Summit Live

Consider it Pure Joy

2011-05-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Whether it be holes in walls, flooded basements, or stolen luggage, the past two trips were certainly full of trials. What was great about these trips was the ability to talk through those experiences while we were studying the book of James. Sometimes the best way to learn, is to experience.

As much as I wouldn’t have planned a flooded basement or having the group get some of their luggage stolen before arriving on site, it very much follows how we push ourselves and the students on the trip to learn. It truly is inspiring to watch as students rise above the cards they are dealt and continue to push on, not allowing bad situations to dampen their spirits. Instead to utilize these events to build their faith and grow closer to our creator and Lord. I feel this summer will be full of these type of experiences, because we will be studying James for the majority of the summer. Who knows, but it does drive home the point that we can’t choose the problems we encounter, but we can choose our reaction and attitude. Consider it all joy my friends. The book of James is still as relevant today as when it was written. Thanks be to God for the Living Word.

Are You Polluted by the World?

2011-04-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

I am back from another great experience down in Siguatepeque, Honduras. I was able to spend nine glorious days with a team of students from Holland, Michigan.

There we were able to put in a playground for the forty plus students who attend school at Academia La Providencia. Our team was challenged to push hard as we knew our work was going to directly impact the children there. Our friends at La Providencia gave me the opportunity to write on their blog while I was down there. Please click here to continue reading...

Is it Worth the Risk?

2011-03-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

There is a trend among youth today, whether in middle school or at the collegiate level, the idea that risk taking is too risky. Why are youth of today afraid of taking risks. I think its because risk implies a possibility of failure. The fear of failure is crippling, I know because I have struggled with the same concept. We view failure as a bad thing, but the truth is we learn far more from failure than we ever would from success. What do we miss out on when we let the fear of failure dominate our thinking? The answer is a lot. We miss out on opportunities, new experiences and new relationships. This fear ultimately keeps us from trying new things. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave usa spirit not of fear butof power and love and self-control (ESV).” In Chicago, I asked a shy young woman, do you want to learn how to use a powered saw? If she had let that fear take control and said no, she would have never learned how to use a circular saw, let alone be in a position to lead the team confidently two days later on the worksite. Presenting opportunities for students to take risks is key to leadership development. Risk taking leads to confidence and endurance. At LeaderTreks we value this characteristic of risk taking, because of the growth it causes in leadership as well as our spiritual faith as a Christian.

Vision of Improvement

2011-03-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

The past ten days I spent a great deal of time working with a community, Linda Vista in Costa Rica. It was quite the experience. One of the most memorable parts of the trip was to see members of the community working alongside members of our FCA team from Texas. Everything from mixing concrete to transporting it, there was a mixture of both Texans and Costa Ricans helping, encouraging and serving together. Now the majority of the team didn’t speak a lot of Spanish and the community didn’t speak much English, but this didn’t stop both groups from coming together and serving. Yes, there was confusion at times, but the heart of the matter is that both groups realized the end vision of the work they were doing. They realized that they were a part of something bigger than the sidewalk, or electrical pole they were installing. They realized that this was the starting point of improvement; a long and difficult, but fruitful process that many generations down the road would benefit from. We want our students on the trips to understand that improvement starts today. How do you become a better person or leader tomorrow, if you don’t work on it today? Want to know more about leadership development? Please contact us at LeaderTreks. We would love to talk with you.

The Launch of a NEW Site

2011-03-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

This was our very first LeaderTreks mission trip in Chicago (North & South Lawndale to be precise) & the students from West Sayville Christian School in Long Island, NY made it an exceptionally memorable experience! This was Julie's maiden voyage & she did an outstanding job leading! Zane and I assisted her and Phil, Lori & Ryan made cameo appearances...it was a popular place to be!

We partnered with La Villita in South Lawndale, whose community we're all in love with now! We tore out some platforms on either side of their 4th floor youth room, carried down 2 whole dumpsters worth of wood, bricks, carpeting, and all sorts of other trash, primed and painted the youth room--students and staff alike worked really hard! Genie Rose has given her life to middle school education and has an unstoppable heart for missions! I find myself wearing down and then I look at Genie and I think, well what's my excuse?! She may be a petite Septuagenarian but she has the heart and strength of a youthful giant! Thank you Genie for your years of service! To 25 more years girl!

We also partnered with Young Men's Educational Network in North Lawndale and spent one evening doing a team building initiative together, sharing a meal, and helping to build more bridges between North and South Lawndale as well as giving our students an opportunity to be enriched by YMEN guys' lives and hearing their stories! I saw God's faithfulness in providing for all of us that night--I don't often have to depend on Him for enough to eat, but we weren't sure how many to expect, and God gave us just enough! What are we missing out on by being as independent and self-sufficient as we are?

My life as a rubber band

2011-03-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

When I was young my family used to accumulate massive amounts of rubber bands from newspapers, the mail, bunches of broccoli, etc. They would find their way into a drawer with the idea they could always serve some future purpose. Most likely, these rubber bands would become weapons of boredom. Often starting as an innocent shot in the knuckles from the person reading the newspaper it quickly escalated into ducking for cover behind the couches.

After all our fun, the bands were pretty much useless for anything else. Trying to put them back on the newspaper or expecting them to hold the broccoli together again is futile. They are ruined.

Much like the way these rubber bands can never return to their original purpose, I too have been stretched into something new. The life I knew before I started working with LeaderTreks will no longer satisfy me. I've tasted adventure and have been challenged to see the broken world as God sees it. Now I live my life differently in light of it. Going back to being blissfully ignorant of my responsibility to my neighbors is not even an option; not that I would ever want to.

"... I came that they may have life and have it abundantly," (John 10:10, ESV). We read in the Bible that God is sufficient for us, but we are abundantly supplied with life. Life being more than just personal comfort, instead a life full of service and love for the people God has created.

If you are interested in being stretched into something new, then maybe you're who LeaderTreks is looking for. Give us a call 877-502-0699 or visit our website: leadertreks.org.

Cumber or Care?

2011-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

This weekend at LeaderTreks we held our yearly Student Leader Training. This training is packed with lots of information, principles & experiences for the students who run Level 3 trips with us. We find it so useful for students to spend a short weekend with us to fully understand the depth & weight of their responsibility as leaders for their specific trip. With all that training packed into a short time, there are times when students become overwhelmed. The amount responsibility and trust that is placed on them is big, but we are confident that they can do it.

As I was closing up the weekend with the students I had them read through the story of when Jesus visits Martha & Mary's house (Luke 12). It's in this story that we see Martha working very hard to get her home ready for Jesus' visit, while Mary immediately sits at Jesus' feet to listen to him teach. Martha gets frustrated that Mary isn't helping, but Jesus tells her that Mary has made the wiser decision in sitting and listening to him teach.

I used this passage with the students because there are all times when we as leaders become consumed with the logistics of serving Jesus & we forgot to acknowledge his presence all together. We as leaders cannot be 'cumbered' by the work and service Jesus has called us to. Sure it's important to plan, prepare and execute but when that becomes more important than all us we have a problem.

How are you doing in leading this week? Are things you are doing showing that you are cumbered by your mission and vision or do they show that you care? Take a few minutes during your busy day to pray and ask for conviction from the Holy Spirit in this area. Chances are, he won't waste much time bringing things to your attention.

Question: What's one thing are you cumbered by today that you cared deeply about in the past?

Relationships, Is that Important?

2011-02-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

As the start of spring break trips draws closer and closer, the office begins buzzing louder and louder. We are all excited about the locations we'll be heading, the material we'll be delivering and the work projects we'll be doing. However, we are more excited about the relationships we will be building with the students, the youth workers, our missionary partners and the community that we'll be living and serving in. Yes, we are all about the leadership and the spiritual development, but if the person factor is not there, what's the point? People First, Mission Always is our creed and we as leaders need followers and people around us to follow the mission. The past few weeks and weeks to come, we are and will be focusing on building stronger relationships with all those involved in our trips. We at LeaderTreks are about growth, but more importantly about the growth of people. If you want to impact those around you and learn how to take a surface level relationship to a deeper one, then check us out at LeaderTreks.

Missional Lifestyle?

2011-02-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Ever heard the phrase, missional lifestyle?
While a cliche phrase, we are truly called to the great commission, Matthew 28:18-20. At LeaderTreks we continually talk with our students about living a missional lifestyle back home. This January Phil brought a new aspect to help us as staff live with a mission. Every week we watch/discuss a documentary demanding some type of a response as believers. So far we have watched Glue Boys, Food Inc, and Invisible Children.

William Wilberforce says it so well, "Having seen all this you can choose to look the other way, but you can never again say 'I did not know'" Often our students as well as myself come back from a mission trip more aware of the suffering in the world and so overwhelmed we do nothing. Yet, I am continually challenged by how our missionary partners refuse to look away and as a result are changing entire communities.

I recently listened to a sermon titled "One, Not Everyone" by Andy Stanley,where he challenges us to do for one what we wish we could do for everyone. By coming on staff at LeaderTreks not only will you be made more aware of needs in our world, but you will be connected with many who are not looking the other way. If you want an incredible opportunity to live with mission and purpose, consider joining us as a summer intern or full-time staff. For more information, email jobs@leadertreks.com

Faith Through Love Initiative

2011-01-27T13:08:00.000-08:00

A huge piece of the Summit program at LeaderTreks is helping you find what is next. The Faith Through Love Initiative has been created to help us who are probably moving on next year to take a look at how God has wired us and where God may be leading us. Not only does LeaderTreks want you to be successful in your ministry while at LT but they want you to be successful wherever you go. So much so that they want to help you get there.

The Faith Through Love Initiative is based on the verse Galatians 5:6 "the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love". God has wired us so uniquely and I believe that many Christians don't really know themselves enough to be able to recognize how God has wired them and where he wants them to be. For us to fully function within our gifting is so important. The Faith Through Love Initiative is one way that LT helps you figure out where God may be placing you. I know for myself I want to be living my life in faith that is expressing itself through love. One more way that LT is not only a job for right now but also a decision that will effect me for the rest of my life.

God's still taking down giants

2011-01-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

Three thousand years later, we're still talking about David--the 14 year-old kid who took down a giant with five stones, a sling shot and his God. Are you going to believe in a God that is big enough to do amazing things through you and live a life that's worth talking about three thousand more years from now? That's what I got to talk about with 9 wonderful, inquisitive, passionate junior highers a couple weekends ago. We talked about what their 'inner armor' is and how they can develop it--finding their identity in God and building their character, so they are ready to take down the giants in their lives.

This is what one of the students took away from the weekend:

"I've written two songs about our lessons this week (Giants and Game Day), and I've realized that David is my favorite character in the Bible...he encouraged me by bringing to my attention that I can do anything with Jesus on my side and I don't need anything but the armor of God and I can face the giants of the world without fear."

It's always exciting to see God at work in students' lives whether on trips or at leadership training events, as well as convicting to be reminded of the things that I'm teaching that I'm not really applying very well right now, but it has also been really fun to watch God take away my nervousness and lack of confidence over this past year and a half, and replace it with an excitement and a joy to teach! In many ways that is a giant God has taken down in my life, but at the same time, teaching will be a life-long acquired skill, as I continue to learn and go deeper with God. Someone once said, "I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool." May I never stop learning, so that I have something worth giving to give.

If you're in a place where you're looking:

- to put what you've learned into action, while continuing to learn and be invested in,

- to see God be bigger than you ever thought He was,

- to take down some giants in your life,

whether you're ending your undergrad or grad program, or you just want more than where you're at in your current job, seriously consider joining our LeaderTreks Summit team next fall--it has been all of that and much more!

Honduras Revisited

2011-01-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

I had another great opportunity to visit Honduras during the first half of January. We at LeaderTreks took a team of 14 down there for some work & partnering with a local church for a VBS. The opportunities to experience God were numerous & many of the students were able to remember why they come on mission trips & others were there for the first time getting to experience what all the hype was from their peers.

As we grew as a team & did what we could to impact the community we latched onto a couple ideas. In Matthew 10:10, Jesus tells his disciples, "the worker is worth his keep." We took on that mindset & challenged ourselves to work & live as if it would be the foundation of everything else we needed & experienced. We worked hard & loved on people selflessly.

The other thing we discussed towards the end of the week was why do we crave the "spiritual high" or "mountain top" experiences that mission trips offer? As we discussed and thought about it, Phil challenged us with the idea that in Honduras, away from home, and the normal, we need God. We reflected on several instances throughout our trip where we had to depend on God to help us and get us through certain situations.

It seems so elementary, but quite true. If you want to experience the mission trip high at home, you have to put yourself in situations where Christ is going to lead you through. Our jobs, school, fun, material possessions, most of our life doesn't really require us to depend on Christ for much. In the eyes of the world, we are living the dream. But if we truly want to LTD we have to put ourselves in situations where depending on Christ isn't an option, but the only option.

Your Honor, the defense calls it's first witness.

2011-01-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

I have been home from Honduras for almost a week now, but the things I saw and the people I met and the things I learned about God are still burning in my mind.
Let me tell you what I saw:
I saw a young married couple who, out of obedience and love for their Creator, have brought 6 orphans into their home to raise them as their own.
I saw a couple in their mid 40's, when asked what they enjoyed most about being house parents to 5 kids under the age of 4, said "loving the kids."
I saw a missionary couple who, though faced with the end of one season of their life, patiently waited on God to show them what was next and continued to faithfully serve where they were.
I saw an organization, in a country that regards orphans as trash, reach out to orphans with birth defects and say that you are a child of God no matter your circumstance.
I saw students, who knew almost no Spanish, build relationships with Spanish speaking children that will forever impact their lives and the lives of the children.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..." (Hebrews 12:1)

Maybe your stumbling block is fear of the unknown, maybe it's money, maybe it's security; I don't know, but I do know that with the faithful lives these people live, God has shown us that all things are possible. There is no hurdle too big that it keeps the race from being run.

Interested in working with us? Give us a call 877-502-0699. We'd love to get to know you.

The Least of These

2011-01-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

This was part of a passage our team to the Dominican Republic studied one morning. Later that day, while we were at the worksite and had finished all the work that needed to be done, we sat down and several students commented that they were starving and that we should all eat lunch an hour earlier. I promptly made a comment that they weren’t starving and that we could walk down the street and could easily find people that were. This spurred the teens to rethink their previous comments and the more they thought and talked with the other members of the team they decided that they should give up their lunch. They did this generously and wanted to live out what God calls us to do in the Matthew 25 passage they had studied earlier that morning. We as a team walked a short way and found families in need and shared our food with them. It was a God moment and the team had an exuberant amount of energy afterwards as if they had a full meal themselves. It is one thing to read the word of God, but God calls us to action and this is exactly what these students did. It is truly a unique opportunity provided by God through LeaderTreks for students to learn from the Word of the Lord and live it out through and actual applied experience.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

We all wanted to tell you Merry Christmas. The ways you have supported us this year has been a real blessing & we go confidently into our trips & training knowing that you are praying for us.

We hope that this time of the year may be one of relaxation & reconnecting with family. The people in our lives are so important & most of what we do is because of those we love. Make sure to tell your loved ones you care this Christmas.

We'll be back in 2011, and hold on tight, another trip season is about to kickoff!

As Iron Sharpens Iron...

2010-12-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Any time people from LeaderTreks get together you can count on three things: good people, good food, and lots of laughter. Our trip to Michigan this last week for Mastering the Circle was no exception to that, but we all walked away with so much more than a tummy full of Phil's homemade Orange Chicken.

The way that Mastering the Circle works is some one in Summit will teach a component of Team Time (devotion, prayer journal, growth journal, team evaluation, trip book intro), then we enter into a time of evaluation; things the person did well and things they can improve on for next time, etc. I learned more about how my teaching is perceived in those four days than I have my entire life. Everything from body language to the inflection of my voice conveys something, whether I do it intentionally or unintentionally.

This might sound like it's an intense time, because it is, but it's also an amazing opportunity for iron to sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17). We're not only evaluating each other, but we're also learning from each other and brainstorming ideas of what new, creative ways we can present the Gospel of Christ and leadership development. I personally walked away with a renewed sense of passion for what we do and a resolve to push myself creatively so I can connect better with students.

Interested in Summit? Give us a call (877-502-0699) or drop us an email (jobs@leadertreks.com), we'd love to get to know you.

A time to mourn

2010-12-03T11:11:00.001-08:00

I have spent enough time with my co-workers for them to have become far more than just co-workers--they are family to me in many ways...we have been with each other through the hard work, the laughter and the tears that come with working at LeaderTreks. This past Monday, Steven Houck's father was tragically killed in a car accident in Texas. We are so grateful that Mr. Houck is with the Lord and that Steven had just been home for Thanksgiving and was able to see him, but we are deeply grieved for Steven and his family as they face this sudden and profound loss! "If one part [of the body of Christ] suffers, every part suffers." I Corinthians 12:26

Please pray for them especially today as they bury their father/husband/friend.

Mastering the Circle

2010-11-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

The first week in December is always a fun time at LeaderTreks. We (the Summit Team) will be heading off to Michigan cabin for four days to get introduced (& reintroduced) to the Team Time component of our trips. Bible study, prayer journal, worship, self discovery & team evaluation are all important parts of Team Time we have each night. At first it can look like a lot, but this time away to train is what gets rid of a lot of our fears.

We hold firmly to James statement in 3:1 that says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." We do not take lightly the responsibility we have to God & our teams when it comes to leading & teaching. Mastering the Circle allows us to go even further in our self discovery & see ways in which God has gifted & wired us to teach.

But no worries, this time will not be all business, there will be plenty of fun & food to go around. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel & prepare for the next season of trips that start in January already!

Business-Ministry

2010-11-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Many people do not think these two go together. Or one is compromised with the other. The other day Doug, the president of LeaderTreks, unveiled our game plan for the next twelve months. After leaving the meeting, challenged by Doug to “up our game”, I was ready to take on the hard work of excellently pursuing Christ as we take on opportunities at LeaderTreks. Today it struck me again how much LeaderTreks is a business built on a commitment to excellence. Yet, the kingdom impact and purpose is not drowned out by the business side of things.

At times in full-time ministry, I have been asked, “when are you going to get a real job?” After hearing our game plan, I realized more than ever before how much working in the kingdom is a real job. In fact with the weight and responsibility of ministry it is more real than other jobs I have had in the past. God calls us to a much higher standard of fulfilling the great commission and thus changing the world.

If you want to join us in this mission call LeaderTreks at 877-502-0699 or email me at jobs@leadertreks.com

Challenge

2010-11-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

Today I led the training session on Challenge. Challenge is one of the things we really believe in at LeaderTreks and it is something that makes us unique in comparison to other organizations running trips. As we walked through all the things about challenge (mix grace with challenge, challenge from the top, etc) there is one that needs to be added to our list; challenge students with your lives. We can go through numerous principles, concepts and ideas but students (and people in general) are challenged through the lives that are lived in people they meet.

That is one of the big reasons why I am at LeaderTreks and why I love being able to interact with students. I never had it right, and I still do not today. I was lost at points during my life and there were times I wanted nothing to do with authority or accountability in my life. Students need to hear about those stories, those times when God redeemed me and reminded me that he loves me because I am his creation, not because of what I am or am not doing. We need to be excited about the challenge in our lives not only because it changed us, but because we get to share that journey with those around us and inspire them that God wants to do the same in their lives.

To the King!

2010-11-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Zane, Julie & I had the privilege of working with a really fun team from South Haven, MI and teaching through our Team UP LTE (Leadership Training Event). These students are the youth group's leadership team and showed wonderful commitment to coming together as a team to help the youth group grow. It's always really fun to see leadership principles bring about a turning point in the team dynamics! They were trying to work through a team building initiative and they thought outside the box, tried several creative approaches, but it wasn't until they all got quiet and one student began counting off for the team (1, 2, 1, 2) as they moved one foot across, then the other that they were able to make it across--so much to glean from a silly exercise with wood boards: strong leadership, focus, one in mind and purpose...

And then to see them take what they learned into their ministry team sessions and apply it!!

That's why we do what we do! We are so excited to see & hear how God is going to use what they learned this weekend to bring about growth within their youth group, closer walks with God, changed community, vision for the role they can play in the critical needs around the world!

As Julie said in her blog, there is real ministry taking place here! It's easy to get lost in the logistics sometimes and forget what an exciting role we get to play! To the King!

More than just student development...

2010-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

This morning we were blessed to get to sit down and hear from one of our missionary partners: Jill Aspergan who works with Casa Viva in Costa Rica. Listening to her give an account of the hardships and the hope that have come along with working in Costa Rica was powerful. It was also incredibly humbling to sit and listen to how LeaderTreks has been a valuable resource for their ministry.

Sometimes I get caught up solely in the fact that LeaderTreks is about leadership development but I have forgotten a major component of what makes LeaderTreks unique. The trips that we lead in January, the Spring, and all throughout the Summer is real mission work that is making more of an impact than we know. Jill told us that the pastor of "Trono de Dios" (the church we've partner with in Costa Rica for the past six summers) has decided to run for a mayor position within a province of San Jose and he's chosen to focus on community projects. Due to LeaderTreks's involvement there and the work done by our students, we have helped to give him sound credentials and have, hopefully, given him the tools to be successful. This could be the first steps towards real world change through the local church! How amazing is that!

With that being said, we need people to help carry on this mission. We need people like you. If you've been waiting for God to open up a door so you can help orphans, widows, the oppressed, and have a passion for students, then consider this your open and welcome opportunity.

Living the Dream

2010-11-15T08:59:00.001-08:00

This morning at the end of life sessions we had a brief meeting with the second year staff. Phil just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page so he filled us in on what roles everyone in second year is going to have and what they will be in charge of. As we were going through this, one thing really stood out to me. The roles each person has, are things that they had either asked to do or were things that generally lined up with what they like to do. Everyone seems genuinely excited about the different roles they get to fill at LT, and I believe that is something that will allow us all to be more successful. Even though it stood out to me here, this is something that Phil has sought to do throughout all my time at LT. He has put us in positions that we enjoy and he has set us up to succeed. I know this isn't the way other jobs normally work so I feel pretty blessed that I get to do this here at LT. If you have thought about joining LT then just know it is a place where the staff here does everything to not only help you succeed but to love what you're doing in the process. In essence live the dream.

slightly different dream job... they are both good.

Leadership Design

2010-11-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today I had the opportunity to sit in on one of the sessions of our youth pastor trainings, Leadership Design. Six youth workers went through the activity to discover what their core values were. Now I had done this before (twice actually) and was more so doing it because everyone else was. But as we walked through it there was a list of questions that we answered as we sorted through the 80+ values sitting in front of us.

Questions about people who have influenced my life, what values are violated when I am frustrated and times when I feel the most fulfilled were all extremely helpful in getting me to go deeper on who I was. By the time we were done four of my five core values were different. Quite a surprise to me as you could imagine.

When I took this assessment a year ago my five values ended up being; community, authenticity, reputation/character, influencing others and knowledge/learning.

This afternoon they transformed into; legacy, fun, adventure, creativity & knowledge/learning. John 10:10 was also a verse that came to my mind during this time that solidified these core values. Jesus came to give me not just life, but life to the fullest. It is in these five areas where I have experienced some of the greatest experiences in my life. I am grateful to see these values being lived out in my life. I am also excited to see what they may do in my future.

Question: What are the things you enjoyed & valued most when you think over the important experiences/events in your life?

We are but vessels...

2010-11-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

The office has been buzzing this week:

Tuesday, Phil & his wife Erin took off for the Right Now Conference in TX to recruit some new staff; I spent the day recruiting at Wheaton College;

Wednesday (today), Lori, Zane, Julie, Justin & his wife Christy took off for a recruiting trip to Cedarville, OH; and later today, we'll welcome in 6 youth pastors for a Leadership Design training;

Friday, I'll meet up with Zane & Julie to head to Holland, MI to lead an LTE (Leadership Training Event) called Team UP.

I'm excited for this opportunity to partner with this youth group leadership team and help them grow as a team--Zane & Julie recently taught a couple of the sessions while we were in Memphis (pictured here), and did a great job connecting quickly with the students--most of the time, the settings we teach in, we have to dive right in and invite them to open up--there's no time for small talk--I like that, it by-passes the unimportant stuff, and causes us to rely more on the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for each of us as we interact with students & youth pastors this week, whether recruiting or teaching, that God would use us as His vessels to speak His Words--of truth, challenge, encouragement, direction--whatever He wants to communicate to them.

"Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." Ephesians 6:19