Say what??

Well…it was not the news I was expecting in my wildest dreams. Darla and I laying down talking on a Wednesday night when she says the words few husbands want to hear…”I have something to tell you”. She didn't say it in a I’m-ticked-off tone and I had run through my mind the events of the last week or so and I thought I was pretty safe so I jokingly said “we are having a baby?” I laughed. She said yes then I really started laughing. I looked at her face and realized she was serious and I stopped laughing. Then we both started laughing.

Being a dad is my favorite role to play in this life. I love being a minister to students and I love being a husband and I even love being a son and brother and uncle…but being dad is where I love to be. My girls mean everything to me and life without them is just not something I can ever fathom.

Hannah was a surprise. We had gone off birth control and it was supposed to take 3 months to even think about being pregnant…nope, about a month or less! Brianna was a little more scheduled and planned. This one isn't a shock…it’s stunning! ha ha

I have wanted a third for a long time and really had conceded that it just wasn't going to happen several years ago, so this news is shocking but yet exhilarating at the same time!

June 18, 2011 is the due date and I look forward to how God is going to bless our lives with this baby. I thank God that He trusts us with this life and I pray that we honor Him in our parenting and leading him or her (BTW, I'm not hoping for a boy...I am happy and overjoyed with a boy or girl...really doesn't matter to me) in the way of the Lord.

Matt

Daddy's Girl #1

It was not a good time. Darla had been having some issues and so I went with her to the Dr. in Evansville on a Wednesday in 1996. We had been married for a little over a year and had talked about having a child and made preparations for that to happen soon. Evidently soon was now because her issues were due to the fact that we were expecting our first child! We were elated to say the least and couldn't wait to tell the world!

Hannah Lin (named after Darla’s sister, Johnna’s middle name) was born at 11:17am on August 2, 1997 and it was definitely love at first sight! When the nurse at St. Mary’s hospital in Evansville laid her in my arms I was so overcome with emotion…it was beautiful, scary, love all at once.

We were attached from the beginning. I remember taking Hannah to the sporting events of the kids in our youth group and I loved just the two of us hanging out on my day off. We had so much fun together…and still do! My favorite times were the times we would take naps together…she would lay on my chest in my recliner and I would fall asleep too and sometimes our drool spots would join together!! Must be love!

When Hannah was two months old she was not tracking objects so at the advice of our pediatrician we went to an eye specialist in Evansville. The news was sobering to say the least. We were told that Hannah would never be able to see, that we needed to check into schools for the blind, etc… because Hannah had an eye disorder called “coloboma” which basically means that there is a part of her retina or optic nerve did not fully develop. We were crushed to say the least. We spent hours praying, asking our church at Little Prairie to pray (which they did on a Sunday night in one of the most wonderful prayer services I have ever been a part of), and asking our friends to pray.

We moved from Albion to Centralia in the summer of 2001 where we met a friend from our church, Lori Edson, who worked for an eye doctor and she gave us a name of a doctor who she met at a seminar in St. Louis. Dr. Oscar Cruz works for Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital in St. Louis and we met with him and Hannah had eye surgery to correct her nystagmus (eye jiggling) in 2002.

During that eye surgery the doctor came in to tell us some news that would literally change my life. We were told that while he had Hannah out he got to look closely at Hannah’s eyes and could not believe what he saw! We were informed that her coloboma was so bad that he could literally not detect an optic nerve in her eyes! There is no medial or scientific reason why Hannah has sight!! The doctor informed us that if we told him that all Hannah could see what light that he would believe it, anything more than that he would not believe it! We have a walking miracle in our midst!

We got to see pictures of Hannah’s eyes yesterday and it is just amazing to look and see her eyes compared to what a “normal” eye should look like. Over half of her eye on each side is totally covered by scar tissue or not developed!

Why do I write this? I write this for a couple reasons…

1) So you can know that God truly does answer prayers – We prayed for healing, that is true, but we also prayed for God to help us deal with whatever setbacks that this eye condition will have on Hannah. She does have some limitations with visual field and depth perception and we are not sure how she will be affected as she grows up and learns to drive or other adult activities as she matures. All we know is that we have a 13 year old that is not supposed to be able to see but can do pretty much anything else that a teenager can do visually! One cannot look at her eyes and not give glory to her Creator for working His touch on her!

2) So you can know that God is real – God is still working today! God cares about you and your situation. I know of so many people who have given up on God and tossed him aside for the sake of convenience or priorities, God is so real and wants a relationship with you and a chance to show himself to you if you will just let him! God is real and good and faithful!

3) So God can be glorified by helping someone else -- He gets all the honor and glory forever for his work in Hannah's life. My sharing this story is to tell God's story to help someone who may be struggling with their relationship with God to help them know that our God is still living and active!

I do not write this to brag about anything…because I, nor any other human, did anything. I write so you can know that God is still working today and wants to work in your life too. I realize He doesn’t answer all of our prayers the way we want him to, but that does not change his faithfulness and love for you. Give him a shot…you will so not be disappointed!

Thanks for reading and listening!

Get the most of your church's youth program

It’s been awhile! I haven’t written a blog in some time, apparently! Well…I am attempting to write one here today. Actually, I have been thinking about this issue for awhile, but am just now at a point where I have my thoughts completed to put on paper (I think! Ha)

Most church leaders would probably agree that a successful church has an effective youth/children’s program. But how can you, as a parent, make sure your son/daughter gets the most out of what your church offers?

1. Support with your time – Contrary to what you may think, most kids don’t mind if their parents are involved in some way in the youth ministry. Whether it is volunteering to help with crowd control, serve snacks, clean up or set up, or go on a trip there is a sense of connection that helps them see that you value what is important to them.

2. Know what is going on – For the most part, gone are the days of a youth group being a bunch of food and fun and games with a 10-minute “devotion” and call it church. Youth ministries have “grown up” and realized that if they are going to train the next elders, deacons, missionaries, and senior ministers that they must lay a solid foundation in their ministries to help make that happen. Realize that most of the time you see the fun and crazy stuff that happens at the beginning of a service and at the end of the service, then your kid only talks about the silly game or crazy fun that they had. Did you ask what the lesson was about? Do you ask what adults they are connecting with? Those are important questions to ask each and every week your child attends. Sometime stick around and hang out and observe what happens at a typical Sunday, Wednesday or small group Bible Study that your child attends.

** As a side note…if your church’s youth program is not serving your child spiritually, talk to your youth pastor, senior pastor, or church leaders about it. A youth program must have the focus on your kids relationship with God, not just entertainment…it’s just that important! **

3. Refrain from using youth group as a form of punishment – Think about the logic. If you punish your child for doing something wrong by making them miss youth group you could be punishing them from hearing the very Biblical truth that they need to hear to make better choices. Talk to your youth pastor or youth leader about a discipline and they can help you decide together what might be ok to miss (for example: missing the next youth group laser tag outing might be better than missing the midweek worship service).

4. Make the youth program a priority by making church a priority – We wouldn’t think of missing sports practice or games or other club activity because of homework, but we sometimes don’t think twice about missing church or youth group for such things. If there is soccer and youth group that night and your child can only attend one…what is the BEST option spiritually? What a great example you set as a parent when you set the non-negotiable boundary for Sunday & Wednesday (or whenever your youth meet) as a non-negotiable/emergency only night, and schedule the other 5 nights with other things.

5. Pray for and support your church’s youth leaders – Don’t just say you will or tell them you are going to, why don’t you this Sunday grab one of your kids Sunday School, youth group leaders, or youth pastor and actually pray for them. Out loud. And let them know you appreciate what they are doing in your kids’ lives.

Lastly, if you are not involved in a church that has a youth ministry program or children’s program…help start one. If you have any questions about the youth program @ Mt. Gilead where I attend, let me know. We don’t do it right every time…but we try our best to help make a difference in the lives of kids by helping them seek a relationship with Christ, share Christ with others, and shine for Christ in how they live. As always, I appreciate your feedback.

Matt

What's The Point?

Why do I have to go to church? Do I have to go to church to go to heaven? These and other questions similar have been asked for centuries, and will probably still be asked until the day Jesus returns! I intend to offer my two cents worth into the age old debate on what is the point of church. I would like to take a moment or two and answer the two above questions…

Why do I have to go to church?

1) It’s a Commandment – Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The writer of Hebrews is in the middle of encouraging the Christians to not leave their faith. He had talked to them about persevering, having confidence before God because of their relationship with Him, about having a clear conscience before God, and about how Christians are to encourage one another. We go to church, not for ourselves, but for each other. When we get together as a church it is a family. When you miss out on your family, you miss out on everything that really matters…spiritual connectedness.

2) It’s what Jesus is all about –

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35

Obviously if Jesus was going to give the disciples the Holy Spirit, and that Spirit was going to work so quickly to make an impact on the world…Jesus must have seen it as important. The ministry of Jesus is solely dependent on one thing—the church. The body of Christ is what Jesus has given to carry out HIS mission, to seek and save the lost. What we do in the church is to encourage and strengthen one another toward that end. We do this through fellowship, discipleship, serving others, and growing closer to Christ—and each other.

Do I have to go to church to go to heaven?

I don’t know. How about that? I do know this, however, and that is Jesus instituted the church and saw it as important, and that is enough conviction for me to make sure me and my family are there.

4 Common reasons and responses for not attending church…

1) Church is boring

Church is as lively and exciting as you make it. If you stay up way late on Saturday night and come in on Sunday morning dragging…it will be extremely boring. If you think it is boring, talk to your church pastor or church leadership about some different methods to liven up the service. Maybe you are the leader your church needs to help your church go to the next level!

2) Church is full of hypocrites

This is exactly true! Church is full of hypocrites, that’s why they are in church! Jesus said: “"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."(Mark 2:17). We are all sinners in need of the great physician to help us get better.

3) Churches just want my money

While it is true that it takes money for the church to do ministry, pay staff, keep the building in good condition, etc… That is not all churches want. Churches (unless they are a part of a denomination) depend on the giving of it’s members to operate…that is why they spend so much time on giving, not to mention the fact that the Bible stresses sacrificial giving and tithing on numerous occasions.

4) Church is full of rules to make you feel guilty

Church is only filled with the rules of scripture, so if you really have an issue with church rules, God is the one to take issue with. We live in a society that does not like to be told something is wrong. We like to be tolerant (unless, of course, it goes against what we want or like or believe). The Bible has a set of standards of right from wrong that has stood the test of time (over 3,000 years)…so maybe it knows a little about the subject. The guilt we feel is usually the result of the Holy Spirit letting us know what we are doing is wrong…so we need to listen.

My hope and prayer is that you find a church that you can be a vital part of. You will not find a perfect church…every church has issues. The goal in life is to find the right church family that you can feel comfortable going through hard times with. The church is Gods tool to reach the lost…if you are not a part of that tool, you are not reaching the lost, and if you are not reaching the lost…what’s the point?

Why People Leave Church...and what to do about it

Why People Leave Church…and what to do about it

What is church? Contrary to popular belief, the church is not those with whom you sit next to on Sunday morning. Church is the total body of believers all around the world. Red, yellow, black and white…United States, Africa, Europe, Middle East. Wherever there are believers in Jesus, they are your brothers and sisters in Christ…like it or not. When you really think about that, it should put into perspective what goes on at your church. Why are there so many denominations? Why do people jump from one church to another? Why do people not want to attend church? I believe it really comes down to three basic areas discussed below. This is not only about people leaving churches; it is also about why people decide to not attend at all.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21

Personality Conflicts – This is the devil’s favorite one. If satan can cause division in the church body, he will…and he wins! There will always be personality conflicts wherever you go or wherever you are, it is just simply unavoidable. Remember, churches and its people are not perfect…that is why they are in church! The reason a church is considered a family is because there are all different types of people that make up the church…social classes, personality types, age levels, etc… Church is about being involved in the life of the body, not only getting along with everyone. When you are serving alongside someone, it is more difficult to have conflicts. It is simply not reasonable to think that in a church of even 75 people that you will be able to be pals with everyone in attendance.

What to do about it…

ü Ask honestly…am I part of the problem? Does my attitude toward others affect how they treat me?

ü Find the ones you do have things in common with and blend with them…not as a clique, but rather as a small group that you can serve, share, and encourage with.

ü Do your best to understand and love those you have conflicts with, realizing that with those personality types they can reach people you cannot, just like with your personality you can reach people they cannot.

Biblical Conflicts – This is, unfortunately, a less common reason that people leave the church. It seems that people want the church with the latest worship style, shortest sermon, most active youth and children’s ministry, cleanest nursery, or one that makes them feel good, without taking into consideration whether or not a particular church is in line with what they personally believe about such things like salvation, eternity, communion, authority of scripture, sin, etc… While all those above listed things are important, the decision of where to attend church should be based almost exclusively on where that congregation stands scripturally.

What to do about it…

ü Search Gods word and discover what you believe

ü Ask your church about its beliefs

ü Decide what beliefs you have are “non-negotiable” for you, and which ones you could live with without compromising scripture.

Past vs. Future – The “young people” want contemporary worship while the “older people” want hymns. The “young people” want a multi-purpose building for fun activities and get-togethers while the “older people” think those things are unnecessary and too costly. The battle lines are formed because neither side has the desire to compromise or see the other person’s point of view. In no other area of business or worldly work place is the generational gap wider than in the church…how sad! Two things need to be realized before I go any further. 1) Young people need to realize that the older generation has put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the physical church, and that needs to be respected and elevated. While this current generation desires growth and outreach, the previous generation desired the same thing…just in a different way. 2) Older people need to realize that what led them to Christ is not necessarily what is going to lead this generation to Christ.

What to do about it…

ü Pray for each other

ü Realize that both generations have ideas to bring people to know Jesus, there has to be give and take

ü Create times during the year where generations mix and learn from each other.

ü Pray for each other

So what if you are thinking about leaving your church, or if you have already left?

1. Have you spent time before God praying…and listening to the Holy Spirit?

2. If you had disagreements…did you follow Matthew chapter 18 and discuss the situation in love?

3. Have you prayed?

4. Ask yourself…

Ø Was I oversensitive about an issue?

Ø Did I get involved and try to be a part of the solution to the problem?

Ø Is leaving and going somewhere else to church really going to solve my issues?

Ø What will I do when I find issues at the next church?

5. Have you prayed?

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32

What if you don’t attend church…why should you?

1. It’s scriptural – Hebrews 10:25…”Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

2. For community – You were not meant to go through life alone. Everyone needs people around them for encouragement and support during the good and bad times of life.

3. It is scriptural

Picking the right church

1. Pick one that falls in line with your personal beliefs and convictions about scripture

2. Pick one that you can get involved with…we are not commanded to simply attend, but to serve and minister

3. Pick one that your whole family agrees with…families must worship and serve together as a unit

Legacy

Last Sunday during Sunday School we had a discussion about legacy. What do you want remembered for? When your life is over, what will you be known for? Interesting question. I'm not totally sure about me...but I want to share here in this blog about someone who I know and hope people say the same thing about me.

On April 6, 2004 my grandfather, Howard T. Johnson passed away (It was also my youngest daughter's 3rd birthday...come to think of it, my other grandfather passed away on my oldest daughter's birthday! weird, but I digress). He was my hero. I can remember every time I needed advice, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement...my grandma & grandpa Johnson were there to do whatever was needed and at the perfect time. I have not looked up to an earthly person more than this man...he was a man's man. Here are a few of the characteristics that made this man so special and great...

1) Love for God. I remember when I first told my grandpa about my desire to enter into the ministry. He was so proud of me...and told me! He also shared about being Sunday School superintendent at his church in Arizona (I believe that is right) and his own struggles about wanting to possibly enter into preaching ministry. I know that every time I went to their house grandma & grandpa always had their bible beside the places they always sat in the living room...I remember loving hearing him pray at meal times. His God was valuable and important to him. I will always cherish our long conversations about what heaven will be like in the months before he passed away...I hope it is everything he imagined it to be and more!!

2) Love for family. Family always came first with grandpa. He loved his wife the same at the end of his life as at the beginning. He loved and was so proud of his kids and their accomplishments. He was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for...loyal, loving, relational, dedicated. His love and commitment to the family unit is what set him apart in my mind to be so great...one that I try and copy, some days better than others.

3) Love for hard work. Grandpa was a hard worker. He worked tirelessly all his life to make life for his family a good one. He was a dairy farmer for years before also being a mechanic. Grandpa always had to be doing something!

I miss him. It has been 6 years, but it seems like 6 days. I miss his infectious belly laugh...his smile and sense of humor. I remember the first time I took Darla to meet my grandparents (any girl I went with had to pass the grandma & grandpa Johnson test!) I told her "just so you know, you're going to give grandma & grandpa a hug bye, and you will do it on your own". Darla was not raised around an affectionate home atmosphere, so she was even surprised when we got ready to leave she, on her own, walked over to grandma & grandpa and gave them a hug bye. They were just that kind of people. I only hope and pray that I am half the man that my grandpa was...I will never forget at 12:15am on April 6, 2004 telling him I loved him, he told me he loved me, and he was gone 4 hours later. I want that legacy in my life...I want to be just like my grandpa Johnson.

Cancer

It seems here lately that a lot of people I know are dying from cancer. Lung cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer. The cancer battle knows no age. I have seen the very young, and the very old battle and fight this horrible illness we call cancer. I am sure that every person has had someone very close to them lose their battle with cancer. There is another type of cancer that, if gone untreated, is fatal...spiritually fatal.

Sin. This is the worst kind of cancer, because it affects the two most important parts of the body...the heart and the mind. Sin is simply disobedience to God's standards. Our sin begins in the heart. When our hearts are not right with God, satan has the full opportunity to begin to erode ourselves of what is true and godly. When the devil has our heart, he moves to the mind. If satan can get us thinking about other things than God and our relationship with Him, he has us. When satan has our heart and mind...we are slaves. That's right, John 8:34 says "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin'." Jesus said this in response to the Jews who asked how they can be set free since they have not been slaves to anyone. Slave to sin...how do we get freedom?

Romans 3:23 -- "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Acknowledge that you have sin in your life, that without God's help, you cannot control.

Romans 6:23 -- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Realize that you deserve to be separated from God because of your sin, and accept that it is only through Jesus and his sacrifice that you have life.

Acts 2:38 -- "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Commit to change. Decide that you are going to live more for Christ and less for yourself. Be baptized...being immersed into Christ to signify the beginning of a new life. Receive the Holy Spirit after you are baptized so you can have God's Spirit with you so you can make good choices in the future.

Matthew 28:19-20 -- "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Our responsibility is to help others not to lose their battle spiritually of this cancer of sin. We mentor, evangelize, and teach others both verbally and by our actions who our Savior is.

Sin is a giant cancer. It affects the heart and the mind. The solution...to turn to Christ for your salvation so HE can take control of your heart and mind so you can be cancer free! Will you still sin...yes. Will you sin as much...depends on how much of your heart and mind you give the great cancer physician!

Matt

Parenting

I just watched a news story about tracking your teenager. They were talking about using tracking devices that watch every move your child makes. There was even one family who spent money to put 5 (yep, that's five!) camera's in the car they drive so they always know what is going on! What? Are you kidding me?

Will our kids make wrong choices? Yes. Will they sin? Yes. Are we doing enough as parents to help them before they become teens to have the tools they need to make those positive choices? Parenting your teen begins when they are born. We set boundaries, we build trust, and we realize that there are times we must be the parent, and there are times we can be their friend. I have seen too many instances where teens and preteens are left to roam and do activities that they are not prepared to do. Dating at 16? What if they are not mature enough? So, what is the right age? The right age is however old they are to handle the responsibility. Driving with friends...same deal, when they are old enough to handle the responsibility. I am not a parenting expert by any means...my oldest is only 12, but I have been in youth ministry for over 15 years and I feel that helps me make choices in how I raise my kids...along with how I was raised.

So what is the secret to a good relationship with your teen and feel good about letting them go on their own and make their own choices? It all comes down to TRUST...mutual trust.

T -- Time. They may not acknowledge it...but kids want you to ask about their day. If you don't have time to talk to your son/daughter about their day...you need to cut some things to make time. This is a habit that must start young and always continue...you will always have a job, hobbies, etc...but you only have 18 years to mold and shape the person God gave you to specifically raise up to be great!

R -- Relationship with God. What are you doing to bring your son/daughter closer to Christ? Your teen needs to see you in church. Your teen needs to see you model the church the rest of the week even more!

U -- Unconditional Love. Your kids need to realize both verbally and non-verbally that they are loved, cherished, and valued. Especially from dads. If your kids don't hear this from both mom and dad often...they will hear it from someone else, and you probably won't like the results!

S -- Safety. Your kids also need to know that they are safe with you. They need to know you will protect them. They also need to know that you will be a safe person to communicate with. Open communication with your teen begins when they are young...but it's never too late to start.

Touch -- Teens need to have parents (yes, dads...even you!) that will hug them, give them a kiss, and verbally tell them that they are loved. Positive touch is valuable in building a lasting and trusting relationship with your kids.

Again, I'm not a parenting expert. I fail a lot. I also know that I love and value the relationship I have with my girls. We don't need tracking devices and video camera's to know where our kids are...we need parents being parents setting rules and boundaries with their kids. Trust...there is no other way!

Matt

Success

It has been awhile since I last posted a blog. I hate when I go long stretches with seemingly not much to write about. Today I want to contribute my part to a topic that has been discussed, analyzed to death, and debated for a long time...what makes ministry successful? How do we know if our ministry is successful or not?

There was a phase a while back that said that if you had students leaving High School and going to Bible College, you were successful. There are also those that claim success based on numbers. I want to list off 4 areas that I believe must be done well if our ministries are to be successful.

1. Relationships -- In our world of technology this is both a blessing and a curse. We facebook, myspace, twitter, blog, text, email...and all this is fine (and somewhat necessary) in communicating and developing relationships with kids. But the greatest way to build relationships is still the old-fashioned face-to-face encounter. It's easy to sit behind a desk or sit at home and text a kid to let them know you care...but what if you verbalized it over ice-cream, or after a game of lazer tag, or after his/her sporting event? Relationships are vital in building a successful ministry.

2. Discipleship -- Relationships are important. Discipleship is equally important. So many of our relationships are "surface level". Discipleship takes our relationships to the next level. When we disciple a kid we are helping them discover their gifts and talents and challenging them to use those gifts to further the kingdom of God. Investing time in the life of kids encouraging him/her to do great things is important if our ministries are going to be successful.

3. Service -- Doing things for others is the heart of what Jesus was all about...so it should be at the heart of our ministries as well. Getting kids out of their comfort zones to be the hands and feet of Jesus not only teaches them to help people, it helps them understand their purpose.

4. Team Ministry -- Having a committed volunteer team of adults that help develop relationships and disciple young people is also at the core of a successful ministry. Successful youth ministry will not happen through "lone ranger" youth ministers...their must be a team of committed adults that help take ministry to another level.

This is only my opinion of what success means to me in youth ministry. I believe that if these 4 principles are followed that we will see young people go through our children's and youth ministries growing into adults that become an active and growing part of the local and global church.

I would love to hear your feedback and comments...

Matt