This has been an amazing week!
Sunday Morning, Tyler Louis Anderson came into the world.
Monday Afternoon, We got to take him home because Mom and Baby were doing so well.
Tuesday after work, I had a phenomenal meal (thank to my in-laws). OK the meal was just to get something in on Tuesday, but it is so great to have Kristi's parents with us.
Wednesday Night, We opened our new building, new middle school ministry, new separate Wednesday night program and other than some technical glitches, it was a great start...
Today, we got to look forward to future Wednesday night programs and plan some for VBS.
I was speaking (somewhat of a scatterbrained spat) on Wednesday night to our students about dreams coming true. If we follow God by faith and follow the example of the "great cloud of witnesses" as mentioned in Hebrews 12, first he takes our small dreams and adds so much to them, then we start to see all the miraculous pieces fall into place. The latter is what has been happening for me this week, and I know there is so much more to be looking forward to.
Sunday Morning, Tyler Louis Anderson came into the world.
Monday Afternoon, We got to take him home because Mom and Baby were doing so well.
Tuesday after work, I had a phenomenal meal (thank to my in-laws). OK the meal was just to get something in on Tuesday, but it is so great to have Kristi's parents with us.
Wednesday Night, We opened our new building, new middle school ministry, new separate Wednesday night program and other than some technical glitches, it was a great start...
Today, we got to look forward to future Wednesday night programs and plan some for VBS.
I was speaking (somewhat of a scatterbrained spat) on Wednesday night to our students about dreams coming true. If we follow God by faith and follow the example of the "great cloud of witnesses" as mentioned in Hebrews 12, first he takes our small dreams and adds so much to them, then we start to see all the miraculous pieces fall into place. The latter is what has been happening for me this week, and I know there is so much more to be looking forward to.
We are doing a MADE (like the series on MTV) makover on a student in our ministry. We asked them to submit videos to us to so we can pick one of them to make into what they want to be. Erica starred in the Demo of what we want their vids to look like.
Here he is in the clutches of his encredible and lovely mother. 6lbs. 13ozs. and 20 inches long. You can check out some pictures at this web site here
So I don't know nothing about birthing a baby, but between me and Jonathan I think we can figure it out. Ok, Ok we will leave it to the doctors and nurses, and no jonathan isn't going to be in the room. He's seen enough of that on TLC... just kidding. We are really excited, and Kristi is really ready to get Tyler into the world. Check back soon...
This will all seem like a blur when it is all over with... But I don't think there has ever been a busier time in my life. Blessings abound. It has been a great week. We are moving into the new building in our temporary office area. Working on VBS, our first sunday in the new building (this sunday), finalizing promotion for camp, shooting video for our first Middle School Wednesday night service and oh yeah Kristi will be heading to the hospital Saturday afternoon for the birth of our 2nd son (of Course I'll be going too!)
Everyone likes new things so between my church (middle school ministry in particular) and my family the newness and freshness is just begining. It seems like things are going crazy or out of control and in the midst of it God proves He knows what He is doing.
Everyone likes new things so between my church (middle school ministry in particular) and my family the newness and freshness is just begining. It seems like things are going crazy or out of control and in the midst of it God proves He knows what He is doing.
Wednesday Nights are and have been super exciting ever since I've been involved in Student Ministry. They are only about to get even more exciting. I've thought about it. Why get so excited when you have to set up a stage, sound, etc... Because what it is for. The Students.... yeah but not even that... each one of us that are putting this thing on are worshiping God with our lives and everything that we do. Through our authentic worship we hope ot point others to Jesus.
Kristi and I are expecting our second son (this you probably know). The Doc said this past visit that he should be here by next week, or he's going to make it happen. It couldn't happen soon enough for Kristi.
Reality is starting to set in and we are in an excited frenzy about the blessing that God is fixing to give us. Jonathan can't wait to have a little brother. Every time he is around a new baby he stares and smiles and... well it is just refreshing to know that he is somewhat prepared.
My life seems to be paralleling what is going on here at the church. Splitting the Student Ministry into two distinct ministries...basically birthing a Middle School ministry. It is exciting!! The foundation that we will lay over the next few months will have a lifetime of impact.
Reality is starting to set in and we are in an excited frenzy about the blessing that God is fixing to give us. Jonathan can't wait to have a little brother. Every time he is around a new baby he stares and smiles and... well it is just refreshing to know that he is somewhat prepared.
My life seems to be paralleling what is going on here at the church. Splitting the Student Ministry into two distinct ministries...basically birthing a Middle School ministry. It is exciting!! The foundation that we will lay over the next few months will have a lifetime of impact.
I was thinking last night! We have the makings of an awesome team to reach the middle school students of Southwest Florida. Also, there is no reason that we can't get better. In order to be a well oiled machine there must b a level of trust between all its members. One area of trust that I want to dive deeper into for myself and challenge you with is "if we expect trust between us we must be trustworthy." I will list some characteristics of trustworthyness.
1) integrity
2) reliability
3) fairness
4) caring
5) openness
6) competence
7) loyalty
Is this happening for me? Is this happening for you? These things implemented in our own lives will build the trust relationship as a team.
1) integrity
2) reliability
3) fairness
4) caring
5) openness
6) competence
7) loyalty
Is this happening for me? Is this happening for you? These things implemented in our own lives will build the trust relationship as a team.
Tuesday is a day full of meetings. Of course my favorite is the lunch meeting, I'm not sure if it is because of the food or the company (today I'm sure it was both). A lot of times we will meet and accomplish nothing. Today was not one of those days (in most cases). I really think that we are setting a course for success. The success won't happen during a meeting but could result out of the planning, accountability and creativity of a good meeting.
Things to remember from today’s meetings:
1) Building trust makes a team more effective.
2) VBS is coming very soon.
3) To be effective we have to plan ahead.
4) Some things are better left unanswered.
5) Ask and you shall receive.
6) Why reinvent the wheel.
7) Sometimes the things said immediately after the meeting should have been said in the meeting.
A day of meeting all focusing on the same result (at least for me), what is the best way to reach middle school students for Christ?
Things to remember from today’s meetings:
1) Building trust makes a team more effective.
2) VBS is coming very soon.
3) To be effective we have to plan ahead.
4) Some things are better left unanswered.
5) Ask and you shall receive.
6) Why reinvent the wheel.
7) Sometimes the things said immediately after the meeting should have been said in the meeting.
A day of meeting all focusing on the same result (at least for me), what is the best way to reach middle school students for Christ?
We have been engaging in some great ministry dialogue all day today. I'm so blessed to be around people who aren't afraid to ask the tough questions, and that are very equally not afraid to hear the tough answers. If our Vision is to have a middle school ministry where Middle School students are doing amazing things (beyond expectation) for the Glory of God, we each have to be engaged in the conversation.
What is the best way to Reach middle school (MS) students?
What is the best way to get them connected to other MS students who love God and adults that love God?
How can we get those MS student that connect serving in ministry and investing in other MS students lives?
These are the discussions that will help us succeed in our Vision.
What is the best way to Reach middle school (MS) students?
What is the best way to get them connected to other MS students who love God and adults that love God?
How can we get those MS student that connect serving in ministry and investing in other MS students lives?
These are the discussions that will help us succeed in our Vision.
We have finally picked a theme for our first wednesday night in the new building. It is going to be a "hook night" and an introduction to the students of who they are to God. Basically that they can be better than what everybody esle expects and even they themselves expect. They are in my mind Rock Stars!
Ok, I know this is a stretch. But it is going to be a horribly fun night with middle school students. 6th grade there for the first time. I really can't wait.
Give me some of your ideas to make this night a "Super Star!" night.
Ok, I know this is a stretch. But it is going to be a horribly fun night with middle school students. 6th grade there for the first time. I really can't wait.
Give me some of your ideas to make this night a "Super Star!" night.
