♫ He’s Got the Look ♫

This past Tuesday we hosted a youth ministry network that I co-lead called Motus. Ever since then I have had the Roxette song, “She’s Got the Look” stuck in my head. This gathering of 72 youth workers and pastors was an amazing time, and I have so many take-aways. I’m still processing it all. One obscure observation: the newer model of youth workers has “a look”. Rest assured, this is not a rant on “kids these days”, a case of judging a book by its cover, or over-stereotyping. It’s simply an observation, nothing negative implied. I was not the only one to notice.  One of my volunteer youth workers leaned over and asked me, “Are they in a band?” I chuckled.

Motus: The Birth of a Youth Worker Network

Youth Ministry is exciting, energizing, and amazing. It’s also challenging, tiring, and sometimes lonely. I often think we should measure ministry years in dog years. 1 ministry year can feel like it takes about 7 years out of you. That’s why I have always sought out encouragement and support from other like-minded youth workers. This has taken on many forms in different seasons of ministry. This past year, it has been through an electrifying upstart youth network in the greater Cleveland area called Motus. (Latin for a movement.)

Wrong Numbers and Last Rites

“Hello?  What? No, I’m sorry, you have the wrong number.”

A number of years ago, shortly after purchasing our first home, we began to get some odd phone calls. At first, it was very sporadic. We would get the occasional awkward/rude hang-up. If the caller was persistent enough, they would ask, “When are your services?” I thought it was a bit odd that visitors would call my house to ask about our church services, but we politely provided them days and times.

2013-05-15 OneEightyOne Update

This has been a very full and fulfilling week of ministry.  This past Saturday our Haiti Mission Team went to Stony Glen Camp for an all-day training and team-building getaway. What fun!

Yesterday, we hosted Motus – a network of youth workers and leaders in the greater Cleveland area. About 70 leaders gathered to hear from our guest speaker, Mel Walker, on the topic of Inter-generational Youth Ministry. (For a short time, you can listen to our session.)

2013-05-08 OneEightyOne Update

Summer is coming – can you feel it? As I think of the summer, I can’t help be get very excited for the opportunities for growth and service. I’ve spent a large part of this week prepping for our 2 summer camps and our Haiti mission trip.  Please join me in praying for each of these – that we would experience safety, and allow God to work in and through us in powerful ways.

2013-04-17 OneEightyOne Update

This past Sunday was a ton of fun – we had our first Haiti Mission Trip Team Meeting. After planning for months, it’s starting to feel very real. Please be in prayer for our team as we plan, train, and prepare.

You can be a big part of our teens’ lives this summer. This Sunday is our 9th annual Spaghetti Dinner & Dessert Auction, from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Family Life Center. We’d love to have you join us! All proceeds go to scholarship our teens summer ministry trips, including our Haiti Mission trip and two summer camp trips. Please consider joining us, and bidding big on some amazing desserts. Working with teens has never tasted better.  :-)

2013-04-11 OneEightyOne Update

It’s been some time since the last update – we’ve been on Spring Break. I trust you had a great time celebrating our Risen Savior. My family and I took some time away recently, which was refreshing and much needed.  Now we’re back in to the swing of things, as you’ll see below. I’m excited for what the Lord has in store for us.