Life of a youth pastor .

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Pushing Pancakes!

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Now your speaking my language…hot pancakes. I’m not really a sucker for pancakes, but free hot food? Heck ya! Yesterday the student ministry at Gateway went through dozens of pancakes, probably a few hundred. Why? A touchdown had literally just been handed to us and I wanted to go for 2 rather than settle for a field goal. Let me explain. Gateway has done a phenomenal job of making me and my wife feel welcome to the church. This weekend we were introduced to 300+ volunteers and leaders at a conference and then again in all Sunday morning services yesterday, TOUCHDOWN! While we could have simply just expressed our gratitude we took this opportunity to welcome others!

“Come and eat pancakes with us after the service!”

We invited parents to meet us after service while also putting the ask out to anyone who may have the interest in serving students. What did we get in return? We have 22 brand new contacts that have expressed interest in serving students!

What did it take to make this happen?

  • Approval from my supervisor and church leadership – don’t burn bridges, or pancakes for that matter!!!
  • Prayer. I have been praying about this eagerly and with anticipation since it was a reality.
  • Leaders/Volunteers giving some extra time, committing to more than one service – helping flip pancakes and talk with potential volunteers.
  • 10 boxes of pancake mix ($1.34 a box), 3 bottles of syrup ($1.84 a bottle), a tub of butter (my buddy Jon found it in the fridge), two electric griddles from Wal-Mart (purchased them for our mission trip, they make a mean grilled cheese!)
  • A clear invite – Are you a parent? Do you have an interest in serving in student ministry? Come have pancakes with us, we would love to meet you! Keep it simple.
  • A contact sheet – collect contact information. Just because they grab a volunteer application doesn’t ensure they will be back.
  • Volunteer/Leader Application.

The BIG idea: Do something out of the ordinary that involves free food and an opportunity to show others how they can get involved in your ministry!

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Eat Blueberry Pancakes

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It’s not my first choice on the menu…pancakes. I’m more of an eggs and bacon kind of guy. I know my wife loves them and I do like the idea of creating them, I love cooking! This past weekend we decided to take a few days off to enjoy the great outdoors. We packed up the truck with all our camping gear and headed north to Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin. The park was quite full so we camped at a nearby campground Mirror Lake, it’s quite the gem. We spent most of our first day setting up camp, napping, talking around the campfire and praying together – there is just something about getting away from your every day schedule that allows you to think more clearly and put the life that God has given you in perspective.

We invited another couple to join us for the weekend. They are very close friends of ours and came up later that night after getting off work. It was a comfort and refreshing thing to spend an intentional weekend with another couple that re-energizes us and gave us all an opportunity to minister to one another.

After a long day of hiking and rock climbing the cliffs at Devil’s Lake we ended the evening with chili over the campfire. The next morning I put some coffee on and then proceeded to make some thick, fluffy, blueberry pancakes. I did have my eggs and bacon but also threw down a giant blueberry pancake! It was perhaps the best pancake I’ve ever had…and a new favorite.

The truth is, no matter if things are going great, life is a little crazy or you find yourself in tough situations I think the three following things can bring great joy to your life and family:

1.) GO CAMPING. Maybe you aren’t the happy camper…but do try to get away from everything – including that cell phone. Throw the normal schedule out the window for a couple of days…enjoy the adventure!

2.) TIME WITH FRIENDS. Great friends are priceless. Find them and keep them close – they can be your greatest boost of energy while serving in full-time ministry.

3.) EAT BLUEBERRY PANCAKES. More specifically, try something new whether it be a new food, a new exercise routine, or book series. You never know…you just might like it!

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