My Friend Brett

I have a friend. Hard to believe I know...but I've known Brett since college. He is probably the funniest and most "fun" person I know. He married Amy, who was my summer camp sweetheart (in the first grade) and they have two beautiful children. He is incredibly talented in many ways including photography, video production, graphic design, playing the drums and preaching the Word! He joined my student ministry staff at First Baptist Raytown in May 2005 and is still doing great things there!

Brett recently had brain surgery (about three weeks ago) to remove a tumor (non cancerous), which resulted in the loss of hearing in one ear, and a loss of balance. Traumatic enough to say the least, but this week Brett was suffering from serious back pain so Amy took him to the hospital where they found a tumor on his back.


So, Brett will have surgery again next week which will take another four weeks (at least) to recover from. Please join me in praying for Brett, Amy and their kids as they are facing another difficult week followed by difficult weeks to come.


Brett's grin...classic! He was up to something! Picture taken at Kari's 30th surpise party!


I'm Nate and this is what I think is essential.

DNOW pt 2

DNOW ended over a week ago and I'm still processing all that God did.  

We had two brothers (who came as guests) place their trust in Christ!  We had one student surrender to the call to ministry!  And we had many students rededicate their lives to Christ!  

Throughout the weekend we had some intense times of worship, intimate one-on-one with the Lord, and a ton of fun! 

Thanks to all who volunteered at DNOW!  Thanks to all who came!  Thanks to You Lord for meeting with us at DNOW '09!  

DNOW pt 2

DNOW 09

Coming up this weekend is our big weekend retreat called DNOW! Every year I'm excited about this event because of what it does in the lives of our students (not to mention all of the fun and junk food)!

This year, we are kicking things off with The David Crowder Band! I'm expecting a "melt my face off" good time of rock 'n roll and worship (ok, so actually I think DCB would be classified as techno and worship, but you get the point)!

For me, personally, I think I'm most excited about the small group sessions and the impact that they will have on the individual students. There are five small group sessions that consist of teaching, practice, reflection, teaching, practice, & reflection. Everything the students are taught during the teaching time will immediately be put into practice and then discussed by the group.

What makes this so exciting for me is that our topic this year is "Secrets of the Secret Place: Secrets to finding intimacy with God." So everytime the students have "practice" they will be spending time alone with God, in His word, one-on-one with Him, practicing ways of growing closer to Him!

Throughout the weekend, each student will spend a minimum of 100 minutes alone with God!

This is why I'm so excited about DNOW! Spend 100 minutes alone with God, and there is no way you can remain the same!

Next time I post, I'll give you a recap of what God does during DNOW09!

I'm Nate and this is what I think is essential!

focus

It's Tuesday again -- my day to have some freedom in my schedule! My day started off with taking my son to school before heading to the office. When I arrived, I had email waiting for me, so I dove in!

I have a lot of student pastor friends who frequently send information about speakers, bands, and other "trade secrets" that they might have. My friend, Steve, from North Carolina sent me an email about a passionate young lady named Abby Tracy.

Abby is 22 years old and is a missionary to Uganda. While she was finishing college she raised $50,000 to build a home in Uganda so that she could get street kids off the street. If you are unaware, 51 percent of the population of Uganda is under 18. It is estimated that there are some 10,000 children living on the street, alone, with no family.

Abby, with no denominational backing or support, started this home and finds the funds to keep it going. She is passionate about saving these kids from the street and sharing the love of Christ with them. Her stories are quite remarkable.

Please take some time right now and visit her blog (http://africa-love.livejournal.com/). Mark it as a favorite and go back often.

Why am I pushing you to do this? This morning, I realized that my focus has been way off. Maybe your focus has been way off too.

May God grant us a renewed vision. May we have His vision for the nations, His vision for people, His vision for the work of the Kingdom.

I'm Nate and this is what I think is essential.