Posts Tagged ‘Youth’
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…
Read MoreReflection + 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…
Read MoreStarting 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…
Read MoreTo 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…
Read MoreDeal 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…
Read MoreStart 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…
Read MoreHow Do I Keep My Marriage and Family?
This is a question that many ministry leaders are starting to ask themselves more and more. In a culture where more than 50 percent of marriages are falling to divorce ministry leaders need to know that they are not immune to this topic. In this final series of “How Do I…” I want to you…
Read MoreHow Do I Stay “Fresh” In Ministry?
Though Webster’s dictionary has several references to the word fresh, the one that stands out for me is: Fresh – with restored energy. I think many of us enter urban ministry with energy and excitement only to find ourselves (after a few months) wondering if God has truly called us to the assignment at…
Read MoreStart With “Why?” Before “How Do I?”
Maina Mwaura serves as the Student Pastor at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. He is a graduate of Liberty University and New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary. When Maina is not hanging out with his students you can find him spending time with his wife Tiffiney. It seems like there is a manual for…
Read MoreHow to View the Urban Culture – Part 2
by Maina Mwaura This is Part 2 of a series started here. According to George Barna’s latest book Futurecast, there are three types of people when it comes to the future: those who will watch what happens, those who will make it happen, and those who will wonder what happened. Which will you be? I…
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