What A Night!

Wow, my first official blog. I started this process, in one sense or another, approximately two years ago, and now here I am. But explaining the slowness of my blogging career getting off of the ground isn't the reason for my writing today. Instead, I want to share the amazing student ministry service that I had the privilege to be a part of last night.

Last night, CSM (Core Student Ministries) kicked off its first ever One Big Night. We combined our middle school and high school groups; had an awesome skit, videos, worship, give-a-ways, wrap-up to a six week long contest, special speaker, etc. You know, all of these things that are familiar to student ministry. One of the events of the night that we experienced, was also what many student ministries probably experience...a Stand! "What do you mean?" you may ask. At the conclusion of the message we saw an incredible response of several teens making a decision to stand for Christ; some were for the first time, some were a re-dedication, or some were for a deeper commitment. But as a leader, I find myself constantly asking the question: how do we become the catalyst for these students to help them transform their "service experience" and decision into a way of life? I don't know about you (whoever reads this), but as a leader in student ministry, I don't want to see experience without genuine change. I think, what I'm learning is that the conclusion of this question varies with each leader and student ministry. I'm learning that I can no longer see a successful student ministry somewhere else, and try and clon that ministry and expect the same results. Instead, it's going to involve me spending my own time (and a lot of it), asking God, "What do you have for us?" "What do you want CSM to be?" "How can I be the leader you want me to be for the students you've intrusted me with?"

I pray that God will continue to help me become a catalyst to help our students transform their genuine "service experiences" into their everyday life. I'm thankful for CSM, and for the work God is doing in and through our students, and I'm excited about the future of CSM. Faithfully Reaching, Relating, and Revealing God's plans for our students.

signed,
always learning! always growing!