Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hopes and Dreams

cat·a·lyst- noun - a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

It is an interesting term....as it is so nondescript even by it's definition. I like to judge, to decipher, to evaluate....call it part of my rational thinking or whatever but is this catalyst a good thing or bad thing? Catalysts are different...they are not weighed by positive or negative, good or bad, right or wrong....they are simply something that happens prior to a change, or in the sense of chemistry enact the change but they themselves are not the change... There really is nothing else like a catalyst. We can look at the results of the change and evaluate the outcomes...but it is not the catalyst that causes that result!

Ok, so what am I talking about? As City Impact is heading into the final portion of our capitol campaign for our new building....we are in need of a catalyst, something that will help precipitate change. Our campaign has come so very far...but we still have work to do. We feel very confident that this is the Lord's leading for our ministry. We know our students need a building to call home! Our programs need to have room to grow, not for our sake but because we know that there are so many in our community that need God's Love in their lives!

We think we have found our catalyst, this October, City Impact is hosting our annual benefit dinner...Hopes and Dreams! But catalysts merely precipitate changes....we need active parts to be changed that is where you can come in! I am inviting all of you to come to this event learn and hear first hand from the students and families that are being transformed by God through the ministry of City Impact! Hear us as we dream about as we talk about what we feel God leading us to do in His new building. Maybe you can get involved too...perhaps you to will be transformed through this night!











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Monday, August 13, 2012

Shalom and Ayn Rand

I was digging into the VP nomination of Paul Ryan, who fashions himself as a proponent of Ayn Rand, saying that she is one of his greatest influences; that got me curious. I have seen the Atlas Shrugged Pt. 1 movie, (which was poorly acted...and made little sense outside of the context of the rest of the story...but that would be another blog post entirely) and I have heard her proclaimed as a herald and soothsayer, making out and predicting modern times extraordinarily well; but I really did not know who she was or what she stood for! Now that I do ... I am disgusted! From the brief research that I have been able to conduct she is a "Social Darwinist" - meaning those who get rich are the only ones deserving of riches while those who are poor are a leech on the rest of society. She has stated that "Nobody has ever given a reason why a man should be his brothers' keeper." She is convinced that religion in general is a weakness...

This doesn't sound like the concept of Shalom... which is peace, wholeness, restoration, for and between individuals  While I don't believe the role of Government is to provide Shalom, it is our responsibility as Christians to follow the example set forth by Christ....and he cared very much for His neighbor...in fact He mandated it of His followers.

We are to love God and love our neighbor as we love ourselves... this is not weakness and it gives us the mandate to be our brothers' keeper!

I don't see how I can ascribe to or conform to some other ideology that is contrary to this!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

KAA - You Know!

KAA - YOU KNOW! This was the chant City Impact students were shouting out at 5:30AM....far too early, and even worse I had no idea- I did not KNOW at all...but a week later I have learned!

KAA is short for Kids Across America; it is a sports based Christian Camp for students ages 9-19! The camp is located near Golden, MO - Branson is the nearest civilization and about 45 min. away. The camp is  designed to cater to Urban Youth and Teens - we were there with groups from the inner-city areas of Chicago IL,  Memphis TN, Tulsa OK, New Orleans LA, Houston TX, and West Palm Beach FL. KAA divides the students into 3 different groups based on age 9-12; 13-15; 16-19...I stayed with our students in the middle age group, we also took 5 other Adult leaders to stay in the camps with the students and a total of 29 kids. The students are with their Camp Counselors  most of the week which freed me up to network with other Urban youth workers, find new resources/ tools for ministry, and deal with any BIG issues.

Some HIGHLIGHTS of the week -
* I got to see my students learn how to "Kruggie" - combination  the dances krunk and Douggie; they did this in the middle of the dinning hall on a small stage if they lost their table block (they needed to carry this to get up from their tables) or if their side was not as HYPE as the the other side.

* A reflection of our ministry- we were the most racially diverse group at camp! I am fully convinced that heaven, unlike Sunday Mornings will not have segregation going on. It blessed my heart that we were able to take a group that was reflective of the Whole Body of Christ!

* I won a tee-shirt in a competition among the leaders....for having the craziest socks!

* Three of our students made a decision to follow Jesus after Cross Talk- many if not most repented of some sin and choose to walk more closely with the Lord.

* NOT ONE OF CI's STUDENTS MADE IT ON THE DISCIPLINE BOARD! Each morning leaders would have to check the discipline board to see if any of our students had issues the day before, students who were too unruly had to be removed from camp and sleep on the floor of the gym with their leader but for lesser offenses had to run, do push-ups, or extra KP .... our students were very well behaved. This fact was also reiterated when we, as leaders, had a time to meet with the Camp Counselors, for the most part our students got glowing remarks from their Camp shepherds.

*Branson Trip/ Dixieland Stampede - I know it doesn't sound cool, but they camp took all of the leaders into Branson and out to dinner at a themed restaurant, like Medieval Times for country folks....I wasn't to sure but it was awesome, good food crazy show!

* Cheers and Tripp Lee's "Robot" - The camp had a cheer or chant for everything and the loved to get "SUPER,MAD,CRAZY,HYPE"  For the most part this was great...except for a non-morning person at breakfast it was a bit much...so I did not go to the dining hall for breakfast after the first day...just couldn't do it! They also played this song in the dining hall...it one the we "Kruggied" to!


* There were also trips to the hospital and extremely hot weather ...but PRAISE GOD - no serious injuries and we all made it home safe and sound!

Monday, July 23, 2012

What is wrong with me?!

Last night was a great night at ILA. We had the most students there we have had in a long time. We had a group of soon to be sixth grade students visit and see ILA for themselves. WE had some new parents and volunteers there to check things out too! We even honored some of our leaders who will be going on to different things next year! The students were having a great night!

But after ILA was over, I was not pleased at all! As a matter of fact I was down right ticked off! Why? What was the big thing that happened to steal my joy from last night, well there were two things!

1. My object lesson during the sermon did not work. I had some water in a cup and put food coloring in it to represent mankind's sinful nature. I talked about how sin muddies our life and without outside influence we are helpless. Then I poured bleach into the glass, which should have changed the water back to looking "clear". I tried this several times at home to make sure it worked...and with several different food colors and it worked beautifully. Last night in the middle of my sermon...it did not! ARGUHHHHHH!

When we got home, my kids said it was a great message and that it may have worked even better with the message that the "trick" didn't work. I was just upset it didn't go the way it was supposed to!

2. Worship time. I had worked very hard to put together a PowerPoint with some new music for the kids to worship to. It was going to be fantastic. We were going to show all of our visitors how we can adore God with our voices...I picked some great songs. My computer and the projector at the church had some other ideas. They would simply not communicate, no PowerPoint for the students to see + new songs = no worship! All of my hard work down the tubes...
Never mind that we had a blast playing games with the students instead. It was a great time for the kids to have some relational unstructured time....no We WERE SUPPOSED TO WORSHIP!

So last night I get home...and I am pouting...like a two year old who did not get some silly toy at the store... all because my plans didn't go according to my plans. ILA students had a great night but I was mad because I did get my way.

What is wrong with me? Seriously what is my deal! I am so sorry Lord...please continue to decrease me, so that you may be increased! Even if....actually, especially if I am pouting! And may I find joy in your plans that are way better than anything I could imagine!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Great opportunity for Youth workers!

Dare 2 Share is a ministry that I have seen for a number of years through several different youth groups. Caleb and KOK went to D2S. As did Pastor Kirk and CBC...and other students that I have had a chance to work with. But to my knowledge City Impact youth have not had a chance....that looks like it will change soon! If you are a fellow youth worker check this out! 


Step one: I get to check out a leadership training in October! You can go too- check the info in the video!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Music Monday- I AM BATMAN!

I am really excited for this movie. I loved the last one; can't believe that this one is it for Nolan and Bale.... BATMAN!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Music Monday- Lecrae and David Crowder, YES Please!

My favorite worship/ Christian band is most certainly David Crowder...his music resonates so very well with me. He speaks my language. For students at ILA that artist is Lecrae. How about a collaboration!