The Help: Part Two

This is Part 2 of a series by Lee Wilson on recruiting a great ministry leadership team.   You can read Part 1  here. In the movie, The Help, one of the main characters, Skeeter decides to write a book from the perspective of the African-American maids in her community.  In order to do this,…

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First Things First

by Pastor Lee Wilson I thought I would take a break from the norm and blog about one of the most important things in youth ministry. It has nothing to do with programs or budgets.  It doesn’t involve camps or big events. I’m talking about marriage. And here’s why. As I reflect on the success…

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10 Ways To Plan for Success in Ministry & Life for 2012

This is Part 3 in a series by Maina Mwaura.  Read Part 1 and Part 2.  “Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen.”  Jeremiah 33:3 NLT+ If you’re like me, every year you start off with a list of goals you’re going planning on accomplishing and…

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Simple Is Better

I recently had a conversation with a great friend who called me in an effort to inundate me with his list of ALL the things he desires to accomplish in 2012. It was a great conversation but the truth of the matter is that I hung the phone up and found myself perplexed about whether…

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Reflecting and Looking Ahead

This is Part 2 in a series by Maina Mwaura.  Read Part 1 here. “One of the greatest moments in anybody’s developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale As we approach the New Year, I encourage…

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Reflection + Goal = Success

Christmas, New Years Day, holiday parties, travel, and all kinds of activities seem to  run together during this time of the year. If we’re not careful we can forget to stop and Reflect before the New Year begins.  I would like for us to Reflect on what God has done this year and reflect on…

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Starting a Movement: Influencing Students – Part 3

This is part 3 in a series from Maina Mwaura.  Read  Part 1 and Part 2 here. When Jesus approached the 12 disciples in John chapter 1, many of them probably had no idea that they would be following God’s son. I think the same should be true for the students that you and I get…

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To Develop a Movement, Start With Yourself – Part 2

This is Part 2 of 3 in a series by Maina Mwaura.  Read Part 1 here. Sometimes the hardest movement to start and lead is the movement within us.  It has been very well quoted that you can’t lead people where you haven’t been. As we begin our time together, how are you at leading…

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Deal with Me: Reaching Unchurched Teenagers

At 14, growing up in the inner city of Houston, TX, I was labeled as a troubled teenager.  That all changed when a local church began to come to my apartment complex.  They understood what most troubled teens like me needed – personal attention.  That’s exactly what they gave me.  I will never forget the…

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Start and Develop A Movement, Not a Youth Ministry – Part 1

This is part 1 of 3 in a series from Maina Mwaura.   John 1:38: Jesus looked around and saw them following, “What do you want?” he asked them. Usually when one thinks of the term “movement” they probably think of some of the great movements in history: the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage Movement…

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