revkevjr Uncategorized

I’m Running For a Change … YOU Can Help!

TeamWV14The training has begun!

On March 22nd I am running a half-marathon with Team World Vision to help change lives in Africa. The needs are great, but I believe there is something we can do!

$50 provides clean water for 1 person. Our church has a team running, and our goal as a team is to raise $100,000! My personal goal is to raise at least $1,310 ($100 for each mile I am running).

Please visit my personal Team World Vision webpage to make a tax-deductible donation.

revkevjr Leadership, Sports, Student Ministry, Youth Ministry

Creating Memories: Seeing History at the Garden

Tonight, thanks to a friend donating some tickets, I was able to take one of our students and one of my youth staffers to the Knicks game. Andrew and I arrived early, so we grabbed some slices of pizza, then went up to Times Square and walked around a bit. We then went to the game and got to witness history. Carmelo Anthony was unconscious! He had 37 points in the first half, including a half-court shot at the buzzer. We knew we were seeing something amazing. He ended up scoring 62 points, breaking the Knicks record of 60 points set by Bernard King in 1984, and the Madison Square Garden record of 61 set by Kobe Bryant in 2009. The Knicks were up big, and he was pulled from the game with 8 minutes to go, otherwise he would have probably scored 75. I love that I got to be there to see it live, but I love that I got to share the experience with a student and emerging youth leader even more. #YouthMinistry

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revkevjr Book Review, Uncategorized

When Sorry Isn’t Enough … A Book Review

WhenSorryIsntEnough_1Ever have conflicts or disagreements? Ever been hurt or felt misunderstood? Do you feel burdened by bitterness over wrongs and injustices that have happened to you? You’re not alone. We all deal with feelings of hurt and betrayal, whether that which caused those feelings was done intentionally or unintentionally. And there’s only one thing that can set us free: forgiveness.

Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, and Jennifer Thomas have teamed up to release When Sorry Isn’t Enough, a revised and updated edition of The Five Languages of Apology. In the book they put forth five ways to make things right with people. Each approach is captured by a phrase that communicates apology in a unique way. Some people long to hear the words, “I’m sorry.” Others want to hear you admit you were wrong. Others want you to find a way to right your wrong through your actions. Others want to hear you say you want to change. Still others want to hear you ask for forgiveness.

As with The 5 Love Languages, each person has a primary way they communicate apology, and a way they desire to receive an apology. Apologies offered in a way (a language) that is foreign to the person receiving the apology is ineffective. We must learn the apology language of the person we are apologizing to in order to be effective in righting wrongs and restoring relationships. Forgiveness is the key to experiencing personal freedom as well as healing in relationships.

In the book Chapman and Thomas work through the how-tos of apologizing in each language. They also discuss the importance and the approach to apologizing when you don’t feel the need to, or don’t want to do so.

One area of forgiveness that is popular today is the idea of forgiving yourself, which Chapman and Thomas suggest in the book. I understand the logic of it philosophically and psychologically (if I can beat myself up and blame myself for things, why should I not also exercise self-forgiveness?), but I really struggle with the concept theologically as I personally can find no real precedent or biblical basis for it in practice. My understanding is that the Bible doesn’t call us to self-forgiveness, but rather accepting the forgiveness offered to us in Christ. An interesting dilemma perhaps they will address at some point.

Overall the book was most excellent, very informative, and really challenged my approach to the necessary practice of apology.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

revkevjr Leadership, Student Ministry, Youth Ministry

Youth Leader Appreciation Video

Here’s a little video we put together to say thank you to all of the youth workers out there. Know that what you do to invest in students is worth it.

revkevjr Missions, Serving, Student Ministry

So You Want To Go On A Missions Trip

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I love short-term missions trips! This summer we are taking teams to Nassau, Bahamas, and Virginia.

I know of no better way for you to see how God can use you to impact the life of someone else, and for you to see the world as God sees it than by going on a missions trip to serve others. Here are the steps you should take:

  1. Pray – Ask God if He wants you to go and serve Him on a missions trip this summer.
  2. Reflect – Consider what your motives are for wanting to go. Going because your friends are going, or because you think it’s a cool location, or because you want to complete community service hours for your school are NOT reasons to go on a missions trip. The worst thing possible on a missions trip is having disunity caused by people who go with  wrong motives which manifests itself in a self-centered attitude which is detrimental to the team. Missions trips are NOT vacations, and they are NOT for people who are not serious about showing and telling people about Jesus. Your heart should be set on serving God by serving others. You are going as a minister of Jesus Christ.
  3. Discuss – Share your desire to go on a missions trip with your parents and other important people in your life, and ask them for their prayers and counsel.
  4. Pick Up – Stop by our website or the church and pick up an Application packet. Be sure to read the information carefully and follow all instructions.
  5. Apply – If you feel you can commit to the trip requirements, complete the Short-Term Missions Application and hand it in along with your Signed Trip Agreement and Non-Refundable Deposit. An interview might be arranged with you and your parents to ensure that everyone understands the commitment being made.
  6. Live Right – We are meant to live on mission for Jesus every day! Your serving Jesus doesn’t start the day the trip begins; it starts now. Spend time daily connecting with God, growing in your faith, and being a missionary right here, right now. Respect your parents, do your best in school, share Christ with your friends, etc. Missions trips should just be an extension of who you are every day at home.
  7. Get Your Passport & Shots – Once you receive a letter of acceptance onto the team (if you’re going on an international trip), getting your passport and any required shots is job #1. Don’t hesitate! These things can take time. If you have a passport, be sure it does not expire within 6 months from the end of trip.  (Example: If the trip is June 17-24th, your passport needs to be valid through December 24h.
  8. Raise Support – Write your support letter and send it to your friends and family, inviting them to participate in your faith adventure! Do this sooner rather than later.
  9. Work Hard – Missions trips don’t just happen during the week you’re gone. They take a lot of work, commitment, and sacrifice in the months leading up to them. Journal – As soon as you’re accepts onto the team, begin documenting your experience – the practices, how God is providing, your prayers, etc. Participate in group fundraisers, team meetings and practices, and attend youth group weekly.
  10. Go – You’ve prayed. You’ve taken a step of faith. You’ve prepared. God has provided. Now it’s time to go!
  11. Serve – You will be asked to do all kinds of things on a missions trip. Remember, nothing is below you as a follower of Jesus. Serve the Lord in humility and with gladness, because you are serving Jesus Himself when you serve people. And be flexible. Things will not go as you planned. Just keep smiling and roll with it.
  12. Reflect – When you return from your trip, be sure to take some time to reflect on your trip. What did you learn? About God? About yourself? About your team? About the culture? About God’s heart? How can you continue to build on your learnings now that you’re home? What are the transferable principles?
  13. Share – Be sure to share what God did through you and in you during your missions experience with your friends, classmates, teachers, etc.!
  14. Thank – Send your prayer team and people who prayed for you and helped you financially a Thank You letter for their support. Include a report of your trip so they can see how their prayers and money made a difference.
  15. Keep Living on Mission – Missions trips are not the end-all. They are a step on our journey of faith. Allow the experiences you had and the lessons you learned to shape you and motivate you to serve God each and every day with more passion than the day before.