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

I had the privilege of going to a second youth group in as many nights tonight.  Last night (as I previously posted) I spoke at Avondale Bible Church in Woodinville.  What a great group of students.  As I shared about Paul’s “fear and trembling” in his letter to the Corinthians I could see the students really relate to the Scripture.  A big thanks to Ben, their Youth Pastor, for inviting me to come share.

Tonight, I drove south to Tacoma to be a part of the Real Life Family Center youth group.  It was exciting to hear their worship band and to see the students praising God through song.  It was interesting I was down there tonight.  Troy, their youth pastor, announced that on January first he would know longer be the YP at RLFC.  The gasp from the crowd could be audibly heard.  He is very loved and loves the students.  It really brought back memories of sharing the news of our departure with my former students (I welled up as Troy was sharing).  The positive news for Troy and these students, he is becoming the Discipleship Pastor at the growing church.  So the students were saddened by the change, but ecstatic he will still be there.  Afterwards, I was able to grab Applebees with Troy and Les–the YP-to-be at Real Life (he is currently a volunteer and they are passing the full-time torch to him).  Great times.

First thing in the morning I get the opportunity to meet with two different YPs from the south (Lacey and Chehalis) and then another one at lunch from West Seattle.  Last week was a great working vacation, this week has truly been work, and it’s been wonderful!

Grace,
Brian

Anyone happening by the blog on Tuesday evening, would appreciate your prayers as I speak at a youth group in Woodinville.  Pray I connect well with the students and parents in attendance.  This is a church interested in a Youtmark Mission Venture… I feel like it is a working interview!  Ha.

While you’re at it, pray for another speaking opportunity next week in Covington.  That is a church already doing a YMV.  Fun opportunities to connect with the youth whom I will get to serve with this summer in Idaho!

Grace,
Brian

For those who are supporting Youthmark through Prayer, I have a 15 Day Prayer Request!
Literally, I’d love for you to pray specifically for each of the next 15 days as the first wave of Youth Leaders sign up for the missions. Pray that those whom are supposed to go this summer will get the registrations turned in!  Teams signing up by November 1 will take full advantage of the YMV strategy (they will get the Youth Pastor/Spouse Retreat for November 10-11).

Thanks for your prayers!  Can’t wait to see the teammates God brings to Youthmark!

Grace,

Brian

Very excited to be up in Snohomish right now.  Jess is one of the Youth Pastors doing a mission trip through Youthmark this summer.  In fact, Jess is one of my “Lead Team” members.  I’ll probably post about that in the next couple weeks.

Anyway, Jess is promoting the mission trip to Montana tonight and asked if I’d bring a student up to share a testimony.  This quickly changed to him inviting not only a student, but asking if I’d share the message… I’m quite excited to bring the Word and promote the mission!  So, Ricky and I are up in Snohomish now, sitting at the Sno-Bucks and will probably do a little discipleship (we’re studying Colossians together), do some final prep for sharing tonight and take in a little coffee and tea.  Pray for us if you are reading this sometime Wednesday afternoon/evening!

Grace,
Brian

One of the things I’m most looking forward to about the Youthmark Mission Venture strategy is the sense of Team!  I’m not recruiting “clients” (Youth Leaders and Youth Groups joining the trips), I really am inviting, “teammates!” In this team mindset, I look forward to seeing the gifts and talents of each person bring Glory to His name.  The Youth Pastor/Spouse Retreat, two spring retreats and the Launch/Debrief weekends of the YMV’s will have a “team leadership” approach.

I’m excited to see what sort of Gifts the Lord brings to the table.  One person (and set of gifts) I know of already is Joe Monto.  A friend of mine and a Youth Pastor at Calvary Chapel South.  I can’t wait to see Joe inviting students to the foot of the cross through worship/song!  Here’s an original he wrote that I hope he will teach us!

Can’t wait to see the other gifts and talents He brings through each one of the staff and students joining us this year!

Grace,
Brian

I knew it would happen.  Expected it would have happened sooner.  It was bound to eventually take place.

What is it?

Well, I was finally “stood up” for a scheduled meeting with another Youth Pastor.

I’ve had guys cancel and reschedule, but this was the first no-show with no call, text or email. Fortunately I had a meeting before and another one after in the same area (Puyallup).  I won’t name names, because I am smart enough to know that eventually I am bound to be the one who misses a scheduled meeting!

Praising God for this extra hour to catch up with emails and such!

Grace,

Brian

Thanks to all who were praying for the launch of the Kent/Renton Youth Leader network.  We met this morning at the RiverRock Restaurant (at the Maplewood Golf Course).  I had 6 churches represented and 11 in attendance… we had a great time of fellowship and good food.  The plan is to compile the information each submitted (times that work for them to meet consistently, etc.) and then start a monthly gathering!  Very cool to hear/see the hearts of those in attendance!

After the Kent/Renton Breakfast I commuted down to Olympia to meet with an existing network of North Thurston youth leaders!  What a great bunch of people (about 30 in attendance at that!).

Pretty cool to see the Body of Christ working together!  Be encouraged!

Grace,

Brian