Panama City Update, Week Two, Day Four July 24, 2008

I have seen the future of NewSpring Church over the past two weeks…and it is amazing!

Tonight I saw teenagers encourage one another, pray for one another and challenge one another. I told them that in order for them to make the fire go higher that they were going to have to refuse to try to walk with Jesus alone…that they needed the help of one another!

AND they took this seriously! WOW!

I am sick and tired of hearing people my age (and older) talk about how “pitiful and pathetic” the teenagers of today are.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!

Honestly, I have seen more passion and excitement in the past two weeks than I’ve EVER seen in teenagers–ever.

I know someone is out there saying right now, “Well, we had awesome youth camps when I was in the youth group and…”

Let me be very clear…what has happened down here over the past two weeks…honestly, I’ve NEVER seen this type of stuff take place in over 18 years of ministry! These kids are on FIRE! And it’s different than when I used to have kids stand around and tell others what they were going to do when they got home…these students got together tonight to pray for each other and encourage one another…and it was one of the most amazing sights I’ve ever witnessed!

I believe that the next great revival and/or reformation is going to be led by these students…the ones in middle school and high school right now! AND…I think churches who refuse to invest in teens are making a very stupid decision! If over 85% of all decisions for Christ come before the age of 18…tell me, where in the world is there more potential to see a harvest?

After a service tonight I had an adult worker tell me, “Dude, you brought it harder to these kids than you bring it on Sunday’s at NewSpring!” And you know what…they handled it so much better than many adults would have!

I know some of you can’t wait to talk to people who were down here to hear what they are going to say about this trip…but what took place can’t really be explained. My advice…if you are not serving anywhere, GET INVOLVED in youth ministry! I’m telling you–THIS generation is going to be leading the country in the next 20-30 years! AND…they WILL lead the next great move of God…I am sure of it!

OK…I’m going to bed!

Five Reasons I Am In Panama City July 24, 2008

Over the past few years I’ve had a couple of pastors scratch their heads when they find out I come down to the beach with the youth group every year and hang with our teens. They say something along the lines like, “Where do you find the time to do that?” My answer is, “I make the time!”

This is the third year I’ve done this…and I hope that I will continue to do it. Here’s why…

#1 - God Wants Me To!

Yep, played the God card! But…it’s not a canned answer…it’s the truth. I really have felt the past few years that God has said “go” every time I am asked, “Do you want to do the beach camp this year?”

#2 - I Believe In Our Teenagers!

I opened up middle school and high school week the same way! I told them…

First of all, let me clearly explain to you why I am here. I love you! Seriously, I love you guys much more than you could ever imagine. I don’t believe you are the future of our church - you ARE our church!

Second of all, I honestly believe that the next senior pastor of NewSpring Church could be in this room! I am not going to do this forever. One day I will either die or pass the leadership reigns over to someone else…and it could be one of you! I believe the next Billy Graham could be here. Or the next Lee McDerment! I believe that one of the greatest missionaries to ever live could be here…and so I want to spend as much time with you as I can!

#3 - Teens Are An Incredible Predictor Of The Future!

Pastors, if you think your church is going to look the exact same way it looks right now in ten years and still grow…you are STUPID!

I remember when I was in youth ministry the way we did it…we had bands, screens, used videos, met kids where they were and taught them Scripture using every method we could think of.

Uh…sort of looks like the way church is being done today!

The question I am constantly wrestling with is, “What’s next?” Seriously, something is coming! Something is on the way that is going to revolutionize ministry! Something is going to happen to radically transform thousands of lives in the future. AND…I believe student ministry is going to unlock that “SOMETHING” that will impact the next generation.

#4 - It Allows Me A Chance To Form Relationships

Sunday’s are game time for me. I am a focused maniac! I don’t have a ton of conversations that day because I am trying my best to make sure that I have all my i’s dotted and t’s crossed. BUT…when I get away in this environment I am able to focus and spend time with these kids…here their stories, their struggles, answer their questions, pray for them, encourage them…and so on. I love it!

And…when I see them throughout the year there’s a bond there that is absolutely priceless!

#5 - I Love Our Youth Staff And Volunteers!

I love our youth staff…they are amazing!

And, our volunteers are TROOPERS! Seeing them serve Jesus challenges and inspires me!

The other night I nearly lost it right before I got up to speak!

Rob Miller, one of the volunteers on this trip, and I were standing at the back of the auditorium watching the kids worship and he said to me, “Hey man, what if you had said ‘no!’”

I looked him and asked what in the heck he was talking about.

He said, “What if you would have told God ‘no’ when He asked you to start NewSpring Church? Forget everything else that is going on - you would have never gotten to see this.”

When he said that he pointed to over 200 high schoolers worshiping Jesus…and I nearly lost it. I had to walk away and gather my thoughts before getting up! These kids are worth every single dime and every ounce of time we can give them…and I am so glad that God has allowed me to be a part of this.

Pastors, my advice…you CAN’T INVEST enough in student and children’s ministry!!! You’ve heard me say it before–but GIVE TO THEM before any other group in the church! Stop sticking them out in front of Wal Mart on Saturday’s with donuts and brownies…challenge your church to step up and give to them. And…when cuts need to be made in the budget…ALWAYS take away from the adults before you take away from the kids…and if they get mad–let them LEAVE and go another church that will organize their trips to pick apples and visit museums where they can view the worlds largest ball of twine!!!

NewSpring…I can’t wait to see what happens in our student ministry this next year…and next ten years…and beyond. We have some amazing kids who love Jesus and are going to accomplish far more for HIS Kingdom that we’ve ever dreamed.

Panama City Update, Week Two, Day Three July 23, 2008

I seriously can’t think of words to describe what happened this evening!

Last night (Tuesday) I challenged the students to ask God all day today (Wednesday) to rock their worlds this evening. AND…there was a sense of expectancy among them like I’ve rarely seen or experienced!

(I’ve always said that one of the things missing in our churches is a sense of anticipation! Too many people act surprised when God does something amazing when we should be begging Him to work and then anticipating what He’s going to do. OK…enough of that!)

Last week when I was down here with the middle school group I felt like God was directing me to lead our high schoolers through the Lord’s Supper. And so…tonight we took communion together…and it was one of the most POWERFUL times of worship, brokenness, repentance and celebration that I have been a part of in my 18 years of ministry!!!

The Scripture passages that we covered are Matthew 22:36-40, Ephesians 4:25-32 and I Corinthians 11:23-29. I gave the students five questions to wrestle through that basically challenged them to look at their relationship with Jesus and their relationship with others.

I am still blown away. Yes, we did take a lot of video…but it just won’t do what happened tonight justice! Thank You Jesus!

Please keep us in your prayers…we have one more night and God is still working on a few guys & girls! Seriously, pray that there would be even more fruit on our last night (Thursday) that the entire week combined. In fact, if you would just stop what you are doing and pray for our services on Thursday night that would be awesome!

One more thing…we have baptism on the beach in the morning. Can’t wait! AND…one of our volunteers was telling a family here at the place we are staying about our service on the beach in the morning. One of the young ladies told her that she had received Christ but had never been baptized…and then asked would we do it! We told her heck yes!!! WOW!

OK…I’m trying to calm down. I really need to go to bed! WOO - HOO! This has been an amazing week! One more night to go!

Panama City Update, Week Two, Day Two July 22, 2008

The waves down here are much larger than I’ve ever seen; in fact, they put out the double red flag today which pretty much means that no one can get in the water.  BUT…I think you can still rent a waverunner–which, if these waves continue…I’m doing!!!

Today was an incredible day…our teenagers and leaders were able to get some rest last night and hit the ground running this morning.  Lucretia spent some time speaking to the girls…and Lee McDee talked to the guys.  Both of them did incredible jobs from what I hear.

Also today was the day that the great tug of war battles took place on the beach.  I still say that tug of war is one of the best games ever!  It was intense…and so was the heat.  BUT…we all had a blast.  I wore my, “Jesus is watching you smoke that weed” T-shirt…and now nearly all of our teens want one!

Tonight’s worship service was awesome.  God altered the message I was going to give about five minutes before I was going to get up to speak…and I am so glad I listened to Him.  DANG!  I really feel like He got our attention this evening in a huge way.  The invitation time was unreal…and I feel that it really prepared the way for what God wants to do tomorrow night.

One more thing…there was one young lady who stood up tonight and gave her life to Christ…and, once again, that absolutely PUMPS me up!  If the angels in heaven throw a party…so should we!!!

Please keep us in your prayers…we have two more nights and I really feel that God is really drawing some guys & gals to Him!  I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Panama City Update, Week Two, Day One July 21, 2008

Props to our youth staff and volunteers for being INCREDIBLE troopers and keeping and incredibly positive attitude through what could have been a very frustrating day.

Long story short…there were actually come kids and leaders that didn’t get their into their rooms tonight until around 6:00 because the place we are staying dropped the ball on a couple of things.

BUT…let me say this again, props to our leaders…I saw tons of smiles and the vibe stayed very positive!
Tonight’s service was awesome!  I had a lot of fun speaking to our high schoolers.  We saw three people stand to receive Christ…which absolutely made my day!  I know there are more to come!

Please keep us in your prayers!  Tomorrow we will see teams do battle on the beach in intense games of tug of war…going to be LOTS of fun.  Lee McDee is speaking to the guys in the morning, and ‘Cretia is speaking to the girls.  (It is SOOOOOO nice to have her and Charisse down here this week!)

Gotta go to bed…unbelievably tired!

Panama City Update, Week One, Day Four July 17, 2008

Folks, I am sitting here on my couch COMPLETELY worn out…but SO PUMPED that Jesus has allowed me to be a part of this!

Tonight was, by far, the most incredible evening of worship! I stood in the back of the place we are having services and watched our middle schoolers dance and sing and raise their hands and I was completely overwhelmed at how in love with Jesus these guys and girls are.

We started the day with our beach baptism…and 105 people (yes, a few adults are in that number) stood in front of hundreds of people on a public beach (with TONS of people who weren’t with our church…but are with THE CHURCH stood a cheered) and confessed, “Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord.” Baptism MOVES me…and today was no exception.

Then, afterwards we all gathered together on the beach and spent some time in worship. Folks, it was LOUD…these kids were singing their guts out. And people on the balconies of the hotel were actually raising their hands in worship with us. At one point I could not sing…I just stood their and soaked it all in.

And then tonight, like I said, was INCREDIBLE.

I’ve said this all wee long, but we have an incredible youth staff. I love these guys and can’t brag on them enough. The planning, praying and organizing that went on behind the scenes is absolutely amazing.

BUT…I REALLY don’t want to overlook some of the most important people on the planet…our volunteers. The men and women who took a week of vacation and came down here, the ones who chaperoned these kids, stayed up with them until all hours of the night and poured every waking moment they had this week into them. They, in my opinion, are the heroes of the week!!!

Now, I’m going to bed!!! My plans are to try my best to get some sleep tonight and then fly back to Anderson in the morning, have dinner with my family, have a date with Charisse on Saturday morning (and let ‘Cretia sleep in), chill for a while Saturday afternoon, preach three times on Sunday and then get on a plane on Monday and come down here to do it all over again! I’M PUMPED!!!

Oh yeah, one more thing…just in case you are wondering…I AM excited about Sunday. Remember we are dealing with the subject, “Can you lose your salvation?” Should be fun…and…honestly, I believe we will see people receive Christ…pray for that–and don’t forget to bring someone with you!!! (Either to Anderson OR Greenville!)

Panama City Update, Week One, Day Three July 16, 2008

I really am old…sleep beckons me, but before I head that way…

Today was an amazing day.  If you are a parent of a middle schooler…THANK YOU for allowing your child to head down here with us this week.  God is absolutely doing some amazing things.  We’ve seen around 50 kids give their lives to Christ…and tomorrow morning is our beach baptism!

To say that God is firing these students up is an understatement.  This is the third year in a row that I’ve participated in this camp…and hands down this is the best year ever.

If you are a high school student coming down next week–HOLD ON–God is rocking worlds and changing lives down here!  You WON’T be going back to Anderson the same!!!

The students are REALLY into the games this year…and it’s a trip because people who are not affiliated with our church at all are continuing to crowd around and join in the fun.

And tonight was pretty cool…Lanny Donoho and Reggie Joyner stopped by our services.  (They do this really cool camp thing down here every year!)  I have always respected these guys for the incredible work God is doing through them.  But tonight solidified in my mind that they love Jesus because…they told me about some new restaurants down here in PC that I’ve never heard of…but I WILL be checking out soon!