Category Youthmark Stuff

Everyday Evangelism NOW

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

On Monday I decided to boldly wear my brand new Youthmark sweatshirt!  We launched our apparel line at the first Spring Retreat.  So, back to the sweatshirt… One of our shirts is bright yellow with “SENDME” embroidered  as a logo (it’s quite sharp if I don’t say so myself).

Like FoF (Faith on Facebook), this shirt caused people to question me.  I wore this shirt to my three office places on Monday (Burien Starbucks, Panther Lake Starbucks and Fairwood Starbucks), in all three places (and at Bank of America) I was able to share about Jesus because of the shirt.  Each place I was asked, “What is Send Me?”  Very cool!  In each of these conversations I was able to share about our mission trips, the call of Isaiah and the call on my life to be a witness for Jesus.

So, the cool thing about this shirt (and the other apparel), it gives us (Youthmark and the Aabys) our practical way to give to Charity Water (which I posted about yesterday).  All of the proceeds we get from these shirts we are giving directly to Charity Water and 300 Voices (the specific partner of Charity Water that Elisabeth is involved with).

Would you like the opportunity to support drilling wells in Africa and everyday evangelism in your Jerusalem (by simply wearing a shirt)?  Shoot me an email (brian@youthmark.com) and we’ll get you a shirt.

T-Shirts ($12) are navy blue with a Youthmark Mission Ventures logo.

Screened Hooded Sweatshirts ($25) are navy blue with the same logo as above.

Embroidered Hooded Sweatshirts ($30) are Gold with a black/white SENDME 2009 logo in a diamond on the front.

If you’re in the Seattle area we can arrange for a pick-up/drop off (as to not have to ship), but if you’re outside the area and want one let me know and we’ll figure out the shipping.

Let’s spread the great news of Jesus to all people!  Let’s be Jesus in the flesh by drilling for water in Africa!

Grace,

Brian

Everyday Evangelism and The Uttermost!

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

If you read my blog entry yesterday you’ll understand a little of my philosophy of student missions. I love sending students out on missions, but I’d much rather see students living out the mission here.  Both are important and should not be separated.  In Acts 1:8, I believe, an “order” of witness was established.  The Lord said we (Christians) will be His witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Uttermost (ends of the world).  

As you read Acts, we see that this is exactly what happens (and in that order).  So, application time.  We ought to be witnesses in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.  It starts where you are.

So, the FoF (Faith on Facebook) challenge was issued.  

Another thing that was “launched” this weekend was our support (mainly through Elisabeth) of charity water.  We want our participants to know/understand that missions is not just here (our Jerusalem).  I’ll probably make a separate post on this later.  But please check out the website and educate yourself and/or check out this video below (note: this is just one country in Africa).

We want to give you the opportunity to support charity water and the efforts of Youthmark at the same time… this can lead to Everyday Evangelism!  I will share about that in tomorrows post!

Grace,
Brian

What a Weekend!

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Praising the Lord for our first YMV Spring Retreat!  I was so blessed by the students, staff and my volunteers who made the camp what it was!  

We ended up with about 95 total people at Lake Retreat for the 24 hour retreat.  Some of the highlights to me:

The Volunteers:  Ricky, Joe P., Frankie, Nathan F., Alex, the Schlauds, Miki, Fuego, Josh, Aaron, Wescott and my wife did the things behind the scenes and on the platform to make the weekend go so well!

The Youth Leaders: The 20 (or so) youth leaders (pastors and volunteers) came willing to learn and lead.  The enthusiasm they brought to and for their group certainly spilled over into each of the training sessions.  I think each of the leaders came away encouraged!

The Students: This group came ready to worship!  Worship is so much more than singing and I sensed this was something the already knew!  The did, however, come ready to sing too!  Joe and the band led us to the foot of the cross in worship.  

The Camp:  I am so thankful for Eric and his crew at Lake Retreat.  They had the camp ready for us and served us.  

FAITH ON FACEBOOK CHALLENGE

The Challenge:  As some of you may have already seen and hopefully you will see more of in the future, the students were given an FoF challenge.  Briefly, the students/staff have been challenged to donate their “status update” on Facebook for a given period of time (some choose a week, month or all the way until the mission).  For those familiar with Facebook, you know what this means.  For those not, the status update is simply a statement on their Facebook page that many update what they are doing.  For example, mine has said, “Brian Aaby is looking forward to lunch with his wife!” or “Brian Aaby is enjoying a daddy/daughter date with Halle and Audrey.” 

So, in this challenge, students were invited to type, “Ask Me About My FoF.” When the facebook friends do ask about it, the FoF participants are then given the opportunity to ask for prayer requests and to be even more bold in explaining that their FoF challenge is to find out what all of their friends on facebook think of Jesus.  For example:

You read my status update: “Ask me about my FoF”

You write to me: “what is your FoF?”

I reply: “It is a challenge I took (Faith on Facebook) this weekend… I want to know where each of my facebook friends are spiritually… so, friend, what do you think of Jesus?”

The goal is to enter into spiritual conversations with facebook friends, using this platform to introduce our friends to Jesus!

I can’t wait for the training events I have in TX, CA and CO before concluding with the May retreat at Lake Retreat with the other Western WA participants in YMV’s!

Pray for our witness now and in the communities this summer!

Grace,
Brian

YMV Prayers

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Pray for the 100+ who will be attending the first of our Youthmark Mission Venture Spring Retreats this Friday/Saturday.  I still have many last minute details to work out, but feel like we’re just about there!

Pray for receptive hearts to the Word of the Lord and the Spirits movement in all of our lives as we prepare to reach our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth!

I have updated my Youthmark blog, if you’re interested in checking that out or any of the other church blogs here!

Grace,
Brian

Gotta See This

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As I prepare for my Spring Retreat and all the “hype” that surrounds it I have to take a second and reflect… and avoid trying to be bigger and better than some national conferences.  This video captures exactly what I am trying to NOT do!

Click Here for the Video (may try to embed this later, but gotta get back to it)

I think I’ll stick to the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit!

Grace,
Brian

P.S. After receiving an email from one of the readers I will say this; this video is a spoof, unfortunately there are ministries that take their eyes off of Jesus and their programs may look a little like Ignatius.  The point at the end is the point I want to make.  It is about relationships!  Not program, not being cool.  Being real and not putting on a performance and simply following Jesus!

Still Here

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

I haven’t forgotten about my faithful blog.  I just have had a couple things going on here (quick update with the hope of posting more about missions and such later)…

Halle’s fever has broken, but stayed home from school one last day today (hope she can go tomorrow).

Working on the spring retreat (everything from talks, to cabin assignments to worship sets).

Following up with people from the NW Ministry Conference I spoke at last week.

Outlining the next Mission Prep Workbook (for 2010).

Researching for a different writing process (more on this later?).

Trying to sneak in a few alone and reflective times with the Lord and planning and scheming to try to get Elisabeth some of that alone time she needs too!  She is the best!

Hope all is well for you, appreciate your prayers.

Grace,

Brian

Speaking of All Nighters…

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Okay, so I haven’t had the craziness of an all-night drive, but I had certainly underestimated how crazy this week was going to be.  Speaking engagements at Young Life, Rainier Christian High School Chapel and the NW Ministry Conference on top of the blitz of getting everything done for the first of two Spring Retreats for Youthmark (April 3-4).  Sleep is a precious commodity, I want some more.

It has been such a wild week that this morning, sitting at a Rendmond Starbucks, I think of my blog for the first time in 3 days.  Hadn’t even thought about it, let alone think about a post.

I should be able to update the rest of my Montana trip in the next day or two… I know, you’ve been on edge every since Tuesday (ha)!

Pray for Halle, she has missed the last few days of school with a fever and was up a few times during the night with a really bad earache.  Pray for good connections at the conference and pray for for my messages to flow together for the training times at the retreat next weekend.  

Grace,
Brian

All Nighter To Montana

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

A week ago Monday I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with my YoungLife students at Kentridge… My Montant Lead, Jess was able to hang out with us at club.  He and I then traversed to the traditional DQ after-party (great contact work done over some cool treats).  It was here that Katie, another YL leader (and Sbux barista), volunteered to get us a Java-To-Go box from Sbux.

We needed it!  At 10:00 PM, Jess and I jumped into my 4Runner and began the trek to Drummond, MT.  Jess (bless him) stayed up for most of the night keeping me company.  We had great discussions; he eventually nodded off for the last 2.5 hours.  It was in the last 2.5 hours I could have used him the most.  The snow was falling, the road was a solid sheet of ice and the coffee was now cold–oh, and I hadn’t slept for nearly 24 hours.

We arrived in Drummond at 6:30 (Mountain time) and we were able to rest for an hour or so before our breakfast meeting.  I wasn’t able to sleep, but at least the eyes being shut helped.

Tuesday was a day of creating contacts.  We were able to meet with the head of the Rocky Mountain Bible Mission (an affiliation of Churches serving in rural communities in MT and ID).  He (Dave) gave us plenty of contacts (though many were very spread out).  Jess and I began our tour with three appointment we quickly lined up for that day in Phillipsburg, Anaconda, and Potomac.  These towns were all many miles apart and through the mountains, so that was about all we could do on this first day (especially on little/no sleep).  

I met another Aaby… only this Pastor spelled his name incorrectly (Abbey).  Great family in Phillipsburg, it may/may not be a connection for this year, the town has another group coming in from the Spokane area to lead VBS.  Then to Deer Lodge/Anaconda where we met the most unique guy of our trip (Pastor Bill).  Once again, this town has a group from Federal Way already coming (through Tom Horton and RCYM, so this was a big blessing to hear that).

We made a few calls along the way to and from these locations to try to line up other appointments on our way back toward Missoula (only got answering machines and/or no answers).  When we arrived back to Missoula we lined up a hotel (with a hot tub of course).  Our dinner was set with another pastor for the early evening, but we were able to grab a quick nap before dinner (which made me feel worse, as it was only 45 minutes).

Dinner was a great burger at Fuddruckers (one of the best burgers I’ve ever had).  We made a great contact with the Pastor from Potomac (though the town may be too small).  It was at Fuddruckers where I had the KEY idea of the trip…

To be continued.

Grace,

Brian

Prayers Appreciated

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

I have a few teaching times on the horizon, I’d really appreciate you praying for these talks.

Monday (3.23):  Speaking at KR YoungLife.  We are going to once again talk about the cross, but emphasize more the resurrection and opportunity we have to have relationship with Christ.

Wednesday (3.25): Speaking at Rainier Christian High School Chapel.  Really looking forward to taking on the subject, “How can we be witnesses to the lost when we are Christian school students?”  

Saturday (3.28): Speaking at the NW Ministry Conference at Overlake.  I’ll be doing a session entitled, “Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry.”  I’ll try to convey the much needed, but often neglected areas of student ministry.

I am speaking several times for the Youthmark Audiences in April in May for the spring retreats and one-day training for each of the groups going on the missions.  These talks are also being formed this week!  

Truly I appreciate you lifting up these talks to the Lord.  I am excited to present His Word!

I’ll get you more of the Montana/Idaho report Monday!

Grace,
Brian

Sleep Deprived and Thankful

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

As I have shared here before, I am leading YoungLife at Kentridge High School. It has been a blessing. I love interacting with these students who are seeking truth (whether they know it or not).  On Monday night I had the opportunity to share the story of the Cross.  It is such a blessing to share the Good News!  I don’t ever want to take for granted the privilege it is to share the Gospel.  

So, with that in mind, I didn’t schedule my Montana and Idaho scout trip to start until after I was done sharing on Monday night.  My Montana Lead, Jess, and I loaded up the 4Runner and we took off for an all night drive.  Fortunately, Jess was awake enough that he did not need to sleep until about 4:00 AM.  I drove the entire way from Seattle to Drummond (about an hour east of Missoula).  The last two hours were in a solid sheet of ice on I-90.  Praise the Lord for keeping us safe on the road. 

Over a few of my next posts I’ll bring you up to speed on blessings of this scout trip. But first I want to speak simply about the relationship I have with my three leads and what it has been like taking these scout trips.  These men are a total blessing to me and I am so thankful I have had an extended time with each of them on these scout trips.

It’s been so great to see the strengths of Jess, Aaron and Nathan on these trips.  Each has been so different, though each has a couple key things in common.  

Similarities: They all have a great sense of humor.  When spending hours on the road, you need to be able to laugh.  Believe me, we all laughed!  Jess, Aaron and Nathan all have a passion to see their own students thrive in their relationships with Jesus.  This has been the thing that has made the scouts so easy–they don’t have to speak on behalf of Youthmark–they can speak on their own behalf and why they want to come and serve with their students.   Last, each of these guys have  unending love for their families and our Lord.  Being on a trip with guys who love the Lord and have their priorities straight has encouraged my own passionate pursuit in wonderful ways.

Differences: It was so great to discover the different strengths each of these guys bring to Youthmark.  Nathan is the only one (besides me) who has done a Rural mission trip.  He has been able to bring his past experiences to the table as we shared with Pastors.  Aaron was the first to really bless me by listening to him talk (make phone calls) to other pastors (as we tried to line up appointments).  Hearing him say, “this is Aaron and I’m with Youthmark…” was such a blessing.This really made the “team” a reality to me.  With Aaron and Jess I found myself letting go of so much more and trusting these guys in representing the ministry.  As I’ll share later, we had so much territory to cover in MT and ID that I actually rented a second vehicle and sent Jess off in a different direction so we could cover more space in less time.  This was a wonderful blessing to trust another with the ministry.  I am thankful that God has equipped Jess with an ability to speak with passion about his ministry while accurately communicating what Youthmark is doing to team with the local church.

These guys are a blessing to me!  Please lift these guys and their families up in prayer!

Back with more MT/ID soon!

Grace,
Brian