A blog post by Terri Elton Image Credit: Friends by Rodrigo Suarez on Flickr Each year as I turn the calendar from November to December my mind creates a list of people I’d love to connect with during the holidays. Some of the connections are givens, like time with my brother and sister-in-law from California. Other connections are not guaranteed, …
Ministry Starts by “being with”
A blog post by Luke Halverson What is one thing I have noticed about young adults? Early on in the book of Job, Satan is granted power over Job’s life. From Job losing his children to having sores inflicted all over his body, Job endured enormous amounts of pain and loss. When Job’s friends heard of his pain, they sought …
From the First Third Archives
You Belong By Andy Sahl I served for several years with a leadership camp in Western Illinois. High school kids labeled as “student leaders” (read, well connected to their youth group) from all over the country would come together for a week of small groups, worship, workshops, and free time fun on a college campus. What was amazing about this …
From the First Third Archives
Presently Separate & Separately Present By Derek Tronsgard Last Christmas my wife’s sister joined us while we opened our presents. A few weeks ago I did pre-marriage counseling for some friends. Yesterday I showed a friend a picture of my dog. Pretty unremarkable… …except when you consider the fact that I live in Minnesota. My sister-in-law lives in Denver and …
‘Sam I Am’
By Julie Hagen Sam, a shy 1st grader, asked his small group leader if she would call him ‘Sam I Am’ from now on. They hadn’t seen each other for a few weeks but last Sunday, she remembered and his face lit up when he sat down by their group and heard “Hi Sam I Am.” Every time he was …
You Belong
By Andy Sahl I served for several years with a leadership camp in Western Illinois. High school kids labeled as “student leaders” (read, well connected to their youth group) from all over the country would come together for a week of small groups, worship, workshops, and free time fun on a college campus. What was amazing about this camp is …