Re-Energize Yourself

This weekend is our DNow Weekend. I love putting this weekend together but it is a ton of work. After the weekend is over I'm going to Orlando for 3 days to the Youth Pastor Summit. It's a conference for Youth Pastors and Youth Volunteers. There are 4 others I'm taking with me as well.

I'm really looking forward to being poured into, I'm looking forward to resting, learning, and being encouraged by others. I'm looking forward to being Re-Energized.

If you're a student minister or volunteer let me encourage you to plan somethine once a year at least to get away. Whether it's a conference or a retreat of solitude, these times are incredible for the soul and for your overall ministry. You pour out every day into people's lives and you need to be filled sometimes too.

Most churches will help with some or all of the costs if you just ask. They see the importance of it too.

DNow Weekend

This weekend is our annual DNow Weekend. God always does great things on this weekend. This will be our largest attended one yet. Students please pray that God will work in amazing ways. I've been praying for this weekend for a long time. Please pray with me. Students it's going to be great. Thanks for being such an awesome group. I'm so blessed to be your Student Pastor.

Chris Allen Band

Students on April 19th we are priviledged to have The Chris Allen Band coming to lead worship for our 412 Student Ministries. They are an awesome band out of Orlando, Florida. Be sure to plan on being here at 10:30 a.m. on April 19th in The Loft.

Hold on to your Family!

Over the past few months I have received the bad news that some of my friends have called it quits in their marriages. Many of my friends from college are hitting the 5-8 year mark in their marriages and are throwing in the towel.

I just wanted to write a note of encouragement to love your family, pray for your family, serve your family, and put your family above yourself.

This is my daughter who is an unbelievable joy. Every decision I make, and action I take could have an eternal impact on her. That's some serious consequences, if I choose poorly.

No job promotion, addiction, hobby, money, boat, car, jewelry or house is worth loosing your family. Put your family first. Pray for your kids everyday that God would place in them a heart and passion for Him.

Zach's Videos

Zach joined the Youth Staff full-time in August of 2008. He does an incredible job with our students. But his greatest gift is his video making skills.

I've added a few of his videos to my video bar above, but you can see all his videos on Youtube. Just search DJsacky and it will pull up his list.

The great thing is that I give him my message topics and he comes up with a relevant and hilarious video. Check em out.

First Fruits

Tonight our Pastor preached an excellent message on our First Fruits. He read some of our churches stats on giving.
71% of our church members give $0, Nothing, Nada.
86% of our church give under $1,000.00 a year.

What's amazing to me is that this is actually a pretty good percentage when you look at most churches giving patterns. Most churches fit into an 80/20 range. Meaning 20% give and 80% give nothing.

I can't help but think how many people could be reached if even 50% started to tithe. What a difference our churches across the world could make for the Kingdom of God if Christians really started to sacrifice for the Lord.

What a difference we could make if we weren't so consumed with all our stuff, and we could actually be consumed with giving our First Fruits to the Lord.

My Pastor said it best, "Revival would break out"

Youth Guys Acting like Idiots

We decided to put together a rap for our students this past Wednesday Night. Thought I would let you see why we're Youth Ministers and not full-time rappers. We did this for Fusion and Catalyst, our Wednesday Night Middle School and HIgh School worship. This is a compiled video of both performances.

YP Summit

If you're a Youth Pastor or a Youth Worker/Volunteer I encourage you to get signed up for YP Summit in Orlando. Registration is filling up fast but I know there are still a few spots remaining.

I plan on going and taking my youth staff and a couple of volunteers. The conference is March 2-3 and here are a few of the highlights:

Top-notch Speakers like Francis Chan, Mac Powell, and David Nasser.

Great training seminars with guys like Phil Newberry and Ron Luce.

Free Pass into Universal Studios

2 Free Lunches

Great place to Network with other Youth Ministers and Leaders.

And most importantly the Conference is FREE.

For more details check out their website at www.ypsummit.net .

Uncommon

I received the new book by Tony Dungy today. I haven't started reading it yet but I am greatly looking forward to it. It's called Uncommon. I loved his book Quiet Strength, I'm sure I'll love this one too. I encourage you to read it along with me.

Broken Vessels

Broken Vessels is an awesome band that I have had come play for our students for a couple of events. They have incredible gifts and incredible hearts for the Lord.

I highly recommend them if you are looking for a band for a camp, dnow, retreat, whatever.

Check out their new blog at www.brokenvessles.com .

Please Pray for Me

Please pray for me. I am flying out tonight to go to Arkansas to speak at a High School Retreat for The Summit Church.

I spoke to their Middle Schoolers last weekend and had a blast. Please just pray that God will use me and that God will do an amazing work in the lives of their students. Thanks.

Jared Pickney

Jared Pickney is a good friend of mine. He is in the process of starting a church in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
He and I served on staff together First Baptist Church of Paragould, Arkansas.

He's a great friend and is doing great things for the Lord. He's going to go far in life.

Here is the link to his blog. He has some great insights on here.
www.jaredpickney.wordpress.com

Mega Wednesday

Students Don't Forget MEGA WEDNESDAY!!!

Be sure to be here next Wednesday Feb. 11th from 6-8 p.m. You could win an Ipod and we'll have special guests here Urban J and Big Daddy K.

Don't miss an awesome night!! See you then.

Brian Mills Blog

Brian Mills is a friend of mine from College. He is now the Student Pastor at Second Baptist Church of Houston, West Campus. He always has some great insights on student ministry on his blog.

Whether you're a youth volunteer, student pastor, leader, or a student you'll be able to find some great stuff here.

Check out his blog at http://www.brianmills247.com/