IT

Went to the Leadership Summit this week.  It was pretty good overall! I am still not a big fan of the video venue concept for a conference, I would much rather be there in person to completely experience the event.  It was nice though to be able to come home to the girls each night.

I think the session that was the most impacting to me was the Craig G. session on IT.  His talk was all about the need to have IT and what churches have to do to get IT.  His main point was that before the church/organization can have IT, the leader must have IT.  The only way that a leader can have it is he/she Asks God for IT, and Earnestly seeks IT.  I really enjoyed IT.

This was my second time hearing him speak and I was thoroughly impressed again.  He wrote a book on IT and I am in the Process of reading it.  

The other sessions were good as well, but that want hit me.

Camp

Camp is over!  It is funny how something you look forward to for so long, something you work so hard to prep for, something that can make such a difference in the lives of my kids can be over so quickly.  

This year was incredible!  We ended up taking 109 kids to camp (one went home on the first day, so we actually had 108 of our Adventure Kidz at the Camp).  We had 26 staffers from Hope as well.  The team of leaders that I had was incredible.  I knew that they were going to be good going in, but they surprised me with their passion for the kids and their willingness to serve.  I can't say thanks enough.

I have already reserved the facility for next year!  Outside of a few difficult moments at the pool, the facilities were great!  The food was good, the beds were soft (Just kidding, they were hard as a rock), and the kids seemed to have a great time.  

I did feel like we learned quite a bit this year. There are some definite changes in store for Adventure Quest next year!  Great job team, I look forward to serving along side of you for many kids camps to come.

Adventure Quest

I am getting so excited about camp!  Right now we are taking about 94 kids to camp and that number is rising daily.  We leave in a little over a week and we are doing our own kids camp for the first time.  It is going to be fun. We are partnering the church of a good friend of mine, he is also bringing about 100 kids.  It is going to be so much fun.

I already have a great team going with us, all that is left is getting all the paperwork together.  

I can't wait.

The Forum

I wanted to make everyone who may be interested aware of a great new ministry resource: The CMA Forum It is a great way for kids pastors to connect with others from around the country.  Great job CMA team.  

Yes, it has been a while

It has been a while since I have posted, but things have been crazy busy.  In kids ministry, I think summer time can be the most productive/least productive time of the year.  It can provide some great relational times: Camp, Day Camp, and other great events.  But at the same time, there is an overwhelming amount of preparation time that goes into these events, and the best part of it all is that the normal "ministry stuff" does not stop just because you are preparing for summer activities.  

I am excited though, we are about to hire an Administrative assistant to help us move forward in ministry.  I think this new position will help me find ways to be more productive and be even more relational with the team I lead and the kids of Hope.  

Building a Team

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I feel like the greatest way to lead is through teams.  I have been blessed with a great team, and it is becoming even greater.  I think it is my job as the leader of the team to make sure that every member of the team is moving in the right direction.

There are people on the team that are on all different levels.  Some are brand new to the team, it is my job to make sure they are finding their place, and feeling like they are a part.  That is why we are working our way through interview after interview. Other members, ones who have been on the team longer, need me to challenge them and stretch them.  Team members like Julie and Eric need new leadership challenges.  I have to make sure that they are learning to lead leaders.

This leadership challenge is the greatest one of my life, but it is also the most fun I have ever had!

St. Paul Assembly of God

I Have spent the week in St. Paul, Va with a good friend, Jimi Watson.  Besides not having any cell phone coverage, or even a Walmart for about 15 miles in either direction, we have had a great week. Wednesday we got to visit the world's fastest half mile!  Bristol Motor Speedway was really cool. I got to climb up the embankment and touch the wall, visit the track owners "SWEET" (yes I know it is suite, but you should have seen it), and stand in victory lane (which at Bristol is on top of a building).  I even got to take a few laps on the track, we were in a tour bus, so the experience was more frightening than it was exciting.  

I have had a great time here though.  Jimi has taught me some great leadership lessons and really taken time to pour into my life about what it means to truly pastor people.  He has a love for this city and these people that is obvious.  I know he will do great things here. I want the love in my heart for the kids of Frisco, McKinney, and the surrounding areas to be as real and as visible as Jimi's love for these people is.  I know that God has called me to Hope and I believe great things will begin to happen as we continue to move forward with that call!