Slovakia Update 2

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:5

This is a great verse to start today with while on our travels. It seems like today has just be one long day, but in reality it is almost two full days. We began with a 6 am departure from Lakeside Christian Church in two minivans headed to Chicago. We arrived in Chicago around noon and grabbed lunch with friends. Heading to the Airport, we arrived there about 30 minutes later then I wanted to, causing a little stress, but not wanting to let anyone know.

The line for check in and security looked long and I thought it might take too long, however God blessed us with very quick movement through and made it to our gate with plenty of time.

The plane ride was uneventful, which is a very good thing! My first flight with Austrian Airlines and it was great. We were all split up, 2 by 2, with one exception…Jeremy Roth! Jeremy had never been on a plane before and has been struggling with an ear infection. He was several rows ahead of us and all by himself. Right before take off, I was able to convince a stewardess to let him move back closer to our group with a member of the Northfield team! God is so good!

We had an 8 and a half hour flight to Vienna and then a 3.5 hour bus ride to Zilina, where TCKompass training headquarters is located. Tomorrow we will finish our training and hop a train to go to Penzion Pod Verachou, where our camp will be located. We are super excited to meet the teens that we get to share the love of Christ with!

Pray for us as less then 1% of Slovakia are evangelical Christians. There is a huge mission field and we only have short time here. Our goal is to build relationship with the teens in our camps and help connect them to the local church in their village!

So that is a little info of our travels and our mission. Back to Philippians 2:5 for a moment: with this amount of travel it is easy to have a bad attitude, get tired or cranky. I have had to remind myself on a few occasions that relationships are more important than being on time. One event in particular was when two members of the team decided to head back to the training facility from the dorms, a 20 minute walk, without notifying me or any other member of the team. In America this wouldn’t be a problem as we can just pick up a cell phone and get in touch. Here we have no way of contacting other than walking back and looking. Praise God they were both safely at the facility.

However, I had to take sometime to settle down and gently encourage them to always stick together as a team. It’s a good lesson to learn early in the trip while we are surrounded by many other teams and a very safe environment. I had to reflect on why I was upset, because I love and care for them so much. Jesus loved us so much that even when we went our own way, He ran to pursue us. This led to the cross, the burial and the resurrection. In this He secured our eternal safety as we trust Him. This is why I focus on Jesus everyday, so I don’t get lost in trying to control everything, but see that it sharing with others about His great love!

Slovakia Trip Beginnings

It is hardly believable that tomorrow when embark on our missions trip to Slovakia. It seems like just yesterday when Michael and Kristina Csepe came to me with the idea of doing a missions trip. God had been working on their hearts in several ways, but specifically the book “Radical Together” by David Platt spawned some deep thinking and convictions to have a global impact for Christ. We had studied this book in our Young Adult Bible Study for some time, but the message of taking the Gospel to the world could not escape their thinking.

I remember them exploring the option of a trip for just the two of them, for the young adults, the church and the youth group. When they came to me with their idea I was thrilled! I love short term missions and I was on board immediately. I said “if you are open to teens going then I am in!”

Together we began to explore different opportunities in several countries, but God quickly lead Michael and Kristina to Ed Rumbold and the Slovakia trip. There are so many details I am going to skip over right now, but ask me sometime and I would love to tell you of the little things God was doing behind the scenes that only now I am beginning to see.

Ed told us we could have between 10-12 team members, so we decided to open the trip up to current Junior and Seniors in High School and older. Having taken several youth trips in the past, I doubted we would give 5 or 6 others to participate. “Oh ye of little faith!” Within a week of announcing it we had all 12 spots spoken for. Not only that, many who were not eligible for this trip expressed a desire to go in the future. This was so exciting to us!

Michael, Kristina and I talked about the importance of recruiting with the right attitude. You see, $2200 a person is a steep financial commitment for teenagers, well for me too haha. But we did not want to focus on the money and the immensity of the task ahead, but to focus on Jesus and His delight to give His children good things. We promoted this trip as a “faith journey” not a financial commitment.

Having experienced God come thru in several other ways, I thought I would be pretty secure in this process. I must confess, that this was once again a faith building exercise for me as I found myself doubting occasionally and wonder what we were getting into. The task of raising over $25,000 in a church our size is very stretching to say the least.

Well fast forward to today and God has shown Himself abundantly faithful! He brought us close to $28,000 for this trip and has made the doors wide open! In the coming days, I hope to write to you about how we are showing our gratitude to a faithful and loving God and His generous children who sent us on this trip.

Please pray that our hearts will not be satisfied with lessons already learned, but that we will depend on God each day. Pray that we will have boldness to share the Gospel in a compelling way. Pray that the Slovak teens will allow us to build relationships with them. Pray that Jesus is magnified in our lives. Pray for safe travels as we drive to Chicago and fly to Vienna tomorrow!

Here is the team you are praying for: Michael and Kristina Csepe, Daniel Zarkovaki, Steven Csepe, Tim Csepe, David Keiper, Jeremy Roth, Brad Horner, Kayla Miller, Alicia Fonte, Summer Emich and MeKenzie Prentiss. God has already made us a team and built community amongst our team, but I ask for you to pray for continued unity and good attitudes. Pray that we will be flexible and teachable as we enter an new culture. Pray that we have patience and endurance.

Thanks so much for following our trip! I am so excited and we haven’t even boarded the plane yet! I know God will do great things because He is a great God!

10 Things I Have Learned In My 10 Years in Youth Ministry

1.         If its good its God if its bad its Brad (in my life and ministry…not yours haha)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

This is a statement I like to frequent because it reminds me of my own sinfulness and my inadequacy to produce good on my own. I am utterly dependent on God to do a work that is impactful and powerful. The amazing thing is, God has promised to use those who surrender to Him for His glory and their good! (See Ephesians 2:8-10; John 15:5)

If you have been blessed by me I want you to know it’s because of Jesus in me and not me. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ never the less I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me.” I take no credit, but want to point to the one who has made all of this possible (Matthew 5:16).

2.         Fruitful ministry takes time and patience 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It’s easy to let dreams form expectations, but often those are based in idealism and wishful thinking. We live in a microwave and drive thru society; we expect things to happen NOW. That is not the pattern for deep rooted, long lasting ministry and relationships. You need patience to stick out the tough times and allow time to prove what God is really doing. (read Isaiah 41:10)

Youth ministry is not a ministry that is known by youth workers who really devote their time to it. No, I’m not talking week to week, but I’m talking about years in the position. The average youth worker stays at a church for less then 18 months! They come in and get some exciting things happening, but leave before they see the real fruit of ministry.

From wise counsel I received in my first year of ministry has grown my slow growth, relational approach to youth ministry. “You can’t do a lot in 1 year, you can do a lot in 3 years, but it really takes 5 years to establish yourself. And if you are going to take the time to really get established, why would you want to leave and start over?”

3.         It's not about the program it's about the relationship

It’s easy to fill up a calendar with events, especially fun ones. I’ve always guarded against becoming a teenage babysitting service, you know, just having enough programed to keep teens busy. That view really has a low view of teenagers, thinking that they are more of a problem and nuisance to parents.

I think teens are amazing and wanting to be challenged. However, they “don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I never want to have a youth group where it is so big that I don’t know my teens. I want them to know that they are loved, prayed for and prayed with. I want them to feel like they belong and are vital to the church. An amazing program can never replace time invested into a relationship. I strive to provide a program that builds relationships, but I don’t want to program for programming sake.

This is why there are times we don’t program, a weekend or two where there is no scheduled youth group activity. There needs to be down time, there needs to be family time and there needs to be time to watch the teens gather organically, not out of necessity but because they want to be together.

4.          Ministry is not always easy or fun, but it is rewarding when you remain faithful

I know a lot of people who have gone into youth ministry because they thought it would be fun. Then they realize that there is a lot of hard work and heart break and they bail. God never promised that we would have a life of ease. He never said “follow me and you will have the most funnest time ever!” (Bad grammar intended)

Nope! Jesus said take up your cross and follow me, but he provides a promise with it too! If you follow Christ you will experience life to the full! (Read John 10:10). Let me tell you, I thought I understood this statement before Sunday, but if there was any doubt about this, the testimonies of my church reinforced this truth and blessed me all the more.

Sunday, June 23, 2013, my church honored me for 10 years of service by giving me a golf bag and a new set of clubs. Each club was delivered by a person dear to me who shared a testimony of our life together here at Lakeside Christian Church. I love golf and I love, love, love my new golf clubs, however the relationships and testimonies I have with these people far out weigh my golf game. (though I did shoot an 88 the first time I used those clubs haha)

5.         Personal worship and growth is vital for impactful ministry and Christian life

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you… John 15:7a

I’ve heard it once said that you are either “growing closer to God or drifting away from God.” It’s your choice! I have seen the impact on the ministry when I fail to establish personal time with God. When I am at a spiritual dry spot, I am not impacting lives the way God would want me to. However, when I spend time with Jesus I have the strength and energy to lead others to Jesus.

I was taught to “teach/minister from the overflow.” If I only fill my cup up and then pour out what’s going on, I will begin to become empty and wanting. But if I keep going to the Living Waters and allow Him to not only fill up my cup, but to overflow my life then I will never run out of things to give.

6.         God is surprising, sustaining and amazing!

Focusing on God and stepping out in faith allows me to see who He is and to be amazed at what He is doing. God never fails to provide exactly what I need when I need it. He allows some hard things to come into my life, but never without something that shows me He is with me. Did you catch the most important phrase in that last line…the amazing part? “He is WITH me!” That is the most surprising, sustaining and amazing truth that can capture your lie if you will just dwell on it and grasp the profundity of it.

7.         We have something special here - support, encouragement, family

Allow me to brag about what Jesus is doing here at Lakeside! Once again, Lakeside Christian Church has overwhelmed me with their encouragement and support. Even as I shared this thought, I had no idea of how they were about to encourage me. Lakeside has always supported me in my ministry endeavors. Not just by providing the opportunity to work here, but by time, energy, money, prayers and the giving of themselves.

A few years back I was burned out. I don’t have time to go into the details of it, but I needed a break so I could work on my own heart and focus on number 5 above. I told the elders what I was thinking and volunteered to take an unpaid leave of absence so I could focus on my personal walk. They responded with granting me a 7 week sabbatical, one week for every year I had given to the church, and they declined my request to do it unpaid. It was one of the most impactful gifts I have ever received and is one of the biggest reasons I am still doing what I love!

8.          I am continually humbled, thankful and awed at the privilege to preach and teach

God's Word to a Youth Group and church that hungers for Jesus

Lakeside is a place that I sense the love and desire for Jesus. I see it in my youth group kids as they minister to each other, take notes in youth group and worship service. I see it in the praise and worship times and when someone new walks in the doors. I am so amazed that my teens as they will text or Facebook me a question about the Bible and all hours of the day/night! They often seem surprised that I will respond so quickly to the late night texts, but they may not know how excited it makes me to receive such inquires.

I love talking to the members and attenders at our church. It is thrilling to have conversations where they sincerely desire to know what God’s Word says about certain topics they are struggling with.

When I get up to preach or teach, I can sense the expectation and desire to grow. May God continue to grant us hearts longing for Him!

And the last two come from:

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 4

9.          Negative: There is no greater sorrow then to see your children walking away from the Lord

Over the years I have had hundreds of students. I try to stay in touch with them and sometimes that really hurts. I can’t name names, I can’t describe situations lest I betray confidences. Yet I know many of my teens, whom I still love, have gone on to adulthood and walked away from the Lord. Some are stilling flirting with the line, but choose themselves over God.

It so tough, because I know the fullness they could have in Jesus, but they are blinded to it. It is tough because I see the hurt, pain and confusion before them, but they are blinded to it. It hurts because…I still love them.

I have this one hope. God says “train up a child in they way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” I believe they know the truth they have just wandered from the path. I pray that “God’s Word will not return void, but will accomplish what He sent it out to do” and they will remember what they learned, repent and return to Jesus.

10.     Positive: There is no greater joy then to see your children walking with the Lord

This one makes me so excited! Almost on a weekly basis I get to be led to the very throne room of grace by one or more of my current and/or former students in our worship services. To me, this is AWESOME! It is humbling and exciting. Seeing one whom I am instructing in the Lord and then to be led by them is rewarding! You see, it’s not about me and it’s not about them, it’s about the Holy Spirit working in us together!

I admit I am a jealous youth pastor. I want my students to stay with me and stay here at Lakeside and watch them grow here. But that is not always possible and the Gospel demands I release them into the world to spread the Good News. So when I have to let them go, it brings great joy to my soul when I know they are going with God. They have developed a passion for the Word of God and a walk with Christ that will allow them to be a light in this dark world. When a student contacts me out of the blue and tells me about how God is using them in their city, I can do nothing but rejoice and praise Jesus.

This is why I do what I do: to train teens on how to walk with Jesus all the days of their lives. May God continue to allow me to remain faithful to His Word, to His Call and to His Church.

Night Hikes and Fearful Imaginations

Did you ever go to summer camp as a kid? I loved going to summer camp! I was blessed to have been part of several different camps as a child. Stoney Glenn with Boys Brigade, Camp Good News with Child Evangelism Fellowship, Beulah Beach with church, Camp Carl with the Chapel. Camps were awesome! One of my favorite parts of summer vacation was going to camp!

There is nothing like staying in a cabin in the woods, getting out into nature and learning about God. One year at Camp Carl, they wanted to teach us about trust and overcoming fears. So they took us on different adventures to help us learn these important truths.

The Night Hike was my favorite! Except the first one haha. We would wait until it was really dark before we would begin. The leaders lined us up and had each of us hold part of a rope. Then the leader gathered up all of our flash lights and put them back in the cabin. “We won’t be needing these!” he said. And then we began our hike into the woods.

Now I had been all over the woods in the day light, but have you ever noticed how much it changes in the dark? There are some pretty awesome things to see in the dark, like the abundance of fireflies shimmering in the night. However, your imagination can make up a bunch of other things that aren’t so cool. Like thinking you saw glowing eyes, or something moved over there, etc.

Having the security of our leaders and the rope with all or our friends around made for a joyful occasion. Yet we were in for a big surprise! After walking through an open field illuminated by the moon and stars, we reentered the woods. This particular part  of the path was very dense with trees and we couldn’t see anything ahead. That is when we stopped abruptly. The leader in front let go of the rope and disappeared into the darkness. The leader in the back walked to the front and told us to let go of the rope. He then informed us that we were going to walk one at a time into the darkness and meet the other leader.

Now darkness is an interesting beast. Actually darkness isn’t real, there is no such thing as darkness. It is merely a description of a lack of light. Light is real, light exists and brings illumination. Darkness is a measurement of a lack a of light. It is a fearful thing for most. Stepping out and walking into the darkness felt smothering. Timidly stepping forward, glancing left and right constantly, listening for the slightest noise I walked forward. I told myself I was brave and could do this. I also had imaginations of creepy monsters, werewolves and coyotes devouring me.

Plunging into the depths led to a facing of fears and a realization of how much I loved the light. Going forward I knew my leader was up there somewhere and I couldn’t wait to get to him. Once there, a feeling of safety and calm returned. When we got back to the cabin, I was so thankful for my flashlight, for light bulbs and electricity. Having faced it once, the next time it wasn’t so bad.

The reality is this, we live in a dark world. It is a fearful and scary place. We are often walk aimlessly down a dark path and fall prey to our fearful imaginations. However we do not need to be crippled by this for we have a leader just ahead of us. Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer and He is the Light of the world! He is the one who brings hope and safety and He calls us to step out in faith and walk in the Light. No matter what are surroundings or how dark it is, when we focus on our leader just ahead, we can overcome anything!