Faith Like Potatoes

So there was one blog that I was going to post. Had it written and ready to publish, but God held me back and told me to share how He’s working in my life. Here’s a new one.

Just the other month I was excited to see the movie Faith Like Potatoes be released in the States. The movie shows the life of Angus Buchan and how God got a hold of his life. Now Angus leads huge conferences similar to Promise Keepers across South Africa, impacting hundreds of thousand men’s lives a year.

As a farmer, Angus dealt with the ups and downs of the weather. God instructed him to plant potatoes one year during the worst drought South Africa had seen in decades. People thought he was crazy, yet he continued to plant potatoes in faith. God provided Angus with a huge crop of potatoes that year and since no one else planted potatoes, Angus received top dollar for his crop allowing him to do even more for God. It was a great testimony to friends, family, and strangers of how God provides for us when we act in faith to what He calls us to do.

Well last week God gave me a moment to test my faith and allow Him to be seen in my actions. We had originally been quoted one price for our tickets to England this summer on our mission trip. It was a decent fair. Nothing to jump up and down about. But when I went to actually book the tickets the next week, the fair jumped $250 a ticket! That’s half of the spending money we needed while in England that now has to go toward a ticket. Looking at the confirmation email, I second guessed if we should do the mission trip. But then it was as if God said, “are you going to plant that potatoe?” I did. And I’m looking forward to seeing how God will show up and meet our needs. How God will get the credit for what we are doing and not us.

Walking in faith is difficult. It requires being content with what God has given you. It requires being willing to look crazy sometimes. It requires being sold completely on what God has asked you to do. Living by faith is a great rush!

Question God? It Could Be A Good Thing

Picking strawberries the other day and thinking about my current status and job, I had a thought. "God, is this what You really want me to be doing right now?" (as in career, not strawberry picking) Immediately I wondered who am I to question God. But then, it was as if God said to me, "questioning Me isn't always a bad thing." That went against what I'd been taught for so long. Of course while talking to God about this idea of questioning Him, it began to make sense.

Most of the time people question God about the bad things happening in life. Why did You do this God? How could You let this happen? Why is life not fair? And, not only do people question, but they do so with ears not willing to listen and a bitter heart toward circumstances in their life.

See when I asked my question, it was to make sure I was continuing down the path God wants me to. Asking God if "this is where He wants you" is okay to do when you are traveling down the path He is already directing you. This helps keep stubborn, hard headed people (I can fall into this category, believe it or not) from plowing a path through the forest, doing what they think God wants them to do, when really God veered off the path a few miles back and wanted to focus on a new direction. There are times when God leads you in one direction for the purpose of teaching you or saving you from something. And then He steers you toward another course to accomplish His will in your life. Trust me. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt and a matching souvenir cup.

So here's my point, if you want to question God, not test Him (that's a whole separate blog), go ahead and ask. Just make sure you have a humble spirit desiring to do His will, are willing to learn from answers given, and be willing make any changes in your life that are necessary. Do that and I bet He'll answer about any question asked.

Ministry Highlight Thursday(?) - South Carolina Heart Gallery

A little late, but hey, it's posted! 

This week's highlight is the South Carolina Heart Gallery. Part of the national Heart Gallery, the South Carolina site highlights older kids in foster care that are in need of adoption through photography. Local photographers donate their time to photograph the personality and beauty of these children. By doing so, people interested in adoption get much more than a standard bio of the children. They see the smiles and joy these kids have. Don't believe me? I dare you to check out the website and not be touched by the smiles on these children's faces, scheartgallery.com.

Fox News recently did a report on it. Check it out! http://www.foxcarolina.com/video/18861575/

The Joy of "Full-Time" Ministry

Up and down, left and right, then violently streaking back up, followed by a quick twist to the right. That's life in "full-time" ministry. Now the quotations around full-time are because I feel all of Christ's followers have been called into full-time ministry. The call to reach the world in Matthew 26 doesn't apply only to the disciples or those of us in "full-time" ministry. It applies to everyone that believes Christ is the Son of God, that has accepted Him as their replacement for our punishment of sin, and that now enjoys a restored relationship with God. "Full-time" ministry is often described by those who aren't in "full-time" ministry as a job specifically dealing with religious stuff all the time. That's my extremely loose definition.

As a "full-time" ministry worker, there are great struggles to deal with. Satan gets a little ticked off every time we try to do what God has asked us to do. Attacks at our weakest points occur quit frequently and with great force. Then as for money, people seem to forget that Jesus talks about money and investing in things of greater purpose and taking care of those in need (example - people in "full-time" ministry). Which means we "full-time" ministry people get to trust God a lot for providing for our needs. Guess it makes us more spiritual when other people are less spiritual...just kidding. Well, maybe not. And unlike most people, our jobs don't have well defined progress reports, meaning we get judged all the time for not really doing anything when in fact we are. It's kind of hard knowing how many people's lives you've actually made an impact on.

But you know what makes it all worthwhile? Knowing one day, I'll stand before God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit and see the faces of the Ones I've been serving during my time on Earth! Right now, it's like reporting to a boss in a foreign branch. We communicate some; He tells me what direction to head and what the next project looks like. But I've never had a face-to-face with Him. One day I will! And what a glorious day that will be to stand there and say "Lord, there's been times that were tough and times I failed you. But I gave it my best and did what you asked me too with the strength You gave me." How rewarding that will be! No money, no job title, no status will ever equal that! That my friends is the joy and excitement of doing what God has asked me to do! Does it look like everyone else's life? HA! NO! It's tough not fitting into the mold of everyone else's life. The boring old standard of trying to survive this life. It hurts when people laugh and make fun of how you aren't "progressing" through life like everyone else. But hear this...I DON'T CARE! God has called me to do something and I'm doing it. That is the most joyous thing that could ever happen in this life.

Let me challenge you, if you do care what other people say and are afraid to live the life God wants you to (whether in "full-time" ministry or in just listening to the small leadings He gives), you better look at the book you're reading and make sure it says HOLY BIBLE. Living a life for God and doing what He asks is exciting! Challenging, yes. Boring, no. I've been able to do things I love to do that I never would have thought about doing. God's not going to ask you to do something you hate! What type of testimony to His greatness and love would that be? Be a Christian and God will make you do what you hate. What? That's crazy. He lets you do what you enjoy! You get to use the talents He has given you for a greater purpose. Take a look at your life. Are you doing what God desires for you to enjoy life to the fullest and make an eternal impact? Maybe some of you are right where He wants you...in a cubicle. But are you making a difference by reaching out to those around you and supporting those who have been called into "full-time" ministry? Or do you just spend all your time in the break room, ignoring the greater call from your heavenly Boss? Take some time, spend it with God alone, and ask Him what He wants you to do in your life. And then do it.

Ministry Highlight Thursday - Water of Life

This week's ministry is Water of Life. Water of Life, based in Greenville, SC, trains and sends teams around the World to provide fresh, clean water to areas in need. Along with providing locations with physical clean water, the Water of Life teams share the message of Christ's cleansing spiritual water for our lives. Liberia, a country in western Africa and home to almost 3.5 million, is the current focus of Water of Life. Several trips to Liberia this year still have space available for volunteers and ten more villages need sponsoring for drills. For more information about Water of Life and how you can be a part of changing people's lives, spiritually and physically, check out their website: www.givefreshwater.org.

Young Adult Ministry And The Intergenerational Topic

This topic has come some up several times this week already. Thought it would be good to blog about. Hopefully I can express my thoughts well on the fly.

Should single young adults in their twenties be singled out and have targeted discipleship groups specifically for them? Or should they suck it up and join an inter generational small group? Here's my thoughts and what several peer friends have expressed.

First, if a church has a pastor specifically for organizing and developing small/community/discipleship groups who target specific age groups/demographics, then why shouldn't they target the single twenty somethings? People have argued that young adults should start our own thing. Are other age groups/demographics incapable of developing their own groups and Bible studies? Why do they have to have a pastor developing groups for them? Twenty somethings also need help organizing a group and finding leaders.

Second, most of us twenty somethings don't mind being with people younger or older than us. When it comes to serving in the church, volunteering in the community, or praising God, it's not much of an issue being with people of a different generation. There's a great deal to be learned from those older than us in a mentoring situation. And we can help lead and mentor those who are younger than us. But when it comes to studying God's Word and sharing life struggles and passions, most of us like to do so among people closer to our age and life situations. People who have been married and held the same job since graduation have no idea how I feel and what I'm struggling with. People who have been married several times don't get where I'm at. Get the picture? The list could go on.

Third, it can be depressing mixing with people who have married, have a home, maybe a few kids, and are settled. Even if they are our age! Many of us single 18-35 year olds desire those attributes and if we're surrounded by them on a consistent basis, it gets depressing. It's like setting a cake in front of a person on a diet. One day they will be at their target weight and can enjoy a piece of cake. But until then, that cake is torture sitting inches away. Bitterness creeps in. That's what happens to many of us single young adults when surrounded by people who have reached the "goals" we desire.

And on a final note, single girls have expressed how uncomfortable it is to be around single guys much older than them. They feel like every guy is watching them and scoping out the options. This discomfort can be so great, if even only one older guy in a group acts a little creepy, that most girls will not return to a small/discipleship/community group no matter how awesome the discipleship or worship is. And honestly as a guy, it's a little creepy when someone my mom's age starts getting really friendly and acts flirty toward me.

There's a few thoughts on young adults and inter generational ministry. Hope they made sense. Feel free to make comments and put in your opinions. Would like to get some more feedback.

Why Young Adult Ministry? Part 3 - God Called Us

Being young adults and feeling the frustrations of this generation first hand, we decided it may just be time to do something about it. Much prayer and consideration went into the idea of starting Off The Coast Ministries. It actually had a different look to it in the beginning, but changed the more Jeremy and I began discussing the need for a different venue to reach out to our peers. Nothing in a church or even connected to one church. Something out of the box, pushing the limits to what has been done before. Something that actually meets young adults where they are. Research showed us there are very few people doing what we wanted to do. So we took a road trip to visit Rocketown and The District to see how they branched outside of the church to reach a different demographic. We also contacted Club 3 Degrees, who responded by email describing how they got started and what has worked for them. Another organization we contacted was local. Wayfarer Ministries, a parachurch organization, that started a Bible study called Engage many years ago targeting young adults and who currently pack out a bar downtown 6 Mondays a semester. With all this information gathered about different organizations doing ministry outside of the church walls, doing it successfully, and most of them targeting young adults, we felt a clear direction from God to move forward!

The economic situation has slowed our ultimate vision on hold of creating an amazing "community center" where young adults can hang out at that isn't a bar. But, it has not stopped us from accomplishing our goal of making a difference in Greenville through young adults by promoting spiritual, community, and individual growth among the 18-35 year olds. There have been trials and hardships moving forward and following God's plan for our lives. Accepting Christ's sacrifice for our sins, which restores our relationship with God, and deciding to follow God's plan for your life is not a decision to take lightly. But it's a decision I made and would not change! Yeah there's times where life is on a roller coaster. It would be nice to actually have some income flowing in. But you know, knowing we're doing what He wants us to do and being able to do the awesome, crazy things God has allowed us to do is amazing and so makes up for the hardships that come our way!

Just within the few months of consistently providing social and volunteer activities, and now late evening Bible studies, it has been amazing to see the lives we've been able to impact. Young adults looking for a place to fit in have begun finding a place to connect with other people. People who have wanted to get involved in the community have been exposed to various places they make a difference. Even business people look at us and are amazed at what God is doing. Only through His strength and wisdom have we been able to get where we are and will be able to continue moving forward. We're not sure what God has planned in the future; we're just hanging on and moving forward with Him.

As for the church thing, don't get me wrong. I'm not against churches. In fact, there are a few great churches in Greenville doing things to minister to the 18-35 year olds. This coming Monday we're hosting a luncheon to bring these various churches and organizations together to see how we can better work together reaching this lost generation for Christ. It's exciting to see these churches realize the need for post-high school ministry and actually do something about it! Thank God they have realized this gap and are actively trying to bridge it.

So, that's why we have begun doing young adult ministry. We'd be happy to share more about this crazy journey over lunch or a cup of coffee if you're in Greenville. If you can't make it here, send us an email. All that info can be found on the website, www.offthecoast.org. 

One last thing to leave you with, if God has called you to do something and you know for sure what you are currently doing is not it, take that leap of faith. Pray about it, seek wise council, but ultimately, jump in! You have no idea who you may be able to impact by following His plan. What have you got to lose if God is on your side? No one or thing can be against you! It's in the Bible, check it.

Ministry Highlight Thursday - Young Life

This weeks ministry highlight has a special place in my heart. Some friends introduced me to Young Life many years ago and just recently I began volunteering with the Wyld Life group at Christ Church. Wyld Life is the middle school division of Young Life. Young Life is a great organization that wants youth to meet Christ and follow Him. A good friend describes it this way, "It's youth group for the unchurched and disinterested teens." Young Life partners with local schools and volunteers to provides opportunities for leaders to build positive, Christ-centered relationships with teenagers. By building relationships with teenagers, adult leaders can display a Godly lifestyle, answer questions, and challenge youth in daily life. This quick blurb can't possibly explain or describe the amazing impact Young Life and it's volunteer leaders can have in teenager's lives. I challenge you to go to www.younglife.org to find out more information about the organization and how you can help - prayerfully, as a volunteer, or financially - in your area.

Changing Blogging Day

Friday's have become my personal day. It's one of those habits I need to start now so I don't end up like most people in ministry...well, actually like most people in the United States. There needs to be some down time in life where you sit back and enjoy the finer things, spend time with God, hang out with friends, and be with family. My phone, blog, email, Facebook, and quite possibly Twitter, will be ignored Friday and possibly Saturday (not sure if it's possibly to ignore Facebook two days in a row) to just spend some time reflecting and relaxing in preparation for the week ahead.

I encourage you make sure you take time for God, family, friends, and yourself. It's not selfish, it's wise and Biblical. Even God took a day to rest.

So as for the new blog day...it will Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend!

Why Young Adult Ministry? Part 2 - Cause Most Churches Suck

Over the past few years I've been asking myself the question I ended with on Part 1. Why do churches spend millions of dollars on programs and facilities for teenagers and leave them hanging after graduation? Depending on where you are in the world, you may not fully understand where I'm coming from. But here in the United States, youth ministry is a huge "business". Most larger churches have multiple youth pastors and often several interns to deal with the teenagers of the church. And, volunteers are often found in an abundance in youth groups. Churches spend large amounts of money, often millions, building amazing complexes and purchasing the latest gadgets and toys to "draw in" young people in the community. Quite silly isn't it? Teenagers are looking for depth, challenge, and honesty while churches try to entertain and babysit youth instead of having the gumption to grow a generation founded in their relationship with God to defend their faith in a World waiting to attack them with a fierce leader willing to fight them to the death!

Now, there are churches who offer excellent youth programs, challenging teenagers while providing depth and honesty teens desire. And this blog isn't about teenagers, it's about young adults so I'll move on. (My degree is in Youth Ministry, please don't think I'm bashing youth ministry, just think we may need to rethink how it looks)

Let's say a church does a good job challenging teenagers to live a life for Christ and follow God's will, what happens to them after graduation ? Most of them get ignored by the church until they get married and have children. It is statistically proven that over 80% of young adults who grow up in the church will leave it, and often abandon God, after graduation. Why? Churches ignore this group and offer no connection for them to continue growing in their faith and develop community with similar people in the single, young adult demographic. I have been at, dealt with, and heard from several churches like this and the excuses they give...well, are usually quite pathetic. Here's the three most popular excuses...I mean reasons.

Reason 1: You young adults all leave for college.

All? No, not all. Especially in Greenville. Many of the youth attend local universities. What disturbs me more is that churches don't even think about what a ministry it would be to reach outside the church, provide out of town/state students a home church while at university, and (even greater) build relationships with these students and be a family away from home. What an opportunity to rock a young person's mindset of Christianity while obeying the great commandment! You don't have to travel to reach different parts of the globe, look at the local universities.

Reason 2: Young adults move around/church hop too much.

Yes we do move around. We are in the "prime" of life, at least that's what we're told. So, we take advantage of it vacationing and trying to find the job we don't mind sticking with. And yes, we do church hop. Many of us, now out of our parents guidance, try to find what type of preaching and music best allows us to hear from God and worship Him. One church may have the right music, but the preaching isn't doing it. Another may be the complete opposite. We're trying to find out who we are and how we are wired to learn more about God and praise His name.

Reason 3: The church doesn't want to provide a dating service/meat market.

There are some people who go to church just to scope out singles of the opposite sex. I've done it a time or two. It's natural in case you married people forgot what singleness is like. But most of us want that deeper community and fellowship with people our own age and yes, with the opposite sex. Where else can one find a decent person to date much less marry. Even in the church it can be hard to find someone.

One more, couldn't let this one go: 

Reason 4: Young adults can organize their own Bible studies and get plugged in (volunteer).

Doug Fields actually responded this way at a youth workers convention when asked about college programs. If young adults should form their own Bible studies, why do churches provide Bible studies/Sunday school for young marrieds, married with children, the elderly, etc? Are those age groups and demographics not capable enough to start their own? And then we're supposed to volunteer with the children's and youth ministries, pouring into other's lives spiritually, without having a place to be refueled and encouraged spiritually ourselves with others who understand the struggles and trials of being single and a young adult? 

Here's my point. Churches are missing an entire generation. A mindset needs to change within the church and it's leadership toward young adults. Leaders need to step forward and be willing to take a chance on a difficult group of people to reach. It's going to take time building relationships and earning the right to be heard from a generation becoming hardened to Christianity. It's going to take commitment to providing resources to a program that may be constantly evolving. And, it's going to take prayer, guidance, and strength from God. There will be trials and errors. No one has figured out the best way to deal with us young adults. Even if they had, it would be different in each culture and area. But, until churches begin stepping out of their boxes/buildings and reaching out to a lost generation, it may just take a different approach to bringing the 18-35 year olds to a restored relationship with God.

Ministry Highlight Thursday - Wayfarer Ministries

This weeks ministry highlight is Wayfarer Ministries. Not only do they have one of the coolest websites ever, but they also have a ministry that will blow you away and challenge the way you are living your life. Wayfarer's mission statement is "Wayfarer lives to design collisions that awaken lives to rediscover Christ." 

During the school year, these guys do a ministry most Monday nights called Engage at The Handlebar in downtown Greenville, SC. Engage is a place where young adults and college students gather for an intense worship time led by David Walker and his band and teaching by the guys on the Wayfarer staff that is relevant and challenging to people of all ages.

The Wayfarer team also travels around the United States doing speaking engagements throughout the year. And for the first time this summer, Wayfarer will be leading a camp for high school students at Anderson University. Check out their website to find out more information about Wayfarer, http://www.wayfarer.tv.

(A little plug for them - they are doing a golf tournament April 13th and are looking for sponsors. For more information about the tournament and how you can get involved, check out the brochure at http://www.wayfarer.tv/community/09golf.pdf)

Why Young Adult Ministry? Part 1 - Young Adult Culture

A friend of mine asked the other day why we decided to start a ministry that targets young adults. It was a great question that led to a very long answer. So, I decided what a great thing to start blogging with. Here's part one...The Young Adult Culture.

Let's start with a look at the young adult make up of Greenville, SC. Greenville County is home to some 90,000+ young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Many of these young adults were born and raised in Greenville; however, more young adults have moved to Greenville for work or to be near family that has moved to the area. Colleges also help bring young adults to the area. Large colleges in the Upstate attract high school grads to the area, who then find a job and stay in the area after college.

Now, the current young adult culture is quite different from any previous generations. University students are attending school longer than before. A normal four year degree is almost unheard of. Students change majors as much as a five year old changes his mind picking out dinner. With all the options available and very little time devoted to finding out one's passion before entering university, deciding a major is quite difficult. Then after graduation, with universities costing an outrageous amount of money, more young adults tend to move back home with their parents, or a parent, to save money and pay off loans.

Young adults also tend to be more transient today than ever before. After graduating college, many travel the World to experience life. Often taking a year or two off after graduating to do so. More young adults don't mind taking on simple part time jobs that offer flexibility over stability and pay while seeking out life's calling. Many times young adults ignore bills and responsibilities that need to be focused on. This transient society and mindset makes commitment in relationships, churches, and jobs among young adults very difficult and many times extremely rare.

I'll end with some statistics on young adults and church. According to research by Barna, over 75% of teens actively involved in church will quit going to church after graduation. Of those 75%, only 30% will ever regularly attend church again at another point in their lives. Barna mentioned one time on the Focus On The Family show that the most difficult demographic to reach for Christ is the professional, white, 25 year old male. Today's young adults tend to carry more baggage in their lives than any other previous generation. Many of the issues seen in church youth groups carry over into the young adult age group and expand into even more and deeper routed struggles. Single parents in this age bracket are on the rise. Depression in this age group continues to grow due to many current life circumstances and those experienced during childhood. Drug use during teenage years continues into later years of life. Alcohol abuse grows with bars being the predominate and often only social gathering place for young adults. Loneliness tears away at the hearts of many young adults as they seek that special someone in their lives. These are just a few examples of the many difficult issues dealt with by young adults.

This is a hurting a generation. It is a forgotten generation. It is a generation needing God's love and redeeming power of Christ's sacrifice! Why has the church spent millions of dollars on youth programs, only to leave them hanging after graduation?

Introducing Ministry Highlight Thursdays!

Ok, one of the things the blog will include is a ministry highlight every Thursday. Just a quick intro to people doing awesome things locally and around the world.

This week, I'd like to introduce you to my friends the Meyers. They are missionaries and educators in Sandton, South Africa with Biblical Ministries Worldwide (www.biblicalministries.org/countries/southafrica.html). Over the past 3 years they have helped plant MountainView Bible Church in Glenanda, Johannesburg (www.mvbc.org.za), worked with Sandton Bible Church (www.sandtonbiblechurch.org.za), and helped start the Berean Bible Institute. Not only did the Meyers help start BBI, but Brent currently teaches at the Institute. For more information on the Meyers and the work they are doing in South Africa, check out their website at www.themeyers.info.