Passion

I am disturbed this morning. I have been on 48-hour journey through my heart and my ministry. The first 24 hours were not fun. They were filled with questions... questions that in some cases have no answers and questions that in other cases I did not want to answer. The last 24 hours find me broken, repentant, poor, humbled, and ruined. In a glorious contrast to a Kingdom upside down, the last 24 hours also find me meek, resolved, determined, passionate, clear, and focused.
I have uncovered and rediscovered my passion for God's Word to penetrate this culture. Oh, it has been there all this time, but this is different. This morning, it burns like a raging fire. Oh to see God's word transform this generation. To see students come to 531 with their bibles eager to learn. To see students understand and apply the principles found in the text. To see their lives changed, their families changed, their schools changed...it must happen...it simply must.
There is much to be taught, some of which will not be easy to hear and harder to apply. It has been 16 months since I arrived at Rock Creek. I have relentlessly built relationships and invested. It is now time to push these students to another level. No more milk. It is time to sit at the table and feast.
Pray for these students. I am going to challenge them in a way that they have never been challenged before. I am going to teach in a way that they have never been exposed to. I am going to take God at is word and exalt him so that all may be drawn to Him.
I am more focused than ever. I am more passionate than at any other point in my ministry. My vision is clearer than at any other point in my life. I was born for this. I am breathing air for this. I can't wait to see what God will do.

Repentance and Relationships

We had well over 200 people show up last night. When you throw in the life group leaders and the food team, there were more people at 531 last night than ever before. It was exciting because for the most part, it was relationships at work. I can only think of a few people who just "showed up" and didn't know anyone. A life group leader or another student had invested in almost everyone, at some point. We had so many schools represented and it seems as though our students lay all the divisions aside on Sunday Night. It amazes me.
Growing up around church, I have seen my fair share of, come to the front, pray a prayer, sign a card, and you’re in. I have heard more than one emotional message and watched dozens of students walk an aisle and then have nothing changed. It is almost like a three-step process and then "poof," magic. We take names; write them down, and up the score. I have little or no tolerance for a manufactured night of emotion. Praise God, last night was different.
Last night, I saw something different in the eyes of some of the students. I saw something that I have not seen in a long time.... REPENTANCE. That word is the foundation of our salvation. Nothing happens without repentance. Oh to watch God lead someone to repentance...it will ruin you for anything less than authentic. You can't manufacture repentance, it is broken, it is uncomfortable, it is embarrassing, it is exposing. . I know that God was at work last night on multiple levels revealing himself in Truth.
God showed up last night and I think I know why. First, he was about making himself known and doing things that only he can get credit for. Secondly, are the relationships that have been cultivated for so long. God honors his people pouring out to others. He loves it...it is the Great Commission. Last is prayer. I asked the alumni and life group leaders to pray last week. God honors the prayer of his people.
The truth is that I don't know what will come of last night. Time will reveal the hearts that were changed. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next. We'll I have to go...relationships have to be made! You go to! You live! You Be!

Pic of the Week

Here it is...what the people want...the Saturday Morning Pic of the Week.

This is a picture of our Student Ministry Summer Intern Staff. These guys worked so hard and had an incredible summer. As most people know, summer (with the exception of trips) can be a tough time in student ministry. These guys battled hard to keep relationships going to students. Any good organization is made up of good people not good procedures. In student ministry, it takes people who are deeply passionate about changing students to work for me. I put these guys through more than a few 12 hour days and mixed it with some 7 day weeks.
As a shock to most everyone, they will not be interns forever. Some of them have already moved on. I will tell you this...whatever they do...all of them will be successfull. I am proud of them and can't wait to see how their stories play out.

Top Row: Ryan Broadhurst, Alan Thomas, Stephen Rush, Bradley Davis, Jason Curry
Bottom Row: Danny Brown, Jessica Phillips, Amanda Millender, Jacquline Phillips

bottle

I am sitting here, holding Cameron and feeding her. It is amazing to me how content she is to let me do all the work. She does not try and take over and she is happy when I am in complete control. She is working on a whole 5oz this morning so she definitely needs her Daddy's help.
That will not last long. Soon, she will hit the stage of independence. She won't be able to make her bottle, but she'll want to do it on her own. She won't be able to warm it up. She won't even know where her food is or what she can eat, but she will still want to do it alone. Sounds silly doesn't it. I am more than capable to give her exactly what she needs, but she will fight that and try to do it alone.
Does that sound familiar? There is little need for me to apply it for you. What are you trying to do alone...Dating, Marriage, finances, school, friendship, family...Is it not silly to turn you back on the Dad who created all of those things? Isn't it silly to not depend on him? Could anything be more foolish that trying to do life on your own. I hope today that you will find yourself in over your head and then find yourself Dependent.

The Booth

Courtney and I have been married 1,180 days today. No it is not our anniversary, just another great day of me being married to the greatest girl in the world. I was in Chili's the other day and I got a chance to look at "our booth." Yes, Courtney and I had our first date ever at the Chili's in Little Rock and we sat in a both back to the far right of the restaurant. As I looked at it, a tidal wave of memories and emotions came over me. We had no clue what God had in store for us. We didn't even know if we really liked each other. Little did we know, that within eight years of that date and only 5 miles from that table, we would be raising two wonderful little girls and investing in students at the Church at Rock Creek.
I have to tell you that I am glad I didn't know all of that then. I think it would have scared me to death and taken away from the adventure. We had no idea where God was taking us or how. In those eight years, I lived in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. There was about two years where we didn't even speak.
As I looked at that booth, I realized that God is in complete control. He is such a great Dad. He never reveals his entire plan at once... he knows we can't handle that and it takes away from the experience. There were so many times of dependence, hurt, excitement, uncertainty, fear, joy, and every other emotion along the way...he knew I needed them all to become the Man, Husband, and Father I am today.
I want to encourage you to rest in God. He is in complete control. In the midst of things you can't control, the high's and low's, the trials and the triumphs... remember that God has a plan...You never know when you might sit down in "your booth!"

relationships

I am in the middle of working on the Dinner Theater. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a production that our students put on at Christmas that is our biggest event of the year. This morning I emailed the seniors to inform them about senior interviews for the Dinner Theater DVD. It is the first time this year I have looked at how many seniors are actively involved. When I looked and saw 25.... my jaw dropped. I know that may not seem like a ton to you, but let me give you some context.
A good friend of mine, who happens to be a senior, joked with me last year that we would not be able to have a video because there were only 4 seniors involved. I told him that we would change that, but I don't think he beloved me.
Relationships...Relationships...Relationships...
I am convinced more than ever that no program, trip, event, or entertainment can take the place of investing in someone's life. It is simply amazing to me that it is so simple. I believe that God is most honored when I put aside my selfish ambition to pour into someone else's life.
What are you investing in? What are you giving your life for? What are you using your time doing? I pray that you will take some time to invest in someone else's life...if you do...you might be surprised what the impact will be.

Kenya!

I am in the process of finalizing a February Trip to Kenya. I can't tell you how excited I am to go. There seems to be a growing awareness among our generation as to the issues that haunt Africa. The awareness is not enough. One can listen to the new John Mayer album and learn that just knowing something needs to be done is not enough. So as most of our generation sits and waits on the world to change, we are going to make an impact.
I am going with my father, Mark Evans (my pastor), Danny Brown and Alan Thomas (Both Interns). My mission is to learn from two of the most wise men I know. Have my eyes opened to what I can do the change this world. And team with Danny and Alan as we attempt to capture on film what is going on in Kenya. We have the best equipment we could to make a video that will blow the "traditional" missionary video away. My hope is that God will use the video to soften the hearts of men and women accross the country.
I want to ask you..."where are you going this year?" What mission are you on? If you are a student from Rock Creek, there is an opportunity to go to Peru. Wherever you are...there is an opportunity to serve. Get outside of you and this culture this year...live on a mission!
Go...Live...Be!

A Do-Over!

Fall is in full swing! Something about the first big frost of the year gets me excited. I love the change in cold weather. I love a good fireplace. I love a good movie on a cold day! You get to wear new clothes, watch the weather more often, drink hot chocolate, and enjoy a bonfire...so much that you don't do in the summer. More than anything, the beginning of cold weather feels like a fresh start to me. Almost like a "do-over."
I love the idea of a "do-over." You remember when you were a kid and something would go wrong in a game the game would be disrupted? Everyone would stop and yell, "DOOOOO-OVERRRRR!" Then the game would carry on…no one would argue, the participants would continue like nothing ever happened.
Are you in need of a "do-over?" God is always interested in a "do-over." As a matter of fact, that is just his business.
Let's pretend for a moment that you were the one who kicked the ball on the house, or out of bounds when you were a kid. Did you protest the “do-over?” Did you deny it? Were you able to receive it? Of course, you embraced it. I wonder why it is so hard for us to embrace the idea of God giving us a "do-over?"
I want to challenge you to take some time to look through the bible today and study all the "do-over's" that God gave his people. It will amaze you.
I hope you enjoy your fresh start...and if you are in need of a "do-over," I pray you will embrace it!

Pic of the Week

Here it is...the Saturday Morning Pic of the Week.

This picture is from the Junior/Senior Retreat last year. It was taken at Shepherd of the Ozarks. What a great, relaxing weekned. I pray for these guys all the time. There is not one junior in this picuture who is not involved in the student ministry now and there are many that are not in this pic.
The seniors are another story...I pray for them all the time. I once told them that stats say only thirty percent of them will still go to church in college. They didn't belive me. Sadly, it is becoming a truth. My heart continues to be broken for students as I watch them grow. You pray too! They have tasted and seen...pray they will return to the table.

Comment

This morning, a good friend pointed out to me only people that have a blog account can make comments on my page.... I have responded with immediate action. Now all of you who have been waiting to uplift, tear-down, mock, praise, make fun, persecute, admire, or whatever your little heart desires, can do as you wish.

The Fam!

It has been brought to my attention that more of you read this than I thought and in a shocking turn of events, most of you care about my life more than you care about my insight. I have decided that I will take one day a week and let you in on what is going on with the family. If there is outrage and a rebellion to take over the blog and change it back...then I will have to go down with a fight.

Cameron Grace Curry...

Cameron is three months old. She demands attention. When she is awake, she is content if you are holding her or talking to her. She smiles at my voice and love's listening to Courtney. She has brought so much joy to our house. Last night, she rolled over for the first time. It was a major! She is growing up so fast. It is cold and rainy today...perfect day to go home a play with Cameron.

Sweet Spot

I am way more effective, when I focus the couple of things that I am great at and stay away from the things I am not. For me, there are three qualities that I would consider my sweet spot. Communication, Relationships, and Vision.
Communication for me is not teaching. I think those two things can intersect but are not necessarily the same thing. When I communicate, I am usually building relationships and communicating Vision. I have friends (Jeremy Burage & Bradley Davis...both have blogs) that are amazing teachers. I could spend all my time trying to improve my teaching skills or I can focus on my gift...communication.
Relationships...I was born for a junior high cafeteria. Sounds like a high honor I know, but I was. I love talking to people. I love hanging out with people. I love getting involved in their lives. I have never been into a situation where I was intimidated to initiate relationships.
Today begins three days of our annual staff advance. Although you would think that I would hate being in a room talking for eight hours, I really enjoy it. The biggest reason is because it is a time of dreaming and vision. Everything is looking and talking about where we are going and what we are doing. Those things are exciting to me because when I stop dreaming and have no vision, I am dead on the inside. Dreaming makes me feel alive.
What is your sweet spot? What are you great at? Our tendency is to take our weaknesses and spend all of our time trying to become better at those things. What a waste of time. Find those things you are good at and do them. At the end of the day, you won't even believe you are getting paid to do what you are good at...it won't even feel like work. People will wonder why you are so good at what you do...you won't be able to explain it other that it just comes to you! All of us where designed with great things. Find them and once you do...be content! Remember, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

Union Rescue

Yesterday for "Impact" about 45 of us went to The Union Rescue mission in Little Rock. It is a homeless shelter for men. We served dinner, played music, shot some pool, watched football, and played some basketball. It was one of my most proud moments as student pastor at Rock Creek.
When we first arrived, most of the students were very wide-eyed. As they began to understand why we were there and how they fit it...everything changed. All of the students seem to find a way to use their gift. Those who liked basketball found the guys who wanted to play and started a game. Some of them sat on the couch and watched football. Everyone used his or her gifts. The time flew by and I have to say that it was the most fun that I have had in a while.
What are your presuppositions about people? Have you already made up your mind about a certain group of people? When was the last time you served to make someone’s life better? I want to encourage you to go and serve...Romans 12 says that is your spiritual act of Worship!

change

The weather turned cold last night. This morning the temperature was in the thirty's. It was change that I was ready for. Everything changes...you age, weight, job, home, mood, vision, friends, and even you family. That is right, your family changes. If you don't believe that now, you will when you have your first child or the first time you go to your husband or wife's house on a major holiday instead of you own. The point is that nothing stays the same. Although we all know that, it seems as though we fight to keep things the same.
If you are going to make a long-term impact in this world you have to understand that everything changes and that is ok. Stop fighting to keep things the same and let them evolve into what they were meant to be. If you live your life always wishing that you were back in "the good ole days,” you’ll wake up one morning in your favorite coffee shop talking about 1952. Live Now...Things Change.

The Will of God

The more familiar you become with the providential Will of God & the more you surrender to the moral Will of God, the easier it is to determine & understand the personal Will of God. That statement can change the future of your life. All of those come down to the time you spend in the Bible. The Providential will of God are things that God is going to do no matter what. They are not dependent on obedience or prayer...they are going to happen. The moral will of God are his commands for us. Those two line us up with and allow us to discover the personal will of God.
You may be asking questions like...I don't know where I am going...what is going to happen next...what is in store for me in the future. The uncertainties of those questions are not our real problem. If we were to be honest, our approach to the will of God is, “God I want you to show me what do to so I can consider it.” Never forget that God does not give us direction for consideration but for action. If you want to know the will of God it all begins with him and his Word. Remember...even the will for your life is not about you.

like a child

I can remember getting change as a kid to put in the offering plate. It was so exciting. I actually couldn't wait for the preacher to get done so I could give my money. As the plate would come, I would wait for the perfect time and then.... boom, give it all! I remember sitting in the back of our "A-Team" van and looking at ten dimes. As I talked with my mom, she told me that God only wanted one of my ten. I couldn't believe it. I mean only one. Surely God and I could split it and in my mind he was deserving of way more. It completely blew me away.
I wonder if you have lost a childlike perspective on giving. Get this clear.... God doesn't need your money! Giving is an indicator of where our heart is. Jesus said it like this, "where your money is, there will be your heart also." You may be thinking, "but I don't have much and it wouldn't help anyway."
I did some research this week and found the average household income in Little Rock. What I found was startling. If every member at Rock Creek gave ten percent of what they made, we would receive about ten million in giving a year. Do you know what impact we could have with ten million dollars? It is limitless! No one would be hungry. Abused and neglected children would be safe. Orphans in Kenya would eat, sleep, and be taught. A village in Peru would be revolutionized. There is no end.
I am not sure if that will ever be a reality for our parent’s generation...but we have a shot! Where is your heart? I pray that you give, with faith like a child.

Retreat

It is a mild, foggy morning in Arkansas. Cameron woke me up early this morning as the sun was coming up. There are some thin clouds moving in this morning on the front edge of a cold front. Thursday the high is going to be 53 and the low is going to be 35. When the weather changes, my mind drifts back to a childhood full of adventures in the fall. My family loves to hunt. Something about my brother's and my dad being outside together is just relaxing. This morning I squinted my eyes as I looked out my back window and pretending I was on my deer stand. It was a retreat...just for a minute.
Have you had a retreat lately? Have you been to the refuge? Where is your quiet spot? I think sometimes in the midst of going and being and going and being...we lose our focus. Sometimes you do need to run to the refuge to regroup, refocus, be restored, and to be refreshed.
When is the last time you went somewhere and were just quiet? It doesn't matter what it was.... a deer hunt, a hike, a picnic, a swim, a run, a walk.... when was it? I want to encourage you to find some margin today and get quiet. You will be amazed at how loud God's voice is when you are not doing all the talking.

Community

The personal computer was supposed to be the end of all community. We were told that we would all never leave our home and slowly but surely we would never talk with anyone again. What we didn't understand was the power of needing community. We all want to belong. We all desire relationships. Take for instance facebook. It amazes me that we have formed another community. People write on birthdays...they send notes...the invite people...they put people in pics...it is a cultural community.
While we all realize that we want to belong and fit in. We seldom think that everyone else is feeling the same way. We never stop to think what a simple note or comment would do for someone. We are so consumed with ourselves that we never even think about it. We are always waiting for someone to initiate with us.
When is the last time you engaged someone out of the blue with a conversation? When was the last time you complimented someone? When was the last time you smiled at someone with no agenda but letting them know you care?
There is the challenge...I pray that God will continue to change your worldview until you see His.

A Note

The power of a note cannot be matched. When I am having a down moment, sometimes I reach into a file in my office where I keep all of my positive notes. I was thumbing through it just a moment ago when I ran across something my father wrote me when I was nine years old. It was on the inside cover of my first Bible, which has fallen apart. I still have the bible but I keep the cover in the file. The note goes like this...

Son,
In this book you find the instructions leading to true joy in life. All the questions you will ever ask as a boy, a man, husband, and someday a father, are found and answered in these pages. Try to master this Book, and it will master you.
Love,
Dad

It is very simple but so true. Master this Book...and it will master you. Those words haunt me as I have completed all the stages leading to fatherhood. More and more, I find myself learning that there is much more to learn. There is a deep desire for that Book that began with a note.
I want to ask you...have you pushed anyone today...this week...this year? Are you leading anyone? There is no doubt I am the man I am today because of my Father. He made a choice...to invest. I want to encourage you to invest in someone today!
Maybe the words he meant to push me.... just might push you too!

Wake Up!

This entry is not directed at one person, but a generation. I am growing tired of this down and gloomy Christianity. I read peoples status on facebook and it seems the world is falling. I talk to people and they think their life just stinks. I am listening some of the new music and the message seems to be that everything is wrong and there is no answer. So I guess if there no hope we should all gather together Sunday night, drink the Kool-Aid, and end it all.
The problem with that is there is hope. There is a reason to be full of joy. There is a reason to get up each day and be excited. That reason is because Christ lives in us. Our joy is not contingent on external circumstances. Jesus described it as building your house on the Rock. If your foundation and source is anything but Jesus, it will fail. No relationship, success, sport, activity, amount of sex, drugs, alcohol, or anything else can every fill you up. NOTHING will ever fill you up from the outside. Your source of life and joy must come from the inside. Jesus described it as a spring that will always be there.
My greatest fear in this movement of "gloom" is what message it sends. Why would anyone want to follow us? Why would anyone want Jesus? Why in the world would anyone trade their life for ours? To be honest...the way we are presenting the Christian life...it would be foolish.
You have a choice. Wake up each day and belive this whole thing is about you or live for something that is actually worth your life. It is you life...it is the reason you are alive. You have to fight for joy. It is not easy. Make no mistake. The enemy is after your joy.
WAKE UP! IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! GO...LIVE...BE

Relationships

Most of the seniors came over last night for our seniors of the round table meeting. We talked about upcoming dates and things that we are planning, but we ended our time by talking about the chance they have to make an incredible impact this year. I have never seen a group of seniors that have more potential than this group. They have such a clear vision of what they what to do and they have a plan. Those things together make a dangerous team. I am excited about getting a front row seat to what God is going to do through them.
I think the most amazing thing that I have noticed about this group is their transparency. They are very open with one another. They know their gifts and know their weaknesses but they also know each other's gifts and weaknesses. It is amazing.
More than ever I am convinced that programs, buildings, and trips will never change this generation. Sure they can all be used, but the must be used a tools that lead to purposeful relationships. It is not easy. It takes people who believe they are on the planet for purpose worth their life to build lasting relationships. These guys and girls are getting it. I am excited...more excited than I have been in a long time...apparently God knew what he was talking about with this whole discipleship thing.

Map

I sat down this morning to start working on a parenting game plan for Carson and Cameron. I have never been a parent before and although I think my parents did a great job, I am still nervous and a little scared. I started thinking about other parents who I think have done a great job and came up with a couple of names. I contacted them and let them know that I would like to buy them lunch and just listen to how they did this whole parenting thing. Basically, I would like to borrow their map and see how they got where they are. I think it may turn into one of the most important things I have ever done.
Where are you going? What are you planning for? I want to encourage you to take some time to sit down with someone who is older and wiser that you...ask them if you can borrow their map. Ask them how they got where they are. Ask them where they see you going? Remember...leadership is not about knowing all the answers to every decision...it is about owning the decisions after they have been made.

Leaders

The ski trip is sold-out. We began a waiting list last night and then I cancelled the waiting list and made sure everyone knew we would find a way to take him or her. I am so excited about the atmosphere that a few of our leaders have decided to create at their school. It is slowly not cool thing to go somewhere for the week and get wasted. So many are finding there is no life there. What a week it will be! I can already feel the snow.... hear the worship...taste the cookies...and enjoy the fellowship. I can't wait to be there.
We have a couple of campuses on the ropes and are moving in for the knock out. We are praying...We served today...We are investing. I am amazed at what these students are doing. I am so glad to hand them the flashlight and let them get out in front.
Are you leading today? What mainstream part of culture are you fighting to bring down? What "mountain" are you taking on? I am convinced, more than ever, that God loves to move through a group of people who believe he is worth their lives. He is extremely glorified in that. Do be mislead...He is after glory...and will receive it!