PHBC Youth Camp Finale

Today was the final day of Pleasant Home Baptist Church of Soso, MS youth camp. I had the privilege of being the camp pastor. I've shared a couple of the things that had gone on throughout the camp, but the last two days will be summed up here along with thoughts from the camp.

Things I walked away from this camp with:

Youth Camps/Retreats are good ministry tools. This was my first summer in 14 years that I was not taking a group to a summer camp or retreat. It was a little awkward. I was reminded though that it is so good for student ministries (and adults for that matter) to get away from the normal hustle and bustle of life and hear God speak clearly. Youth camps are great ways to accomplish this.

Don't mix family time and ministry time. PHBC was amazingly gracious to allow my family to come along with me for this trip. During free times I could be found spending time with my family in the beach or something. As the camp wound down, I felt divided. I felt that I had not given my complete all to my family nor to PHBC. If you're going to be doing ministry, do not try to make it a "vacation." Give your family and the ministry that you're called to everything you have at their proper moments.

Watching God work in the lives of students gives great hope to the future of the church. Whether we realize it or not, the current generation of adults won't be around forever. The next generation will step up and run the next leg of this race. We had better make sure that we are investing in the next generation properly. From what I saw at this camp, there's some great students who will make some big contributions to the Kingdom of Christ?

Every youth minister needs a good team of adults beside them. One thing that I noticed very quickly was the team of adult helpers my friend (the youth pastor) had. These adults loved the students unconditionally. They were taking great strides to build relationships with the students. This goes so far in expanding and seasoning the ministry to students in this church. Without these adults, this student ministry wouldn't be where it is.

I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to share and teach God's word with this PHBC and their students. I look forward to hearing and seeing what God does with the seeds that were planted this weekend.

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PHBC Youth Camp Day 2

Today was the second day of camp but the first full day of camp. We had a big old time. We kicked off the day talking about how we can draw near to God through prayer. We discussed that there are hindrances that can pop up in our prayer lives like unbelief and unconfessed sin. It seemed to go pretty well.

We got to hit the beach today. It was great having my family there with me. It was the first time at the beach for two of our boys. They seemed to like it pretty well. That is until the 1 year old took a couple of waves and got sand in his eyes. That made a quick trip of the beach for them this time. I feel another visit with the family before we leave.

The evening's worship service was neat as it took place on the beach. One of the students and her mom helped by playing guitar and leading in singing. They did a really great job in setting the message up.

God also gave us some great scenery to go with worship tonight. I shared with them about the S.O.S. of forgiveness (Savior, Others, Self). We finished our time together by having everyone write out their forgiveness issues in the sand, confess them, then walk away from them.

The night closed with a manhunt. The youth and some adults were turned out to go find crabs on the beach. Three guys weren't paying attention to their location and wandered WAY down the beach. We sent groups out in both directions looking for the boys. They were found. The direction I went didn't take me to the boys but I did get to meet "Crush" from Finding Nemo.


Looking forward to a big last day of camp tomorrow. May God reach down to us here in Panama City Beach. I am also praying for our fellowship back in Gilbertown, AL as we will be away from them tomorrow morning.

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PHBC Youth Camp Day 1

Today was the beginning of the youth camp for Pleasant Home Baptist Church from Soso, MS. My good friend is the youth pastor and had invited me to come and be the camp pastor for them. The great thing about this is that I was able to bring along my family. Now my free time has become our vacation time as a family.

The journey to Panama City Beach was a good one. There were no hiccups, for which I'm grateful. We had the opportunity to stop and eat lunch at Chick-fil-A in Spanish Fort where we got to see a really awesome thing take place. A summer rain shower came up (which is very common in that area). All of the sudden, I noticed employees of this fast food restaurant walking people to their cars with umbrellas. WOW! From a fast good place? Yep. You don't even get that kind of service from fancy places. The church could learn something about true service from that picture - always be looking for people's needs and ways that you have been equipped to help.

The first service of youth camp started out well. We talked about the stories that God was authoring thru us. I got some good feedback and hopefully we've set the scene to see God do some great things. Now to get some rest because the beach is calling us tomorrow!

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Knowing God's Will

Last night, I shared with the students about "Knowing God's Will".  This was a topic that was submitted by one of our students for my final series at First Baptist Church that we are calling "Total Request Live!"  I thought that I would lay out my outline for those who weren't able to be there and anyone else who might be interested.

Many people wonder about what God's will is for their life.  The plan that God has for a person's life should be on the forefront of each and every person alive.  The God of the universe has created each and every one of us with a particular plan in mind. Before we can get down to what that plan is, we must take hold of two important truths.

1. God has a wonderful plan for your life. The Bible shows us that God has a great plan for each person.  Jeremiah 29:11 is often used by many as a "life verse" because it reminds us that God has a great plan to help us and not hurt us. It is a plan that seeks to bless you in a mighty way by the hand of God.


2. God has a unique plan for your life. The plans that God has for you are as unique as you are (Psalm 139:13).  There is not another you in the entire world. There has never been a "you" before, and there will never be another "you" after you're gone. There may be some similarities between God's will for your life and others, but the total plan is totally unique for you.  God isn't about making "cookie-cutter" disciples.  When God created you in your mother's womb, He specifically "knit" you together.  This includes the plans that He has in life for you.

Until we can get a grasp on these two truths, God's will for our life will not mean a whole lot.  When we do allow these truths to seep deep into our hearts, it causes excitement.  The God of the universe has counted us so special that He has created us in a unique way for a unique task.  There are parts of God's will for our life that are specifically for us; no one else will be able to do them as we were created to do them.

The frustration of knowing God's will even in light of these two truths is finding out the specifics.  It would be so easy if God would just drop a big billboard into the sky with all the plans written out for us, wouldn't it?  We know from experience and looking into the sky that hasn't happened.  Does God even want us to know what His plans for our life are?  Of course He does, and He has given us some billboards to point to those specific plans.

The first billboard is His Word.  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  Within the pages of the Bible, we have the words of God's heart.  If you want to know what a person says or thinks, then you need to go to them and find out.  Remember when you were in the early days of middle school and would send your friend to the friend of that girl/boy that you liked to find out if they liked you?  Why the waste?  Just go to the person and find out from the source.  So much misunderstanding could be squashed if we would just go to the source.  If we want to know God's plans for our life, then we should go to Him and His Word and let Him reveal it to us.  On the subject of knowing God's will, listen to Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."  If you are in the dark and looking for a path, you would use a light of some sort to reveal the path.  God's Word (the Bible) is that light for God's children.

The second billboard is the Holy Spirit.  God has placed His Holy Spirit within every believer to guide them along the path God has for them.  Jesus told us in John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you." Don't you like open-book tests?  The teacher gives you all the notes and then when test time comes, they let you use the notes and your book!  The answers are laid out there before you.  God doesn't send His children out into the world without the Holy Spirit who has the all the answers.  The guiding of the Holy Spirit may come through prayer, bible study, or other means.  The things that the Holy Spirit will guide us to will always line up perfectly with the words of Scripture.  That is how you know if what you "feel" God has told you or led you is really God.  Does the directions line up with the Word of God?

The third billboard is His servants. God has called some to serve as guides for Christians.  Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ."  God will bring people He has gifted into your life to guide you to His plans for your life.  They may be pastors, youth pastors, Sunday school teachers, school teachers, coaches, bosses, parents, or friends.  It is important that we be praying for these people that they might be in tune with God and sharing His word with us and others.  Again, if these people are truly from God, sent into your life to help direct you towards the plans He has for you, then the directions that they give will line up perfectly with Scripture.

Though we might not see a literal billboard in the sky, God has set up some clear billboards in our life to show us His plans for us.  A key characteristic to each of the billboards is that they point not primarily to the path but to the Path-maker.  Sometimes we can get so focused on the path that we miss God.  God is more concerned with you knowing Him than the plans He has for you.  I wish that I could take each of you out for lunch one-on-one and tell you what God's will is for your life, but I can't.  That position belongs to God and God alone.  The more and better that you know God, the clearer the path becomes that He has for you.

 

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Paper Mache

Student Life hit a home run with this character.  Check out his website at www.edwinscorner.com.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/24194710 w=400&h=225]

Edwin's Corner: Paper Mache from Edwin S. Corner on Vimeo.

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Wednesday Night Wrapup 06-01-11

Tonight was the first Wednesday night of our summer at the Crossroads. We decided to start things off with a pool party. It was a good time I thought. A lot of our students were scattered different places due to cheer camps, family traveling, and other things. With all that going on, we still had a good crew for a fun time. The cool pool was very welcome as we set a record high here in Birmingham.

The goal tonight was to just gather students and adults together for a time of fun and fellowship with each other.  The teacher in me kept thinking that maybe I should prepare a devotion or something.  But I realized that it's good to just sometimes get the family together for some fun and conversations.  Just as it is important for a family to play together, it is very important for the church family to play together.  It is in those "different" times that some deep bonds can be formed.

I was stoked by a conversation that I had with a couple of students tonight at the pool party.  Out of the blue I was told by one to pull up a chair because they had some questions.  It was cool as I grabbed a chair and entertained their questions.  It started with "what are your thoughts/beliefs about how the world began?" and moved to...

• "was Adam and Eve white?  if not, why are they always depicted that way?"


• "if you were a soldier and kill someone in war, is that a sin?"


• "did the first humans participate in incest?"

There were more I know but those were just some that stood out.  It was great.  I know that I couldn't have planned something like that.  I was greatly reminded about the truth and urgency of 1 Peter 3:15.  I was also reminded of the fact that many people have questions.  They are just looking for someone who they can trust to give them an honest answer and not look down on their questions.

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Someone Who Can Relate

At our student ministry meeting last night, we discussed what it meant to have ultimate trust.  It was truly a great night of looking at God's Word and discussion.  When it comes to trust, there are many different passage of Scripture that come to my mind.

• The Call and Journey of Abraham (Genesis 12-22)


• David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)


• Simon Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33)

One passage that we examined last night, I had never put in this category... but it was probably the best passage that illustrates trust.  The passage of Scripture was found in Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus praying the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was at this place where the Son of God demonstrated His trust in the Father's will even above His desires.

It was this passage that I also think Jesus demonstrated just how much He does and can relate to our circumstances.  He knew what the Father's will/plan for Him was (the cross).  Even though He knew what was coming, there was a struggle that took place in that garden.  Jesus first sought a different way, but ultimately demonstrated His trust in the Father by saying, "not as I will, but as you will." Jesus knew what it was like to see what was coming and struggle with that.

Obedience and submission to the will of the Father is the ultimate way that we show our trust.  As the old saying goes, "Father knows best."  When we can realize that and wrap our lives around that, things will go a lot better.

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Easy Mission Trip

I came across this and thought that it had to be one of the most simple ways to do a mission trip.  You can find out more information about this great way to get the Bible in the hands of students around your area.  Just check out the link below for more details.

https://www.thelifebook.com/start-a-project.php

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Interesting Words From Dr. Richard Ross

This past Monday, I had the privilege of going to Montgomery for a small conference that featured Dr. Richard Ross.  If you are in student ministry, you need to know this man.  He is awesome.  He is one of the professors over student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.  He has been a part of some really great things in student ministry over the years.

At this conference, Dr. Ross was sharing about some of his latest endeavors and studies in student ministry.  He deals with the issue that seems to be a very hot topic in the American church today: why so many students are leaving the faith and church after high school graduation.  There was too much to put down here on this blog, but he did give us a great tool.  Below is a link to a chapel service that Dr. Ross led at SWBTS.  It talks about the main point of what he shared in this conference that I attended.  I encourage you to check it out and hear this message.

For video, click here.

For audio only, click here.

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"Rooted Recap"

Tonight was our student ministry's discipleship time that we call "Rooted". This is a time of no fluff. We sit down, pray, and break open God's word together. We have been going through a series on the armor of God from Ephesians 6. We are calling it "basic training."

Tonight's topic was the shield of faith spoken of in Ephesians 6:16 which says...

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (NIV).

I really enjoyed studying for this message. There is so much good stuff in this verse that I found it hard to keeping it to a respectable length. The main thought that I think God was wanting us to deal with is this issue of faith. The faith that Paul was writing about was more of a verb than a noun. We can say that we have put our faith into Jesus Christ all we want, but what do the actions of our life say every day?

When there is an issue that comes up in our life or decision that we have to make, where do we go to first? Our friends? Our family? Our pride? Facebook/Twitter? I would hope that as a follower of Jesus, that we would run to Him first. Now I'll be the first to admit that I don't run to Jesus first with everything in my life. I wish that I could say that I do, but I can't and be truthful. To say that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our life is to say that He is in control... He calls the shots... He directs the path. When we go to Jesus first, we are showing the world around us that He is the one that our faith rests in solely.

We find that when we properly put our faith in Christ, it acts as a shield that not only protects us from the pointed tips of Satan's darts, but it extinguishes them! This means that it will save those around us a lot of heartache because they are not getting plastered by the flaming tar from those arrows.

May those of us who claim the name of Jesus and say that our faith is in Him be found true. May the words of our hands and feet show that Jesus is truly first and calling the shots in our lives. It's easy to say that our faith is in Jesus; it's a whole different thing to show it by our actions.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this passage of Scripture, my thoughts, or anything else so please feel free to leave a comment.

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When Youth Grow Up

There are times that come that let you know that you're getting older. Sunday night was one of those times for me. I had contacted a student that was in a former student ministry of mine. She is a freshman at a local university. I had lunch with her and invited her to come to my current student ministry and share about what God was doing in her life. I knew that this young lady was strong in her faith and greatly looked forward to this night.

As Michala began the night leading in worship, I was floored by what I was witnessing. The young teen that I knew from long ago was all grown up. I knew that she was learning guitar when I was her youth pastor but never had the opportunity to hear her play. She was amazing! I had no idea. I found myself sitting there thinking, "where was this when I was her youth pastor?" If that wasn't enough, Michala broke out the Bible and brought a great study on grace and how we are to express the love God had shown us to those around us.

The night closed out as Michala picked up her guitar and led in some great worship. I sat there just in awe. There's many times as a youth pastor when I wonder if I made an impact on students in former ministries. Sadly, I don't get to keep up with every student from previous ministries. When I do get to see how they are doing, it is so humbling and encouraging to see when they are being used by God in a great way and they let you know that you did make an impact.

If you would like to see what God is doing through this amazing young lady, check out her radio show at Ablaze every Thursday this spring semester from 3:30-5pm CST.

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Never Cease to Be Amazed

Wednesday night was a special night in our student ministry. I had asked a couple of our graduating seniors to take a night and share with the group. I knew that they'd do great (that's why I asked them to do it), but this night left me sitting with my jaw on the floor.

Last night, the first senior stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park. She shared about something that in her words, "has changed her life." She spoke about the importance of studying the word of God. She had put together a worksheet to go along with her presentation that was just awesome. I even was shown something that I had never seen before from Isaiah 6.

I never cease to be amazed at how God will use anyone in a mighty way as long as they are humble before Him and allow Him to do it. I love to watch God use students to spread His message. I love to see students blossom as they grow in their faith and realize that God can use them and is using them at that moment.

If you are in student ministry, make sure that you are giving your students opportunities to shine. They are ready. They are just waiting to get the chance to see God do something awesome through them.

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Baby Shower In A Box

Last night, a couple of students and adult youth ministry volunteers joined me for a mission project that we had been planning for a couple of weeks.  I had met with our adult leadership team and said that for the holidays that I wanted to see our student ministry more "others-focused" and asked for help with ideas for mission/service projects.  I have found that the holidays can easily become a time where we focus on "me".  My wife mentioned a great project that we could do and call it "Baby Shower In A Box".

Here's how it works... we would collect diapers, baby wipes, baby clothes, and other items needed for new parents and donate them to the local Sav-a-Life ministry in our area.  If you have a ministry like this in your area, you need to partner up with them.  They have a great ministry to young mothers and unborn babies going on.  Our local office does a deal where the mothers go through a four-week class on how to take care of yourself (the mom) and the baby all the while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with them.  At the end of the four weeks, the mothers are given a shower with gifts.  This is where we came in helping to provide some of these items.  We held the collection for 3 weeks and received an entire carload of items.



Last night, we took these items to the Sav-a-Life office and worked for an hour helping out in their "store" where they have baby clothes, toys, and more.  It was fun and the office was overwhelmed that a group wanted to come in and help like this.  The lady that we were working with said, "Wow!  Y'all have done a month's worth of work in one hour!"  Amazing what can be done when we team together and work towards a common goal.  It was a true blessing to serve those who are truly serving a part of our community that might not normally come into our church buildings.

I would encourage you this holiday season, look for ways that you can serve others.  Remember the words of Jesus before He went to the cross...

The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.'  But it must not be like that among you.  On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.
Luke 22:25-26  HCSB

 

 

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Welcome to the Masquerade

This coming Sunday night at Crossroads (student ministry of FBC Birmingham, Alabama), we are having a special theme night.  We are calling it "Welcome to the Masquerade."  All students in the Birmingham area are invited to a night of fun and good times as we take a look at what lies behind the masks that we wear.  It all starts at 6pm, so if you're in the Birmingham area, feel free to come and join us for the fun.

I will be honest, in preparing the message for Sunday night, I'm getting super excited.  God has been showing me some cool stuff that I can't wait to share with those present at Crossroads.  As a teaser for Sunday night, one thing that God has been showing me is that the real God of the universe is strongly pursuing the real us that He has created.  That's all that I'll share at this time.  If you want more, drop by FBC Birmingham this Sunday at 6pm (costumes on).

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No Plan B

A group of students and adults at our fellowship is going through the "Radical" bible study that was created to go along with the book by the same title by David Platt.  This book has been a great encouragement and conviction to me.  I would highly encourage anyone in the United States of America to read this great book, as it will definitely make you think and evaluate some things.

This week's lesson is about disciple-making and uses "the Great Commission" found in Matthew 28:16-20.  One of the key elements of this "Great Commission" that Jesus gives to His followers is that we are all to go and make disciples.  That's right... all of us.  Not just the professionals (pastors, youth pastors, evangelists, vocational missionaries).  As many have probably heard in sermons, the word translated "go" could better be translated "as you go".  The thought was that there was no "if you go" or "when I get the chance or opportunity to go", but "when you go".

Another thing that stood out to me was that there is no plan B that God has in mind to take the Gospel to the nations.  He set a plan in motion (every follower of Christ taking the Gospel to everyone they encounter) and did not make a back-up plan.  The question becomes then, if we as followers of Christ are not making disciples of those we encounter, how will the Gospel get to all the nations?  If the Gospel doesn't get to the nations, people will not be saved and be eternally under the wrath of God.  Also, when we choose to not fulfill the command that God has given us as His followers/children, we are robbing Him of the glory due Him when people come to experience His grace.  Are we really looking forward to the day that we stand before Jesus and have to say, "Sorry, Jesus for robbing You of the glory due You... but I just didn't see the importance of making disciples... it was too hard... it cramped my style..."

May that day not have to be in our future, but rather the day that we look at Jesus eye to eye and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

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What Is Your Passion For?

For the past few weeks or maybe even months, it seems as if God has been talking to me about what my passion in ministry is about.  I felt the call to serve our awesome God in full-time vocation the summer before I entered my senior year of high school.  From that time to the present, I have had a strong passion about student ministry.  I have always loved working with teenagers and their families to see God do great things.

I guess where it all began to change was when I listened to a chapel service from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary when Vance Pittman (senior pastor of Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas) spoke.  You can see the chapel service by clicking here.  He said something about as ministers of the Gospel, we should have a passion for a people/city, not a position.  This seemed like one of those "duh" statements at first, but something began to churn within me.  It seems like once every day or so, I'm hearing this same thought again: "have a burden for a people/city, not a position."

What was my passion for?  Student ministry?  Pastorate?  Church Planter?  Missionary?  All of these things are good and callings of God... but are they truly what God is calling us to have a passion for?  Or is God calling us to have a passion for a people/city?  When you have a burden/passion/whatever you want to name it for a people, the title that you have or the role that you carry on a business card really doesn't matter. You just focus on seeing those people you are burdened for come to know Jesus better.

The Apostle Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18).  He wasn't called to hold an office or position.  He was called and set apart to reach out to a group of people who were far from God (Gentiles).  This is what we are to be for the lost and dying world that we find all around us.  An ambassador... a representative... a disciple of our Lord Jesus.  Is our passion in being a pastor/student pastor/speaker/church planter or is it in seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ?

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Great Resource for Worship Needs

Last night in our student ministry, we did not have anyone available to lead worship for our student worship service.  This is not a good situation to be in.  I was glad that a friend of mine let me know about a great resource for just such situations.  It is LifeChurch.tv's open resources.  I have been amazed at the heart of LifeChurch.tv.  They truly want to help out fellow believers around the world.  They have created many great tools that are free for churches who might not be able to get those resources if they were charged the normal value.  This open resource page of LifeChurch.tv has so many tools that you can use: messages (for kids, youth, and adults), small group studies, worship sets, and more.

As I was saying, last night we had no one to lead our group in musical worship.  We actually used one of the worship sets (which you can download as a .mov or .wmv file) and just played it on the screen.  It was like a live simulcast of a worship service.  The leaders made it seem as if our group was right there in the room with them.  Not to mention that the talent of these worship leaders is off the charts.

Next time you get in a bind and need a little help, check out LifeChurch.tv's open resources that are available to churches around the globe... for free!

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Summer Camp 2010

I now sit at home finding myself recouping from our student ministry's summer camp.  It was an amazing 4 days of fun and worship with the students of First Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama.  We went to a camp in East Tennessee called Whitewater Express.  If you are looking for a great camp to get away with your students that will treat you right and provide some great activities, I highly suggest you check out Whitewater Express.  Some of the fun activities that we did was rafting on the Nantahala and Ocoee, paintball, high ropes course, and more.  The staff at this camp is awesome. 

We brought in Ryan John to lead us in worship through music.  I had met this young man about 6 years ago as I had him lead worship for a summer camp for another church I was with.  Ryan is one of the best worship leaders that I have ever used.  He has some amazing talent in singing and guitar.  More importantly, he has a great heart for the Lord and students.  He hung out with our students all week and participated in most of the activities.  I knew that our kids would love Ryan and that God would use him in a great way to minister to our students... and that is exactly what happened.

Gary Permenter was our camp pastor.  If you've never heard Gary speak, you are truly missing a blessing.  God has His hand on Gary in a very special way.  I have found few people who will put so much time into building relationships with people as Gary does.  Gary brought some great messages about the life of Joseph in the Old Testament and challenged us all with how to position ourselves to be used greatly by God.  If you are looking for a speaker for camp, retreats, special nights, or whatever, you really need to check out Gary.

As I reflect on this summer camp, I am thinking about a couple of things...

1. Forgiveness is a vital part of the Christian's life.  It is the number one need of every person because of sin in our lives, but also something that we need to be sure that we're dishing out to others.
2. Times away from the normal routine are vital.  The past 4 days have been great to get away from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on some key things that God is wanting to do in my life and ministry.  Sometimes you have to remove yourself from the noise to hear God clearly.
3. Great adults are a must in student ministry.  I had a couple who have 3 teens in our student ministry (all who were at camp).  This camp would not have been possible if they would not have gone.  Their loving on the students and helping them (and me) out made this a week that will not soon be forgotten.  (Big thanks, Mike & Joyce!)
4. God will use anyone that will make themselves available.  This was the theme of our last service at camp, and it is so true.  The only special thing about Joseph was that he had made himself available by decisions that he made to be used in great ways by God. 
   

I look forward to seeing the fruit of this summer camp.  God was definitely doing some work on people's lives (not just the students either). 

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PowerPlant Thoughts

June 7-12, 2010 marked a new adventure for me and our student ministry.  We participated in PowerPlant, a mission trip experience put on by NAMB to help church plants and teach students about church planting.  It was the first time that I had been part of this ministry.  I had heard about this ministry before but not had any friends who had actually tried it out.  After much prayer, I felt led to take our group on this adventure.

Here are some thoughts that I had from this mission trip...

• Church planting is important. I had not heard a whole lot about church planting as a ministry of local churches.  The only churches that I knew of growing up that newly started were those that consisted of a group of people who were tired of the way things were going at one church and decided to start something new (that suited their own tastes).  What I seen in Indianapolis (and been seeing a lot more of in other areas) was amazing.  There is truly an understanding that no one church can be "all things to all people."  We got to see churches working together as teams to reach entire cities instead of them competing with one another over the same 100 sheep.


• Church planting is not the only way to reach the world. I know that the emphasis of this week was the importance of church planting, but I was reminded that if the current established churches would step up and be what God desires them to be (Great Commission and Great Commandment focused people), then the need for new fellowships wouldn't be as needed.  (Note: new fellowships are still needed, but in some areas they wouldn't be if the current ones stepped up.)


• Students will shine when given the chance. Okay, I had known this already, but hadn't had much of an opportunity with this group of students to see it happen.  I was blown away at how these students took the reigns and stepped out into unknown territory.  It was encouraging to see this generation of students step up to the plate and knock it out of the park.

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Thoughts Coming Soon...

The past two weeks have been crazy and non-stop.  We were blessed with the birth of our second child, Samuel Taylor Stephens, on Friday, June 4th.  Three days later, I boarded a van with 7 students and 2 other adults and headed to Indianapolis for PowerPlant Mission Trip.  If you've been in student ministry for any time, you know that there's not a lot of sleep that goes into those trips.  I returned from the mission trip to a house with a newborn and the sleep schedule of that.  With all that said, it has been wild for the past two weeks but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

I am going to look to put out some posts about some things that stood out to me from our mission trip to Indianapolis with PowerPlant.  It was an amazing trip.  God did many great things.

For those who are wondering, our second son (Samuel Taylor Stephens) was born on Friday, June 4, 2010 at 9:24am.  He was 6lbs 3oz and 19" long.

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