Free Download Winner

Congratulations to Justin Dela Cruz from NJ for winning the free download of "Adventure Managment" from me and Simply Youth Ministry. I have also thrown in a few books I picked up at the National Youth Ministry Conference and will be getting them to him soon. Thanks for commenting, Justin. Come back often!

Sunday Recap at NYMC

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FREE RESOURSES. NOMINATE SOMEONE SOON!

Another good day in Cinci. This evening we heard from 321 Improv, The Skit Guys, Tim Timmons and Greg Stier, founder of Dare to Share. Greg animatedly (is that a word?) encouraged us to have challenging conversations with teens and people around us. Before Kutless performed we heard from a 13 year old kid from Arizona, Austin Gutwein, who has helped to raise over $350,000 for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS through his Hoops of Hope organization. It was so cool to see what teenagers can do. Thanks Austin for giving of yourself.

You Could Work for Mike?

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FREE RESOURSES. NOMINATE SOMEONE SOON!

I thought this was comical . . .

There is a pin-up board here at the NYMC. One of the categories is "Jobs".









However, I am not sure this applies.

Saturday Night at NYMC and MORE FREE Resourses

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FREE RESOURCE GIVE-A-WAY!! NOMINATE YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE SOON!

I am having a blast here at the National Youth Ministry Conference. Today was good, but tonight was better. First I had supper with youth ministry friend Jonathon and his intern Danny. Supper was expensive but delicious. The conversation, as usual with Jonanthon, was very enjoyable. After supper we headed to the evening's main session. After some fun give-a-ways by Josh, a new rap video by Jake, the "Skit Guys" and worship, Doug Fields came out and imparted part of his life. I was blown away, again, by how transparent and humble Doug (can I call him Doug?) can be. I posted about it earlier but tonight just cemented in my mind that I was right. I know he isn't a super hero or anything, but this is Doug Fields, Youth Ministry Guru. And he is 1. Afraid, 2. Too Occupied, 3. Uncomfortable. He called these "Faith Blockers" and shared how these affect his spiritual life. Yes, I guess he could be blowing smoke, but everyone that I have talked to that knows him says he is the real deal. What a great testimony. Thanks again, Doug, for sharing - it encouraged me.



Later I went to the Purpose Drive Youth Ministry Community late night event. While I was there I picked up a couple extra resources I am going to pass along to whomever wins my free give-a-way. The extra books are: "Secret Things of God" by Dr. Henry Cloud; "Coach's Challenge" by Mike Gottfried; "The Monday Morning Church" by Jerry Cook and Live: Book of John" by Group Publishing. These are over an above the original resource. Don't for get to nominate yourself or someone else.

Saturday Day at NYWC

Today was a really good day! The general session was different but I really liked it. It was a lot more interactive than any other conference I have ever been. (In 21 years, I have been to a bunch). The theme was "Play". Like I said, different but I also felt like God was talking to me about a few things. I'll keep that private. The worship was done by the 9th grade band from Saddleback Church. They were better a lot of bands that have much more experience. Nice to see kids using what God has given them to glorify Him.

I then went to the "Making Messages Stick" workshop with Thom and Joni Shultz. Again very interactive - which was part of the point. We learned to be R.E.A.L. when we speak.

Relational

Experiential

Applicable

Learner-Based

I am posting them so they "Stick" better in my mind because we learned that 40% of everything we hear is lost after 2 minutes; 60% is lost after twelve hours and 90% is lost after one week.

I ate lunch with Dave and Braedon (Sorry, I hope I spelled that correctly) and then rested a bit before the second workshop.

I will share about tonight in a seperate post.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FREE GIVE-A-WAY!

Submit a Name to Recieve a FREE Youth Ministry Resource

I need to get this out. I want to give my give-a-way to someone who wasn't fortunate enough to get to this year's National Youth Ministry Conference. See what someone will win here.

Now, here's the deal. If you, OR someone you know, couldn't be here in Cinci, please comment on this post and let me know why you couldn't come. You have to give me your name. I will select someone by putting all the names in a hat and allowing someone here to select your name or the person's name you nominated. If you are at the conference and know someone who had to miss for some reason, submit their name. Maybe it would be someone who didn't have the money. Maybe it is a volunteer who couldn't get off work. Maybe someone got sick. The reason isn't that important. Maybe you are at home and wished you could have been here. Submit your own name. I just want to share with someone who isn't here. I have been blessed by this conference and would like to share a resource with others.

Hurry, you only have until 11 AM on Monday to submit names.

Tony Dungy, Podcast and Jim from Friday Night

I really enjoyed last night. Josh has some of the videos that we saw on his blog - funny stuff. Check them out.

Tony Dungy seems like an incredible man and I really appreciated his talk. He seemed sooo humble and his love for God showed. He related how his football mentor, Chuck Knoll, encouraged him in his coaching and he challenged those in attendance use the same principles:

*Learn your craft.
*Make it personal by being yourself. Take a personal interest in your kids' lives but you can't have the same game plan for each kid.
*Take time to recharge. Rely on Christ and walk as close to the Lord as possible.
*Trust in the Lord when you experience setbacks.

Then last night I went to the "live" Simply Youth Ministry Podcast. It was fun to see all of those people live. It went well over an hour and then end had some really fun stuff. I really appreciated the end the most because I got to see that Doug and friends made/make the same silly mistakes that I have/do. Thanks guys for being transparent last night.

I also got to meet Jim from "Jim's Blog Space". I is nice to finally see him in person. Much taller than I thought.

Short Note from NYMC

I have been having computer problems all last night and this morning. Enough said. I don't have much time this mornig to post but will hopefully get time a little later today. For now, know this. Last night was really good. Videos, music, Dungy, Podcast - really, really good.

General Session then training and affinity groups today. Look for more later.

Free Adventure Management Download

Normally you would have an idea for a contest and then find the prize. Well, I have the prize . . . a free download of Adventure Manaement from Simpy Youth Ministry. This download has a retail price of $19.00 and YOU COULD WIN IT! If I only knew how to give it away. I will get to that in the morning. For now, let me tell you about the prize.

Adventure Management

Life is an adventure full of surprises and challenges. And there are a couple of areas in life that if they aren’t manage wisely, can steal the joy and abundance from the treasured life that Jesus promised to those who follow Him. Doug stares these issues dead in the eye with this sermon series and gives you the tools to teach it to others. Originally given to adults, this three-week series deals with topics that are just as relevant to students and young adults (actually, Doug taught them to teenagers first…he practiced there and we got this ‘better’ recording). Topics include:

Week 1—Conflict
Week 2—Busyness
Week 3—Relationships

With this resource you get MP3's of each of the messges, Transcripts and outlines, Powerpoints of each messge, promotional material and dramas. Check out more information here. And, come back to see how you can win this FREE download.

She Needs Frequent Driver Miles

I was impressed today. In my 40+ affinity group, that most of the
people voted for, I met Dawn who drives 150 miles one way to work with
and minister to her youth group - EVERY WEEK! Lord, may I never
complain about ministry taking too much of my time.

Sent from my iPhone