Have you ever gotten to see someone you know doing what they love? It's like you see a whole new side to them -- you always appreciated them, but now you're seeing what makes them come alive.
Last week we were in Frederick, Maryland, with Eric Miller, the youth pastor at the GBC there. Eric and I were at Grace College together, he was a Barnabas leader last summer, and he cracks us up.
But last week we saw him doing what he loves. We met with him and he told us all about his vision for his youth group, for his passion to see adults investing in and discipling their students, for students to be trained up as leaders who have ownership in the youth ministry.
We met with his student leaders and found that, without exception, they are all being discipled by an adult. We met with his youth staff and found adults who understand discipleship but are eager to learn even more so that they can continue to invest in the students the Lord has entrusted to them.
It is so awesome to see people who take seriously Titus 2: older men and women training the younger. And the 'success' of that youth ministry reflects the great investment that they are making.
We're encouraged by youth pastors and youth workers like Eric, who have a vision for their youth, and are strategic and intentional in seeing that vision accomplished. He'll be the first to tell you they don't have everything figured out in Frederick, but God is certainly moving among that group.
What we're learning:
Discipleship is happening. God is working. It looks different in different places. But people are faithfully pursuing the Lord. Get excited ... I think awesome things are ahead of us ...
Last weekend was so full. We were in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and then Tennessee & Virginia on Monday. Ridiculous.
And SO fun.
The highlight, I think, was seeing 2 of our alumni, Timmy (in SC) and Emily (in GA). These students are involved with their youth ministries, are being actively discipled, are investing in others, and are looking for new ways to grow and learn. Covering all of that is their love for Jesus. Gosh. I hope we never, ever lose sight of how awesome that is. It makes me think of 3 John 4: 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.' Amen.
Who are those people in your life?
On a totally less serious note, I have always loved this video. My friends and I from college know it by heart. Not. A. Joke. Please enjoy.
So much has happened! Okay so this update might be a bit long. But it'll be worth it.
1. Last weekend we were in Sarasota, visiting old friends of Stacie's, and their church, and their Christian school. It was totally relaxing, their youth group is excited about Momentum, and we had some de-lish spaghetti.
2. Then we headed to Sebring until Wednesday. It was so good to see Chris Ogden, a good friend of ours and a fellow Barnabas leader. He's youth pastor at 'The Way', a church in Sebring, and we got to hang out with his students on Tuesday. We had a blast. They are really hoping to a part of Momentum and even Barnabas in the future. We're already facebook friends with Bobby and Sharleen, so our connection is official :)
3. Wednesday was Pinellas Park GBC. That was a special stop for me too -- Steph, a friend who grew up in this church is now discipling my younger sister back in my hometown. It's so cool to be able to meet the people who have invested in Steph's life and have conversations about biblical discipleship. These people were such an encouragement to us. Seriously - we're looking forward to seeing you in July! Also - we saw a rooster sitting on the front window of the church. What?
4. Last night was Gulfview (Port Richey) GBC. We got to share the excitement of the gospel with those students; saw Dustin, a youth staff, get his head randomly shaved during worship; I learned how to ride one of those pivoting skateboards (yeah, I'm really good. okay, thanks to Mark and Rob); and hung out with some of the youth staff over appetizers at Applebees.
All in all, we have been so encouraged by the churches here in Florida. It's exciting to see what God continues to do here. We're honored to get to be a part of it.
Oh! Today we sold 3 tshirts! Seriously. Matt, Sara, Emily - thank you! Wear them to Momentum. You'll be the coolest ones there :) (That's not a joke either.)
Lastly. If you read our blog, will you comment and let us know? Maybe you have questions, or want a shout out (haha does anyone say that anymore?), or want us to stop by, or just say hey - whatever. Just let us know we're writing for more than our moms and grandmas (Although to both of our Moms and Grandmas -- We love you!)
Lots of driving coming -- keep praying! Tomorrow: Aiken, South Carolina Sunday pm: Gainesville, Georgia Monday am: Marietta, Georgia Monday pm: Johnson City, Tennessee Monday evening-Wednesday evening: Virginia
In beautiful Fort Myers, Florida.... our car sticks out, because it's covered with residual snow and salt. Gross.
I won't rub the weather in your face... :)
But I do have 2 stories for you:
1. Had lunch with Steve & Hally Shipley today. What a cool couple. They've been at Fort Myers GBC for 18 years, and sincerely love the people in their area so much. They are so faithful with the believers in their church, and are practicing life-on-life discipleship with the new believers in their church ... It was so encouraging to see 2 followers of Jesus who have been so faithful to what the Lord has called them to.
2. We are staying with a family that has many pets: rabbits, rats (under the shed-they feed them!), snakes (in the yard-yeah, Stacie is freaking out), and a cat. Last night we walked into the room I'm sleeping in and Stacie was caught totally off guard by the cat that was sitting on my bed--she JUMPED, gasped, and grabbed onto my arm. Oh man. It. Was. Hilarious. I cried I was laughing so hard. Those cats. They're tricky.
Stacie and I took off at 6.45 this morning. We were supposed to be with the youth group at Fountain of Life Bible Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, tonight but snow cancelled church! (Well I guess the pastors actually cancelled church. The snow was just the reason for it.)
Anyway. We're going to stop by there in a couple weeks on our way back north, but today we were freed up to keep on driving. We made it to somewhere in the middle of Georgia and decided to stop for the night (okay, mostly so that I could be in front of a tv to watch LOST tonight at 9 -- I have my priorities!) We grabbed some dinner and I was doing a little balancing trick with a coffee cup (full of coffee...) and it spilled. All over the floor. And the cup broke. And many, many people were making fun of me.
