Archive for the ‘Youth Ministry’ Category

Below is a letter a student gave me a couple weeks back. I shared it with our adult leaders last night, showing all of us that this should be our goal for each student:

I am found and loved.

Always known by God.

And there is somebody to tell me it’s okay and to give me a hug.

And there is somebody who is here for me and cares about how I feel and God is that somebody.

I feel free to tell anyone what I feel. I know I have the strength to make it through the hard times in life.

I am quickly fading from who I used to be to the person I should be.

I am happy to have been born and having a chance to live a life.

And I could cry my heart out and I would have a shoulder to lean on.

(Student, 9th grade.)

Check out this video from “Stomp.” We’re talking about “Rhythm” at SWITCH tomorrow night. Are you in Rhythm with God?

Last night for SWITCH we talked about the Bible, and how the Bible is God’s note to us. To start this conversation with our students we had each of them write a note to anyone they wanted. Below are some of the best! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Max, I love you. You’re the best dog in the whole world. I tell you everything because you’re the only guy I actually trust. You’ll never hurt me, leave me and you’ll always love me, kinda like God.–Lindsey

Dear Tyree, You look so weird and ugly! Just kidding! You are a beast!! Like, OMG, I’m serious. You are freakin’ awesome! So, what up, my bro?–from Conner PS: I’m glad to be an American.

Dear Sarah, I feel so blessed that you would come to church with me instead of watching TV. I pray that your eyes open and see how awesome God can be.–Your BFF Emily

Dear Justice, I miss you! It sucks that you’re grounded for like 20 thousand months! -Mariah

I love you God. You’re so freakin’ amazing and I always know you’re there for me.–Love Shawn

Dear SWITCH student, If I could write you anything it would be to tell you how much God loves you and desires to have a personal, real, dynamic relationship. God wants you right now! Don’t wait!–SWITCH Leader

Mrs. Gault, you’re the meanest math teacher ever! You always blame me for everything. You give us too much homework, but it’s ok.–Jess

Dear God, I really need your help. I’m having trouble with fake friends. I feel soo, soo alone and I feel like I can’t trust anybody.–Your friend, Shemetria

Tony, Hey! I like tots. The tater kind.–Chase

Dear Grandma, Life is so weird without you. I miss you a lot. If you get a chance will you ask God to tell my dad to answer the phone the next time I call?–SWITCH student

Dear Students, I am so excited you are here today! I feel totally blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus with you tonight. I am trying to earn your trust by being here every week and by being available outside of SWITCH. Please understand that I love you for who you are, not what you have done.–SWITCH Leader.

I feel incredibly blessed to work with these students and leaders. If you don’t mind, take a moment and offer a prayer for our SWITCH students. Thanks!

I had the opportunity stay at the new Tulsa Hard Rock Hotel these past two days.

The hotel is immaculate: marble floors, crystal chandeliers, plush carpets, towels and bedding. This was the setting for my first SAG retreat.

What is SAG? It stands for State Advisory Group. It’s taken me a while to learn what all the letters stand for… but as I get more involved, I’m realizing that what we do on this board is really very inspiring.

The SAG is an advisory group appointed by the Governor, made up of various individuals in all stations of life. There are pastors, representatives, judges, state employees, and retirees. There are 17 in our state advisory group, and we represent the JJDP for the state.

What is JJDP? It stands for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In essence what we do is decide what non-profit programs receive funding from the state. Programs such as the Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, many Native American prevention programs, and other after-school and mentor based programs– All aimed at the same goal: To keep students out of trouble.

This is my first year on the board and I’m excited to keep serving and learning. Next week I’ll be in Austin for a JJDP training. I see it as another way to keep fighting for the lives of young people, and continue to allow my burden for students to move me to action.

What is your burden?

Classical music falls from the speaker overhead, the low rumble of conversation is a momentary but welcome distraction. I’m at one of my favorite places to write, and write I must! 

A 4 week series for our 5th and 6th grade ministry The Loop is due today. (I haven’t started!) I know, I know Procrastination kills the bird… or something like that… 

The topic: Identity.

The theme: Getting ready for school in the morning.

The outline: Do you know who you are? 

Week 1–Do you know if you’re clean? // Taking a shower, brushing teeth, getting clean spiritually. 

Week 2–Do you know who you represent? // What we wear says a lot about us. 

Week 3–Do you know what you’re taking with you? // Packing a backpack, what baggage do we have that we need to give to Jesus?

Week 4–Do you know who you are?// Looking in the mirror. What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror. Are you believing lies, or are you believing truth? 

That’s the basic outline. But I need YOUR help! What are some scriptures I can use that go with each week? What are some cool thoughts I haven’t jotted down yet?

Help me out! Help me get inspired!

“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” –1 Kings 18:37

This is my prayer for the students at the Northwest campus! I hope you will join me in asking God to show Himself to the students in our world!

We cannot ask God to answer us, if we’re not asking him anything!

Show Yourself, O Lord!

Today is Wednesday. The day that, for the past eight years, has been dedicated to my student ministry—whether I was a student, a leader or a youth pastor. Over the course of those years our culture has continued to warp and change as sixth graders, all too soon become 12^th graders.

Right now as I look into our youth group (SWITCH) these three issues seem to be the most common.

• Little to no belief in an absolute truth
• No thought to the consequences of their actions
• Distant or non-existent parental covering

The last one is a whole notha post for a whole notha day!

So, here’s what I need: If you are a youth pastor, a volunteer leader, or a parent of a teenager, take a moment and think of the three top challenges your group or individual struggles with today, and leave them in the comments.

3-2-1 go! 

 1. 100 people can do A LOT of work and make A BIG difference.

2. Rain always = Mud

3. 100 shoes with mud on them makes a BIG mess!

4. 100 people will never do exactly what you want them to do.

5. Wood stain does not come off with soap and water.

6. Snipe hunting is FUN! (Especially with 6th graders! I’m so bad…)

7. Inspired, lead and given the chance, students will work their butts off and blow you away!

8. Leaders rock my freaking face off… (We have THE BEST leaders at northwest campus, hands down!)

9. Not every student in your core group has given thier life to Christ. (Some are still searching.)

10. God can do amazing things when we take the time to stop and acknowledge His GREATNESS!

I love what I do! Any fun mission trip stories, or lessons?

All my life I’ve been “too young.”

• Too young to graduate,
• Too young to travel alone,
• Too young to be a pastor,
• Too young to have the success God has given me… 

yada, yada, yada…

Here are the top 5 ways you know you’re too young:

• While visiting students at school you get repremanded and asked to return to class
• You can’t drive the church van or rental car on the mission trip.
• You turn the corner to meet with a parent about their troubled teen and they say, “YOU’RE the youth pastor?”
• You can’t participate in you company’s 401K program for another year.
• You end up leading adults who are old enough to be your dad (or they are your dad!

I’m glad I’ve never listened to those lies about being too young!

What about you? Have you ever been too young?

We are feverishly getting ready for our spring break mission experience coming up this Thursday.

We’ll be traveling to Sulpher, OK to stay at a ranch for deaf and handicap children. We will work the land and make it a great place for the visitors who will be coming this summer.

We have about 80 students and leaders going. It’s going to be a great trip!

Starting Thursday I will be updating on our progress and how things are going! Check back to be a part of this experience.

Did you used to go on mission trips? What is a favorite mission memory?