Motivational Monday- Young and Bold

Found this verse and thought it would be useful as we encourage our youth: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 No matter how young, how inexperienced, how large the task, let’s empower our youth…

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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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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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How 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…

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How 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…

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