by David Hanson | Sep 20, 2012 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Don’t you love those moments when the Lord is trying to tell you something. Like Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, we sometimes think what we are hearing is a mistake, but by the third time it happens, you know somethings up.
This happened to me this week. I have been keeping my ear to the ground for my next sermon series, and for some reason, the SAME book of the Bible keeps popping up. The first time it happened, I must admit, I was totally uninterested.
1st Call: Monday morning I was in our weekly Youth Staff meeting and while throwing around ideas my Small Groups Coordinator said, “What about the book of Esther?” She then went on to say how it had been speaking to her, how great it was, and what it would speak to our students. My response, “Ehhhh?”
2nd Call: I am an avid podcaster. I listen to various podcasts each week while I am driving. A few I listen to ALL THE TIME, while others get an occasional listen. Tuesday afternoon, as I was pursuing for my next listen, I went to a podcast that only gets an occasional ear. This pastor had just started a new series in what? That’s right…Esther. Back to back days, not that big of a deal right? Just coincidence…
3rd Call: On Wednesday nights, my students meet in various Host Homes around the city led by truly amazing men and women of God. Each grade has a year long curriculum that they can go by, but we give them the freedom to jump around or add and subtract lessons as they see fit for their group. Last night, Wednesday, I made the decision to pop into the 8th Grade group. (I attend a different Small Group every week to get face time the students and provide encouragement to my leaders.) So what did the 8th Grade Leader teach? You guessed it…Esther.
Monday…Esther. Tuesday…Esther. Wednesday…Esther. Every other day for the past year…never even thought about the book of Esther! But when the Lord is trying to direct you in a certain direction is there any other response but faithful obedience? I pray that we, as youth workers, amidst the chaos of our lives, don’t forget to LISTEN to the Spirit’s guiding. May we respond with the wisdom of Eli and the obedience of Samuel and say, “Yes, LORD, your servant is listening!”
Texas native, Texas Tech Red Raider, M.Div. at Truett Seminary, husband to Ashley, father to Ava, Student Pastor at
LifePoint Church in Plano, Tx, table tennis (ping-pong) extraordinaire, addicted to coffee. For anything else…you’ll just have to ask, or go here:
About David.
by David Hanson | Sep 19, 2012 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Let the Blogging Resume!
The end of summer is bittersweet as a youth pastor. One the one hand I am excited about returning to a measured schedule, where I know for the most part how my days will go and how much sleep I will get! On the other hand, my inner teenage soul will miss the measured chaos bouncing from one event to the next, expectant to see how the Lord will move next.
And what a summer it was: Monday Lunches with students all over the city, Wednesday Night Bible study that became a seminary class for teens, 12 hour bus ride to and from camp, Camp itself, Missions Week, Poverty Simulation, Service Projects, Youth Week, and a Back to School Event…whew!
But alas, students are back in school and busy with homework, sports, and dozens of other extracurricular activities. The youth area now seems big, cold, empty, and quiet. How am I supposed to get anything done?
But the end of summer also marks a time of refreshment for youth workers. It’s a time to read, write, dream, listen for His voice, ask for His direction, and petition His presence. All things that are too hurriedly done during the busy summer months.
For me its a chance to get back to blogging. A chance to share with you my passion to see students know, love, and worship Jesus. A chance to collaborate with other youth workers who are just as crazy as I am. So let’s chat, let’s dream, let’s cast vision, let’s come together and see lives changed. To Him be the glory…let’s go!
Texas native, Texas Tech Red Raider, M.Div. at Truett Seminary, husband to Ashley, father to Ava, Student Pastor at
LifePoint Church in Plano, Tx, table tennis (ping-pong) extraordinaire, addicted to coffee. For anything else…you’ll just have to ask, or go here:
About David.
by David Hanson | Aug 7, 2012 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Here is the list of the Top 25 Youth Ministry Blogs for 2012 via The Youth Cartel. Some amazing youth ministry minds and individuals on this list! You could spend HOURS perusing this thing. Have Fun!
by David Hanson | Jul 5, 2012 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Been wanting to share this with you for some time! But as a youth worker, you know how chaotic Summer Youth Ministry can get. And after all…..TYMB is a one man operation! I’m not saying my students are more important than you, but…..yeah.
To the point: Early this Summer I journeyed with a group of students to do a Poverty Simulation through Mission Waco. It was transformative. I truly wish I could detail for you what this weekend entailed, but that would take all the fun and mystery out of you doing this yourself! What I can tell you is that you need to plan on adding this to your Summer Calendar for next year.
What’s that? You live in Nebraska? Still worth the drive. There were groups from 3 different states in our simulation and they told us that people travel from all over to take students through this experience.
So what CAN I tell you? I can tell you that there is a HUGE difference between serving the poor and putting yourself in their shoes. And while we cannot do that to the fullest extent, it was a tremendous eye-opener to students of mine from affluent North Dallas. They became poor, if only for a weekend, and were given an insight or renewed understanding of poverty. Throughout the experience, the Poverty Simulation director informed the group on the current status of world poverty and the steps that are being taken to care for ‘the least of these’ by Christ followers. We became informed on how we can combat poverty and told to look for similar opportunities in our home towns. I know this experience will only increase a ministries interest and participation in local and foreign missions.
Sound fun? Sound interesting? It was both. Do it.
(Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our experience: Ask David)
Texas native, Texas Tech Red Raider, M.Div. at Truett Seminary, husband to Ashley, father to Ava, Student Pastor at LifePoint Church in Plano, Tx, table tennis (ping-pong) extraordinaire, addicted to coffee. For anything else…you’ll just have to ask.
by David Hanson | Jun 22, 2012 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Today I helped build a fence.
But not just any fence. I helped build a fence that will pay for food, shelter, care, and an education for an Orphan in Haiti.
How you might ask? Fences for Orphans, under trained leadership, uses volunteers to build high-end privacy fences in the DFW Metroplex. According to their website, “Using volunteers allows FFO (Fences for Orphans) to give 80% of our profit to help build orphanages” and support orphans. Around 20 of us worked for 6 hours to help complete a fence. It was hot, it was hard, but totally worth it.
What I liked about Fences for Orphans is that it was not simply a service project like mowing a lawn, or painting a wall (that are still very important to the kingdom). It was a physical act of service matched with an ideology to care for the least of these around the world, right at home. It was more than buying a silicone bracelet or throwing money into a plate. It was a taste of the foreign mission field, on our local mission field.
What are some of the Service Projects you are doing this summer?
