Sadly I have had to part ways with a long-time friend whose been all around the world with me. We’ve been to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Belize, England, Tanzania, Canada, and all around the United States, and have had many wonderful memories together. That’s right, I’m finally saying goodbye to my trusty Lands End suitcase. It’s a sad day! I’ll never forget you Mr. Suitcase!
I just picked my girls up from school. My 9-year-old daughter and her friend made a “Talk Station” at recess so kids who are having a tough time can have someone to talk to. This is the tree they sit in to talk with kids. Wow! I’m blown away by her sensitivity to others and her desire to offer them help. Such a proud papa!
I am right now having a powerful moment. I just walked around and eavesdropped on our small groups. Not one to be into numbers, I did do a head-count tonight to see what my adult-to-student ratio is. As I write this I hear the rumblings of transformational conversations happening next door about life and faith and am so excited that we have 65 students being intentionally discipled by 16 caring adults. That’s a 1-4 ratio of adults to students. I am so thankful to God for my wonderful adult volunteers. They are truly my heroes! As my buddy Josh Griffin Tweeted the other day … small groups ARE youth ministry! I couldn’t agree more!
Today I completed a Youth Ministry Assessment from the Youth Ministry Architects to see how we’re doing in creating and maintaining a healthy and balanced approach to youth ministry. Here are our results.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Hey Mom & Dad! Here’s a tremendous resource for you. HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches to build God-honoring families from generation to generation. (“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6)
America’s Parents Have Tremendous Needs. Consider that:
HomeWord is a place where Parents Get Real Answers! In response to the overwhelming needs of parents and families, Jim Burns founded HomeWord in 1985. HomeWord is a Christian organization designed to provide assistance to adults worldwide as they help young people make wise decisions and lead positive, vibrant, Christian lifestyles. Multiplication and Leverage: While absolutely committed to young people, HomeWord equips parents, grandparents and youth leaders; those who daily reach out to kids. By equipping adults, and leveraging those adults to reach kids, HomeWord reaches more young people more cost effectively.
Four Strategies to help adults help kids…
REVKEVJR.COM 