Dear <<Full Name>>,
Last week I was privileged to participate in the 22nd annual NNYM Youth Ministry Executive Council (YMEC), held in Costa Mesa, CA. The event was entitled "Summit on America's Youth." I played a role in helping shape the time as well as the ongoing follow up with the attendees.
Forty-seven youth ministry presidents and denominational youth executives came with a desire to be like the men of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32), who “understood the times and knew what to do.”
We prayed that God’s presence would be felt, significant insights would be derived, and specific action plans would be made. Those prayers were answered! This may have been one of our best YMEC gatherings ever.
It is great to be part of something God has chosen to bless so consistently. Greg Stier, president of Dare2Share Ministries, was one of those who attended. Here are some excerpts from his blog that reveal his perspective on our time:
“It’s exciting to gather with such strategic leaders. These men and women have passion and vision for the next generation that is off the charts.
“We spent two days together trying to discern the future of youth ministry. At the end of the full day of interactive, high energy meetings and discussions we all gathered back together in a big circle to discuss themes that arose. The goal was to try to discern patterns and discover if God was leading us all in a collective direction.
“The one theme that came straight to the top was the importance of evangelism. I got to witness something powerful – key leaders from all across America talked and even argued at times about evangelism.
“So what was our collective conclusion as to where the Lord was leading us as national youth leaders when it came to the future of youth ministry? It was this: that if we really believe that the gospel can transform the next generation (which we do) then we must be personally sharing our faith in our own spheres of influence. When it becomes a priority in our lives it will become a priority in our programs.
“Like tasty marinara poured over noodles, our personal passion for evangelism will seep down into the very souls of our youth ministry programs.…breathtakingly simple, yet profound.”
Please continue to pray for these national leaders as they seek to model the priority of evangelism and seek to help teenagers transform their world through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Support Update
The support raising is not going well. To be honest it's been very difficult and a struggle for me to keep focused on it when we aren't seeing much fruit. Over the past 6 months we have lost about $350/month in support and minus health insurance are bringing home $900/month.
God has been providing through increasing Devon's work opportunity with 20 hours/week with Olive Crest and steady contract work with Bethany Christian Services and Vista Del Mar. It's not our ideal situation, but we are blessed to have the income. It's sometimes been a stress on our marriage, but we are doing well.
I'm still feeling that God has me at NNYM for something yet to be seen. It's been crazy since the second month I stated with them. We hired a new CEO about that time and he struggled to raise funds for the organization and we had to sell the building they had been in and rent out a suite.
Then in February the CEO stepped down and we moved into a donated space in a church. I have no idea why things are happening this way, but I just have a strange peace that God is working something, something that will only point to Him.
Don't get me wrong, there are some days that I feel like I am missing something and I need to just go and work at The Home Depot to make some money, but I feel in my gut that I am made for more than that. I just wish I could know what it is.
Right now my role with NNYM is morphing into a role that has been overseeing communications, partnerships, marketing, and a lot of IT stuff. Everything from updating our promotional materials, giving input on the technical side of the office (phones, computer network) and lending leadership to some large partnership opportunities with other organizations. I am working from home most days so that I can help run the household (dishes, laundry, etc).
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Upcoming Ministry
We are helping host the annual “Padres Fellowship Night” on June 10, where several San Diego Padres players and coaches, perhaps some Washington Nationals, will share about their faith in Jesus Christ immediately after the game.
It's a great night to come out, enjoy and be encouraged by post-game testimonies from several Padres players and coaches and to grow your faith community by inviting others to a night of outreach and celebration.
Take advantage of the largest ticket discount, available for all churches and faith-based organizations. Tickets are available for almost up to 50% off in most sections and you don't need a big group to take advantage of the pricing. Visit the website to find out more!
That night thousands of fans will hear the gospel. Please pray for God’s kingdom to come in many hearts!
You are part of the team. We could not be involved in these ministry adventures without your partnership with us. Thank you.
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Summer Slump
That’s a phrase you might hear around churches and ministries that depend on contributions. Summer time means vacations, mission trips, camps, conferences, any number of things that take us out of our “normal” routine. And sometimes that leads to a shortfall.
Would you prayerfully consider making a single gift to help us get through the summer months or even begin partnering with us monthly through the rest of 2011?
Whether you are in a position to provide funds or not, please know that we appreciate you and your prayers, and we count it a privilege to serve God alongside you. |
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Madison
Madison is finishing up 1st Grade and is speaking more Spanish around the house. She seems to like school and the social aspect of it. She is reading more and her writing is improving.
We signed her up for swimming lessons at the YMCA so hopefully by summer she’ll be a confident swimmer and put her face in the water. Last week she dove down to the bottom of the shallow end and grabbed the diving ring, so that is a huge milestone!
She started Girl Scouts this year and jumped right into selling cookies. It was fun to walk around the neighborhood with her and watch her work. I think there were four houses that actually bought cookies FOR her.
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Easton
Easton is finishing up 5th Grade and is doing great. I can’t believe we are discussing where he’s going to attend Jr. High next year!
This year he has had the opportunity to take music class at school and has enjoyed learning to play the instruments. For Christmas he got a guitar and has been practicing about two times a week. You can hear his improvement.
He has moved up to Boy Scouts and has begun his journey towards Eagle Scout. It seems that he’s enjoying the projects and badges and outings but this summer will be his first with Troop 51 so we’ll see how he keeps moving forward.
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Devon
Devon has completed her Cub Scout duties as Den Leader. Now she enjoys visiting the Troop meetings as a parent. She led the den for four years and did an amazing job!
She has also taken on doing some yard renovation for our back yard. Last month I got a truckload of wood chips and we spread them out and then she laid a brick walkway, and has a bench design that Easton and I are going to build.
Be on the lookout for the pictures of the completed project.
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