The Search

I'm in the search for a youth pastor job? I've wrote many churches already, but I need help. If could keep you ear open and more importantly pray that God will open the door somewhere that He finds perfect for me. I'm praying for just that. It's hard and I'll tell ya why. I know what vision God has given me and basically I'm trying to be picky over the location. I want a place close to where I'm from because I want someone to take care of my kids when I'm away on trips or whatever. This is me limiting God and His work in my life. I've come to the point where I'm just saying "whatever you want God." I'll go anywhere and do whatever you want, just send me. So this is where I'm at in my overwhelming search for a future for me in ministry. As long as I'm ministering to Student and I'm doing what God wants, who am I to question HIM. Well Thanks for the prayers and I'll keep ya in the loop. God Rocks, Jtw

The Next Generation

First off I'd like to say that if any of my students read this please understand that this probably isn't about you, so don't think it is. This is some of my observations that I hope aren't true. The more and more i learn about student the more scared and the more i realize the utter importance of my job. Growing up I was a complete idiot. I did some of the stupidest things ever. I don't expect the next generation of students that come up to do anything less. There was a difference though. The truth was still the truth. It's come to my attention, and it's only got worse, that the truth has become a personal issue. I've actually heard people say well what is right for you, may not be right for me. If you believe that and you're reading this hit yourself in the head right now. The truth is the truth no matter where you are or who you are. There is no "well it's right for me" truth out there. This is something that I'm hearing and it seems like the truth has somehow become blurred. Since God made the truth, He gets to decide what's the truth. If He says it's wrong, then it's wrong; end of story. Another alarming trend is the amount of sexual things that is so open in our culture. I've had this conversation with lots of students and leaders. I remember asking one student one time that if he knew it was wrong why would he have sex? The response was "I felt like it." I was like WOW!!! Isn't that crazy. It's like they know it's wrong, they'll tell you it's wrong, but when it comes to playing out what they believe it doesn't matter what they believe. Does that not scare you because it scares me. The attitude about sex is that it's just fun, but it should be much more than that right? Another thing that might just be with pastors is that the generation has a major lack of biblical knowledge. I have to admit that I don't know enough and never will. It takes a lot really learn something for me, except when it comes to students. I learn quickly, and I hope I give good advice when they come and need it. I know they don't see me as judgmental or condemning, because I've been there and not afraid to tell them of my struggles. I think that this lack of biblical knowledge seems to be maybe the root of some of these other problems I've listed. If they knew what God found right and wrong and what HE really thought about it it, would they be able to ignore Him? The last thing that bothers me is the lack of wanting to learn and think. It seems like they want the answer now without finding out the knowledge for themselves. If you've ever asked a student a question that doesn't really have an answer, maybe to just talk about you'll know what I mean. They get frustrated at not having the answer. Try it sometime. In saying all that I have to say that there's hope. God has not given up on this generation, nor will He let Himself be forgotton. More students than ever are seeking for answers, and GOD is the ANSWER. There's a spark of hope for the future. Will they embrace the God of the universe or seek after themselves and everything but God? I will do everything that God tells me to ensure that I can give them a chance to hear from God. I was a complete idiot and God found the time to get my attention. It's freaking awesome that the God of everything wants to talk to me. I wish this next generation would learn this. When you realize just how BIG GOD really is then how can you want to do anything but do His will and want to please Him. If you're apart of the next generation and you're reading this, again don't think it's about you. I do hope it changes your life and that you stop wanting to do everything you want and start wanting to seek God for who He is and please HIM only. My prayers will be with you and for this generation. I'm usually very optimistic, but sometimes the truth is what you need to hear. God Rocks, Jw

Mississippi

Well this week I spent a week with some awesome people in Mississippi. I went down there to serve those who had nothing due to hurricane katrina. My wife and I were 2 of the 4 leaders that went. There was a lot that went right and a lot that went wrong. I learned much more than I could have ever wanted to learn. First, I learned a lot about people that I didn't know. I learned that sometimes I have to hold my tongue and sometimes people can misunderstand when they don't care to learn all the information. I learned that leadership doesn't come easy to everyone and I must be patient. These are among some of the things I learned about people. Second, I learned that God's plan is freaking awesome. We climbed on tall roofs, constantly had to jet out into intense traffic, was chased by dogs, spent days in 95+ degree weather, and everyone constantly had nails through their shoes into their feet. Now in saying that no one was hurt more than a bandaid. Scary thing is that God waited until after all the students were gone to side swipe the van. A lady hit the van that I was driving with her car on the way to take it back. Nothing more than a very small dent. No one got a ticket, only one very pissed off lady. Thirdly, I learned that people will mess up and probably lie about it, but the truth will always come out. We had some students do stupid stuff, but hopefully a lesson was learned. If anything was learned is that Integrity is something that's very easily lost, and extremely hard to get back. Lastly I learned a little something about Control. Some people have the theory that In order to have control you must have everything under control. This is crap. Control isn't achieved with trying to control every part of someone's life. Control is acheived by respect. When it comes to students they want people to try to control them, they need honesty and help with choices. Sure they mess up from time to time, but isn't that how people truly learn right from wrong? God I know speaks to some people the way he does to me. He doesn't speak in a small voice, but a random Bat attack to the back of my head. This is how I've learned to deal with students in my 6+ years in youth ministry. I got a lot of time to talk to a lot of the students and I'll continue to pray for all of them each night. So when I got back I was asked if this trip was a success. We helped a lot of people and received a chance to serve. The real point was to see God in a new way and grow closer to Him. Did they learn this? I have no idea, but I know that I grew closer because I saw a spark in the next generation that I hope all of them have. This gives me hope that the next generation will not let God go away, but instead grow up to Love God and want to express that love to others. I will write more on this later. I would say that the mission trip was a success, at least to me. I just hope that all the students that read this will think about this and pray to God for change. God Rocks, Jtw