You’re Only as Good as Those Around You

Jeff on September 3rd, 2010

Just a quick thought about those we serve with in our ministries.

I have the wonderful blessing of working with an amazing collection of people God has blessed with tremendous talents, gifts & abilities. And they use those skills to help thousands of people serve those in need every year. It’s my privilege every day to work alongside them. I thank God for them.

It makes me think about you. How has God blessed you with those around you? Fellow staff members, a spouse, a volunteer, or a team of people. Don’t forget to thank them. And don’t forget to thank God for them. Where would any of us be without those God has blessed us with?

Thanks God for allowing us the chance to work with others. Thanks for not letting us be alone. Thanks God.

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Free Game – Hide and Seek (with a twist)

Jeff on September 2nd, 2010

Here’s a thought-provoking twist on an old game that you can use at a youth group meeting to help kick-off your fall and to generate a great discussion about community and commitment to each other. With this new twist on the classic Hide and Seek, from back in the day, your youth will have to make a decision that will provoke deeper thoughts as to: “Why we hide sometimes,” “Why do we not seek others out” and “How does it feel to be ‘found’.”

Hide and Seek (with a twist)

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What is [doug's] Dumb Idea?!!?!!?!!?

Jeff on September 1st, 2010

Not sure what I think about this…  Doug Fields has done it again.  Some crazy idea that only makes sense to him…

Check out [doug's] Dumb Idea and see the insanity.  A total of something like 30 mission trips given away.  And the top prize is worth over $5,000!

I’d enter to win if I was you!

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Now Is The Time!

Jeff on August 31st, 2010

If you’re a Youth Leader and you’re considering taking your group on a mission trip, now is the time to finalize those plans and make the decision about where your group will serve next year.  But you might be saying to yourself, “Why now?  It’s still the end of August.  I’ve got plenty of time…”

But… you don’t.  Many mission organizations are already finalizing their plans and participation for 2011.  I know for us, Group Workcamps and Group Week of Hope, some of our most popular locations are already full.  I have friends that work for other youth mission organizations and I know that they experience the same thing.  We all have locations that “sell out” long before Thanksgiving.

And, it’s not just youth mission providers.  Many missionaries and receiving ministries only have room for a certain number of people each year.  Once those places are taken, they are “full.”

Please, if you want to get your students involved in a mission experience this summer, get going now.  There are lots of folks to serve.  Lots of needs to be met.  Thanks in advance to reaching out to those in need.

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Results = 7,020,000

Jeff on August 30th, 2010

I just did a Google search on the words “Youth Missions” and came up with 7,020,000 results.  Wow!  Seven million results to that search.  But in many ways I guess that makes sense…

When you look at all the youth mission organizations our there (the one I work for included), all the churches that send their kids on missions trips they organize on their own, and the general interest of this current generation in making a difference – over 250,000 youth serve annually (and that’s a conservative estimate).  That’s a lot of teenagers…

And that makes me ask this question: “Are we making a difference?”  Well I’ll let two people who experienced a mission trip this past summer answer that…

Kip from from Massachusetts described his experience the following way:

“Extraordinary, Soulful, Gracious, Endearing, Productive, Good Natured, Generous,Respectful, Joyful, Spirited, Spiritual, Enthusiastic, Fulfilling, Refreshing, Dancing, Singing, Praying, Thoughtful, Moving, Friendship.”

Beulah from Cincinnati had this to say about a group of students that served her:

“It was the most pleasant day I have had in a while.  We had devotions and had such a good time sharing about our live experiences.  They were very respectable and had a love for God.  I really miss them.  I was such a joy to have them.”

So… yes I think we are making a difference.  A mission tip made a difference in these two people’s lives (these stories are repeated thousands and thousands of times).  And I think that’s how [...]

Continue Reading “Results = 7,020,000″

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Teenagers “checking out” of church?

Jeff on August 17th, 2010

This article in USA Today is sobering.  Unfortunately, it isn’t really that big of a surprise.  I think most of what is said in the article by the youth workers is true for most youth ministries.

A really interesting quote in the article is from Chris Palmer, youth pastor at Ironbridge Baptist Church in Chester, Va.  He talks about how he actually increased participation in their group by making it a challenge – a military-like challenge.  Their students want something more.  Something that is not superficial.  They are interested in something that is bigger than themselves.

I say “Yes!!!!” to that.  I’m involved in the ministry of organizing youth mission trips because I believe that students need to be involved in something bigger than themselves.  We hear stories every year from youth leaders whose groups are transformed by their mission trip experience.  Their students are more committed.  More interested.  More passionate about their faith.  All because they caught a glimpse of their faith being bigger than just themselves or even their church.

If you’ve never got your group involved in a mission trip, please consider it.  It may just change your group, your students, and maybe even your ministry…

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Sending an Adult Home

Jeff on June 24th, 2010

Our friend, Doug Franklin, had a great post on his blog the other day about this difficult but important aspect of the ministry of youth missions.  When/if to send an adult home from a trip.  Our ministry has some of it’s own processes and steps we take in the context of what we do, and Doug’s thoughts echo our sentiments…

Sending an Adult Home

What do you think?  Is our ministry and Doug’s thoughts on the right track?  Do you agree or disagree?

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Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young…

Jeff on June 17th, 2010

While visiting one of our mission trip locations last night, I had the opportunity to witness a college student lead an entire group of participants through an experience that gave each and every one of them the opportunity to respond to the message of Jesus  and the forgiveness He offers.  Simply amazing…

This Leader (and his teammate) are completely in charge and in control of a mission trip location that will see about 600 people serve a community for the next 6 weeks of the summer.  They received 2 weeks of intense training, passed through a difficult 4-step application process, and are being prayed for by hundreds of support staff around the country.  And this team and 14 others like them around the country are the strongest staff members that we have.  God has gifted this next generation of leaders in amazing ways.  We trust them and Him.  I love seeing God use them and work through them to change lives.  What an amazing opportunity to witness God at work.

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A Summer of Service

Jeff on June 16th, 2010

So… It all begins…

This week begins 7 straight weeks of ministry for our mission organization.  It’s going to be a great summer of stories of lives changes, challenges met, and God working.  We can’t wait to hear all that God is going to do throughout the summer.

And we want to hear from you!  Please send us your stories of your mission trips this summer.  We want to highlight all the work God is doing this summer.  We can’t wait to hear how God is using your group.

God bless you in all the ways you serve this summer.

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Thoughts on Youth Missions

Jeff on April 20th, 2010

Chris Kidd is a youth leader in England who blogs about youth ministry.  He recently posted a 6 part series of posts about Youth Mission Trips on his blog: Chris Kidd – applied youth ministry

It starts here with Part 1 and you can follow thru to Part 6.  I would love to know what you think about how others in England are working through important issues in youth missions.  Leave a comment…

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