Youth Pastor John's Blog

Youth Ministry Blog

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Check out my new youth ministry blog www.unstereo.com or follow it on facebook.

Last Day at Central Community

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:37:00 +0000

This is just about where it all began. Summer Camp 2004. I had been serving as full time youth pastor for about three months. It all started when the youth pastor I was interning for quit unexpectedly. The church asked me to fill the role, I said "yes." Then they asked me, "are you sure?" That was in April of 2004. I had just finished my sophomore year of college and was extremely under-qualified. The church trusted me and we both had trust in the Lord. I thank God for my dad and the people of Central Community for giving me that opportunity to say yes to my calling, and then go in the direction the Lord was leading me. After seven years of full time youth ministry at Central Community I must continue to go where God leads. I have taken a new youth ministry position at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, in Laguna Niguel, California. It has been an amazing time of community, service, and ministry at Central Community. I have learned more from my Dad and Pastor Ken, the associate pastor, than one could ever gain in any class or lecture and I thank them for sharing their wisdom with me. The learning process continues and I look forward to building on the knowledge I have gained. Pray for me as I continue on this journey.

John.

When we were young.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:15:00 +0000

This has to be my favorite video of all time. We all look so young!

Say What? Top 20 Youth Ministry Blogs of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Youth Specialties is great. I highly recommend their resources and all the guys on staff are awesome. They missed it with this one!!! Who can resist my once a year blogs? In case you forgot what sets my blog apart.

Take this "top 20".

John

NYWC: Sometimes It Blows Up In Your Face

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:09:00 +0000

The National Youth Works Convention is awesome. They do an amazing job with programing and always have a bunch of great speakers and bands. Check it out here www.nywc.com

Youth Minister'd

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:35:00 +0000

That's pastor Ken. He was my youth pastor. I hope Ken wakes up every morning with the knowledge that he has changed many students lives over the years. Ken showed us first hand how to take part in ministry and how to show others the love of Christ. He also was highly skilled at programing crazy events and could keep up with anyone at tackle football (yes in the 80's and 90's tackle football was still cool with church insurance). More than anything Ken has shown me that through strong work ethic and faith anything is possible. Thanks to Ken, the other youth pastors in my life, and everyone out there right now serving our Lord, through youth ministry.

"Let's give them something to blog about"

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Following suite of the rest of the blogger-sphere I have decided to let you know the top five things I enjoy blogging about:

Church
Trips I am going on
Stuff I enjoy as a person: Angels Baseball, Surfing, and Fishing
Family
Recent or current events!

The best thing about blogging is the freedom to write whatever you would like. This is also the worst thing about blogging, people complain non-stop. As I always say, bloggers are complainers. Here's to blogging about all of the positive things!

John

The end of a Legacy.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:28:00 +0000

The end of a Legacy often means the beginning of a new one. Phil Hamer; Surfer, film maker, human rights activist, friend, and family member. Phil and his wife recently packed up shop in San Diego and are headed to their new home in Seattle, Washington. Phil does not like Starbucks or cyclist so please be praying for him while he is in Seattle. From the world of action sports and climate weather in San Diego, to a new lifestyle in Seattle. Phil is a man of selfless faith, following his next film where ever God sends him and his family. The world looks forward to Phil's newest project and everyone at youthpastorjohn.com wishes him the best of luck. Keep this guy in your prayers!

John

Enjoy the picture of Phil and I splitting the peak.

How to break a world record!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Stephanie and I, along with 43,500 other people joined the Guinness book of world records for the most people wearing a snuggie in one place!!! Talk about awesome! The angels lost because of Joe Saunders, but I won because of my free snuggie! What a fun night!

John

Surf Trip!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:09:00 +0000

The youth group is going on a surf trip this Thursday thanks to a generous donation by a good friend. All the kids are so excited!!! Their youth pastor is too! So fun! Pray for us this Thursday!

This is what happens when you stop blogging for a few months

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:09:00 +0000

Thanks to all my concerned readers. The blog must go on! Life is good. I am safe.

Christmas countdown.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

We are closing in on Christmas week. Here is the schedule.

Sunday December 20th
6pm- Childrens Christmas Play
6pm- Youth Group Christmas Party
7:30pm- Jackets for Jesus Christmas Party (Leaving from church to LA)
Wednesday December 23rd
11am- Siempre Christmas Party (Leaving from church to Tijuana)

Thursday December 24th
Christmas Eve Services 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm

Caleb

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:27:00 +0000

If you don't know Caleb you should really change that. Caleb is the nicest person, he is caring, and he serves God. I have had the awesome privilege to work with Caleb for the past two years. Caleb plays a huge part in our ministry, he brings the students into worship and bible study with great passion. When he started working at the church two years ago I know his main goal was to find a church community to take part in and fellowship with. I hope he has found that and more. Caleb's heart for the oppressed and the poor, mixed with his youth ministry skills, makes him a perfect fit within our ministry. Get to know Caleb. Buy him Chipotle. Give him a high five. Lift him up in prayer. I am thankful for Caleb. Our leaders are thankful for Caleb. Our Students are thankful for Caleb. Thank you Caleb for being such an amazing friend and leader.

Accept,
John

Turkey in Oven!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is here! Sweet. I can't wait to take this turkey out of the oven! Thanks to all of the great people calling me to volunteer! Feeding 2500 is a big task! Do you want to volunteer thanksgiving day? We need volunteers Wednesday 6pm - 8pm and Thursday 8am - 4pm. Call me 951-689-5806.

Central Community
5623 Arlington ave.
Riverside, Ca 92504
Click for map!

John

Fine dinning?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Time for lunch. Steph and I have been expanding our Riverside dinning knowledge. Today we tried out Mr. T's (downtown). Grilled cheese anyone?

Here we go.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:16:00 +0000

It's later October and people are starting to plan for thanksgiving. I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with old friends. You know who you are, the volunteers that I have spent my Thanksgiving with for the last 20 years. It has been a generational effort. People have fallen in love. Friends have sense passed. Family's have made it tradition. A tradition that writes itself over 20 years is a rich one. One to be proud of, and we are! The phones are ringing in our office at Central Community. Family's are ordering thanksgiving dinners, getting it all planned out. We have the opportunity to be at the heart of their Thanksgiving. To let others know that we care. That the church hasn't forgotten many people are still experiencing financial hardships, don't have the means to get out of the house, or simply just need a helping hand. We want everyone to experience the joys of giving thanks. I am looking forward to volunteering with my family thanksgiving day. My wife. My parents. My sister. My in-laws. My Aunts and Uncles. My grandparents. If you want to start a new family tradition or add to an already great tradition this Thanksgiving we need your help. Call 951-689-5806 and find out how you can volunteer this Thanksgiving in Riverside, Ca.

Volunteer Thanksgiving Day 2009 In Riverside, Ca

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Are you looking for a place to volunteer this Thanksgiving? We have a great opportunity for you. This is our 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Central Community, and we need your help to make it our best yet. Here are the details:

Work Party
Wednesday, November 25th
6pm to 8pm

On Wednesday we will be peeling tons of potatoes. Bring your potato peeler (if you have one).

Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 26th
8am to 4pm

On Thanksgiving we need volunteers to help prepare and serve food, we also need volunteers to deliver meals. We are planing on delivering over 2500 meals across the Inland Empire.

Other Details: We are still in need of cooked turkeys, all cooked turkeys must be brought in by Wednesday (We have frozen turkeys you can come pick up and cook as well). We also need pumpkin pie. Costco pies work the best, but any pie will be perfect. Bring pies in with you Wednesday or Thursday. From Wednesday to Thursday we have over 24 hours of work to do, you can volunteer anytime you would like. Please call 951.689.5806.

Address:
5623 Arlington ave.
Riverside, Ca 92504
951.689.5806

To do list

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:46:00 +0000

Here is what I am thinking:

Start running again
Get back in the pool
Bike rides?
Clean office
Schedule out 2010?
Work on building leaders
Surf more

More time is needed!

New Dog- Koda

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Well my dogs name is Koda. He is small. Has floppy ears. Likes to fetch. Those are his traits.

Labor Day: Video Blog.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:42:00 +0000

Monday, Steph and I spent the day with Phil (my friend/cousin) and Dalene. We had an overly fun day of surfing and eating food. It was a pretty spectacular day as you can tell from this odd video blog we shot at breakfast.

John

GYMKHANA 2.1, BLOCK vs DYRDEK

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:06:00 +0000

As seen on MTVs Rob Dyrdeks Fantasy Factory, Gymkhana 2.1 takes the epic cinematography and driving from DC Co-Founder and Rally Team Member Ken Block that youve come to expect from the Gymkhana videos and mixes in Rob Dyrdek in his comical and somewhat powerful miniature version of Blocks rally car.

My cousin/friend Phil is a genius. I Love you man.

Angels: Fan Strong.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:17:00 +0000

My uncle Dan has never been ashamed of his love for baseball. I have never heard him talk stats or boast about certain players. He has always been the type of guy who enjoys the game, from wiffle ball, to little league, to the bigs. In the early 90's he built his own field of dreams, a batting cage in his back yard. After the completion of the project he hosted an opening day celebration with hot dogs, peanuts, cracker jacks, and organist. He even worked within sight of Angel stadium. Their family vacations consist of going to Arizona for spring training. Now living in Seattle, Dan still makes sure the kids get to the game. What a treat!

Reggie, Vlad, and Derek!

Derek, Torii, and Reggie!

Angels Game.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Nice seats

Enjoying the game with Steph.

I yelled at the pitchers all night long. "Lets go Jose!"

Plenty of fireworks on and off the field. Angels won 11 to 7.

Fishing!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Driving for a long time.

Our view of the bay from the trailer.

Our friend from church has a fishing business

Here's his boat

We caught tons of fish. The prize fish of San Quintin are the white sea bass. I caught two and my dad caught three! What a great time! Thanks dad!

Movie Night!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:43:00 +0000

Family movie night was awesome! It was a beautiful night in the park at church. The evening started with family's picnicking and ended with laughter. 130 people filled the park for our biggest activity of the month. Make sure to get your tickets for this Fridays Angel's game. There are only a few left!