Fire, Fuzzy Slippers, Fire Breathing Frogs and Fantabulous Young People!

Yes! That was a random title-such is my life in youth ministry and student life!
God is so absolutely amazing in what he is doing in the lives of our young people! I attended a Lifeteen and Edge Youth Ministry Training in Ontario the past weekend, and I realized that you can only have so many programs and events for youth, but what is really going to grow them deeper into faith?
Things need to be random, simple and relational. It's not about the program, it's about meeting the students where they're at.
Christ says in the bible-Do not conform yourselves to this world, but make yourselves a living sacrifice for me. How beautiful! We are not meant for this world-we are meant for so much more.
I love working with highschool students because they are so honest with you about where they're at. I find it so much easier to have a conversation about Jesus with them, as opposed to an adult. Yes people! Teens long for love, long for acceptance, long for family, long for friends, long for trust, long for freedom, long for attention. They are hungry for a real legit relationship with God, whether they think they do or not.

After XLT Adoration at the LifeTeen Training on Saturday-I facebooked one of my students from the school, and I felt the Holy Spirit truely working within me to be bold! I told her that she was worthy of God, and that he loves her so much. And you know what? She's been coming more and more to events and asks questions about faith. I see her desire for a true relationship.

I love that I can have a Theology of the Body session, and then the next day, talk about having a Star Wars flash mob in the gathering area and act random.

So-let me ask all of you reading this? Why is the ministry so important for youth? Because they are the future of our church. But what about our present church? Are you alive with the Holy Spirit? Do you go to church as routine? or do you feel God's presence? Do you seek out Jesus in everyone you know? or do you focus on the negative things of life? The church is not just a set of rules about standing up, sitting down, singing, and listening to a Homily. There is a spiritual phenomenon going on. Jesus becomes truely present in the Eucharist. I think if everyone truely believed in this, we would never want to put anything of God, and Mass. It is the source and summit of our faith.

How do we teach our students how amazing our faith is, when we may not understand it ourselves? We have to seek out answers, we have to get involved in retreats, and church events that could revitalize our soul, and bring us to a stronger spiritual reality.

So in my randomness-let's grow deeper beyond-fuzzy slippers, fire breathing frogs, and show these students that they can embrace the mystery of faith, the mystery of the eucharist, the love that we long for.

Anyhow, as I sign off, I have a room full of students discussing faith issues, and I'm distracted! haha! Farewell Fantabulous people! God Bless You!!

Choose Your Own Adventure Month!! Part 1

I know it's been a while since I last wrote, and as I sit here writing, I'm thinking...man! I should be in bed! haha!
Do you remember those books-choose your own adventure? And you read the book, and come to a spot where you have to choose between three possible scenarios and you pick one, and sometimes it makes your story end right away? This month reminds of such a story!

As I learn about youth ministry in the school system and explore the possibilities of new ideas and ventures, I am faced with many scenarios. For instance-Parent Appreciation night! This event-which I think will be fabulous, may flop because only 1 student told her parents, and it's in a week and a half.
I have a coffee house scheduled for next friday.....any entertainment scheduled?...no...not that I'm worried..it will come together, but you never know what's going to happen next.

Last night-XLT adoration was amazing!! There were students that attended that I never would have expected to step into church! It was awesome! Our Tim Horton's coffee visit after proved to be quite entertaining when all of us saw someone that looked like Nick Jonas off of the Disney Channel, and we started singing Jonas Brothers Songs. You know, that coffee time after an event, I think is essential in youth ministry-that's where you build relationships, and break down walls. I cherish those memories.

I'm excited to be working more at the Outreach School in Red Deer, and I have to say, that place is always an adventure, cause you never know who's going to be there. This week is appetizer week! See? An adventure..food! And people!! Woot!

Theology of the Body for Teens is a session I run after school on Wednesdays, and the number of students attending is amazing, and continues to grow. I love the fact that students are interested in knowing the truth behind love, sex, and marriage. I truely believe this is a group that could change the culture of the school.

Well, my next scenario in the choose your own adventure book is to go to bed! I know what you're thinking..."What? but that ends the story." You're right! Good night everyone! God Bless, and always remember that the adventure you choose can affect someone's life and bring them closer to God. Plant the seed-and someone else will help it to grow!