The Month of All Months
This months was:
a) Straight up crazy
b) THE BEST
Both are true.
Amongst other things - during July we served at Wyoming Youth Summer camp (aka, the best week of the summer.) Camp is a highlight every year and this year was no exception. I was honored to serve as co camp director - which, in addition to everything else - is an answer to prayer.
How so?
Here’s a sneak peak behind the Youth Alive Missionary (YAM) curtain: For a YAM, the ability to be a co-laborer successfully alongside your state DYD (District Youth Director) IS EVERYTHING. This has been and continues to be something I pray about all the time! So. To work alongside a leader I really respect and who works REALLY hard, and to be invited to the table as part of the team - it’s an absolute answer to prayer. As a YAM I am here to help, serve, and be a blessing to the state as I work to missionally empower students, leaders, and churches. Matt has such a healthy understanding of that, and (a testament to the Texas district) has seen Youth Alive working alongside the Youth Department well. It’s been a blessing to me to be a part. I feel like because we work together so well - we both go farther, faster missionally.
Back to camp.
It was just really good. Our Youth Alive interns (Ally and Nate) helped us coordinate morning sparks, run the booth, sell merch and so on. 82 students were trained and equipped with Fire Bibles and about 70 were trained to start a Movement on their campus. Services were great, rec was super fun. While there are always ways to grow and improve - this was a really great year.
And 2 days after that … The Called Trip.
This trip really can’t be contained in a blog post. Videos… photos… none of them do it justice. Perhaps I will record a recap video in the coming months from my own perspective. I have so many thoughts about it.
Essentially, 9 students who recognize a call to ministry on their lives said yes to coming and hanging out with Rich and I for 2 weeks doing 5 outreaches in 5 towns. This was an idea that the Holy Spirit dropped into my heart a year ago. I remember the moment like it was yesterday - maybe someday I’ll get to tell you the story about how it all came together and about how God is raising the called.
Where to begin. I would be remiss if I didn’t express all of the gratitude I feel towards the 5 churches that said yes to this fledgling project. We are praying that seeds were planted during the Sunset Tour and that each of these churches begins to enter into a new season of harvest. The students and leaders who came on the trip have become some of my favorite people on the planet. It’s my hope that God would stir innovation and excitement for the mission in the places they’re from. Olivia in Casper, Janelle in Glenrock, Cora in Cheyenne, Delaney and Joel in Pinedale, Melanie and Hudsyn in Gillette, Ronan in Sheridan, Brett in (....well Trinity Bible College, I guess.) People who would say yes to approving (state leadership,) hosting (state pastors,) or going on a trip (students and leaders,) that’s never been done before are my kind of people. This type of Spirit empowered courage, creativity, and relentless pursuit of lost people is what I hope everything I do is characterized by.
Onward.
