On the Journey

Our church staff took a drive through our community today to get an up close look at places around us. For many of us it was a first look at some places we had only heard about and never seen in person. It was an eye-opening experience and helped to make the conditions around us very tangible as we search for ways to be intentionally missional.

While we were riding around we passed one of our local food banks. A partner from Northridge was outside the bank with a truck and trailer full of food for families. We seized the opportunity to pull over and spent some time working together to help their volunteers unload it. It worked up a good sweat for all of us and also gave us the opportunity to serve in a very unexpected way. None of us had planned on stopping there, but God presented the opportunity and we felt led to take action.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we were focusing on ways to make a direct impact in our community and then immediately had the chance to do something about it. God will give us chances to work together and put our faith into practice if we're willing to take action when the moment presents itself. We've just got to have our eyes open and be willing to stop and work when we get the chance.

They Came to Serve

Our week of camp has finally come to an end and we have all returned safely to our own homes. It was a powerful week of adventure, spiritual experiences, and tremendous laughter. This just wrapped up my 12th year of leading camp and I believe I have a few more in me. I am always learning new things as we lead, but one thing remains the same. Our week of camp is only as strong as our volunteer leaders. I have been tremendously blessed each year by the volunteers who sacrifice their time, money, energy, sleep, and sometimes sanity to make a difference in the lives of middle schoolers. This isn't an easy task they have been called to and yet they continue to rise up and pour themselves out for the sake of this generation. This year was no exception.

This diverse group of people (many who had never met each other before--some I had never met before either) took on the daunting challenge of leading 132 middle school youth for an entire week. They played basketball, fit people into harnesses for high ropes, led discussion groups, sang loudly, danced, rode bikes, stood in the sun, walked people to the nurse (and back again and sometimes again and again), laughed at stupid videos and hilarious campers, prayed with and for people, answered questions, and functioned as pseudo mothers, father, big brothers, and sisters. There was no pay except camp food, a t-shirt, limited sleep, and the trust that God was working through them in incredible ways they may not even realize. These adults ranging wide in age and camp experience stood in the gap for a group of campers this week and pointed them in the direction of Christ. It is their selfless sacrifice that makes a week successful. I am grateful for them and their commitment to a difficult and yet rewarding quest of influence.

Thank you, my faithful friends (both old & new) for what you allowed God to do through you this week. Your Kingdom influence is greater than you know.

T.E.A.M.

When I worked as a high school teacher in Florida, the school system had a motivational statement they used build around the acronym "T.E.A.M." The letters represented the statement "Together Everyone Accomplishes More". While I always thought it was a bit cheesy the sentiment is certainly true. We might be able to get a great deal done based on our own talents and strengths, but we won't really make progress or find fulfillment unless we do it with a group of dedicated people.

I am continually reminded that I am blessed with great friends, an incredible staff team, a loving life group, and a community-minded church that embodies this principle of team. Time and time again these wonderful people step up to collaborate for a common cause. It makes this sometimes difficult journey worthwhile and much more gratifying along the way. I can't imagine trying to make a difference in our community any other way.

One Vision

We were on another school campus this morning with
breakfast for their teachers. I was able to hear

conversations about the orientation the night before, preparations for students arriving on Friday, technology issues, and certification for coaching. No one was bothered by what needed to be done, but were focused and anticipatory about the upcoming year. There was a palpably strong bond in the staff as they look forward to the challenges and successes of the upcoming school year. Their passionate enthusiasm centered around the bond of unity. They will excel this year as they strive forward together with the same vision as their aim.

The strength of any team is found in their unity toward a common goal. 

Camp Reflections: Good Leaders

I love the opportunity to invest in middle schoolers at camp, but one of the best parts is the time that I get to spend with my adult staff. This past week I was blessed to work with an incredibly fantastic team that gave all they had physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. They have been brought together over several months all with an eye on creating the best opportunities to impact & influence campers. They range in age from 18 to 66 with varying degrees of experience and are all united in leading youth to Christ.

Camp provided them with physical opportunities which built bridges with our campers. They danced, played sports, went down 30 foot slip & slides, climbed rock walls, walked catwalks 30 feet in the air, and dropped 45 feet on a giant swing. They used those bridges to talk about the important things, to pray with campers, and to lead them to make decisions to follow Christ. Some of our counselors even got to baptize someone for the very first time.

We were family for an entire week as we pushed after an identical goal and we will share a bond that only a week spent with 120 middle schoolers can provide. I would take this camp staff anywhere and trust them to lead with integrity and maximum effort in helping to change the lives of young people. They make me look good as leader and certainly make it easy to run camp when you know things will be handled.