Staff

Writing and Editing

It is hard to believe, this time last year, many a day you'd find me sitting in a Starbucks putting the finishing touches on a 16 year career as a Youth Pastor and preparing my team for their mission trip to Idaho.

Fast forward to today, sitting in a Starbucks and putting the finishing touches on three different devotionals for the first summer of Youthmark Mission Ventures. Much has changed, yet much remains the same. 

Having my own group to lead has always inspired me when writing the devotional guides for the week, so my approach to this years devotional, Road Grip 2009, had to change some (writing for 350+  participants instead of just my own youth).  

In addition, I am writing a companion devotional for the parents of the youth going on these trips. I am super excited about this aspect of Youthmark.  I have always seen parents as a vital aspect of student ministry and too often I have seen the disconnect between what students experience on a mission and what the parents see when the tired student returns.  My hope is that through the blogs and Home Base the parents may feel a little more connected to the students.  Quite simply, the parents are invited to be "on mission" though they are at home (something about being prepared in season and out of season?).   

When the participants return from the trip, they will immediately dive into the third devotional, 14 Ways for 14 Days.  The goal with this devotional is to return from the mission experience and return to "normal life" without leaving the mission.  The things we experience on the field transfer back to home and vice-versa.  My hope is the participants will continue to be guided by His Word and His Spirit by remaining faithful to the things He has called us to!

Pray for these finishing touches, the publishing process, the distribution and the end-result of these devotional guides!

Grace,
Brian