Psalms 37:4

Mid-Winter Youth Retreat 2008

2008-01-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a weekend! Mid-Winter Youth Retreat 2008 at Denison University was an incredible time. I witnessed 1200 young people come together for Worship and decisions of life change. I was amazed as I saw youth groups worship, pray and cry together. I sense such hunger in the young people of Ohio. When we come together for our events, I always sense an incredible desire to seek after and find God. I am looking forward to the remainder of 2008. I know there will be life changing moments in the weeks and months to come. But as Jeff Goodman preached on Saturday, I know each day we must find that "Fresh Bread" and I know many of these young people will do more than live event to event for God, but they will live Day to Day with God.

It was great to see so many different churches involved from our pre-service groups, to the all-state choir and praise team, as well as all the people who participated in the different service elements.

The after service event called "Freeze" was so much fun, we jumped on inflatables, climbed a rock wall, played music, played video games, played basketball, volleyball and dodge ball, and ate over 300 pizzas.

My only regret is that I couldn't talk to all my friends who were there. It was great to see so many friends from across the state. But I also loved seeing so many new young people. I pray this event allows churches, youth groups and young people to introduce young people to Jesus Christ.

We had so many people that helped with this event, which I cannot list all of them, but I appreciate everyone who chipped in to make it one of the best mid-winters we've ever had.

Here are some of the people who helped:

Jeff & Kim Goodman - Speaker
Rob Doner - Secretary
LJ Harry - Promotions Director
Vicki Sussman/Meagen Hickman - Denison University Facilities Coordinator
Steve Romine - Denison Facilities Manager
Brian Holloway - Registration Coordinator
Brandon Buford - Multi-Media Coordinator
Rodney, Vivin, and Preston - Media Team
Brian Byerly - Pro-Light Team - Sound/Lighting Company
Kristin Keller - Pre-Service/Music Coordinator, All-State Choir Director
All-State Praise Band - Marcus, Garrett, Andrew, Scott, Jared,
All-State Praise Singers - Brad, Hollynn, Alexis, Rose, Kristen, Steve
Donovan Hill - Praise & Worship Leader
Musicians - Caleb, Lizzie, Scott
Josh & Jolene McDonald - After Service Event Coordinator
Mike Oliver - Inflatables
Brad & Heidi Carpenter - Food Coordinator
Matt Calhoun - Stage Design
Clyde Fox and Cliff Butts - Security

Many other individuals including Pastors, Youth Leaders/Workers helped create an incredible event for the youth of Ohio.

2008 has started of in an incredible way! I pray there will be an Uprising in Ohio!

Go Bucks!

2007-12-28T22:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the 2007 Ohio UPCI Jr. High Campers.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

I had an absolutely wonderful Christmas.

I had a chance to be with my family in Canton, Ohio. We had our Christmas on Friday, December 21st. I then spoke at Christian Life Center in Minerva, Ohio, where my Dad is the Pastor. We had a great time with this wonderful emerging congregation.

I spoke on "Why He Came, and Why He Still Comes" out of Luke 2:33-35
33 [fn7] And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

He came not just to reveal himself, but he came to reveal our hearts.

We traveled to my grandmother's house in Stow, Ohio on Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, and had a chance to be with my mom's family. We then left and drove 4 hours back to Cincinnati that evening getting home around 1am.

We started Christmas day by having our 18 month old daughter open her presents, which was a kitchen set, baby stroller, and a shopping cart. We then went to my wife's aunts in Hamilton, Ohio. We had a delicious Christmas dinner, opened some gifts and hung out. Then that evening we went to her parents house in West Chester, Ohio for more gifts and food.

It will be a treasured Christmas.