Operation Barnabas--9 Years Later

Mark Artrip (top center) with Jeremy Byng on his right and other members of the 1999 team.

All this OB talk got me thinking about my OB experience in high school. I went on OB 9 years ago as a 17 year old. At the time I thought my team was the best ever and still do. I remember the leaders telling us that we would know what kind of OB team we were in 10 years. I know it is only 9 but I decided to cheat a little and stack up some things. Read more...

Mark Artrip is the High School Pastor at Grace Church in Powell, Ohio. Mark served on the 1999 Midwest Operation Barnabas team and talked about the team on his blog--www.markartrip.wordpress.com.

Changed Lives Through Operation Barnabas

In years past, Operation Barnabas has usually been a big part of helping to run our Vacation Bible School. This year, however, they got to help out in a different way. We put them to work promoting our VBS by passing out over 2,000 water bottles with VBS flyers attached to them. Our theme for VBS this year was "Take the Plunge" so the water bottles fit right in. Read more...

Timothy Lansing is Youth Director at the Grace Brethren Church in Norwalk, California. 

'God Came Through Big Time', Andy Wirt

It was an amazing scene... by the end of the evening there were more than 150 people in our back yard! God came through big time and people showed up from all sorts of networking streams. Read more on Andy's Blog...  

Student-Led Youth Ministries From Endeavor

For more than 25 years, Rick Mills, National Director of Endeavor, has been driven by his passion to assist youth workers in reaching this generation and helping young people find God's purpose for their lives.

Rick knows that churches with Student-Led Youth Ministry programs experience much different results with their young people. Statistics show that more than two years after high school:

• 95% are growing in their faith
• 89% attend church regularly
• 75% are active in a ministry

Find out more about Student Led Youth Ministry at www.endeavormovement.com. 

Day Away North of 55 Coming October 20

Patterson Memorial Church will be host to the Roanoke, Virginia, Day Away on October 20. Day Away-North of 55 are one-day, regional seminars for seniors developed by members of the North of 55 Cabinet.

Up Coming Dates

September 14: CE National Celebration: Hagerstown Grace Brethren Church, Hagerstown, Maryland, 6:00 pm.
September 15: CE National Celebration: Lancaster, Pa., Good 'N Plenty Restaurant, 6:30 pm.
October 19: Ed Lewis speaks at Patterson Memorial Church, Roanoke, Virginia
November 7-9: OB Ministry Reunion
November 7-9: CE National Board Meetings
November 19: OB 2009 Applications Due
November 21: Bible Quiz Invitational

While Cleaning Up Trash--Momentum Reports

Reports from the impact of Momentum are still coming in. The report below is from the Momentum History Website.

I will never forget the opportunities to speak to people this year during We Care Dayton. Although my group and I were able to speak with many people during our time cleaning up the streets of Dayton, my most memorable moments came while speaking with two homeless men. After speaking with the first man about his health problems and difficulties with his father's death and day-to-day circumstances, I prayed with him and then felt led to offer him my boxed lunch that I had received that morning. Read more...

'Leading a Generation of Free Agents' by Dr. Tim Elmore

 "Leading a Generation of Free Agents" is an article by Dr. Tim Elmore with a fresh look at how the Millennial Generation views the work environment. Although primarily targeted to the work environment, the article provides insight into Millennials in the church work force, both volunteer and paid.

Founded in 2003 by Dr. Tim Elmore, Growing Leaders is a non-profit organization which serves both public schools and civic organizations, as well as faith-based organizations and churches.

I just had the most intriguing conversation with a local employer in Atlanta. He told me he’s at the end of his rope—and he’s about ready to see a therapist. The reason for his duress? The college graduates he recently hired. They were driving him crazy. When I inquired about what made them so challenging, he noted the following realities he faced: Read more...