Whew!

Got it back. Well, all except for all my fav books and materials. That's going to take some time. Again, if you have recomendations leave your message at the tone.

Beep!

An Unfortunate Occurance

I am an idiot. Of some sort. Some how, some way I was in my template and deleted everything. It is going to take me awhile to get everything back.

In the mean time, if you have any resources or posts you'd like to see, please email them to me and I'll get them up.

Thanks. And pray for my adled brain.

Snap Yo' Fangles

It's so fascinating being at each of the 4 youth conferences. Each conference has had it's own personality. Sure, Bob Lesnefsky told different stories, the speaker were different, the crowd had different participants- - - it's just facinating, all the same.

Mary Bielski and I were talking Friday evening that it almost seemed like the Saturday night experience was about to happen on Friday evening. The kids mostly seemed to be there. Charlie Cantrell thought Bob would do the alter call, as did Mary and I. What we all seemed to note that because there were fewer groups (not fewer kids, though) the groups themselves were largely responsible for how the weekend went.

What I mean is, in each group there seemed to be several kids who had been before and several who hadn't-so the kids who had come before influenced the kids who hadn't been. Last week there were several smaller groups (63 group leaders). This week there were 34 groups, but larger groups.

It seemed like it was a positive experience for nearly everyone. It's such an honor to be a part of this ministry. I miss being on the front lines, but love ministering to those who come here. I think the whole team felt the same way.

Now I'm off to go get errands done. I don't have any air conditioning in my house and it is 92 degrees outside today! Gotta love vehicles with air conditioning!!

God bless all!!

You're Not Alone

I was perusing Youth Specialties and found this latest article. Can you relate?

If you are unfamiliar with the Barna Group, they do a great deal of statistial analysis of church related issues. It's generally geared towards Protestant Churches and their polls seem to more highly reflect that population, but some of their findings can relate to Catholics as well, particularly this poll on being a"pastor' in ministry.

Of course we don't call ourselbes pastors, we use the term "Youth Ministers" but there are some simliarities in what they've found. I think so, anyway.

I could be wrong. It happens.

Amazon Difficulties

My apologies that the Amazon boxes below are flashing large orange signs rather than the books I listed. I'm working on it...


UPDATE: All looks good now. Hmm. Seems several other Amazon Associates had trouble and nary a word from Amazon. A bit disappointing. Ah well. All's good now.

Steubenville Youth Conference #3

Each youth conference that we have done has had it's own flavor. The first one on June 16-16 only had about 1,000 because Admissions had University Days going on (where new students come to get acquainted with the University), as well as wrapping up the Priest, Deacons and Seminarians Conference. What a headache. A blessing for those here, but insanity for us.

So the first one was good, low key, smaller numbers, all went well

#2 was on June 23-25. Almost half of the crowd came forward for the Altar Call and Saturday night's adoration and empowerment were active. By active I mean that there were a lot of kids who rested in the spirit, experienced intense emotions, many taken out of the area to help relax and be ministered to.

By contrast, #3 seemed to have a great deal of newer chaperones and there were many in attendance who had some anxiety about the Saturday night events. Last night actually ended up being very calm yet many youth ministers told us that deep conversions were taking place among their young people.

It's always very interesting to see how the Lord works with different groups of people. You just never know how the Holy Spirit will move and it's a powerful thing to witness his variety in attending to the needs of his people.

If you are just showing up for the first time give a shout out. Glad you're here. This is my own unofficial-apart-from-the-University blog, but have been waiting a long time for your visit. Give a shout out!

I'm bushed. This was the first youth conference that I was on stage so much. I love love love working with Les (Bob Lesnefsky, aka Righteous B, aka The Whitest Black man). I also love sharing Jesus with teens and with their youth ministers. I have one of the coolest jobs ever! It's a good exhaustion that I'm experiencing.

Youth Ministers, thank you for all you do. We love you and pray for you so very very often!

SweatShop Sessions

This weekend is our 3rd of of 4 Franciscan University of Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences. Bob Lesnefsky, aka the Whitest BlackBoy aka Righteous B is our host for both 3 and 4, having been the entertainment at #2.

This boy is hilarious. He's also talented. And holy.

If you work with kids who like rap music, you gotta get his latest album

This ain't no mamsypamsy rapper. He knows his stuff. No sissy stuff here. He's the real deal.