daddy4ms

As pastors, we have been discussing mission trips a lot lately.  We are praying and seeking God for where the youth should go in the summer of 2014.  Today, as we were discussing a location over coffee, I was reminded of the mission trip I took to Guatemala in 2003 with GracePoint Community Church Youth.  We worked with an organization called People for Missions and they operate House of Hope which has orphanages in several different countries.  They are located in Zacapa in Guatemala.  It brought back many great memories and made me reminisce about my youth from Colorado.  Below is a picture of one of the girls from House of Hope.  It makes feel old to think that she might have graduated from high school by now.

Check back here Thursday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 5th for content from the best family ministry conference.  I will be sharing videos and mp3s from previous conferences.  If you have not attended before, you need to sign up now.  This conference is for parents, grandparents, children's pastors, youth leaders, next gen pastors, lead and senior pastors. Visit their website for more information at d6conference.com

On Thursday, I was again reading Creature of the Word by Geiger, Patterson, and Chandler. Chapter 8 is a great chapter that all children's and youth workers should read. It gives a perspective that we all need to consider. Here are some thoughts from the chapter: "children and students are often pummeled with curriculum designed for behavioral modification rather than gospel transformation." "Perhaps many churches fail to teach the gospel to children because law is more attractive. Law provides children's ministry leaders and parents with the false assurance that we are doing the right things, that we can check boxes off a spiritual checklist." "A changed heart will result in obedience." "So the hearts of children ultimately do not need protection but transformation." "The "next big thing" mind-set regarding a student-ministry calendar fosters an unhealthy dependence on programs." "While children...

I will be part of the social media team again this year for the D6 Conference in Dallas on September 26-28.  See information below showing other members of social media team and which speakers will be streamed live.  I hope you will share thoughts or send questions as we interact via social media during the conference.  I will be posting quotes & thoughts here on my blog as well as quotes on Twitter.  This is a great way for you to receive great content if you are unable to attend. Download social media guide here