Resurrection Minded
It’s time to get Resurrection minded. What do I mean by Resurrection Minded? Well, there comes a time each year that you begin thinking about how the upcoming Resurrection can be the best experience ever.
Good planning plays a lot into that success. Where are we going to stay? How are we going to eat? Do I have enough counselors? Do I have a good meeting place for devotions each night? Does the church van have good tires? How are we going to raise money? How can I get my students to invite a friends that may be discouraged or lost? Do I have enough tickets? Am I really sane? And the list may go on.
My prayer is that as you begin to prepare for Resurrection 2010 that you will do what ever it takes to reach beyond the walls of your church to reach those young people who would not normally attend an event such as Resurrection. Invite them, bring them, show them the love of Christ.
Resurrection makes a stop at Ichthus
It is the oldest Christian Music Festival in the United States and it celebrated 40 years of ministry this year. We were there getting the word out about Resurrection 2010 featuring Justin Lookadoo and Kristian Stanfill.
It was great to see and talk to many of our Resurrection faithful. It was very exciting for me to have the opportunity to share with youth and youth pastors who were hearing about Resurrection for the 1st time.
My prayer is this as we tell others about Resurrection: That a youth pastor may see Resurrection as an event that would help their youth in their walk with Christ and register their group…which leads to a youth signing up to join their youth group on a winter retreat in Gatlinburg…which places them in the Gatlinburg Convention Center in January…which allows them to worship and hear about the Great News of Jesus Christ…which leads them into a deeper understanding and committed to Jesus Christ…which in turn builds the Kingdom of God and fulfills the mission of who we are as Resurrection.
So youth pastors register now! Click here.
This Is Your Chance
Today is the first day of summer for my household. I did not have to wake my daughter for school this morning. School is out and summer vacation has begun. The chance to do those things that only summer break will allow. I asked my daughter what is the one thing she wanted to do this summer. Her answer, “Eat Ice Cream!” Not the answer I was expecting. I thought she would say, going to camp, sleeping in, going to stay with grandparents, or vacation. Nope! She just wants to eat ice cream. I often wonder if I sound the same way to my Heavenly Father. The window of opportunity opens and the chance to serve Him or share about Him arises. I wonder if my response is a faithful response or do I blow the opportunity. This summer youth all over will have the opportunity to serve through mission trips and local service projects or attend youth retreats and camps. Opportunities that only come once a year are on the horizon – This is your chance – Go!
In need of a Resurrection
Have you ever noticed that you can always spot the young youth pastors before you can the older ones? You can see it especially when it comes to those athletic events such as basketball or ultimate Frisbee. The young ones are right in the middle of the action while the oldies are on the sidelines overseeing the action.
Today, I understand completely. As I took baby steps down the hall this morning my back was so sore I could hardly lift and place one foot in front of the other. You see, though I am no longer a youth pastor I still seize every opportunity to minister to young people.
Three weeks ago I installed a new basketball goal in my driveway. It instantly became the gathering place for teenagers in my neighborhood and of course I wanted to be a good host. Needless to say, I now know why you see those oldies sitting on the sidelines. They are just waiting for their resurrection and their new heavenly bodies.
2010 Early Bird Deadline!
Registration Reminder
Don’t forget the Early Bird Registration deadline is June 1! Register now to get the super low, super fantastic $25 rate!
School’s Out for Summer… Well Almost
Can you believe the school year is already drawing to, an end? Youth workers are scrambling to finish getting the details of their summer activities together and students are getting excited about things they will be taking part in during the next few months.
If you haven’t already, mark July 6-10 on your calendar as the greatest week of the summer! That is the week when youth from all over Holston Conference (Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee and North Georgia) will gather together on the beautiful campus of Emory&Henry College for Junior and Senior High Assemblies. This is a week filled with worship times with our speaker Paul Seay and our worship leaders Ralph Jeffers at JHA and Find the 01 at SHA. It is a time to make new friends through your family groups and interest groups, and a time to play at the carnival or during free time. But most importantly it is a time to grow in your relationship with Christ!
The regular registration deadline is June 4. If you would like some more information about how to sign up, check out the purple Youth Ministries Catalog , visit the Holston Youth Ministries website or call the Youth Ministries office (865) 293-4151.
Hope to see you there!
Preaching in London
It is so amazing to me how God has worked in my life and ministry since that day surrendered to his call at Resurrection in 1994. It did not take long for me to come to understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for the whole world. It always does my heart good when I hear about a brother or sister in Christ that has answered the call to take the Gospel to other parts of the world.
Archway Church, England
On Wednesday, April 8th I will be leaving to preach Holy Week services in London England. It is going to be a great opportunity to represent my Lord and preach his Good News. Please be praying for an out pouring of God’s Spirit on the people as they come to remember the Crucifixion and celebrate the RESURRECTION of our Lord.
Jesus can give you a life without limits
If you want to discover the real difference that Jesus and the power of the Resurrection of Christ can make in a life…
Check out this video about the life and faith of Nick Vujicic. He is a young man born without any arms or legs and yet… Well, you just have to see it.
Living the John 3:16 Life
There is no better known verse in all the Bible than John 3:16. “For God love the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in the Son will not die, but will have eternal life.”
But, what does this verse mean for the life of the average teenager? Well, just everything. If you ever comprehend what this passage means, it will change your life forever.
First, to say that God so loved the world, does not mean that God sort of loves his creation in general. It means specifically that God loves human beings. In this passage Jesus says “whoever believes… shall have eternal life.” The wonder of being human is found in our capacity to believe. No other creatures in God’s world can believe, but we can, because we are made in God’s own image. A bearer of God’s own image….that’s who you are.
Secondly, God does not just love humanity in general. He loves each one of us personally. God loves you in a way that is unique to you, because there is no one else like you. This means that you can read this verse like this: “For God so loved ME that He gave his only Son for me….” You can never exaggerate how important you are to God.
Whenever you wonder whether or not you matter… just remember John 3:16. You matter so much that God gave YOU Jesus.
The question is… What will you do with that gift?
Walking by faith
For those whose lives have been changed or their faith strengthened by Resurrection, there is great rejoicing in heaven. The Bible tells us that the angels sing and shout, when God’s children are brought home to the Lord. Bringing us closer to God… that’s what Resurrection is all about.
But, let’s remember that even the first disciples who experienced first hand the real RESURRECTION of Jesus did more than have a great experience. Their faith in Jesus became the absolute center of their lives. Because Jesus was alive, he now defined everything about them — their hopes, dreams, fears, habits, relationships and how they spent their time.
It’s just the same for us today! So, let me encourage you to do what they did. They learned to depend on one another, support one another and correct one another. Their fellowship together helped them continue to walk by faith, even after Jesus ascended to heaven. As they shared life in him, they learned how to be open to the Holy Spirit, who Jesus said would be sent from God to be with them (John 14 & 16, check it out).
They prayed together, discussed Jesus’ teachings together, worshiped together, served together and suffered together. My prayer for you and your group is that you will walk by faith together just as they did. If you do, you’ll find that each day you are RISING to new heights in your faith.