That’s something you never want to experience in youth ministry. Wednesday night after our SWITCH experience we got a call from a student who was leaving. He said a kid got hit by a car on NW Expressway. Vince, my fellow youth pastor and I ran as fast as we could out to where we saw traffic backing up. My mind exploded: “No, oh Jesus NO!”

Before we knew it he was gone. Anthony Guzman an 8th grader from one of our main middle schools CAPPS in the Putnam City district.

That night set in motion a wave of grief that settled on our students and leaders from CAPPS. The next morning we were up at the school all day, sitting with students, holding them while they cried, listening to their questions of why and not able to really answer them.

We don’t know why.

I was so proud and blessed by the showing of our team of leaders. The whole CAPPS team was present along with others. A few of my fellow staff members from other campuses joined us to minister to the students who lost their friend. More than twenty-five adults stood in the lunch cafeteria that day holding hands to pray for the 8th grade class of CAPPS. God’s presence was there. He was comforting, healing and showing Himself to these students.

Losing a student is something no one ever wants to experience. But if you have to I would want to be surrounded by the people who showed up yesterday to give comfort. I would want to be a part of a community who I know is praying and reaching out any way they can. Our group will never be the same after this tragedy. But I think the change will be for the good. God is good even in circumstances like this.

A memorial fund has been set up in Anthony’s name. You can donate at any metro MidFirst Banks. Thank you for your prayers.

This is a video we are showing at SWITCH tonight. Our series is called “Get Dirty” We’re moving our students to a culture of servanthood, encouraging them that it’s necessary to get a little dirty when you serve others.

I was trying to find some videos to use as transitions and I came across a whole series called “Muddy White Socks.” I’m not sure what to think of it, and I have no idea why it is so intriguing. See for yourself. It’s only a min and a half.

Big SWITCH starts tonight!

This is the “Bring In” part of our purpose at LifeChurch.tv to Bring In, Build Up, Train and Send Out.We believe that through BIG SWITCH God will bring students through these doors that might not otherwise come to church.

We will provide an amazing environment that our students feel excited to invite their friends. We hope and pray that God brings the masses so they can hear of His love and He can change their lives.

This is the purpose of Big SWITCH. Over the years, as we’ve put on this event I’ve seen students come who have been of the fence about their walk with Christ. Big SWITCH brought them through our doors, relationships kept them there and God got a hold of them and changed their lives.

Sometimes I’ll ask some of our students how they heard about SWITCH, and why they started coming, more often than anything else I hear “I came for Big SWITCH.”

This is the first of three consecutive weeks of our bring in event. This is where the rubber meets the road, where the real battle for these student’s spiritual lives begin.

I ask you to join me in prayer today and for the rest of this month for the students who will be a part of BIG SWITCH.

One of my favorite authors, speakers and leaders of today is Tim Elmore. He writes the books Habitudes (images that form leadership habits and attitudes) as well as several other books for parents, youth workers and college students on leading the upcoming generation.

Tim’s newest book Generation iY focuses on the epidemic of technology on our culture today and how our world effects this post 9-11 generation he has coined Generation iY.

Below are some of his thoughts on Generation iY as well as a link to purchase his e-book. I’m already reading it and feel blessed to have this type of knowledge at my finger tips.

Thank you Tim, for your hard work and dedication to fight for these students help reach this generation for Christ. May we all join the battle in some way.

Who is Generation iY?

Tim Elmore / www.GrowingLeaders.com

With the release of my new book, Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future, people are asking me these days: who are they? How is Generation iY different than the earlier students in Generation Y?  Aren’t they just the same kids, but with more technology?

Good questions. Let me attempt a rapid response below.

EARLY GENERATION Y                                                  GENERATION iY

1. Born in the 1980s                                                                   1. Born in the 1990s

2. Highly compassionate                                                           2. Low empathy

3. Activists                                                                                    3. Slack-tivists (Want to be involved a little)

4. Technology is a tool                                                               4. Technology is an appendage to my body

5. Passionate about a cause                                                       5. Fashionate about a cause (If my friends do it)

6. Civic minded                                                                            6. Self-absorbed

7. Ambitious about the future                                                   7. Ambiguous about the future

8. Accelerated growth                                                                 8. Postponed maturation

I still believe in these kids. I continue to believe they can and will change the world. However, they will do so if we figure out how to connect with them and guide them into the future. There has been a shift in our culture that’s impacted students today. A perfect storm of elements has diminished the relational skills and emotional intelligence young adults once developed naturally. Minimally, this shift has delayed their entrance into adulthood. What they need more than anything else are healthy mentors; mentors who care more about preparing them than protecting them. These mentors should focus on building some fundamental skills in students:

1.  Emotional Intelligence
2.  Character and Ethics
3.  Leadership Perspective

In the book, I’ve attempted to equip teachers, parents, coaches, employers and youth workers to do just that. Join me in shaping these iY kids from the inside out so they can turn their world upside down.

Tim

(To purchase Generation iY, click on the icon on the right or go to: www.SaveTheirFutureNow.com)

In SWITCH, our student ministry at LifeChurch.tv we are currently going through a series called “Greater Than.”

The idea behind the series is to help students understand it is greater to be a servant than to be served. We are building our culture around the truth that we are called to serve.

Below you can watch the message from last night as well as follow the link to free resources for youth pastors, youth leaders or parents. Enjoy!

Online Resource Page