Monday, July 29, 2013

The Power of an Encouraging Word

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (NLT)
Proverbs 12:25
 
This afternoon I had the opportunity to peruse and read some letters, cards, and notes that people have given me and that I have kept throughout the years. As one pastor friend recommended to me years ago: deal with all of the negative letters right away and then tear them up BUT keep all of the cards and letters that are encouraging and dear to you for future rereadings. This has been great advice as I have on occasion read through encouraging letters that I have saved in my office when I was down and hurting. Here are a few noticeable reflection points on this topic.
 
- I kept more encouraging cards and letters when I was at my lowest moments. For example, I have kept the most items from the years of 2008-2009 as I was grieving over the loss of a new fiancee while adjusting to a new life in Indiana. This is when encouraging words meant the most.
- There is a sense of satisfication in your work when you realize that God has used you at a particular location. This also gave me a deeper sense of purpose and hunger to reach others in the future.
- Reading encouraging letters cheers a person up as it makes them feel special.
- There is always a surprise in receiving a letter of encouragement. Rereading the letter helps you relive that surprise and excitement level when you first received that letter.
- Encouraging other people is Biblical. Life is difficult and the community of believer needs to encourage and spur other people on toward love and good deeds! That is why a person is NOT getting as much out of their faith if they simply come, hear a good sermon, and leave. Community is important because it fosters encouragement and growth!
 
I would like to thank the people of First Christian Church and the town of Kendallville for being so intentional about encouraging me in my spiritual growth. The fruit of our youth ministry and your encouragement will live on for generations!
I also pray that I have been an encourager to you a reader of this blog today.
 
 
A picture of one of my files that contain encouraging cards/letters/notes!
 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Momentum Recap and Role Change

The Momentum Youth Conferece is our group's and one of my higlights every year. This year was NO different. We took appoximately 70 persons from First Christian Church and adopted another 12 persons from different groups. God moved in various ways. Here are just a few of those ways:
 
1. Saw 4 students make first time commitments to follow Jesus. PRAISE THE LORD!
2. There are at least 6 students interested in baptism and who went through my baptism 101 class while at Momentum (picture below).
 

3. We bagged, sorted, and delivered a semi-truck worth of food to needy families in the Marion, IN region.
4. I won an 'Equipping Leadership Award' from CE National (picture below). I was truly honored because the other person who won the same award was Knute Larson a retired pastor of a 7,000 member church.
 

5. The speakers and worship were incredibly meaningful and impactful this year.
6. Our students were some of the KEY leaders at the Conference. Every year our group gets to serve and share at the FIRST MAIN SESSION because the Conference and leadership trust our young people.
7. The opportunity to bond and encourage each other throughout the week was incredible.
8. Lastly, my role has changed as I have become a youth minitry veteran and where many of the young youth pastors come up to in seeking advice.
 
My role at the Momentum Youth Conference has changed considerably throughout the years. From 1999-2003 my role was as student and primarily learner. From 2005-2006 it was as a youth intern at Grace Church at Willow Valley. From 2008-current it has become one as youth pastor. Within the past two years my role has grown to be one of encourager, mentor, and counsultant.
 
The longer I am in youth ministry the less I feel like I truly feel knowledgble about youth ministy in certain aspects. Therefore, I was humbled countless times as younger youth pastors asked questions and set up appointments to talk and discuss ministry. I even had a pastor from Canada who is driving eight hours to see our Youth Celebration Service on August 4th because he wants to get ideas and learn more about youth ministry.
 
As a youth ministry veteran and a youth pastor of a 'successful' ministry this year I had to privilege of embracing my role as consultant and confidante. More then anything else it made me hungrier to grow in my talents, skills, and youth minstry acumen. If you are not growing you are dying and I need to continue to grow to be the ultimate best I can be through Christ.
 
I have learned a lot about youth ministry these past six years. My dream and goals are far reaching in that I want to be a part of a youth ministry that is a blessing to the NATIONS! I love developing and equipping people for leadership. The success of the church will rise and fall with leadership develoment and equipping. 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

I Never Would Have Thought............................

Proverbs 16:9 - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord DETERMINES their steps.

My father shared this verse with me when I was making big decisions after college. It's a verse that is comforting to the believer knowing that God is sovereign and knows what is happening in our lives, even the minute. As they say: "hindsight is always 20/20" and a person can only understand the why's to why God allowed specific circumstances in their life until afterwards. Many times God does not reveal to us the reasons for specific circumstances until months or years later. This blog post is a look at some past "I Never Would Have Thought" circumstances that God brought into my life. I can honestly say that I'm thankful for God providing and doing all of these things, yet most of these items I would never have thought or imagined would happen.

1. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that one of my closest friends would be a retired doctor.
2. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would miraculously save a senior in high-school at Momentum in 2009 and that he would become a fellow pastor and friend.
3. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use our youth program in such a powerful way not only in Kendallville, but across the United States.
4. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would have the desire to pursue a Ph.D.
5. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that our youth program would have a large number of students that would pursue full-time ministry.
6. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would ever approach my 30's.
7. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use friendliness and an outward focus to reach so many teenagers in the Kendallville area for Jesus.
8. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would be working with the staff at Grace Community Church in Goshen.
9. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use a college-bible study that I so passionately started to reach 20-somethings to introduce me to my wife.
10. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would live to see a winning Pittsburgh Pirates season (fingers crossed).
11. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would learn to enjoy the silence.
12. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would ever live in and be so impacted and influenced by people in a town named 'Kendallville'/(Kendalltucky)
13. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would be considered a 'youth ministry expert' by some.
14. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would move, get married, and start a new job within a three month time period.
15. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that Taco Bell would lose it's luster....it does young ones....it does!
16. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would experience so many highs and defeats in ministry in such a short time.

Whew! I'm glad God is in control.....I can't wait to update this list in another few years!


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

When It Rains It Pours....Therefore You Need A Roof

Trouble seems to find me during BIG transition times in my life. I have come to EXPECT and know that there will be things that will not go according to plan as a transition stage is about to occur.

For example, within the past two weeks I have had to get a new debit card and redo all of my online bills due to someone in Egypt who was trying to hack into my bank account and in which the bank froze my account, be without my laptop computer as it had a glitch and had to get worked on, and get new tires and a new tie rod for my car. You never know how much you need things in life until they are broke!

Trouble comes in two's and three's and I believe this to be the case whenever there is a big transition stage, especially when you are in ministry. The enemy will do anything he can to thwart plans and to frustrate you. The stakes are high! Therefore, it is important to have a firm foundation in life through Jesus Christ.

The Bible mentions many times that God is our firm foundation. We can BASE our entire existence and future on His promises and on His Word.

Speaking of a firm foundation it's also important to physically have shelter and to live on a firm foundation. As they say: "There's no place like home." A home is a place of safety, refreshment, and stability. It's important to have a well-maintained home both physically and relationally inside. Today, Kim and I put an application in for a rental home near Goshen as we start moving together in starting our future together. Hopefully, it will get accepted and we can pursue a rental lease. Things are moving along!


 
These are a couple of pictures of the home we are pursuing to rent. Only God knows if this will be a place where Kim and I can start our marriage together and can call 'home.' Regardless, it has been awesome to see God provide and answer prayers in all things! He is worth following in ALL things!