Category Youthmark Stuff

Boulder and Dare2Share (Scouting Part 3)

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Sunday night we arrived in Boulder just at the tail end of a Seder Meal the church was conducting.  It was nice to arrive and see so many people (100+) enjoying a time of fellowship and teaching.  Knowing that the meal had lasted over two-and-a-half hours Buzz and I knew we needed to keep our time with the mission team short. Not everyone from the East Boulder Baptist team was able to make the short gathering, but it was a lot of fun.  This group is pretty excited to head north to Alaska.  Over the last few months I have formed a friendship with the Youth Pastor, Tom Coffan.  Tom has served at this church for 19 years, and has nearly 4 decades of Youth Ministry experience!  It’s an honor to have him on board.

Buzz and I enjoyed some great downtime on Sunday night (late) and Monday morning, enjoying a couple meals and debriefing everything that had taken place thus far.

On Monday we arrived for a scheduled meeting at Dare2Share.  There we met with Jason Lamb and Debbie Bresina.  Great folk.  Debbie is the Executive VP and Jason is in charge of a bunch of stuff.  This was really a “get to know you” meeting where both organizations are interested in what the other is doing.  We are VERY united in our passion to see students equipped to share the Good News!  I firmly believe that this was just the beginning of the conversation!  It was fun to have Buzz learn so much more about Youth Ministry.  He got to meet Greg Stier, the President of D2S and then later in the day meet my friend Mike Gaines, a former D2S staffer who is now the main Youth Guy for the Colorado Baptist Convention.

Monday was refreshing to me, because it was more about discussions than convincing. After D2S, lunch and a coffee with Mike Gaines we were off to the airport for our flight to Phoenix…

Grace,
Brian

On our behalf…

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

A couple weeks ago I was feeling the big-burden of wondering what God had in store for us in terms of the connections between our Sending and Receiving communities.  The biggest prayer request that I had was for Alaska and the connections we needed to secure.  Well, almost immediately we saw the Lord answer and open up doors.

As you read below, I’d love to know if you’ll take one of these specific areas and start praying for that specific one ALL Week!  I know HE wants to answer, I want to be sure we’re covering each one!  Please comment!

As we begin to turn the corner and start our Spring Retreats very soon, I would ask that we unite in prayer once again in the finalization of our connections between sending and receiving.  Specifics you can pray for…

  • Alaska: Four teams going to AK this summer and we have one locked-in, the other three are all solid leads, but the leadership in these receiving communities have important meetings this week.  Pray that the Lord opens those hearts/minds to understand the partnership that can be!
  • Canada: We have one team training to serve in inner-city Vancouver.  We have a great lead here, but nothing is set in stone yet, please pray that the most current email communication is clear to that receiving church and that they see it as a fantastic opportunity to partner.
  • Arizona: We have two churches meeting with their boards this week.  Pray that the miracle continues in Page, this one is quite the story!  I’ll post about that in my series I am writing right now!  Pray that both Pine and Page are a connection as Tonto Basin is already!
  • Montana: We are praying the Lord finalizes three more connections (all of which have good contacts, we just need the final “yay”).
  • Idaho: Still waiting on one last “go.”  Just got an email this morning from the Pastor we are pursuing as the hopeful place to go!
  • Washington: We have an inner-city team I am beginning to do the groundwork on.  Pray that my connections for this trip work out and we have a great receiving church to work with as we put together the day-in-day-out stuff!
  • Oregon: We are still placing one more team for a late summer trip.  In fact, there is still one more team considering going on this trip too, so pray for God’s will to be done and the right folk to go to the right place!  He knows!
  • Praise for the Connections: Please praise the Lord for the already solid connections we have in Oregon, Washington, Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Alaska, Mexico and Idaho.  We have more solid connections than not!  Praise God for these partnerships and pray that as the sending/receiving leadership start planning together that their bonds grow!

Now, as you read the above, I’d love to know if you’ll take one of these specific areas and start praying for that specific one ALL Week (every day, whenever the Lord brings this to mind)! Let me know which one(s) you are committed to for the week.  I’ll update you after the week!  Leave a comment letting me know.

Grace,

Brian

Glenwood to Paonia (Scouting Part 2)

Brian Aaby 1 Comment
With bellies full from our Pizza in Idaho Springs, CO, we happily arrived in Glenwood Springs in time to grab some time watching hoops with the Coe family.  Jared and I used to be in a YP network together and the Coe’s know Buzz through Buzz’s daughter, Rebecca.  After some NCAA action, it was time for a nice walk in the CO cool air.  After a great dinner from Andrea, we stayed up too late talking.

The Sunday morning alarm sounded too early, but I am happy we got out of the house when we did, because our drive to Paonia was absolutely spectacular.  Little did I know that we were going to go over a mountain pass that was over 11,000 feet. The weather was gorgeous and helped set the stage for the great views we were experiencing.  I said to Buzz, “here’s our worship service.”

Paonia Christian Fellowship, the church we were visiting and hoping to “land” as a receiving town was probably the most friendly church I have ever attended.  Seriously.  A smaller congregation of 50-60, but I believe I met almost every one of them and not just “met” but actually go to know a great number as they sought to know their visitors, not just know our names.  We experienced a small Sunday School class (about 12-15 people) and then the church service.

After a long visit with folks after the service we drove to the Mills house, Mike and Holli are serving as Youth Pastor/Musicians/Admin/etc./etc./etc.  It seems like many-a-hat they wear.  But they are proud to do so, they love their church and are happy to serve in a variety of roles–though Mike’s official title is “youth pastor.”

We were introduced to Mike through a random conversation I had about a month prior to the scout trip with my former Appprentice, Eric.  Eric is now serving as the Youth Pastor at my former church.  We were talking about some upcoming scout trips I was scheduling and he mentioned that his former boss from camp now serves at a small town in CO.  It just so happened to be 75 minutes away from a place I needed to go anyway (Glenwood Springs).  Small world? Yes. God ordained conversation? Bigger YES!

After feeling a strong sense of connection with Mike and Holli (and family) and receiving a great homemade soup for lunch, it was time to part our ways and make the trek back over the passes in route to Boulder.  We did stop off for a coffee with Jared back in Glenwood so he could pick my brain about training up some interns.  Great coffee.

Here are some pictures of the drive to and from and of the church/castle in Paonia (and those who know Eric, check out Mr. Skinny who served as a groomsman in the Mill’s wedding):

We were praising the Lord for two major lands already… a hub for the Mountains and Mid-American trip (Glenwood Springs) and a community to serve for Austin Bluffs Evangelical Free church in Paonia!

Next up:  Boulder and Dare 2 Share

Grace,

Brian

Denver to Glenwood Springs (Scouting Part 1)

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Over the next couple days I will give you a report of my Scout trip I took with my friend Buzz.

When Buzz and I met at the airport on Saturday morning I was able to communicate with him our main objectives for the trip:

  • We needed to land (secure) our hub (launch) location for the Mountains and Mid-America mission trip (June 18/19).
  • We needed to find one rural community in the mountains of CO as a receiving area for one of our YMV teams.
  • We were heading to East Boulder Baptist to speak to their group(s) who are heading to Alaska.
  • We were to meet with Dare 2 Share in Arvada, CO on Monday.
  • We were to meet with Mike Gaines of the Colorado Baptist Convention (I am speaking at a couple of their camps this summer).
  • We were to fly to Phoenix.
  • We were to go to Tonto Basin, one of our receiving communities and introduce them to Jeff, the YP brining in his team.
  • We were to go to Page, AZ and find a church willing to take on a LARGE YMV team.
  • We were to find one other rural community in AZ to receive a team from Seattle.
  • And last, but not least, we needed a hub for our Desert SW launch in Phoenix.

In addition, if we had time we’d go to an M’s spring training game…

So we took off, landed, rented and then drove to a very important meeting in Idaho Springs, CO… that meeting was to introduce Buzz to the first or second best pizza I have ever had (I smell, or taste, a Top 5 coming soon).  Great times at Beau Jo’s.

We arrived in Glenwood Springs for the night with our good friends, Jared and Andrea Coe.

That’s where we’ll pick up later… More soon!

Grace,
Brian

His MYSTERIOUS Ways…

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I am just returning from several days of travel.  This trip took us (had a travel companion in my good friend, Buzz) from Seattle to Denver to Glenwood Springs, to Paonia, to Boulder, back to Denver to fly to Phoenix.  From Phoenix to Tonto Basin to Pine, to Page back to Pine and back to Phoenix.

There were so many things that happened on this trip that it would be impossible to post in one blog post.  Therefore, over the next few posts and over at the  other blog, I will reveal the amazing things that God has done in providing for us at Youthmark and for the many teams preparing for their Youthmark Mission Venture.

…Simply amazing stuff that can only be summarized by saying, “Praise God, He certainly moves in mysterious ways.”

Hold on tight, the ride is about to begin…

Grace,

Brian

Keep Them Coming!

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

You ever do anything stupid-silly?  I do.

One time I was driving down to California with my wife and one of our students (have I ever told you the Golden Boy story?, If no, leave a request, I can blog that one for sure)… Anyway, Elisabeth, Kevin and I are driving down to California, Kevin is eating some Ritz-bitz crackers stuffed with peanut butter (or was it cheese?).  He stuffed several into his mouth and said, “keep them coming.”  As his face became more and more chipmunk our laughter grew.  One by one we passed him cracker sandwiches, one by one he found more room. We literally ran out of Ritz before he ran out of mouth.  Classic funny (except the laughter did eventually cause him to spew dry cracker all over the inside of our car…)!

We ran out of crackers before he ran out of mouth…

What if we approached our prayer life the same way? What if we really understood that we could never out-ask God? He will field our praise, requests and worship more than we could ever give.

I say this in response to your prayers on behalf of Youthmark. The last two days (since my Top 5 Tuesday post on prayer) have been wonderful for the ministry and it is SO obvious that people have been praying.  God opened up doors in Alaska (and CO, AZ and MT).  But please DO NOT stop.  He (The Lord) still has room for your prayers/praise!

Please pray for more contacts and more doors to open and for solid connections for our sending/receiving places!

Keep praying!  Thanks!

Grace,
Brian

What is Your Cause?

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

Years ago a Southern California Pastor released a couple of books that caused millions to ponder the question of purpose…

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of your life is?  I have asked that question for myself.  And I know.

As a person who has placed my faith in Jesus (through His grace alone), I KNOW the Lord has left me here with purpose, with a cause, in fact, with THE Cause.

He tells me in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost…” He says in Matthew 28:19-20, “makes disciples…”

THE Cause is the rebranding of the 300+ year old name, “Great Commission” which in actuality is about a 2000 year-old command that Jesus Himself gave us.

This morning I gathered with eight Youth Pastors at a local coffee shop and I heard each of these Pastors share about their students who are now pumped about living out THE Cause.  Many re-introduced to this call at Dare 2 Share.  They relayed stories of students departing church on Sunday with the purpose of sharing the Grace of God with friends and strangers in their neighborhoods.  They told stories of students not just talking about it, but doing it.

The question to the Youth Pastors (and Youth Leaders/Parents):  Will you?

We want our students to live & share THE Cause, but as parents, leaders and Youth Pastors, are we?

I am committed to consumed by/for THE Cause.  It is my life… may my words, thoughts and actions reflect THAT Cause.

Youthmark is passionate for consumed by/for THE Cause.  It is our purpose!  May students/leaders/parents be trained for the 51 weeks of life outside the mission trip!  May we be about missionship (a missionary always, all ways a missionary)!

This isn’t about Youthmark.  It’s not about Dare 2 Share. It’s not about me/you. It’s about redemption, calling and purpose–it’s all about Jesus.

A note to those who don’t know know/think they have a relationship with Jesus: The Lord created you to be in relationship with Him.  Because you (and I, and everyone) has sinned, we have broken that relationship; you and I have turned our back on the God who loves us passionately.  Because He loves so passionately He sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to be our living sacrifice, a payment for our sin through His death on the cross–so that we may, once again, be in relationship with the Lord. This FREE and UNMERITED gift from the Lord came in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  We now may have life eternally with Him (starting now)!  If you have never placed your faith in Him, it would be my honor to help you to understand how you can do that.  Please email me at brian{at}youthmark{dot}com.

Let’s live/and speak out THE Cause!

Grace,

Brian

Whirlwind Days

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Quick highlights of the last few days… with the promise of some in-depth reporting on a few of these in the days ahead.

Montana Sunrise on Wednesday

Tuesday & Wednesday: YMV Scout trip for our teams headed to Montana this summer.  I drove to Spokane, picked up Kirk Petersen at midnight on Monday, we were in Missoula by late morning Tuesday and scouted about 10 communities covering several hundred miles in two days.  I was home and in bed by about midnight on Wednesday.  CRAZY.

Greg Stier

Thursday: Kent/Renton Network meeting; meeting with a potential YMV team for this summer and then up to Seattle to meet with Greg Stier, the President of Dare 2 Share Ministries.  It was an honor to grab coffee with a guy and ministry I respect a lot.  After the coffee I quickly met with Frankie Santana (former student, current worship team drummer for Youthmark and also helping me with a special project). Then I got some down time with the family and cuddle time on the couch with my bride catching up on a few DVR’d shows.

Friday and Saturday: Coffee with Carlos Huizar, a friend and Youth Pastor in West Seattle, lunch with Nathan &Megan Schlaud (YP & Wife from West Seattle), picked up Jason Lamb (Dare 2 Share friend) and delivered him from airport to the Key Arena and then back home for a couple hours.  At home I met with Philip Kim (YP from Federal Way) and then I went back up to Seattle for Dare 2 Share.  There on both Friday night and Saturday for most of the day I was helping with a few things behind the scenes (for both D2S and Chris Renzelman/interlinc) and hanging out with a bunch of Youth.  Very excited about THE Cause (more on that later, for sure).

Now I rest at home thinking of the weeks ahead that include prep for our Spring Retreats, scouting for missions, completion of study guides and much, much more.  For now… I rest.

Grace,
Brian

Fun Discovery

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Just came across something fun on the web…

Several months ago my friend Mike Gaines approached me and asked me to pray about speaking at his denominations Summer Camps this summer.  Both of the camps had slight conflicts with dates in that I thought I’d have to leave one night early.  Therefore, I asked Mike if he wanted me to invite a guy whom I’m helping get his speaking-career going.

It’s going to be a blast to co-teach with Mike Penberthy at these two camps.  Mike, a former NBA player with the Lakers is really developing into a great communicator!  He’s got passion for the Word and sharing it with others!

Here’s the link to the promo for the camps!  Take a second and pray for us!

Grace,
Brian