Author Archive

It’s amazing how God can teach us lessons through His creation.  Three months ago I undertook a huge project:  I tore up our existing front lawn, put in a new sprinkler system (with the help  of neighbors) in the front and back yards, then put down 9 yards of top soil, new seed and fertilizer and sat back to watch my masterpiece grow.  And waited…and continue

I just finished three days of YFC/USA national board meetings in North Carolina at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove.  Located just a few miles outside of Asheville, The Cove is located on the side of a mountain and it is one of the most tranquil places I’ve ever been.  Little (Verizon) or no (AT&T) cell coverage, no TV and wifi only in the lobby guaranteed a virtually tech free stay.  It was great. continue

While visiting the new/in process of being remodeled 1321 MLK offices I had a few moments to chat with Cheryl Jones, Executive Director of Allen Renaissance, our landlord and partner in the building.  She smiled as she looked around continue

Okay, so the title was meant to grab your attention and no, Tacoma YFC isn’t vacating our Center and M Street offices…but we do have a great opportunity to expand into some new space on Tacoma’s Hilltop.

For the past several years our City Life ministry team has been doing some fantastic collaborative outreach work with Allen Renaissance, Incorporated (ARI)– a non profit borne out of Allen A.M.E. church– and ARI has become a key ministry partner.  As the Lord continues to open new doors, continue

Last Tuesday night I had the privilege of joining Celia Kennedy, TYFC Board President, at the monthly Foster Care Support dinner held at Trinity Church.  Each month our fantastic foster care team puts together a great catered meal open to all 120 of our foster families, complete with activities for the kids while the parents head off to some discussion and sharing.  When I first came on staff with TYFC in 2001 I had little understanding of the foster care system and I remember then Executive Director, Tim Skrivan, inviting me to come speak to the foster parents at a dinner.  ”You’ll be amazed at these people…they are our heroes”.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but at the end of that dinner nine years ago I was sold on the ministry of foster care and had a whole new group of personal heroes.

So last week when Jeff and Anna invited me to speak again I was humbled to stand in front of continue

This past Saturday night I was glued to the television as I commandeered the screen from my daughters to watch the two Final Four basketball games.  Riding high on the euphoria of seeing tiny Butler (only 6 miles from their home campus) beat Michigan State for a spot in today’s national title game, I decided to check in periodically on the West Virginia-Duke game.  Duke continued to pull away for most of the game and I was just about ready to turn it off when something tragic, and touching, happened. continue

In the culture of Youth for Christ we  have 5 Essentials for Fruitful and Sustainable Ministry Sites: Widespread Prayer, Loving Relationships, Faithful Bible Teaching, Collaborative Community Strategy and Adults Who Empower. We believe that each of these Essentials need to be evident for a ministry site that is powerfully impacted by God’s power and people.

Last Wednesday morning we received word of God pouring new resources and continue

In this economy there are plenty of people in search of a new job and the power of a good resume has never been more apparent.  When we recently advertised for our Finance Director position we received a large number of applicants. However, I can honestly say that the number of people who sent a complete and compelling resume was minimal.  Many prospects quickly jotted down their most recent experience but ignored any continue

My wife and I just returned from a great time away visiting friends in Germany and a necessary part of each day was our hotel wake up call. Transitioning from West Coast time to Heidelberg time was difficult and there were several nights that we simply couldn’t fall asleep til early the next morning, so the friendly wake up call was the only obstacle to us sleeping the entire next day.

The importance of this technology reminded me of a conversation continue

Lately I’ve been wrestling with the word “every”. You see, “every” is a word held dearly by YFC ministries across the country and, for that matter, around the world. To our YFC family it signifies our call to reach every kind of kid in every situation, engaging them in the life long journey of following Jesus Christ.  On it’s own, the word is inspiring and a call to excellence. In light of real numbers, it’s overwhelming, daunting and faith stretching.

Here in Pierce County alone there are over 70,000 11-18 year olds, YFC’s primary target audience.  If we run the numbers of those kids that Tacoma YFC is reaching continue