We received a call wondering if we were interested in hearing from a couple of missionaries from Mexico, with Northern Lights Ministries. They were visiting Alaska and were willing to speak to our students about their mission work.
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What is boasting? According to Merriam-Webster, boasting is defined as, “to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself.” Unfortunately, many people struggle with self-boasting, present company included. It happens so quickly and easily.
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During my youth pastor days, we worked through John Eldredge’s EPIC series within our High School Discipleship program. John explains Christianity as a great story that we are living. He proposes that history’s great stories became great because they have the key elements of our story.
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Bob is a true evangelist! I had an opportunity to hear him speak at Creationfest years ago, and his message still resonates with me. During his presentation, he suggested that the church should be doing a better job of evangelizing to youth and children. I don’t think anyone in the crowd disagreed. However, we were all further compelled when he laid out the reasons why.
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Goal-setting is so important! When I was a youth pastor, taking trips was a key part of the ministry. Before we left, we would have an evening of spiritual preparation; a group session to discuss the spiritual goals for the experience. Goal setting can be a great addition to any conference or mission experience, to increase the impact of the trip.
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Once a youth trip begins, it’s fascinating to see how quickly the students expect a youth pastor to act like their parents, but that’s not the goal in this environment. It’s important for students to have some safe, healthy independence during youth trips. For the most part, they were free to decide, and I always enjoy seeing their faces when this freedom first sets in.
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For many Christians, a certain verse or passage can carry more importance or perhaps, becomes easier to memorize. This is because of its attachment to particular events in their life. Sometimes attached to their salvation or baptism. This piece of Scripture becomes an anchor used to solidify their faith, and throughout their faith journey, comes to be known as a “life-verse”.
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The rise in universalism is concerning. There’s always been an element of it, but it never hit popularity in the evangelical world until recently, brought about by a book by pastor and author, Rob Bell titled “Love Wins. Thankfully, one pastor responded to the masses. Francis Chan released a counter book to Love Wins titled, “Erasing Hell”.
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Not long after Bell’s book started to gain traction, Francis Chan released a video on social. It was a promo clip for his new book “Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we’ve made up.” As I watched, it was clear that Chan was attempting to recentre Christians who were being pulled toward this false doctrine.
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Throughout this journey, my trust in God’s sovereignty has become easier to grasp. It’s not that I haven’t experienced conflict and trial. The difference is that this concept of God’s great Story has driven me to pray in ways that I don’t normally experience.
Read MoreBack when I was a youth pastor, I remember one youth night when we had a bonfire. We were sitting around, talking about music. Specifically, we were discussing the fact that no matter what genre of music receives current popularity, there always seems to be a vein of pop rock that drifts through and remains in culture.
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Some followers of Jesus are so committed that they’d be willing to take any and all risks necessary. Much like the motorcyclist who is willing to ride in rain or shine, these people have been committed Christians who will stay steadfast to the community and the mission through good times and bad.
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