7% of the next generation globally identify themselves as Christ-followers. This Barna Group statistic was the focal point of a three day conversation among leaders recently gathered in Orlando from various youth ministry organizations. Are we, the church, losing the next generation? Are we really satisfied with the results we’re seeing? We can’t stick our …
Earlier this year, about thirty of us from varying youth ministry organizations gathered in Orlando with one singular focus. Reaching the next generation. At the outset, a statistic was shared that became our rallying point. Recent research by the Barna Group provided sobering clarity. 7% of the next generation globally identify themselves as Christ-followers. Are …
In two weeks, our youngest will return home from Basic Training. Back in the Spring, she enlisted in the Army Reserves, and her Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri began in late Summer. After three and a half months away, she will return home a different person. She will return home a soldier. …
This Summer, I decided to journal through the Gospels, a chapter a day, for 90 days. The four Gospels have 89 chapters, and if you throw in Acts 1 with Jesus’ Ascension, you have an even 90 chapters to journal through in June, July and August. Here’s one of my recent journal entries from Matthew …
Subscribe on: Apple | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Pocketcast This week we’re talking about building relationships with Nathan Glover of Urban Impact. We discuss the win, build, equip, multiply model that they have used and the importance of training others to make disciples. Nathan is the director of training center with Urban Impact. He has been either in or leading Urban Impact …
Subscribe on: Apple | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Pocketcast We’re talking about gospel conversations with Jeff Polen on today’s episode of Everyday Disciple Makers. We discuss how Jeff started participating in an activity his brother was interested so that they could spend time together and Jeff shares his heart for ministry, music, and making disciples. Jeff is husband, father, speaker, and worship …
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said …
Subscribe on: Apple | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Pocketcast Today we’re discussing perseverance in youth ministry with Bill Winton. Bill has been the middle school pastor at his church for 22 years and has leaders on his team that have been with him for over a decade. We discuss middle school ministry and the power of win, build, equip, multiply. Bill is …
When Sonlife’s founder, Dann Spader, asked me to pray about becoming Sonlife’s President and leading the ministry into the future, one of my first questions was, “Why me?” Of the thousands of ministry leaders Dann has impacted through the years, and the hundreds he has personally mentored, why was I the right person to lead …
Subscribe on: Apple | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Pocketcast This week we sit down to talk about strategic focus on the next generation with Doug Holliday. We cover Sonlife’s roots as a youth ministry disciple-making organization and how we are refocussing on the prayer of being part of transforming the culture of youth ministry in North America and restoring it to the …