Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Nexus Project

Next weekend, we open up the doors of our church for a conference called The Nexus Project. Nexus is a conference for Middle and High School students, that is aimed at reaching students with the gospel and equipping them to live out God's mission. A few thoughts for my Student Pastor friends regarding conferences:

1. First off, if you are still interested in coming, we may be able to squeeze you in. If cost is an issue, let us know and we'll work with you. Shoot us an email.

2. I know there's a big push that is going away from Retreats/Conferences for students, and in many churches it's the right thing for them to do. I believe however, that God has strategically placed The Summit Church in RDU, and we'll do whatever we can to partner with local churches in reaching students for the gospel. Nexus exists not just as an in-house retreat, but also as a resource for churches.

3. Make it more of a conference than a Slumber Party: Ever been to a retreat with another church, and felt like you walked into their Student Ministry slumber party? Been there. Done that. It's awkward. We do everything we can from our scheduling of the conference to the bussing of students back and forth from a hotel, to make it feel like a conference.

4. Give them their money's worth: There's no question that some of these things can be expensive with bringing in good speakers, worship leaders and breakout session teachers. So...don't settle on "good." Give them something GREAT. Don't just bank on your t-shirt to be the selling point for next year.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Are You Interested

I am in London this week at a meeting with over 100 other Student Pastors and Missionaries from all over the globe, talking about mobilizing students for global missions. I posted about this on my previous post, but if you are interested in bringing a group to SE Asia with us this upcoming summer, let me know. We'd love to serve you and your Student Ministry. It's going to be a phenomenal trip. Shoot me an email and we can talk!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Few Things For You

Student Pastors, this post is for you! One of my passions is to be a good resource for you (as many of you are to me!) With that in mind, here are a few things I'd love to share with you:

Mobilizing Students for Global Missions: I have had the privilege of investing my life over the past 5 years into a nation in S.E. Asia, and have been charged by the IMB to mobilize students to join in the movement of God taking place across this country this summer. All of that to say....I'd love to help you get your students overseas this summer, to this country with me. All the details are taken care of, all you gotta do is sign up and train your students (and pay...) Email me for more information.

The Nexus Project: Nexus is a conference we do here at The Summit annually for MIddle and High School students all over NC, VA and SC. We've got great speakers lined up (Clayton King and J.D. Greear to name a few) and would love to serve your student ministry. Let us know if you have any questions.

Mentoring: My good friend, Dr. Alvin Reid, is doing some mentoring all around the Southeast this semester. He's passionate about investing in the lives of men, and not just talking "student ministry strategies." Your time spent with him is incredibly beneficial, and I highly recommend getting connected to one of his day long mentoring sessions. The next on is January 14th. For more info, check it here.