There is a tremendous desire in our High School and College Ministries right now to talk to people about Jesus!  I'm more amazed every day by kids who are telling me stories of how they're sharing their faith with others.  But for every one of those conversations, I seem to have 2 more with students who just don't know how to talk to people about Jesus.


First, let's clear up the "why".  If you've placed your faith in Christ for your salvation, repented of your sin and committed your life to His glory, then you've got something HUGE to share with people.


It's like discovering the cure for cancer...the logical thing to do is to share it with the world and save lives!


Christians have the cure for a much worse disease:  HELL.  


It's because of this that Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28..."Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

For a great, secular perspective on why it's important to share our faith, check out the video below by atheist Penn Gillette.  I don't encourage you to subscribe to his channel or even partake of his material, but this is a really convicting point of view from a person who believes there is no God.




Now let's talk about the HOW.


I want to be clear:  I'm not some "super-saver" who is constantly seeing people get saved and lives radically transformed.  I struggle with the same insecurities and fear you probably struggle with.  But I have had the privilege and opportunity to see people come to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit in a simple conversation.  


1.  PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITY:  God gives us all opportunities to share our faith with others every day, but if we are praying for them and seeking those opportunities, we're much more likely to recognize them when they come.


2.  UNDERSTAND YOUR PRIDE:  We each have a great internal enemy to fight when it comes to stepping out of our comfort zone, and that enemy is pride.  C.S. Lewis calls pride "the great sin" from which all other sins are derived.  Pride tells us not to embarrass ourselves.  Pride tells us we are going to look stupid.  Pride tells us that how people perceive us matters more than anything.  Pride is a tool that Satan uses to keep us from living for God.  Understand that YOU ARE GOING TO BE BATTLING WITH PRIDE.  


3.   DEVELOP A GAME PLAN:  Once we understand that we're going to have to battle our pride, we can start fighting the fight.  Make a plan. 


How am I going to respond to my first opportunity to share my faith today?  I'm going to thank God for the opportunity, and I'm going to engage that person in conversation


What are my objections going to be, and what is going to get me past them?  I'm probably going to feel embarrassed, so I will think about how much Jesus has accomplished for me and how grateful I am that someone shared with me.  I'm probably going to feel inadequate, so I am going to remind myself that God has simply called me to be faithful and share, not to save a person.


What am I going to do if the person I talk to is hostile or if I begin feeling defensive?  If the person is hostile, I'm going to respond with EXTREME gentleness and respect for them and their position.  I will smile, I will be willing to talk about other things, and I will be hopeful for another opportunity to share with them.  If I begin feeling defensive, I will remind myself that I'm not here to debate, but rather to talk about what God is doing in my life and who I believe Him to be.

Also, have a plan for what you're going to say!  Know your testimony, the story of how God saved you and is working in your life.  Know the answers to the basic questions about heaven, hell, salvation, Jesus, etc. and know the Scripture to back them up!  You may not be fully prepared for anything that gets thrown at you, but you'll at least have a plan and some preparation behind you.


4.  SEE EVERY CONVERSATION AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE:  Not every person you share your faith with is going to agree with you, hear you, respect you, or become a Christian.  1 Corinthians 1:18 says the message of the cross is "foolishness" to those who are perishing, but it's the power of God to those who are being saved!   

Maybe you talk with someone about where you go to church, what you think about Jesus, and what you think about heaven and hell...and you feel like you didn't do a good job.  
Maybe your words were awkward. 
 Maybe you couldn't say what you wanted to say.  
Maybe you got really sweaty and nervous.  

Talking to someone about a topic that may not be mutually interesting (Jesus, for example) is NOT EASY!  It's something that we get better at as we do it more.  So don't sweat it!


More on this in a future post.  Hope it's helpful to you as you seek opportunities to share your faith with others!


til the whole world knows,

Pastor Kevin

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Hey there high school and college students!  If you're looking to invest your time for a semester in your field of study and get some valuable experience in an internship, the Semester Internship Program may be just what you're looking for.  Sheridan Hills always has opportunity for those with specific interests, and you could be a part of some major projects in which ever semester you choose.  Stop by the High School Ministry Office today and pick up an application!


til the whole world knows,


Pastor Kevin

There's basically nothing you can do to change it.  SCHOOL IS STARTING.  As horrifying as it is to see the end of summer come, we might as well enjoy the beginning of the school year together!  If you are a 9th-12th grade student, come hang out with us at Fall Party 2010.  It's completely free, completely fun, and you'll meet lots of new people.  Start your school year off the right way.  Come to Fall Party!


til the whole world knows,


Pastor Kevin

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We got back from Student Life Camp at Stetson University on June 25th, a little over 2 weeks ago.  I was tempted to blog about our amazing week at camp as soon as I got back, but I didn't for a few reasons.


First,  I wanted to let the experience settle in for me, as a pastor, before I really archived it forever.


Second, I wanted to give some of the students who made huge decisions at camp time to talk with those they are closest to before I addressed them in this blog.


Third, I was exhausted and needed time away.


So now I'm sitting in the office at the sprawling estate of my wife's parents in St. Louis with a little time to blog, and blog I shall!


I honestly wasn't very expectant about camp this year.  In fact, I was already writing off the whole Student Life thing before we even went.  Last year's camp at Daytona was a fun little thing to do, but mostly disappointment in my mind.  I've been planning for several months to go in a different direction with camp for next year.


But Stetson was TOTALLY different from Daytona.  Our students were challenged in every way.  Our adult leaders and college leaders were challenged, and I felt like I was seeing them grow before my eyes.


The community was real.  The unity was strong.  The chocolate pudding was off the chain.  And the Holy Spirit was evidently working among our group.


A lot of kids made a lot of decisions.  I don't know about all of them (we took 37 kids and I honestly haven't been able to talk to everyone since we got back), but I want to publicly encourage and give a shout out to a few.


Jillian ~ I saw a huge change in you at camp.  I praise God for convicting you of your sin, giving you a spirit of repentance, and giving you the courage to admit your great need for Him.  Every time a student isn't afraid to admit they need God and want Him in their lives, I am inspired.  You inspired me, Jilly Jamz.  I am praying for you every day, and it gives me great joy to see that you have found real, genuine community with the other kids in our student ministry.


Sydney ~ You are strong, and I don't think you know it.  You recognized a great need in your life at camp...one that you were afraid to admit.  And you did it.  Having it all together is a great character trait to possess.  Having the courage to admit when you don't is an even better one!  God has given you great character, and great potential for leadership.  You have everything in you to be a world changer.  Seriously.  I am really proud of you.  


Emeli ~ I asked you on the bus ride home what God did in your life at camp.  You said, "I became a Christian last night." As surprising and different as that might sound to some, it is the sweetest thing my ears can hear from a student, no matter which student says it.  What I see in you at church is a young lady who seeks the Lord.  What I see in you outside of church is EXACTLY THE SAME.  That speaks volumes about you, sister.  I am thankful to be your pastor, and to watch you grow in the Lord.


Austin ~ I will NEVER forget the conversation you and I had at camp on Thursday night.  You were the classic example of someone who understood faith, but needed to know repentance.  Don't be ashamed of that...what a gift salvation is!  You were honest and open and real...something I love about teenagers.  One of the cool things about South Florida is that people like you just sort of "drop in" from the sky and land with us.  I'm really glad you and your family put the landing gear down at Sheridan Hills.  I can't wait to see you grow and mature in your faith, and to see you serve in the Kingdom!


I don't want to de-emphasize any of the other decisions that were made at camp (shout out to Ileana for surrendering to the call on her life for overseas missions!).  I'm so proud of every teenager that committed to letting go where God said let go, and picking up what God said to pick up.


The hard part:  Are you REMAINING?  If you went to camp, you know exactly what I mean.  We are two weeks out of one of the greatest weeks we can remember. 
 Are you back to normal?  
Have you gone back to the EXACT SAME ROUTINE?  
Is anything different for you? 
 Did you make a decision that lasted a week?  
Or did you make a decision that lasted a lifetime?  
Jesus was worth sacrificing your pride and status while we were at Stetson...is he still worth it back home?


Are you chasing down every piece of wisdom and guidance you can get from God's Word?


Are you sending up every prayer and desire of your heart as you pray and talk to your Savior every day?


Have you said goodbye to that useless relationship you were in before camp, so that you could enjoy the relationship with Jesus that you either started or renewed while you were there?


As I said two weeks ago at The 705, this is the hard part.  This is the part that requires real sacrifice and dependance upon God in your life.  It separates disciples-in-training from deserters-in-hiding.  It's not arriving that is such a thrill, it's the journey you take to get there.  Journey with Jesus, students.  Remain in His love.




til the whole world knows,


Pastor Kevin

Hey guys.  A few things for you to think about before we leave for camp next week!
1. Go to www.therealregeneration.com and click on Student Life Camp 2010 for the UPDATED LIST of what to bring and what not to bring.  HINT:  DON'T FORGET BED SHEETS, BLANKET, AND PILLOW!!!


2.  Here is the list of people who are signed up for camp.  If you're on this list, WE ARE PLANNING FOR YOU TO COME WITH US!!!  Next to your name you will find YOUR COLOR FOR THE WEEK!  You may want to bring clothes that match your color to show support for your team!


Ashley Cano (Blue Crew)
Christian Funez (Blue Crew)
Christina Vandesande (Blue Crew)
Clara Paul (Yellow Swarm)
Emeli Boscan (Blue Crew)
Genesis Labarca (Blue Crew)
Hannah Paul (Blue Crew)
Ileana Bowen (Blue Crew)
Jason Straussman (Blue Crew)
Jessica Cano (Blue Crew)
Jessica Lowden (Blue Crew)
Jireh Labarca (Blue Crew)
Jonathan Bustamante (Blue Crew)
Kara Davis (Blue Crew)
Kory Davis (Blue Crew)
Melany Danielson (Blue Crew)
Ryan Ketcherside (Blue Crew)
Sarah Parker (Blue Crew)
Sierra Reese (Blue Crew)
Sydney Reese (Blue Crew)
Tiffany Vandesande (Blue Crew)
Tiffany Boileau (Yellow Swarm)
Todd Boileau (Blue Crew)
Tommy Morgado (Blue Crew)
Rachel Vargas (Blue Crew)
Steven Caruso (Blue Crew)
Estrella DelaFlor (Blue Crew)
Caleb Santos (Blue Crew)
Michelle Danielson (Blue Crew)
Victor Cantergiani (Blue Crew)
Austin Albers (Blue Crew)
Jillian Matthi (Blue Crew)
Elaindra Julme (Blue Crew)
Austin Wilson (Blue Crew)


Leaders:
Dale Horsley (Blue Crew)
Erick Macri (Yellow Swarm)
Crystal Wright (Yellow Swarm)
Liz Kinney ((Blue Crew)


3.  Your FAMILY GROUPS will be a co-ed mix of people from our group and people from other church groups.  This will be a great opportunity for you to make new friends and meet new people!  Of course, there will be time every night with just our church group and you will be rooming with people from our group.


4.  ROOMING LIST:  I have put together a very arbitrary room list.  We are staying 2 TO A ROOM.  I will allow everyone to go over the room list and ask for specific roommates WHEN WE STOP FOR LUNCH ON THE WAY UP!  I want you to enjoy the rooming situation, and I will try my best to put everyone where they want to be!!!  DON'T WORRY!


5.  Please pass this along to anyone on Facebook who may not be in this group.  AND TELL THEM TO JOIN THE GROUP!




Reply to this message with any questions you might have, or post it on my wall and I'll get back to you ASAP!




til the whole world knows,


Pastor Kevin

Looking for blog material today, and I stumbled across a note that's been on my desk for a LONG time.  The heading of this sticky note says * I WANT *.  This is my ever growing Wish List of things that I would like to have for ministry.


I share this for a few reasons:


1.  Other youth pastors.  Maybe you guys don't know about these things and should look into them.


2.  Posterity.  It's nice to look back through the years and remember what you were thinking, doing, and hoping for!


3.  Potential contributors.  If you are reading this and you love me...buy me stuff!




WISH LIST:
1.  "The Emergency Response Handbook for Disaster Relief"  (from Group Publishing)
2.  Mafia Cards (Google them...they are awesome and make Mafia 100% better)
3.  "College Ministry 101" by Chuck Bomar  (Chuck is the College ministry guru and I really need to read this book!  Buy it used...I'm not picky
4.  2 ministry interns for the Fall of 2010 (I have 2 interns now who are awesome and are making ministry better at Sheridan Hills.  You will be paid in chewing gum.)
5.  2 ministry interns for the Winter of 2010 (see above)
6.  ESV Study Bible, leatherbound (best study Bible available...me likey.)
7.  "The Dangerous Book for Boys"  (BOUGHT IT!)
8.  Adult Leaders who are passionate about mentoring and discipling teenagers (have a few of these already...need several more...RSVP immediately...psst, hey parents of teenagers:  it's okay to be involved in student ministry even if your kids bellyache about it!)
9.  "College Ministry Video Training Bundle"  (can never put enough investment in college ministry...they will be creating our culture for the next generation!)




Hope these resources and "wishes" are helpful to you in ministry!  I'm sure the list will grow so check back frequently!


til the whole world hears,


Pastor Kevin