Nathan (with his fiancee Megan)

Jess

Mike

Aaron (sketch artist rendering)

and Me!

I’m thankful for this group!  I was thankful to get to know them more, see them serve other youth leaders and share great memories. 

Stay tuned, report #2 coming…

Grace,
Brian

As we begin this adventure of Youthmark Mission Ventures this weekend and early week, we are releasing the second edition of move: Mission Prep Workbook.  Last year, nearly 250 students and youth leaders used move as their training workbook/study for summer missions.  I had great reviews, feedback and helpful tips.  After many hours (thank you to the edit team) and some very cool enhancements (thank you graphics folk) I’m quite pleased with the new version. The editing is done very well and we were able to enrich it with very sharp graphics and text design.

The youth leaders on the retreat Monday/Tuesday will get the first look. The title, move, is a play on words, In Acts 1-6 the believers (including the Apostles) are all still in Jerusalem.  This workbook is a study of those early stages of the church (followed by the disciplines we see them practicing).  Because the disciples were “stuck” in Jerusalem-doing the work of the Lord,  I believe our to-be missionaries should do the same for their own Jerusalem. 

Pray for the leaders as they discover the way the book can be used and ask the Spirit to move in them as they bring it to their groups!

Grace,
Brian

I have really tried to keep blogging as a daily discipline (at least during the week, and then I try to get at least one post up during the weekend).  I’ve even surprised myself that I was able to keep this discipline during my extra hectic September and October when I was driving all over the place to meet with Youth Pastor to talk about Youthmark Mission Ventures!  However…

… This week I have only had two meeting in regard to Youthmark Mission Ventures but have had very little time to sit down and post.  It hasn’t even been on my radar screen!  It’s been a crazy week preparing for my Youth Leader and Spouse retreat next Monday and Tuesday.

I’d really appreciate your prayers for this event.  On Sunday and Monday I will have an advanced training time for my Lead Team.  These are the Youth Pastors who will serve as my co-leaders on the front end (launch) of the mission trips and be the primary leader on the back end (debrief) of the mission trip.  

Monday and Tuesday we welcome in the rest of the participants (leaders/spouses).  I am certainly looking forward to building the team.  I hope that through the training, spring retreat, launch, mission and debrief we present “team.”  The body of Christ needs to come together and glorify Him!  Pray that the foundation is built on Sunday to Tuesday (and the prep this week!).

Grace,
Brian