Category Travel

Three-For-Thursday: Cruisin’ Colorado

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

This week was a crazy-fun week.  I am writing this post on the airplane having departed Denver International… as I touch down I will get on some wi-fi and get this Three-For-Thursday out still on Thursday!

This week was my Colorado marketing lunches for Youthmark.  So, by way of the “3-For” I will tell you about the three lunches.

I landed on Monday evening in Denver and immediately drove south to Colorado Springs and stayed with great friends Peter and Christa.  It’s such a joy to have them as my Colorado Springs host family, immediately upon arrival I am bombarded by their kids similar to the way Dino greeted Fred Flintstone.  Love it.  Makes me TOTALLY miss my kids!  I had a fantastic time catching up with Peter and Christa. Then I got to talk ministry/business with Peter (PeterB Designs is Peter’s business and he does some of our design work for Youthmark).  If you are looking for design work done (shirts, logo’s, book covers, posters, events, business cards, etc.) you should consider PeterB Designs.

On Tuesday morning I had breakfast with one of my great friends from College and a new friend from last summer. Steve and Rand are both church plant pastors in Palmer Lake (Steve) and Castle Rock (Rand). Great times with these two brothers.

Now, on to the lunches and the 3-For

Colorado Springs: Old Chicago was the home of my first preview lunch of the year.  Kirk Petersen has been taking on Oregon and Northern California for the last couple weeks, but for me, this was the first.  The highlight of the time for me in Colorado Springs was meeting new folk.  We did a lunch here last year, but to see new faces was awesome.  Tuesday evening I received an email from one of the participants, he said, “If only had known about you sooner.  I appreciate your heart! This has been something I had even thought about doing myself because I didn’t know this was available”  He went on to ask how he could volunteer with Youthmark as well.  A great blessing.  I love it when people completely get Mission51!

Grand Junction: After lunch I was off to Glenwood Springs (4.5 hour drive w/snow) and my “host family” there.  Jared and Andrea are such a blessing as well. I love hanging out with them and their two boys!  After a great dinner and a long walk in the now falling snow, Jared and I had a good time talking through some tough ministry issues.  We continued the conversation in the morning over Coffee.  The YFC guy, Pete, joined us for breakfast before I took off for the 90 minute trek to Grand Junction.  The GJ lunch was at the Olive Garden.  Love me some salad and breadsticks.  The highlight of the lunch for me was the time before and after with my friend Bobby.  Bobby brought his students to a camp I spoke at this last summer, we grew to be friends that week.  I very much enjoyed getting to know all the other new faces (I had previously only known Bobby) at the lunch. A great mix of denominations as well, it was fun seeing them all network a bit and get to know each other! Instead of speaking at Bobby’s youth group that evening (as we hoped) I took off to beat any bad weather over Vail pass.

Boulder: It took me about four hours to get back over to North Denver.  Before I left I texted one of my former students, Shane. I had hopes of hanging out with him Thursday before I took off Thursday evening.  Well, because I was coming in early I thought I’d check to see if Wednesday evening would work better.  It worked out great.  I got to hang out with he and his wife, Stephanie.  They graciously saved me $60-$100 and invited me to crash at their place. This morning (Thursday) I got some writing done at Starbucks before heading up to the lunch at Old Chicago in Boulder.  I LOVED the lunch in Boulder.  It was a great mix of new faces and familiar faces.  This group was highly conversational, which was a nice blessing. The highlight was having Tom Coffan, a Youth Pastor of 40 years share about his experience with Youthmark.  I was absolutely blown away by his comments.  I would love to take Tom on tour with me, he’ll sell our stuff better than me!  Very humbling to have a man like Tom say such gracious things.

The trip was a hoot.  My friend from the Colorado Baptist Convention, Mike, joined me for the first and last lunch, it was great to catch up with him.  He asked me to speak at their two camps again this summer, what an honor.

Three lunches down, please pray for Lynnwood (Tuesday) and Lacey (Thursday) next week for me and (Eugene and Salem) for Kirk.  We are asking God to do a mighty work in and through these wonderful shepherds (the Youth Pastors).  Our hope is that they will see Mission as not just here, not just there, but Anywhere!  Mission51!

If you know of folk who should be there, get them to register here.

Grace,
Brian

Three-For-Thursday: BIG Announcements

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Some things have been in the works for a number of months that I have not been at liberty to discuss publicly on the blog… well, now I can!  Though I have posted little things here and there through Facebook, I can finally let the cat out of the bag (someone want to give me a history report on that phrase?) and give you my “Three-For-Thursday” of three big announcements for Youthmark!

Before I get to the three-for-thursday, let me start by saying if you are a Youth Pastor/Director or a volunteer in Youth Ministry, we’d love to have you join us this year in training your students for Mission51!  We believe in and want to provide wonderful one week mission experiences, but we emphasize the other 51 weeks of life that mission needs to take place as well.  Some groups join us for a full Youthmark Mission Venture, whereas others already have a mission trip they are doing, but join us for the training process through our Mission51 materials (including curriculum, spring retreat and foll0w-through materials).  Perhaps this is something you should do as well?

Okay, I needed to start there to give a little background, then on top of that we realize many of our churches will be joining us in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada or in a small town in the continental U.S.  However, we realize that mission is not just here… it is “there” as well.  It truly is Anywhere and Anytime.  Therefore, I give you our BIG announcements…

  1. Costa Rica! We are so excited to dip our feet deep into the International waters in offering trips to Costa Rica!  One major element and reason for Costa Rica is that as an organization we want to always emphasize Mission51 (everything we do “there” should be done “here”).  Quite simply, we want our participants sharing the Gospel and Serving.  Well as we live out the great commission and make disciples in the uttermost areas, we will be able to do this without a major language barrier.  English is taught through ninth grade in Costa Rica.  Picture it, we’ll have students in C.R. hoping to practice their english, while we have our students hungry to share the greatest news ever (JESUS) with our native tongue!  While in C.R. our teams will be helping an about-to-launch Church called “The Bridge.” We’ll serve the local community in San Jose, but also reach out to the poor in the rural areas, even out as far as the beautiful coast!
  2. Mexico! This last year we ran a test-market of about 220 down to Mexico through a local denomination.  Mission51 training and a partnership with Mexico Caravan Ministries proved to be a wonderful tag-team (not to mention the great youth and youth leaders from ConvergeNW).  So, just a week or so ago I went down to Mexico and met with the leadership of Mexico Caravan Ministries and we formed an alliance.  I’m very excited for our teams to be trained by Youthmark, but then have the expertise of MCM on the ground with them as they build three homes for three needy families, have a unique customized team experience and then do a final one-day work project as a team.  This is going to be awesome!
  3. Spring Trips! We’ve had a number of requests over the last few years for spring-break mission options.  With our international options now available, we’re able to offer both Mexico and Costa Rica as Spring Break options!  So now we’ll be able to offer international trips in both the Spring and Summer and then ALL of our trips during the summer!

I am so excited about the future of Youthmark.  I truly LOVE my job/calling.  Just today, while talking with my local network on the south-east side, I found myself in awe of the work of the Lord as I heard Youth Leaders testifying about what God is doing in raising up young people with a passion for the lost.  I really hope that no-matter where groups go on a mission trip, that they emphasize the 51 weeks outside of the mission!  Let’s be on mission all the time!

I hope we see many Youth Pastors come and check out this Mission51 stuff and hear about all our Youthmark Mission Venture options (not just Mexico and Costa Rica) at one of our FREE lunches.  Register for a lunch by clicking here.

Now… let’s live out Mission51!

Grace,
Brian

P.S. If we don’t have a lunch near you, this shouldn’t stop you from inquiring about a YMV or Mission51 materials!  In fact, it may be time to have a lunch near you, we just need people on the ground pushing it with us!  Let’s talk!

Seriously? Umm… hmmm…

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

My wife and I just finished a wonderful three-day, two night date to Victoria, BC.

We were gifted this wonderful getaway a couple years ago, but were not able to get the stars to align for the trip until right now… it was wonderful.

I love Canada, eh?  However, I really did have to say “eh” when we walked through our hotel lobby and came upon a rather loud crowd all gathered for a convention.  Anyone want to take a crack at what this is all about?

Are you a Banner User?

Back to the good ol’ US of A and time to prepare for the National Youth Workers Convention, which I think promises to be a bit different than the above conference… I hope, eh?

Grace,
Brian

“All In”

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I remember laughing the first time I saw a live Poker Tournament being televised on ESPN.  I mean, c’mon, seriously, who would watch Poker on TV, isn’t that like watching paint-dry, or worse, viewing a bowling match?

Well, they had me at “the river card.”  I don’t know why, but Texas Hold ‘Em had me hooked as I watched some guy with the last name of “Moneymaker”  win millions of dollars… SIDENOTE:  Chris Moneymaker is his real name.

Well, here we are, seven years after viewing my first ever “Main Event” and having seen many people go “All In” on TV, I am speaking this weekend where the retreat theme is “All In.”  It’s a fantastic theme to build around.  Jesus own words explain the theme well, “if anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me.”  In other words: if we want to be followers of Jesus, we must go all in.”

  • Stephen, he’s a guy who went all in… I love when he, in Acts 7, rebukes the Sanhedrin and says, “you stiff necked people…You always resist the Holy Spirit.”
  • Peter was a gambler with his tongue, he sometimes went all in (cutting off a dudes ear) sometimes for the wrong things; but ultimately, was the one who went all in in speaking up after Jesus ascended.
  • The Ethiopian in Acts 8, all in.
  • Priscilla and Aquila, a couple we read about in the early days of the church… they were all in.

In the post-apostolic age we read of and see many others (and know many more) who are all in for the Gospel.  Are you?

What does it mean to be all in?

This weekend we’re going to explore that with the students from Lake Sawyer Christian.

I think Paul gives us a great hint at part of what it means to be all in; Romans 1:16 says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”  I believe it, am growing in boldness to proclaim it and try to live in light of it for His glory and so that others may know Him!

Going all in!

Grace,
Brian

Introducing…Buzz!

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

Buzz is a big baseball fan too, added bonus for me!

Just over two years ago (July 2008), the Aaby family did something crazy,  I resigned my position as an Associate/Youth Pastor so that we could start Youthmark and I could become President of the organization.  Some would see it as crazy, I use the word loosely, because it never felt crazy, it felt, faith-filled. Over the last two years we have seen the Lord provide in only the way that He could.

About this time last year we were able to add some help for Youthmark by contracting with Kirk Petersen.  Kirk is a long time friend and ministry partner (he was a Youth Pastor for about 15 years).  He served Youthmark faithfully this last year and it looks like we’ll continue this relationship for another year as he serves as our Director for the Oregon and SW Washington region.  You can read the introduction of Kirk from my post from last July here.

Well, here we are in August of 2010, it’s time to bring on another team member.  Buzz Huget has joined the Youthmark crew.  His title: Director; Field and Follow Through. It seemed everything started to come together last spring while I was on a scout trip for the 2010 YMV’s to Colorado and Arizona. Knowing that the most natural “next” position for Youthmark would be a person who could oversee our receiving communities (the places our mission trips go to), I invited Buzz to come on the trip.  While we were driving the long distances between rural communities and major airports we dreamed of what could be.  Buzz watched me in action with the rural Pastors, and then, very naturally, he stepped in and by the time our scout trip was over I was able to really just watch him in action.  He’s a natural fit.  A man of God who loves to listen.  He hopes for those who may have forgotten how to hope for him/herself (or his/her ministry).  He prays with passion (and expectantly).  Buzz will serve the receiving (what we are now calling “host”, a term Buzz already coined) Pastors/Communities well.

Buzz and Pastor John from Pine, AZ (March 2010)

A little background… Buzz and I met while I was serving as an Associate Pastor (Youth) at Boulevard Park Church (South Seattle).  He is an elder there.  He began attending a service I had started on Sunday evenings. This service, entitled, merge, became somewhat of a church plant within a church.  After about a year, I started throwing ideas off of Buzz and we began dreaming and praying together for our merge services.  Buzz came on board as sort of a co-pastor of that service and we served as we watched the Lord grow that service from about 40 the first week to 150+ at our last service.  Since I resigned at Boulevard Park, he has continued and started a couple different men’s ministries initiatives.  Buzz may not have “missed” his calling as a Pastor (as I have joked with him in the past), but I do believe he is functioning as a Pastor in many ways.  Now he’ll get to do that with Youthmark as well.

His primary responsibility will be to shepherd our relationships with our Host Communities (Pastors and key leaders).  He’ll do the scouting and initial contacts (freeing me up to not travel as much!), while at the same time he’ll get to know our sending leaders so that we create the best partnerships between Youthmark and both the sending/host communities.  Having Buzz on the team will also give us a better opportunity to follow-up with teams who have just served and get us valuable feedback as we move forward.  In addition Buzz will participate in the Spring Retreats, some writing projects and a few other tasks!

Can’t wait to see how the Lord uses Buzz.  He is supported by his wife, Lisa, their four adult daughters (and families) and their teen grandson, whom they are raising as a son.  I’m so excited to have not just Buzz, but this loving and supportive family on the extended team!

Welcome Buzz!

Grace,
Brian

ColoRADo:10

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The two weeks of speaking at Ponderosa Camp for “Summit” was absolutely great. Here are some pics that help tell the story.

What stands out the most?

The Holy Spirit.  Scores of students coming to Christ, new discover/friends in Everfound and great times with the guys.

Grace,
Brian

The New Look!

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Welcome to the new look for brianaaby.com! (still under construction over the weekend)

As I stated last week, I am a fan of change, therefore this may happen from time to time.  What does the new look mean?  Well, beside a makeover, it means some new content as well.  The categories will expand a little bit as I am planning on implementing a few new ones.  For instance, I am going to add a category for those of you serving in Youth Ministry.  Sort of a Student Ministry editorial piece of sorts.  One might see it as an opinion, whereas others may see it as a written advice section.

What stays?: Contests will still take place from time to time… in fact I’ll try to do a contest at least once every two weeks.  I’ll keep posting stuff about my family.  I’ll continue posting Youthmark related stuff, however, I’ll also do other Youthmark blogging here.

What goes?: Just the old picture.

What changes?: Top 5 Tuesday is going to be changed at least for the time-being to Top Three Thursday.

What’s been added?: I plan on adding some more links, the Student Ministry editorial and perhaps a few other categories. In addition, I’d like to enhance the “Faith Foundations” category by doing these more often. I feel we learn so much from one another when we share about the things we do to pursue Jesus.

That’s it for now… I hope you enjoy the new look!

Grace,

Brian

The Launches!

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

My apologies for the lack of writing this week… I have much to write about, including some family medical stuff, some great vacation stuff and some fantastic Youthmark happenings!  But first…

I decided against my typical “numbered” picture for this launch.  Here’s why:

Wednesday morning actually began the series of Launches 3.0 – and following.  I was on vacation down in Southern California and drove from Camarillo to Santa Clarita with 230 copies of RoadGrip and Merge for the Converge NW teams traveling to Mexico for SERVE.  These churches combine every three years for a mission to Mexico.  Youthmark was honored to be a part of the process this year.  They are currently doing a three day launch at The Master’s College before they hit Mexico tomorrow.

Meanwhile…

I flew home Wednesday afternoon and by Wednesday evening was launching the Pulpit Rock Church of Colorado Springs on their City Serve YMV in Seattle.  We launched that team on Wednesday night to Thursday morning.

Meanwhile…

photoKirk Petersen flew to Juneau on Wednesday so that he could greet and launch East Boulder Baptist (Colorado) to Petersburg, AK.  They did their launch Thursday afternoon to Friday morning.EBoulder

Meanwhile…

I was driving to Spokane and am currently at the Pine and Sprague Starbucks in Spokane Valley waiting to launch 90 or so for their missions to Idaho and Montana.

Meanwhile…

OneSpotJuneauKirk is up in Juneau with three other churches doing their launch for three Southeast Alaska locations that most will Ferry to tomorrow morning!

All told… about 400 people are going out this week through Youthmark!  Praise God!

Meanwhile…

You are launching us through Prayer!  Right?

Grace,
Brian