networked with others

one of the things i love and deeply value right now is the network of youth pastors/leaders i'm involved with in the greece/rochester area. every month (usually the 2nd tuesday of the month) we gather together for lunch at a panera or pizza joint, etc. and just catch up on life and ministry together. it's one of the most "safe" environments for us to participate in through the "dangerous" world of student ministry. we share updates on our lives personally and professionally, and pray for each other in between lunches. i used to feel that i was too busy for this, but i'm so glad that i jumped in because i now recognize it as a priority. this past tuesday we met and it was so encouraging to see the realness of the others around the table, and the group encouragement to them. i feel so blessed to be a part of this network and thankful to God for allowing us to work together!

always enough

ever have one of those songs that you know so well and have heard a million times, but all of a sudden it means the world to you and is so helpful to bring you back to truth? i was driving yesterday and was listening to "always enough" by casting crowns... and it ripped me apart. it has big meaning for shanna and i right now and i'm thankful for how it has helped center our hearts this week.

Your love is peace to the broken

faith for the widow

hope for the orphan

and strength for the weak

Your love is the anthem of nations

rings out through the ages

and You're always enough for me

below are some "random" pictures that we took in mozambique...

making a difference

below is a flyer we just put out to our students this past sunday - it was created by justin lane - one of the 5 students we took to mozambique with us this summer. it's so cool to see his passion for reaching people's real needs here in rochester, and his leadership now among his peers to see that become a reality. can't wait to see what God does this year through him!

new fall calendars

shanna just finished the final draft of our student ministry's fall calendar for this year! i'm so excited about this new design (we totally stole the concept and idea from Josh Griffin and his team - their summer calendar can be found here and their fall calendar here).

i love how it draws attention to our big 3 programs, and also highlights one big event. hopefully it will help our team and i to pour our energies this fall into a few things and resist the urge to add more.