conversations from the couch

Real Stories from SYMC #23

2012-02-07T15:26:48Z

Joel & Jana Snyder.

It was a terrifying time. My wife was pretty seriously ill. The doctors weren’t sure exactly what was wrong, but whatever it was – it was rare and difficult to diagnose with accuracy. While most doctors shy away from worst case scenarios, our doctor waded in with both feet. Contemplating the unthinkable – and how to share that with our children, if necessary – had taken it’s toll on me. Enter Joel & Jana Snyder. They prayed with me. They asked me follow up questions. They cried when I cried. They shared in my sorrow – and in my eventual joy when the doctors were able to diagnose and final correct Katie’s issue. There were many SYMC-er’s who prayed with and for us….but I will never forget Joel crying with me.

Do you need someone to cry with you, pray with you, know you? Then get registered for SYMC today. You can get to know Joel & Jana on their Facebook pages.

Connect with Darren Sutton, the author of the ‘Real Stories‘ series.

Real Stories from SYMC #24

2012-02-07T15:24:14Z

Danny & Lara Legge.

Danny & Lara haven’t actually been to SYMC yet. And it breaks my heart! Danny & Lara have one of the truest, most obvious, most honest calls to youth ministry I’ve ever seen. The Legges began serving students by reluctantly agreeing to lead a small group in a church where I served as youth pastor. The rest, as they say, is history. God called them – loudly. They answered – with abandon. Danny & Lara now serve students in their own church. I want them at SYMC so bad I can taste it! The have so much to offer and so much to glean. I cannot wait to share the experience of SYMC with them.

What can YOU glean from SYMC? What do you bring to the table? Why don’t you register and find out?? And connect with Danny or Lara on Facebook.

Connect with Darren through his blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Real Stories from SYMC #25

2012-02-06T15:21:50Z

Sherri Smith.

Let me tell you about Sherri. Sherri is the kind of person who could find my car keys in Texas from her desk in Colorado. You may or may not see Sherri at the conference….but you’ll see her hand all over the details. (And when you DO see her, she’ll have a smile on her face.)

Sherri brings a fierce joy to the table. She reminds me of one of those dogs that’s a good natured, faithful pet…but don’t act like you’re threatening the owner. Know what I mean? Sherri is a soft-spoken, smiling force to be reckoned with when it comes to youth workers. She fights the good fight on our behalf to make sure we are well cared for and well loved at SYMC. She’ll accomplish her task with a smile – but make no mistake, she WILL accomplish the task!

That’s why you should register right now! You have less than a month before the conference begins. You can find Sherri’s smiling face there or here.

Darren Sutton writes our ‘Real Stories’ series – and spends way too much time on Twitter and Facebook.

Real Stories from SYMC #26

2012-02-04T23:05:18Z

Phil Bell.

Brilliant. Bloody brilliant, mate. Phil and I share the same heart and mind for youth ministry. Kindred spirits – different continents. Phil’s from England….which instantly makes him sound smarter and more interesting than the rest of us. Truth is – he is REALLY smart. He ‘gets’ youth ministry. And he’s so stinkin’ humble about it, you’d never know he gets it if it weren’t for his blog!! I subscribed to Phil’s blog long before I knew who Phil was – he offers practical, timely, sensible wisdom for youth workers. I can’t tell you how many times Phil has called to encourage me, challenge me, collaborate with me, or check-in on me. He’s a true friend….

He’ll be your friend, too – but you gotta hurry up and get registered for SYMC. It’s almost sold out. You can also be his friend on Facebook while stalking him on Twitter.

Darren Sutton is writing our ‘Real Stories from SYMC’ series.

Real Stories from SYMC #27

2012-02-02T21:50:39Z

Ben Halsch.

Ben is the blanket to my Linus! I don’t know what it is about Benny, but he brings a quality of ‘safe’ to every encounter. He always picks just the right time to call or text with an encouragement. When I walk into a planning meeting and see him there, I know all the ‘behind the scenes’ stuff is done. When he’s my roommate, I sleep well…because he’s not going to use me as the butt of his jokes (even though I most assuredly keep him awake with me praying….um, I mean…snoring). If I ever called him and said “Ben, I need you in Corpus Christi right now”, I know he would come. (And don’t think I haven’t considered it a time or two.)

You need to know Ben! you can do that by coming to SYMC this year….and by finding him on Facebook or Twitter.

Darren Sutton writes the ‘Real Stories’ series. You can find HIS real stories on his Facebook or Twitter.

Real Stories from SYMC #28

2012-02-02T21:31:41Z

Jason Lamb.

I remember the first time I sat at a round-table discussion with Jason. I wanted to pull out all my hair…and then I wanted to begin on his! We were not speaking the same language. Looking back now, I realize I was on an FM station and Jason was satellite radio! We were tasking specifics and Jason was on big picture….universal picture, really. I wanted to accomplish the task at hand. Jason wanted to know how accomplishing that task would affect global youth ministry for the next twenty years.

That’s how Jason thinks. Big picture. Widescreen. Jason has recently transitioned back into local youth ministry (and I’m told is feeling the hurt!) But truth be told, his heart was always there. From his role at Dare 2 Share to his many ministry endeavors, his truest and always well-revealed heart is youth ministry. And while I think he’s always been right there in the trenches, regardless of where his office was….it’s nice to have him standing nearer the same battlefield I’m on!

You’ll meet lots of experts in student ministry at SYMC. Some of them may even be teaching a conference! Register now. And find Jason in all his glory on Facebook or Twitter.

Darren Sutton is writing our ‘Real Stories’ series. Find him on Facebook or Twitter…alot.

Real Stories from SYMC #29

2012-02-02T17:36:17Z

Tony Myles.

I actually heard about Tony through my wife, Katie. (See story #31.) She served on a peer panel alongside him and several other youth workers. Shortly after, I discovered Tony and I would be serving on a peer panel together. Everything Katie said about him….totally true. He was sensible and pragmatic, but transparent and authentic. His words were loaded with wisdom and experience. And I was shocked…..because Tony has crossed to the darkside. He serves as a senior pastor.

Recently, Tony and I were spending some time together. I was facing an issue similar to a situation he recently had faced. I was so impressed with his listening ear. I walked away from that conversation NOT with a gaggle of answers (which I wasn’t really seeking anyway.) But I did leave thinking ‘Wow. I would love that guy to be MY pastor.’ His congregation is surely blessed. I hope they know it.

You’ll be blessed by lots of pastoral care and wisdom at SYMC - but only if you hurry up and get registered. And if you’re looking for Tony, you can find him here.

“Real Stories’ is written by Darren Sutton. Facebook and Twitter enjoy his company alot.

Real Stories from SYMC #30

2012-01-31T15:33:19Z

Leneita Fix.

In this woman, there is no guile. (Unless you consider those who would dismiss kids who are poor, needy, rough-around-the-edges, and from the ‘hood.) Now THAT will raise the lioness in Leneita Fix.

A true confession – I didn’t actually get to know Leneita during SYMC. I don’t recall how I came across Leneita’s blog - I just remember her storying ability when I read it for the first time. Leneita was running late for a plane, lost her contacts, just had one of ‘those’ days – and she wrote so well about it that I felt like I was riding shotgun through the day with her. It led to our collaboration on several projects – and, eventually, a face-to-face meeting through SYMC. She’s wise. She’s definitely an expert and passionate about students. I’m honored to be her colleague and friend.

And the thing about Leneita…you can be her friend, too! Find her on Facebook & Twitter - or just register for SYMC this year. (Time is ticking on the discounted offer!)

Darren Sutton is the author of the ‘Real Stories’ series. He’ll be leading some workshops at SYMC – or you can find him on Facebook or Twitter.

Real Stories from SYMC #31

2012-01-28T20:41:29Z

Katie Sutton.

My all time favorite SYMCer!! Last year I had the privilege of leading a connect group with Katie. I’ve had the privilege of sharing my life and ministry with her for the past 24 years. She is wise, passionate, beautiful, and holy. She is absolutely the unsung hero of our student ministry – and I think everyone around me knows it. The only reason anything I’ve done in student ministry has met with any measure of success has been because God saw fit to join me with this woman.

I am so proud to serve with her – and serve her (though I’m rarely good at that!) This year, she’ll be teaching youth workers how to better understand and minister to their spouses and she’ll be teaching spouses how to stand alongside their partners in life and ministry. I’m honored to carry her books.

No other conference invests in the total life of the youth worker like SYMC. Register today – and bring your spouse. Meet Katie before you get there at glasshousespouse.com – or find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Darren Sutton is writing the ‘Real Stories’ series and married to The Glass House Spouse. Find more ‘unbiased’ stories at everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.

Real Stories from SYMC #32

2012-01-28T20:06:22Z

Andy Brazelton.

Andy embodies someone who is called to youth ministry – and knows how he should express it. I love that Andy embraces his call in a unique way. I love that Andy’s method of impacting students comes through quality resources and equipping the adults who lead teenagers. And I especially love that he has leaned into that calling – embraced it – without apology. (You can tell every time he gets called to stand in front of people how much he embraces his ‘behind-the-scenes’ life.)

But I want to bring Andy out front today. It’s his commitment to youth ministry and heart for youth workers that make The Simply Youth Ministry Conference happen. He has become a good friend – and he is a really good man – and a great youth ministry.

Meet Andy at SYMC this year. Get familiar with his more ‘distinctive’ qualities on his blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

The ‘Real Stories’ series is written by Darren Sutton. His blog, Facebook, and Twitter are just a few of the places he pontificates!