The Next Generation

I have heard many leaders label the next generation of Christ Followers as a "sit and soak" generation.

I challenge that assessment.

The next generation wants to be a part of more than "just church." I believe they want to be a part of a movement worth living for and in some cases, dying for.

Students are volunteering across college campuses at an incredibly increasing rate. The number of college students volunteering grew by 600,000 from 2.7 million in 2002 to 3.3 million in 2005 and is now closing in on 5 million. That is an 85% increase in volunteering since 2002. The next generation wants to believe they be involved in something that matters.

They need leadership. They need to be challenged. They need someone to move them past simply throwing nickels at the worlds problems to getting involved, face-to-face, all across the world.

I decided to put this test with High School and Junior High students this Christmas.

The next generation responded.

The instructions were simple. Dream up something as a life group (guys & girls separated by grades) that will make an impact and then… GIVE!

-12th grade guys raised $3000 by doing yard work and spreading the word--to buy a single mom a new car

-10th grade girls gave their own money, $500, and bought Christmas for a family at Children’s Hospital

-7th grade girls helped decorate nursing home rooms for residents who do not have family.

-10th grade guys collected clothes, towels, and socks for the homeless.

-11th grade guys spent a Friday night investing in 6th grade guys.

The closer we get to the heart of God, the more we realize how much he cares about people and their real needs. The next generation wants to be a part of a passionate, authentic, life changing movement that cares about people and their real needs.

The great news is we don’t have to invent it. It is call Christianity!

Wal-Mart Christianity will never change the world. A group of people who show up once a week, quickly get what they need, pay as little as possible and then get out will never make an impact.

If movement of people will commit to sacrifice their time, gifts, abilities, resources, and all they have for the Gospel… they will become a movement that could change the world… and that is just what the next generation is longing for!

Hope

I was almost finished with the final lighting strand in the backyard, when I heard something running through the woods towards my back fence.

To my shock, there stood a young high school boy… out of breath, tears in his eyes, blood running down his face, and what appeared to be the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Sir, please don’t shoot me… I need your help.” I said, “Son, what is wrong?” The next sentence out of his mouth changed the course of my life.

“My father is chasing me, and He is trying to kill me. Please help me!”

In that moment… many thoughts go through your head and the first concern was for Courtney, Carson, & Cameron.I told the boy to jump the fence and stay there until I can get my family put in safe place. I ran in the house, moved Courtney and the girls into the closet, and called 911. The next 4 minutes seemed like a lifetime.

The boy and I rushed into the garage and hid behind the trashcan in the corner, waiting patiently for the police.

I will never forget the look in his eyes. Like an abused dog scared of the outreaching hand of a new owner, shaking with his tail between his legs, and scared to make eye contact.

Pride… Gone
Significance… Gone
Respect… Gone
Value… Gone

The reason… a text messaging bill with 10 texts over the limit.

We sat behind that trash and I simply held his head on my shoulder and told him that he was safe now. I would protect him. He had run to the one place where he did not have to be afraid. Finally, I asked, “Is there anything that I can do?”

He looked back, sobbing, with his last bit of pride, lifted his hands and said… “I can’t stop my hands from shaking… will you just hold my hands?” So there we sat…. His Life & Mine Forever Changed.

You don’t go through moments like that without God changing you.

I have long prayed that God would let me see the world the way he sees it and respond they way he would…. I didn’t know what I was praying for. His view is more than I can handle.

This Christmas, I have challenged our students to Give. Food, clean water, socks, towels, clothing, and the list goes on and on. They have responded with more “Give” than I could have ever imagined.

And now I challenge you. The world needs your gifts of food, water, socks, towels, and clothing... but more than those things…. it needs your life!
In the words of one of my favorite Pastors, “We can no longer sit high in our SUV’s, throw nickels at the world’s problems, and expect them to change. We have to invest our life and true giving always requires a sacrifice.”

The message of Christmas is simple.

Christ came. He abandoned the throne to GIVE hope the beaten, abused, lost, afraid, lonely, scared, hopeless, ashamed, sinful men we are.

We must take that message to every part of the world so the boy behind the trash can knows…. HE HAS HOPE! Who in your life needs to hear that message this Christmas?

This Sunday will be my new friends first Sunday to attend Church.

Merry Christmas! Hope Has Arrived!

Gandalf

An angry, defensive, bitter Bilbo; "Why shouldn't I keep it? It's mine, my precious. What business is it of yours what I do with my own things? You want it for yourself!"

"Bilbo Baggins, do not take me as some conjurer of cheap tricks. I am not trying to rob you… I am trying to help you." Gandalf replies.

You can see the warmth and care in Gandalf’s eyes as he looks at a very beat down, guarded, defeated Bilbo. I watched a couple of weeks ago as some students responded to the truth in scripture the exact same way;

-It is just the way I am.
-Everyone is struggling.
-I am doing better than them.
-It is not that big of a deal.
-I am not perfect.
-Why did God make me this way?

With each truth from the Word of God, it seemed their walls went up higher and higher. Having our sin pointed out is never fun, but when we are completely blindsided by truth it can really throw us off.

My challenge is to remember the interaction between Gandalf and Bilbo. God is not trying to rob you of life, happiness, freedom or peace. He is trying to help you.

Simply put, sin=hurt for everyone. If we would just believe that God wants what is best for our lives it would allow us to walk away from some things that we think are “precious.”

One

Last night was one of the proudest moments I have had as a student pastor.

-Life Group Leaders invested in students

-Students invited other students

-the food team cooked until the grills couldn’t cook any more

-parents ran stations with enthusiasm

-and 525 students had the night of their life!

But even that didn’t compare to the message on my facebook when I arrived at home.



“Jason… you don’t know me but we met for a second tonight at The Fest.

I just want you to know that life is tough right now. My Dad left my mom over a year ago and she blames me. I am addicted to drugs, failing out of school, and pretty sure I don’t have any friends. I promised I would never go to church I have been mad at God for as long as I can remember.

I came to Rock Creek for the first time tonight… mainly so I could tell God I gave him one last shot. Let me just tell you that I have never been so welcomed anywhere. I have never seen so many adults who looked happy to see “annoying teenagers” and it seemed as though everyone really loved each other!

I am not sure about this whole Jesus and church stuff but I have to tell you that tonight opened my eyes to something different than anything I have ever felt in my life. I know you don’t know me and I am kinda giving you my life story but do you think I could talk to you sometime this week about my life? If not I understand… thanks for last night!"

That is what the Rock Creek Student Movement is all about!

We would…

Send the invites again.

Spend the money again.

Set up the stations again.

Cook the food again.

WE WOULD DO THE WHOLE NIGHT WITH ALL 525 STUDENTS AGAIN… JUST TO REACH THE ONE!

Finish Empty!

Jason

Just a Box Food

Ring, Ring, Ring.....

"Hello, This is Jason Curry."
"Yes, Pastor Curry, I was wondering if I could talk to you about some food."
"Ok, what can i do for you."
"I am dying of Aids. I have not eaten in three days. Can you help?"
"Of course i can, why don't you come by our Care Center this afternoon and pick up a box."
"I don't have any transportation, is there any way that you get it to me."

....i began thinking about all that i had to do yesterday and not just that but his house was the complete opposite direction of my house. Completely out of my way. But was there really a decision that had to be made? I have not gone three days in my life without out food.

So, I left a little early from work and went to drop of the box. He was unbelievably grateful. He said thank you...over and over again. As i began to get in my car and leave when another man approached me.

"I am trying to get home... i just got done with an interview... could i pay you a couple of bucks for a ride?"

"Nope, but you can ride for free. I am Jason, what is your name."

"My name is Jerry."

"Jerry, get in."

Over the next 10 minutes, Jerry and i began to talk. He was just done with an interview for the National Guard and making a big change in his life. Jerry is married and has three kids and is doing what he can to make it happen for his family. Halfway through the ride, Jerry looked at me and said... "I need some spiritual help... my family needs some spiritual help." I was kicked out of church 7 years ago and have never been back.

I said the next sentence with all the pride in the world.

"Jerry, I go to a church that would welcome you with open arms."

He said, "Even with my race?"

I said the next sentence with even more pride.

"Jerry, I am a part of church that doesn't care about your social status, income, race, or past... we just want to take Jesus as he is to people as they are."

I am overwhelmed that I get to be a part of something where that statement is really true. It doesn't matter where you are from, what the color of your skin is, or how much money is in your pocket.... you are welcome at Rock Creek.

I am looking forward to Sunday Morning. Jerry is meeting me with his family in the Cafe before the second service.

All because God has more in plan than, "just a box of food."

Open your eyes today... take Jesus as He is, to someone as they are.

Overwhelmed

Last Night, Courtney and I sent out messages inviting people to invest in our journey to Kenya.

We were not ready for the response by students response all over the country. We have a long way to go to reach the $3000, but what was overwhelming was the $5 & $10 gifts. Students... giving all they have.

One letter came this morning from a student, and I have still not recovered from it! I hope it impacts you! (cick on the letter to enlarge it)
Because You Give... We Can Go!

All Dressed Up!

It is our fault really. I mean people like me who stand up in front of students for a living.... professional christians. For so long we have pounded into students heads... "it is us vs. them, don't give in, just say no, walk away, stay away from the world, stand strong." There is nothing wrong with those things when they are presented in the right context... however, none of those phrases sum up the life that Christ called our students or us to live. He called us to go.

There is a major difference between a student who is trying to live a life that is "not-influenced" and a student who is living to "influence." The two couldn't be more different.

In my favorite movie of all time, Braveheart. There is a scene where William Wallace and his friends get painted up to take on the English. It is their first major battle. William looks at his friends and says, "just be yourselves, I am going to pick a fight." As he leaves, they look at each other and say, "hope we didn't get dressed up for nothing." There couldn't be a better description of American Christian Students.... "all dressed up, with no fight to fight."

Over time, students who are not challenged or released to engage lost friends, dream big, and make an impact begin to wonder what is the point. We sit in bible class day after day, go to youth group, sing the songs, but for what? Soon, the law becomes a set of rules to keep them from messing up, not a set of standards that lead to freedom so they can influence the world. They are bored.. no one has given them the vision that their friends are tired of them inviting the church and dying for someone to invite them in their life!

The second student sees the law as freedom... and standards that allow them to live a life of authenticity.... for influence. They see worship as a time to celebrate what God has done and prepare for what God will do. Bible study becomes the prep for a day on the front lines. Their prayers change... "Lord help me to see these people they way you see them, and respond the way you would respond." All of a sudden accountability becomes something that makes us sharper for influence. We begin to watch one another's back to make sure that we don't fall in battle and lose our influence.

As i am watching our students grab ahold of the life Christ intended for them to live... i have been amazing to see our student ministry become a "movement of influencers."

I challenge you to live a life of influence and stop the defensive Christianity. The world needs people who are willing to Go!

He Still Moves

What a night. I cant begin to describe to you what i have seen in santos dumont, brazil. i will have to start at the beginning. it took our team 52 hours to reach santos dumont. over 24 hours more than it should have. i never heard one complaint... not one. the students gathered together and embraced the providential will of God and the fact that we did not know what he was up to.

When we arrived, we met the 14 students that were launching their first student minstry events in the history of the church. We had two days to get ready... talk about up my ally. We walked the streets, meeting people, passing out flyers, and creating moments in the plazas to tell people about this new student ministry. now you have to understand, nothing like this exists in santos dumont... nothing close. the night before the first event, called Alternitave Space, the pastor began to share the vision with the church. this would be a place where teenagers could come as they are... lost, addicted, lonley, whatever... and be accepted.... a complete change in thought process for many in the room. the idea that the kids could come to church and still be inslaved to sin rocked the room. as he talked further, i could hear that he was listening earlier that day when mike grober, our missions pastor, and i sat down with him and the student pastor. he told them how they could use this weekly event to build relationships with teenagers and then move them into small groups as they began to see people live out the christian life in front of them.

The result.. over 330 teenagers showed up in small church in santos dumont to dance, hangout, sing songs, and here a message about some guy named Jesus. Needless to say they things they heard about this man named Jesus had never been preached in the religious institutions in the city. Things like blessed are the poor, week, humble, and lost must have been music to the ears of those whose life mirror those words. I taught for about 10 minutes and Mike translated... we were in the zone... if you have ever used a tranlator, you know how important that is.

Something great began here and the most important thing is we left the pieces in place for them to conitue to make it work. Our students were amazing... watching them lead with servant hearts made every harsh email, long day, and late night.. worth it. Once again, i have found myself sourrounded by God on the move and their is no better place to be.

i challenge you to go. get out of america and see the impact that you can make. you will be amazed at what God will teach you, show you, and allow you to be apart of... if you will just go.

thanks for all you prayers....Gods multi-generational global plan continues to grow... praise God... praise God.

Questions

The past week has been a week that i have really done some evaluating within the student minstry.... evaluating that has filled my mind and heart with questions...

Where are we going?
Where does God want us to go?
How will we get there?
What will it look like?
How can I put us the possible situation to succeed?
Are we doing all we can to reach students?
Have I communicated well enough how much we need parents involved?

I sat down with a good friend this week and went through some of the thoughts in mind. He is the kind of person that does not tell you what you want to hear.. he is more concerned with the truth. We sat for a while and i listened. After a week of processing... i came to this conclusion...

The questions and questioning are a requirement for success, however having the answers immediately is not. It is the courage to ask the tough questions and pursue the answers that leads to success. If you are waiting for God to answer every question before you move... enjoy your seat.

Yesterday i did yard work all day. At the end of the day, i watched fireworks from the front yard. I looked at Courtney and said, "the yard is finished, look what i did!

You never get to say that in Student Ministry, Parenting, or any other relationship for that matter. It is never finished. There is never a moment that you arrive.

That is why this job pushes your faith. There is always another level of dependence. There is always more students to reach. There is always more work to do.

What are the tough questions you need to ask. As a friend, parent, son, daughter, student pastor, coach, teacher.........

i pray you will have the courage to ask them.

Time

When the bus pulled in from Kairos and I finally arrived at home, I realized that I had ever been so tired in my life. But if you are a parent, you know that Carson & Cameron, didn’t care... they just wanted their daddy.

We spent the day playing together and then the next morning Courtney and I flew out for a week of vacation.

Courtney’s love language is time. If you don’t know what that means, i encourage you to pick up “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. Basically, Courtney feels loved the most when it is just me and her with no agenda spending quality time together.

So this week, we will lay on the beach, float in the pool, eat at the buffett, take naps, watch movies, and go to the pool again... tan fat always looks better than white fat!

You see, as great as Kairos was, and how incredible it was to see so many students lives changed... it is not my first priority.

The measure of any man is how he leads his family.

What is your number one priority? Let me put it this way. What do you spend most of your time investing in? What do you spend your time dreaming about? What do you spend your time thinking about?

I encourage you this week to take a step back from all the things we “ought” to be doing and focus in on the most important responsibilities we have.

I hope you have a wonderful week and maybe take some, TIME, to invest in the most important relationships in your life!

I included some pictures of our TIME...

Thanks

Well the results are in and Kairos was all we prayed and hoped it would be.

So how do you create such an amazing week for students? Well the group above deserves the credit.

They are the ones who have the late night conversations with students, stay in the hospital until 4 a.m., load & unload and then do it again, ride on a van for 18 hours, and love on your students.

I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a part of this team. What an incredible group of people.

What amazed me most was watching everyone work within their gifts. There is no limit to what you can accomplish as a team when you know your gifts and the gifts of the people around you and everyone is satisfied in their role.

There is another group I want to thank... YOU! Whether you are reading this as a student, parent, scholarship donor, or just friend.... we could not have pulled this off without you.

Thanks for believing in the Rock Creek Student Ministry! Thanks for Loving these Students!

I think I can speak for the entire team when I say we have FINISHED EMPTY!

Jason

Live From Kairos

Well I have to say that I am completely blown away by what God has done this week.

First of all tonight was “over the top” watching our video guys in the helicopter flying around a multi-million dollar yacht, while our students were about to eat prime rib, shrimp, mahi-mahi, and key lime pie... was one of the most overwhelming and exciting things that i have ever done.

The students were more excited about tonight that I have ever seen them about anything.

I sat on the back of the yacht as the sun went down into the gulf. The students were eating and I slipped away for just a couple of moments to think. I was thankful. Thankful that you gave. You gave your time to invest in your child. You gave your trust to allow me take them. You gave your money, not just the $300, but faithfully, so a place like Rock Creek could invest in students in such a way. I am so thankful to be a part of this.. at a place like Rock Creek!

Tomorrow Morning we are going to walk, as a family, carrying a 400 pound cross into the ocean. We will baptize 32 students and one of my leaders!!! New Life! New Hope! New Hearts!

I have a wide range of emotion tonight.... I am exhausted and excited, empty and full, satisfied and hungry and to be honest... I am ready to see my little girls!

But there is more to do. I have had more one on one conversations with broken, hurting, & lonely students this week than in all my time combined at Rock Creek.

Their common cry... “how could God love me... with all i have done... with all the pain i have caused... with all the anger inside me...with all the hurt that waits for me at home... how?”

Through the tears, time and time again, i lean into a students face and whisper... “take a look at that ocean... do you see how far east is from west? That is how much God loves you and how far he has separated your sin from you. My God.... Is Crazy in Love With You!

God is moving! Lives Are Changing! Kairos is Happening!

I could write much more... and I think I will when the time is right... but for now, i need rest... we are not done yet... and I intend to FINISH EMPTY!

My Kairos Moment

I am sitting in a quiet corner near my office at church. It is 5:22 a.m. and the sun is peaking over the hills that surround this beautiful campus. What a beautiful picture God is painting this morning. My heart is overcome with emotion this morning that i did not see coming.

For over a year, I have thrown everything I am into this trip. In this moment I have realized that every creative thought, video, moment, competition, talk, song and leader... has been put together for one common goal.... to see students follow Jesus. No.. not just have an emotional camp experience, but truly experience Jesus is way that will change their life. I can see that he is already moving.

Over the past two weeks, we have already confirmed 14 students that want to be baptized in front of their peers, and the world. Proclaiming that they are not ashamed of following Christ. But God has so much more in store for us.

I have a “quiet time” playlist that i listen to when i am studying or reading. I just laughed to myself as the theme from “Braveheart” once again begins to play softly behind me. Do you remember the scene? William Wallace is standing in front of the most powerful men in Scottland to tell them that he will “Invade England.” They tell him, “that is impossible.” He says, “why is that impossible? Why? Because You won’t stand together and have missed your God given right to something more!”

I knew that feeling for so long. Alone in this fight. Believing a dream no one else would and wholeheartedly embracing that God has chosen this generation of students... the most unlikely... to have the biggest impact on the Kingdom.

Even as you read that statement, it may seem... “impossible.” So know I look at you with passion and say, “Why, why is that impossible.”

For the first time in my leadership as Student Pastor... We have a team of people who believe the impossible. Who Believe God is who He said He is and will do what He promised to do.

Will you join us in our maddness? Will you put on your armor, drop to your knees and pray until you can pray no more. Pray that the hearts of this “fatherless” generation will return to the Greatest love the world has ever known!

Thank you for Believing. Thank you for Investing.

Great Things.

I have to say that I have never been this busy in my entire time at Rock Creek. I have been on the road speaking more and more, while the student ministry demands more of my attention than ever.

In my first summer at Rock Creek, we took 75 students and adults to our summer camps... In 2007 we took 97... This summer, 185 students and adults will attend our summer trip, Kairos.

I am enjoying every minute of it and we are growing to become what i visioned and hoped we would be. Those numbers mean many things, but one of them is... my time is more precious and more wanted than at any other point in my life.

There is one word that I have grown to love in the last couple of months... NO. I have found that I am much more quick to say no to extra things these days than ever. Satan loves for us to miss out on the GREAT things that God has for us by pursuing too many good things. Let's be honest. You simply do not have enough time to plug in to every good thing that comes along. If you do, your focus will blur, stress will rise, and you will simply become tired.

Today, focus on the Great Things that God has for you and let go of the good things. Fight to make sure that you are using all of your strength, talents, and abilities to impact those Great Things that God has called you to. If you do that, you will find yourself more fulfilled and passionate in your purpose as the days go by.

Abbey & Lindsey

I have just returned from a weekend of teaching and worshiping with College Students in Jackson Mississippi. What a great weekend. The one thought I left with…is there is hope for our generation. It was amazing to see what God is doing in Jackson.
I thought my weekend was over, and was zoning out while listening to the new passion release, when a conversation between two young ladies and myself began.
I met Abbey & Lindsey in the Memphis airport. They had decided to take the semester off and then begin Nursing School this summer. In that time they made plans to go to Kenya. The recent violence in Kenya forced them to change plans and go to Ghana. As I listened to them talk about their experience, I was overwhelmed with the light in their eyes for what they had seen and heard. They had been traveling for close to 24 hours, away from family, and had to be exhausted. Yet when we began to talk about the Kingdom, their hearts overflowed.
I was never supposed to be in the Memphis airport. My flight was intended to go through Dallas, but I changed those plans because of the weather. Isn’t’ that just like God…To create a storm, send me a different route, so I can encourage you with these words.... THERE IS HOPE. GOD IS AT WORK. HIS KINGDOM IS BEING ADVANCED. OUR GENERATION IS MAKING AN IMPACT AND I HAVE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES!
Where is God at work around you? How has God called you to be involved in His purpose? My prayer for you this week is that you would see God at work all around you and plug in to his purpose to bring Him Glory! That may be in Africa…it may be in your dorm…in may be at your school…. BUT GOD IS AT WORK AND IS INVITING YOU ON A JOURNEY THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!