Visitations

SWEAT has been getting a few visitations from other youth groups the past 4-5 weeks. A few from Ocala (Connections with Jordan Sandy and Jonathan Tony), a church in Newberry called Mt. Zura last week, and this week a few from the Rock Church.

Every youth ministry has a flavor to it. A worship style, an atmosphere, a certain kind of people, and a certain message. If I had to guess the strength of SWEAT, I would have to say it is the adult volunteers who have committed hours each week to mentor these amazing students. All of us are focusing on the B1M1 emphasis our church is doing. Each leader in SWEAT is discipling 1, 2 or sometimes 3 or 4 students through weekly 1-on-1's and reading through a discipleship book together. Before the service tonight, I walked up on 4 different leaders around the campus meeting with, praying with, and talking with students. It was awesome!

We really do believe: Relationships are the highway the Holy Spirit most travels on to change a heart.

Before each SWEAT service, all these amazing leaders gather to pray and find the plan for night. Tonight was cool. Many of the leaders were sharing the HIGHS and LOWS of trying to make a disciple. So good. No one said it would be easy and predictable, but there is no better journey. I am so thankful tonight for passionate followers of Jesus who are inviting others along!

A Sense

Sometimes I get the sense that God is about to do something really good. Actually, there have been times when I felt a strong assurance that He was going to move in certain ways. 3 months before I started youth pastoring at FAOG, I was driving down the road and praying about my future in ministry and I sensed this assurance that he had a place for me and it was to youth pastor at our church. It was a weird feeling, because zero doors were open at the time. Then, God moved and I watched. In no way did I force my hand, it really was all God.

I have a sense about SWEAT in the coming months. God is about to do something really amazing. I mentioned it to Sara Corvil and she shouted (kind of, Sara is not really a shouter, but that is how my ears heard it :) that she had the same sense. I am kind of nervous about putting it out here on the web, but I guess this is a step of faith...taking a thought like this outside of my personal journal toward public scrutiny. Pray for us if you would. The youth of Gainesville need a revival!

A one-on-One with Jesus

One of my favorite stories/miracles of Jesus is when he walked on water and Peter tried to follow. There is a lot to gain from this passage (Matthew 14:22-33).

Here a couple of thoughts from this passage about BEING ONE and MAKING ONE:

v.23 - Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray by himself. This should be the theme verse for the B1 part of B1M1. Go to the mountain top before you send someone else there. (There is a great chapter in Bill Hybel's Courageous Leadership on this topic)

v. 28 - "Tell me to come." - Peter

Trust. Only time can build it...and it is a MUST for making disciples. Peter had been with Jesus long enough that he knew if Jesus said come, he could.

v. 29 - "Come." - Jesus

A good disciple maker will regularly challenge their apprentice to go further than they think they can...because our God is stronger than we think He is.

vs. 31 - Immediately

I love this word. Jesus never let him sink. When he started to sink...Jesus IMMEDIATELYresponded to support him. A great message as we encourage people we love to get out of their "boats" - we will be there with you when you begin to sink.

B1M1