July 5, 2009
So I went with my youth group to Wise, VA to help do some construction work on homes. So many things happened on this trip that it has been difficult to process.
Good things:
1) My youth group seems to have developed a bit of authentic community. Baby steps.
2) Some kids that didn’t know their place within our group found sanctuary and now are comfortable in their particular community role.
3) I bonded a bit with most of my youth workers. Purple Patrol was awesome friends! Jessica, one of our interns, is hilarious to go muddin with.
4) One of my students expressed a desire to serve the Lord in vocational ministry. This was a first for me and will always be a highlight in my participation in the kingdom.
Bad things:
1) Some of the group that went seems to have gone for the wrong reasons. How can I help shape this as a youth pastor better?
2) Because of the lodging some of my kids were left by themselves and really struggled to build relationships with others. There was no central place for community to happen. It was a lot of work to create that space.
Overall, the work was good and our group both participated in God’s work and was blessed. How eye opening is it when the homeowner of the home one is working on has no legs and tells you he wishes he could go on the roof to do the work? I tell you…anyone and everyone with legs will jump on the roof to work then.
Lastly, I was humbled by my first foot washing ceremony. One of my interns and I shared in this humbling experience. Then it happened again and again. One of my kids was so moved to tears that he washed many feet and said many prayers in what I felt was an authentic act of love. Thanks for sharing your life Chris W.
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Uncategorized | Tagged: missions, youth ministry | 
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Posted by faithsowers
June 3, 2009
So I’ve been traveling for two weeks in Italy with my wife for our 6th anniversary. It was an amazing trip. I can’t believe how wonderful it was and still is. I rediscovered some fun, smiled a lot, caught up with really good friends, drank some amazing wine, ate some really good food, thought a lot about my ministry in the world and was reaffirmed with how big God really is.
I’ve returned home though and am already aware of how small we make God and his kingdom in our little worlds. There is a church taking over another church…in my opinion just for their property and because they believe the one church has gone doctrinally astray. There are people asking folks if they have a relationship with God on the metro but ignoring all those that are different all around them. I mean why can’t the white guy share his so important message with all the other people? Sorry, lots of background on that one that isn’t worth posting.
These two stories of which I won’t go in depth have just hit a homerun combined with the Italian Catholic Church about how tiny our thoughts about God really are.
It is more than heaven and hell! I believe in a God that is restoring the world and wants to know his human creatures and his complete creation. I believe he is constantly moving to give us faith so that we can join him in his great work of this restoration. That is my hope and it is the essence of what I hope for. To see this happen in the lives of my kids (my youth group) and others, to see this happen in our environment, to see this happen in our professions and families, to see this happen is the work God has asked me to participate with him in.
If you want to join me and God let me know. I’d love to see what kind of story we can cocreate with God together.
Blessings on all of you – Tom
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Theology, church, story, teenagers, worship, youth ministry | 
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Posted by faithsowers
