Jason Curry

Curry Family Grows In Kenya!

2009-03-02T12:42:00.004-06:00

I am sitting at the Nairobi Java House and in a few hours we will board a plane for home.

There is no way that I can describe this trip but over the next few days, i will try.

The highlight of the trip was an amazing moment in mine and Courtney's life.

As we readied to leave on of the orphanages one lone boy stood at the entrance by our vans. He was joined by his teachers in from the local school

His name is Heron. He is currently second in his class at school and sleeps on the streets at night. Both of his parents recently died of Aids and he goes to school studies hard and then fights for something to eat.

He had his papers from the local police chief, a plastic bag with all his belongings, barefoot, with one set of old clothes.

All he needed was someone to put up the $100 dollars and commit to $90 a month.

There was no decision to be made! This is what we were here for. I leaned down with Courtney and told Heron that today was his last day to be an orphan. His smile could not be controlled.

All that was left was for him to be tested and cleared for Aids, and Malaria... He passed... the grace of God.

I left him money for his first new outfit and a brand new pair of shoes.

It was one of the greatest moments of Courtney and My life!

When we left Heron waved from his new home... with plenty of food, shelter and friends.

There are many days that I get to see God change a life... this day we saw him save a life!

Hello From Kenya!

2009-02-28T13:06:00.000-06:00

The street boys ares standing outside the cafe waiting for another shot at a few shillings. They are holding bottles of sniffing glue in one hand, and an open palm in the other. the glue helps them ease the pain. I have never seen this level of poverty but the pastors here have such a sense of hope. We traveled through the city where the civil war broke out one year ago. there is still much damage and pain. Many of the pastors lost half their church to death or desertion. One Pastor has rebuilt his church twice from Muslims.

The pastors conference has been amazing. Courtney and I helped a young pastor who is struggling to get enough money to marry. Here you have to purchase your wife and we helped him cut that expense in half.

Sleep is a new adventure... no air conditioning and malaria nets. But we are blessed to be here. Tommorrow i will preach at a church close to here... the pastors name is George. If we had grown up together we would be best friends.

I met Daniel... the pastor our rock creek students support. He is worth everything we have given and more. He started his church by giving the extra food he had in his house to the children in his community. When he would travel and speak somewhere they would give him food.... he would come home and pass it out. He is a man of great strength and as long as i live he will never go without food and shelter again.

Tomorrow afternoon we go to the boys orphanage. I am excited to see their faces and take them on in soccer.

I must go.. it is getting dark and the crowd is growing.

finish empty!

Jason

We Have Arrived!

2009-02-24T14:52:00.000-06:00

Here we Go!

2009-02-23T02:33:00.003-06:00

We are in the final stages of packing. I am getting tired but tired is good when you have a full day of flying ahead.

I am so blessed. There is no need... not one, that God has not provided.

I get to be the one that goes but so many are a part of it.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Many of you are asking how you can pray...

1. That God will be glorified in this trip and through our team.
2. The Girls are safe at home
3. The Team is safe.

I will update this sporadically but never more than two days separation.

Finish Empty,

Jason

A Move or A Movement

2009-02-02T23:09:00.005-06:00

The Beginning of every great movement begins with a problem that can't be ignored and is worth your life. These problems exist all over the world...

-Water in Africa
-Homelessness
-Sex trafficking

If a group of people gathers around a common solution - something special can happen. Everyone must believe in the solution and be willing to give everything they have to follow the vision. As the leader, if you get people to own the problem and solution, then you will have their hearts... if you just give them tasks, you will only have their hands.

Once a group of people throw their lives into being part of the solution... a movement begins.

Just as quickly as a movement begins... it can end. The enemy of the problem is arrival. When the problem ceases to exist - so does the movement.

The problem that Christians must throw their lives into is simple. "Without Jesus, there is no hope - and the world must hear that message. In every creative medium, every nation, in every tongue... that message must go.

The "sense of arrival" in ministries, buildings, or numbers... kills a movement. If there is no problem, no mission... then there is nothing worth giving your life for... and there could be nothing further from the truth.

This week, Rock Creek Students move into their first Student Ministry Facility. My burden, as the leader, is to make sure that everyone understands that this move - is not the end of the movement but the opportunity for bigger impact.

Do you find yourself apart of a movement? Do you remember when you believed in something so real you would give your life for it? All across the world, people are trying to create movements on things that have no eternal consequence. Christianity has nothing to create. It is the movement of our God that draws us to the highest passion and led his son to the Cross.

The Problem is Simple.

Lost People Need Hope.

The Solution is Simple

Hope has come, He is Christ!

Welcome Canvas!

2009-01-12T22:15:00.001-06:00

Kenya-Still Help!

2008-12-31T11:56:00.000-06:00

Courtney and I will be leaving in 52 days for Kenya to help lead a Pastors conference and minister to the orphans and the pastor that the Jason Curry Ministries helps support.

You can still be a part of it.

We have covered all of Courtney's travel through donations but we still need help in raising money to provide for needs in different locations as we travel.

This is one of the most important investments you could ever make and i hope that you will pray about partnering with us in ministry.

If you would like to give you can email me, jason@jasoncurry.org

You can also click the link to the right and give there through paypal.

The Next Generation

2008-12-31T11:54:00.002-06:00

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

2008-12-15T12:42:00.000-06:00

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

2008-10-20T11:52:00.000-05:00

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

2008-09-29T21:54:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-22T08:04:00.006-05:00

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

2008-08-12T14:25:00.005-05:00

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!

Kenya.. Here We Come!

2008-08-11T19:24:00.006-05:00

Courtney and I have just received word that we are going to help lead a Pastor's/Church Conference in Kenya, February 3-11.

This is our first mission trip together and we are extremely excited about what God has in store for us. Actuallly, to say that we are excited is an under statement.

While in Kenya, I will be teaching Pastors from many local Churches involved in a network of Churches lead by Ben Bahati, a very good friend of our family and an amazing man.

We will also be the eyes and ears of the Rock Creek Students and those who have teamed with Jason Curry Ministries as we serve the local churches, feeding stations, and orphanages that our students have helped support for over 4 years.

So... how can you be involved. Well the answer is simple... we need your support to go.

We are both excited about the importance of this Conference and the opportunity to open the eyes of students all over the world, to what God is doing in Kenya. We both believe that this trip can be the starting point of many lives changed... and you can be a part of that.

Give! Whatever you can. $1, $5, $10....$1,000. Everything you give will go to the $3000 cost for us to go and do ministry in Kenya.

I can't wait to see how you will respond.. if you want to give.. click the donate button at the top left of this page!

Finish Empty,

Jason

All Dressed Up!

2008-08-08T04:54:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-20T16:30:00.004-05:00

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.

Passionately Satisfied

2008-07-14T22:38:00.004-05:00

So... who is the guy in the picture? Well that is, Mike Grober, Missions Pastor at the Church at Rock Creek.

Tomorrow morning he and i will take 15 college and high school students to Santos Dumont, Brazil. I am really excited. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.

I have never been around someone who was more at home leading people on a mission trip. He is amazing. Last year during a "problem solving" moment in Lima, Peru... i heard him speak four languages in about one minute.

But more than that is his passion for what he does and how satisfied he is doing it. It is very rare that i meet someone as passionate about their mission as i feel about mine but i know that we share the same desire to Worship through our gifts.

What about you. Are you passionate and satisfied? What are you living for that is bigger than yourself? My prayer is that you find and embrace that passion and run full speed with your entire life into it.

Freedom Camp

2008-07-10T23:33:00.003-05:00

Tonight was the last night at Freedom Camp at Windermere, Mo. I am so excited about the things that i have seen God do this week. Jesus Revealed... Hearts Change. Tonight we ended with worship and i have to say that it was a very special night. It was so exciting to hear hundreds of students "all in" for the glory of God. What a picture of what the church is supposed to look like.

I have seen more clearly than ever that this generation has been spiritually orphaned by their parents. They have no idea what following Jesus on a daily basis looks like. They have never seen it with their own eyes. There is a difference in them... however.. they desire to see God move and to live for something bigger than themselves. I am so excited about the next 20 for the church. I really believe that if we can train up these students they will rip down the walls in America that have hindered hearts to move towards Christ.

We must invest in them. Disciples must be made. There may be no more important task for my life, outside of my family, than awaking our generation to the Glory of God.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying! Our God is Great!

Questions

2008-07-05T10:45:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-25T10:09:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-16T10:08:00.000-05:00

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

2008-06-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

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!

From Mark Evans

2008-06-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

You can take the senior pastor out of student ministry, but you’ll never be able to take the heart for teenagers out of the senior pastor--not this one, at least.

It’s interesting. So many of my colleagues across the country seem to view ministry with students as the place where you “put in your time” before moving on to “more important” assignments.

But I have the opposite point of view. In a culture where students are abandoning their faith in record numbers, once they hit the college campus, what could possibly be more important?

Watching the behind-the-scenes effort, energy and creativity that Jason and his team have poured into planning for this week’s trip has been an unbelievable experience. To say that our students are going to have good time is an understatement! I suspect that many of them will return -- suntanned and smiling, no doubt -- with a deeper, more fully-examined commitment to following Christ in an authentic and life-changing way.

As the father of two teenagers myself, I feel incredibly blessed to have my kids involved in such a vibrant, genuine and significant student ministry. As the Senior Pastor, I feel incredibly honored to have Jason Curry as a member of the Rock Creek Staff.

Maybe it’s the former Student Pastor in me. But as I see it, the student ministry will always be the benchmark for the health and vitality of any church. By that measure, I’m glad to report -- Rock Creek is doing quite well.

My Kairos Moment

2008-06-06T06:32:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-05-20T06:57:00.003-05:00

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.

Load Up

2008-03-27T08:19:00.003-05:00

We are in the process of loading up this morning. We will travel up the mountain...ski all day... and then load to bus to head home. We will have some tired skiers when we get ready to leave. Everyone has had a great time. So far we have escaped any major injury. I will try to write again before we leave tonight but I can't promise because it is very hard to get a internet signal on the mountain. If I don't get to write again, we will see you guys soon.

Jason

From A Student

2008-03-26T23:15:00.003-05:00

Today was amazing...the students really progressed in their skiing ability which lead to more fun for everyone. We also made an incredible video that we will have online by the morning. I thought i would give one of our students the chance to share with you what the week has been like... here is senior, blake ratliff....

Today was an exciting day up on the mountain top. The wind was blowing and it was cold but it was worth it. Everyone enjoyed the second day of the trip. We skied from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon. Jason and Josh took some of us brave souls to the alberta lift on the totally opposite side of the mountain. I have never been so scared in my entire life. After that we packed up and went back to Sonlight Camp where Winston and Mary cooked an awesome dinner for us. So to return the favor we sang Happy Birthday to Mary because well today was her birthday. After dinner we worshipped! Josh Hilliker sang and we worshipped with everything we had. Jason spoke about the distractions in our life and how to deal with them. Today was awesome day and hopefully tomorrow will be just as good.

Ups & Downs

2008-03-25T22:23:00.008-05:00

The last 24 hours have been up and down. The ups were incredible. The snow amazing. Watching the students grow together reminded why i began student ministry in the first place. Our leaders have taken care of all situations and the food has been unbelievable. We are going to link some videos for you guys by midnight tonight.

As great as it has been, we found out that Kimmie Gonzalez, our Girls Student Ministry Staff, father passed away last night. God has used the complete experience to bring us together.

We spent our time last night studying Phil 4:13...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The context of that verse is Paul explaining that he can make it through anything through his faith in Jesus. Watching Kimmie sit through worship and singing to our Great God hours after hearing of her father's passing was something i will never forget and i hope our students don't either.

Our worship tonight was amazing. I believe that God is up to something. There is just something about getting away together that brings us close.

I am excited about the end of the trip.

Jason

To watch the video from day one copy this link to your browser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuAezx4nXg8

Arrived!

2008-03-24T16:19:00.003-05:00

Hello from Sonlight Camp in Pagosa Springs, Co. We have arrived and everyone is safe.

We are a little tired but that has not stopped everyone from a huge snowball fight in the over 3 feet of snow that is still on the ground here in the valley. There is more snow here than i have every seen on any ski trip. The students are excited and so are the staff.

Winston, Mary, and Heidi are the staff here and they greeting us with warm chocolate chip cookies and tonight we are having tacos. I will have another update tonight with some video footage for you.

Thanks for praying... we are anticipating God doing something big!

Jason

Getting Ready

2008-03-22T09:13:00.004-05:00

I just finished packing for another Sr. High Spring Break Ski Trip. I love Wolf Creek and Sonlight Camp. It is just one of those places on the planet that you never forget. I am really excited.
As I was loading stuff into my suitcase, i began to think about all the people who won't go but have an impact on this trip. Maybe that is you. A parent, sibling, friend, life group leader, or someone else who has made an investment. I can't say thanks enough. So many people go into making any of these trips a success. However, there is one thing that makes the most impact.
I want to ask you to partner with me this week in prayer. I want you to pray specifically for three things.

1. SAFETY. Pray that we would be safe driving to the slopes and that our students will be safe while on the mountain enjoying the snow.

2. GOD ENCOUNTERS. This is the perfect environment for God to speak. It is so peaceful. Josh always does an amazing job of leading worship and for some reason, God always shows up. I can't wait for this. Pray that our students hearts will be soft and vunrable.

3. AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS. Once again our overarching dream is that we can build authentic relationships with these students in hopes that they would see our life and imitate it as we live for the Glory of God.

I can't wait to see what God has in store. Thanks for being a part of it.

I will write again...at some point...during the 18 hour bus ride!

Jason

Abbey & Lindsey

2008-02-16T23:32:00.003-06:00

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!

The Lords Name

2008-01-31T11:13:00.000-06:00

We are in the middle of a series on understanding the Ten Commandments. It has been amazing to see our students understand that God did not give the law as a means to a relationship with Him; He gave it because we have a relationship with Him.
Then we came to the third Commandment..."Don't Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God." Could this really be the third Commandment? That when I get mad, don't say God's Name in anger?
After looking at it a little longer I realized that this Commandment has nothing to do with that at all. It very simply means...don't attach God's name to something God has nothing to do with. Thou Shalt not use God's name to accomplish your own agenda...to get what you want.
As we look back on history...some of the worst things have happened in the name of God.... and God had nothing to do with it. The Church is the worst at this. We come up with rules and traditions and stamp God's Name on it when God has nothing to do with it.
How about you? Have you attached God's Name to your own agenda? Maybe you have a verse about grace and you think it gives you a loophole to keep sinning. You think that you have God is a corner. You believe that you can continue to live your life in sin...say a prayer every now and then and, "Magic," God has to forgive you. What you have done is come up with your own Religious System and Religion and stamped God's Name to it.... You have misused God's Name.
Forgiveness was never intended for those trying to find a way to stay in sin. It was intended for those who were trying to find a way out.
Today.... stop misusing God's Name for you agenda. Would you instead surrender your whole life to the simple message of the Gospel and Follow Jesus? This I know is true...if you continue to dodge the law of God, in the Name of God, you will ultimately miss God.

Dinner Theater

2007-12-23T05:42:00.000-06:00

The third annual Dinner Theater was amazing. Everything happened the way it was planned. The weather was great, the food was amazing and served in 20 minutes, 1000 people attended, the students created a great atmosphere, the staff was on top of their game and one word comes to mind... TEAM. For three years we have tried to create an authentic relationship based team concept and I believe that we finally have reached a point where our students understand it. I was so proud to see people working in their gifting. The tech team, servers, trash guys, drink stations, prop team, & actors; Everyone played a role and embraced it. I am amazed what you can accomplish when everyone is acting in their gifting.
I am so proud of our students. I a so proud to be their leader. There really is so much that this group of students can accomplish for the Kingdom. Thanks to everyone who played a part in the Dinner Theater...it was incredible.

The Fest

2007-11-10T19:47:00.000-06:00

What a great night...i am so encouraged. Sure the having 325 students and 30 volunteers was great, but I see more... something above the numbers. I see our students believing and trusting in us enough to bring their friends. That is the best compliment that a student can give to your ministry. We have worked so hard the past two and a half years to create an environment where students can minister to other students. It is happening on a level that I did not anticipate coming so quickly. We have already begun to see results from those who plugged in at The Fest. I am excited to see where this event ends up leading us with the new students who attended. Authentic Relationships is what I continue to preach. I have never seen students so hungry to involved into something real. They are absolutely dying for the shot to play a role is a story bigger than them. I am excited as we head into winter. There are so many stories yet to be written....i am more thankful and humbled than ever to be a part of this!

Halloween

2007-10-11T08:44:00.001-05:00

Recently I decided that it would be incredible to have Mike Curry come and talk to our students about Halloween and the occult. I also asked him to cover subjects such as Harry Potter, World of Warcraft, and Dungeons and Dragons. When I told some students and parents...the reaction was mixed. Most were excited about exposing an area that we seldom hear about or know about. Others were not so happy. Some said they would not come because they love Harry Potter and Halloween and did not care what we were going to say. I was amazed. I wonder what would happen if we did that in every area of our lives. No Doctor...I love fries so even though you say they are killing me... I would rather not know the truth. You would call that person crazy. We as Christians are sometimes so happy in our ignorance that we don't want to know the truth. The truth complicates things and changes things...and leads to renovation. Renovations hurts, is costly, and time consuming...but the end result can be spectacular. As we go into these next two weeks, my prayer is that you would be excited to learn principles from God's word that will protect you. Remember, God is dad, and he wants the best for you. I hope you will join us as we pursue the truth about Halloween and the occult.

h2o

2007-09-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

Rich

2007-09-19T20:14:00.000-05:00

New Creation

2007-09-14T12:18:00.001-05:00

Plug In!

2007-08-26T22:51:00.001-05:00

Fall is here…well a little. In the south fall means one thing…football! However, when you are a student pastor in means a new beginning for students, and for us in means the return of life groups.
I have never had a more complete team of life group leaders than the ones who will serve this year. They have all the gifts and abilities to make a major impact. As I sat with them at our “Life Group Leaders Training Weekend,” I was humbled and overwhelmed. They are incredible men and women. God is faithful. Time and time again, He brings the right people and perfectly places them in our ministry to use their gifts. This fall over 35 adults will give their time to invest in students….amazing.
I can’t wait for the journey...to watch as student’s lives are changed and leaders are challenged. I am so glad that God has allowed me to be a part of it here at Rock Creek. There is nowhere else I would rather be!
What are you plugged into? What is God doing where you live? The truth is that God is at work all over the globe! It is up to us to find out where and let God use us. He doesn’t need us. But how amazing is it that we get to be a part of what he is doing. I pray that this fall will find you using all of your gifts, talents, and abilities plugging in to what God is up to. He is at work where you are…have you plugged in?

Four Years!

2007-08-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

Courtney and I have been married four years, tomorrow. The picture to the left was taken on our fourth day! I feel like we have done a ton in that time period and as exciting as the last four years have been, I think the best is still ahead for us. God has blessed us tremendously in the past four years and allowed some trials to grow us closer to him. All of those experiences have made our relationship what it is.
She is without a doubt my best friend. When I come home from work, she is always waiting to listen about my day. She is always interested and feels so much a part of what I do, even though Carson and Cameron demand 99% of her time. I am amazed at what she accomplishes as a mom and a wife.
This morning, I was pulling up some memories. I remember the first time I saw Courtney. We were in ninth grade on a ski trip. I thought she was the most beautiful (ok the real word is HOTT) thing I had ever seen. I laughed this morning....if we only knew what was ahead of us. I am glad we didn't! The good and the bad have come at just the right time.
My advice...enjoy what God has given you today! The journey is the adventure, and God has placed specific people in your life to share it with.

Kairos Promo 2

2007-07-26T21:33:00.001-05:00

The Summer of 2008 brings a trip experience like nothing you have ever seen or heard of. We are staying at the Beautiful, Blue Horizon Lodge, all of us together, (7th-12th) for one, time-stopping week on Panama City Beach. Marked by exploration unlike any in your life. We have rented our own dinner yacht for 200, booked a snorkeling trip, created a Hawaiian Luau... given you the opportunity to compete for a deep sea fishing trip, manicure/pedicure, feeding dolphins, and one of the best lunches on the beach. We brought in the best in speaking and worship. Now it is up to you...to make Kairos the trip experience of your life...be there! check it out at www.rockcreekstudents.com.

Kairos Promo 1

2007-07-26T15:00:00.001-05:00

back down the mountain

2007-07-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

we are back from the village we have visited on monday and tuesday. Everyone is tired but they are safe. the village was beautiful...literally in the heart of the andes. the doctors on the medical team helped the village with their physical needs and we showed the children how much we loved them. We were welcomed by hundreds of children who attached to us...you won't believe the pictures. The entire village turned out to watch us play soccer. We won three games in a row against their teenagers...so we are undefeated in international play. Ryan played songs on the guitar and children would come running. None of us have ever seen a place so poor. Yet they were happy and content with what they have...mabey it was us who learned a lesson. I am so pleased with the team. Tomorrow we have a short flight to lima. We will spend the day shopping and sight seeing and sleeping. We are looking foward to see all of you. All of our love from Peru.
Jason

Sunday

2007-07-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

This will be my last entry until Tuesday night when we return from a mining village in the mountains. we will not have internet or phone access. today was amazing. we went to church this morning and did a puppet show for the children. they loved it. i have never seen children so hungry to hug and kiss you. they really are receptive to us. i am so proud of the team. everyone is well rested and no one is getting sick. this afternoon we had a chance to relax. sunday is a family day in peru and there is not much going on. the next two days will challenge us. we will be sleeping on the mountain tomorrow night and there will be one bathroom for 24 of us with no shower. we are going to a school that is in desperate need of medical attention. we will see some things that most of the students have never seen. tonight we will help the medical team get ready. we miss all of you and are thankful that you all helped our team come. I wanted to give you some more perspective from the students...here is Calvin..I will write again on Tuesday Night.

Hola! This is Calvin Reynolds
This time here has been great! Me being a homebody and living in the south and never really going anywhere other than California when I was 8 and Colorado for the ski trip, this has absolutely been life changing everything is so simple here, I love how there is no status found in money or what you own everybody has a great day just sitting and talking to your family and friends you have noone in your face constantly stabbing that pet sin in your face. I have never been anywhere where the children are so open to physical touch. They love us and we them. Today we performed a puppet show for the children during church. They loved it we had the children help and it was amazing. I cant wait till we go out to the village tomorrow. I dont know what to expect and cant wait to see how God will use our talents to make a difference. Love you guys and thank you for your prayers.
Sincerely,
Calvin (Big John) Reynolds

Saturday Night

2007-07-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

I thought I would give you some insight from one of the students...so here is Michelle Shearer!

Today we went to the Aldea Orphanage to play with the children and paint. As soon as we stepped off the bus the children ran up to us, and before I knew it they were reaching their hands up for us to pick them up and put them on our shoulders! The kids loved playing with our cameras, and they were all smiles all day. We completely transformed the future entertainment room for the children by sanding and painting it. After lunch we came back to finish the room and play more with the children. We had nothing to worry about. We were just able to pour out love to children, and they asked for nothing more than our smiles and hands to hold. It was an exilerlating and wonderful day and went by too fast.

Saturday Morning

2007-07-14T08:07:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful morning in the Andes Mountains. It is about 55 degrees and no humidity....how are things there? Ok I know it is hot. We are going to a local orphanage this morning. We will play soccer, paint, sing songs, and do a puppet show for them. Our team is very excited about going today. I will write tonight and tell you about the events of the day. Tomorrow we are going to a local church and then tomorrow afternoon we are going to another church to hang with the teenagers there. Monday morning, we are going up into the mountains to a village and we are going to help the medical team that is here. They said we will help over 1000 people get medical help. I will not be able to contact anyone during those two days. We are getting ready to go. All is well...everyone slept good. I will talk to you all soon.

Day 1

2007-07-13T17:22:00.000-05:00

We are almost at the end of our first day. It was a very good day. We went to dowtown Cajamarca and looked at the sites and took lots of pictures. We are at 10,000 feet so we are drinking lots of water and making sure that everyone is rested. We used today to get our legs under us and then tomorrow we will begin serving. The farm we are at is amazing. We have already grown to enjoy the company of the people here. Everyone seems excited to see us and we are anticipating getting to know them better. I am very proud of our team. We traveled for 20 hours and not one complaint...they must have great parents. I am overwhelmed once again at the physical needs of this place. There is so much to do...where do you start? I am looking foward to the change in our students and how they impact these people. We miss you all and everyone sends their love. Talk to you soon.

Cajamarca

2007-07-13T09:06:00.000-05:00

We have arrived at the farm where we will stay in Cajamarca. We had a breakfast that rivaled any from Cracker Barrel. The team will take a nap until 3:00 p.m. We will then meet up with a medical team later this afternoon and then we are off. I am very tired and so I will write more tomorrow.

Jason

Lima!

2007-07-13T02:10:00.000-05:00

It is 2:11 a.m. and we are in the Lima airport. All of the team is sleeping by our gate. Our flights were perfect. Everyone has their bags. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have the team we have here. I truely believe that all of the students are ready to serve. We had a great time to sit and talk in the Atlanta airport. We have already grown very close to each other. I can´t wait to see what God does in their lives. We leave for Cajameca in 3 hours. When we arrive, they will have an incredible breakfast and a nap waiting on us. We will need it. I will write again as soon as I can. No news is good news. There may be a period that I can´t write for a couple of days. Pray!

Jason

Peru

2007-07-10T09:10:00.001-05:00

I am going to be using this blog to update our status in Peru. You can leave comments under each post for your student to read and I will also let students write in here to let you know what is going on. It is Tuesday, so I know everyone is getting ready to go. I am very excited. I will write again when we arrive in Lima.

Jason

Sr. High Beach Retreat

2007-06-25T16:35:00.001-05:00

I just returned from our Sr. High Beach Retreat. Below is my daily journal.

Saturday, June 16, 11:00p.m.

In a few short hours all 70 of us will load up and head south to the beach. I am very excited about what this trip holds for these students. I am excited about Josh Hilliker leading worship, the message God has given me to give away, the leaders going, the location, and so much more. It is going to be a life changing week for some of these students and I am glad that I get to be a part of it.
None of this would be possible without parents like you and if you care enough to get your student on this trip...you might take another step and pray for them. Here is how I am asking you to pray...

1. Safety
2. Soft Hearts
3. Relationship buiding moments
4. This trip would make God smile

I will write each day and fill you in on everything that is going on. Thanks so much for allowing me and our team to invest in your student life. I will write again tomorrow from the bus and again once we arrive at Surfside Retreat.

Sunday, June 17, 11:37 p.m.

We have arrived safely. The trip was great. I really feel like everyone has found their place on the trip and relationships are being formed. Everyone got here with all the stuff they need and are in bed. I am excited about tomorrow and our first night of worship. You will be able to hear tomorrow nights message right here online and I will also have some video and some pics up. I will write again tomorrow. Good Night!

Monday, June 18, 9:00 p.m.

The First Video and Pics are up...so check them out. Today was a great day. We had a couple of people who woke up today and saw the ocean for the first time in their lives. I can’t tell you how special it is to share that moment with a student. The other students were blown away with the view from the retreat. We are going to take a panoramic picture from the deck tomorrow so you can get an idea of how beautiful it is. We had some beach volleyball tourney’s, football games, naps, playing in the ocean, and the pool. The sun was out for most of the day and then we had a nice thunderstorm this afternoon. Everyone had a blast. We had mexican food tonight for dinner and key-lime pie. It was great. Worship was incredible. Josh did an amazing job. I talked about fishing. You can listen to the sermon tomorrow morning right here. I am very excited about the rest of the trip. I will write again in the morning...keep your emails coming...the kids love it.

Tuesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m.

Good morning. I woke up this morning with much anticipation about what God is going to do today. Last nights message really connected and I think it will walk us right in to what God wants to say tonight. Keep praying…it matters!
Today is going to be a nap day for some of the students because we are going to have some thunderstorms this afternoon. That is fine, because some of them need to slow down their life and take a nap anyway. It is going to be sunny the rest of the week, so this is a blessing in the sunburn department. Our leaders are doing an amazing job. We have an incredible team of people here investing in your students. I am so blessed to be a part of this. Tonight we are supposed to go to Cobra Park. I think it is going to be raining so we are going to plan B…. PIRATES. I think everyone has seen it but they want to see it again and so I will get to play dad and take all my kids to the movies. We had seven people who saw the beach and ocean for the first time. I know I have already written about that…but I can’t get over it. God and his creation are once again on center stage…the water is beautiful, the sand is endless, the storms are majestic, and the breeze off the ocean is sweet! Well I have to go…lucky charms are going fast!

Wednesday, June 20, 1:00 a.m.

We got in late tonight because I took everyone to see Pirates tonight. We were originally going to Cobra Park, but the rain got us. I pushed breakfast back an hour so we could get some more sleep.
Today was amazing. The sun stayed out all day until dinner time, and we watched another impressive thunderstorm. We had a great volleyball tournament today and the ocean waves were awesome.
God showed up at worship tonight. The message was centered around why we fish. We landed in Acts 4 when Peter and John proclaim they cannot stop talking about what they have “seen and heard.” That is what separates Christianity from all other religions. It is not based on a philosophy, it is based on an event. The students got it. We had one student saved tonight. I am very overwhelmed by what God is doing. I am going to bed full of joy. This is why I am here...to see God change students lives. Keep praying...it is working. I will write again in the morning...Good night...oh I put up a new video.

Thursday, June 21, 1:00 a.m.

We have just arrived from playing putt-putt and I am very tired so this is going to be short. I have to say that I believe the trip has accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish. To God be the glory! I can’t tell you enough how proud I am of our leadership team and the work they have done this week. I had a chance to talk with the owners of the retreat some today. They said they always look forward to Rock Creek coming to camp because of the students have such a soft heart for God and the kindness they show to each other takes their breath away. I felt like a dad whose kid just hit a homerun. I am so proud of this group of students and what God has done through them this year and on this trip. I am so honored to call myself their student pastor. What is amazing to me is that this is just the beginning....God still has a ton to write with their lives. I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Tomorrow we will hit the beach all day. I put up some new pics tonight and their a plenty of them...so enjoy. I will write again tomorrow morning. I need some sleep...big day tomorrow...someone has change this world and it might as well be me and it might as well start with these students.

Friday, June 22, 8:00 a.m.

Well it is our last day. We are finishing packing and then going to the waterpark. What an incredible week. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to see God work. I honestly can’t wait to do it again and I would be up for another week right now.....I know you think I am crazy. Before we leave this morning, we have one thing left to do...baptize Clint. In a minute, we are all going to walk down to the ocean and watch the coolest thing in the world. I am very humbled this morning. Who am I to be a part of this? How did I get to plug in with such amazing leaders and students? I am very thankful to be in the middle of this story. Thank you for allowing me to invest in your student. I cherish it! Well we will see you guys in the morning at 7 a.m. Pray for our travel....see you soon.

Finished Empty,

Jason

Atlanta

2007-06-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

I have just returned from the Junior High Atlanta Trip and vacation to Mexico with Courtney. I kept a journal, updated pics, and uploaded daily videos for all the parents on rockcreekstudents.com. I thought some of you might enjoy the journey!

Wednesday, June 6, 8:00 p.m.
Well we are off on the Junior High Atlanta Trip and I am sure most of the bus has never been with us (Rock Creek) on a trip before. I think it is going to change their life. I have always believed that Christians can have more fun than anyone in the world and that is one of the missions of this trip. I have no doubt that God has the perfect team assembled to minister to these kids on this trip. I am so excited to see each one of them use their gifts. There is also an extra-added security in my mind as we leave tonight. Because all the students followed every guideline in checking in and bringing their luggage, I will sleep better and I know their parents will as well.
As you are reading this...if you want to pray and are not sure how...pray that God will use the memories that are made and the relationships that are formed to allow us to leverage ourselves into these students lives. Pray that this will be the beginning of these students seeing what it means to follow Christ. Above all, pray that this trip will make God smile.
Well I have to go! God is looking for someone to change the world and it might as well be the Rock Creek Student Ministry!

Thursday, June 7, 12:01 a.m.
As you can see by the time, we have just entered into a new day. The beginning of a trip is always interesting, especially when you are taking junior high students. Everyone is trying to find where they “fit in” with the group. We have had two movies and one gas station stop and I can tell you that everyone has found their place. I believe the students are really excited about the trip and the people on it! Most of the students are marking six flags as the highlight of the trip...but there is much more in store.
On a personal note tonight...I love this! With the exception of watching Barney with my little girls, there is nowhere else I would rather be. I love the new beginning. I can’t wait to see what story God will write. I am reminded once again...there is no sweeter place than right in the middle of God’s will and purpose! Well, I have to go...Captain Jack Sparrow is about to take over a ship and I can’t miss that!

Thursday, June 7, 11:53 p.m.
This will be short. I, and everyone else are very tired. They will get to sleep until 9 a.m. tomorrow and we will eat a made to order breakfast here at the Embassy Suites. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing our hotel is. It is located between the Omni Hotel, CNN Center, Georgia World Congress Center, and The Georgia Dome. The view is spectacular.
Today was a win on so many levels. No one was hurt and everyone had fun. I also feel like they students are beginning to click with me, and the leaders on the trip. Nothing makes me more excited than to see meaningful relationships formed. I lost in Putt-Putt tonight as I took on the entire trip. Looks like I owe everyone ice cream. Tomorrow, we will be at Whitewater all day, then Ci-Ci’s, and then off the see Shrek 3.
Keep your emails coming.... I read them on the bus and the kids love it! Talk to you tomorrow.

Saturday, June 9, 1:03 a.m.
The students have been in bed for about an hour. We went to see Surfs Up tonight and it was good but some of the kids fell asleep in the movie theater. That is ok because they get to sleep until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Whitewater will probably be the highlight of the trip for most of them. It is an amazing water park and had so much to do. I have never seen a water park with so many slides. The day went by quick and no one was injured or sunburned too bad.
The trip has exceeded my expectations. We have built some solid relationships that we can grow. I can’t thank you guys enough for praying. I will write one more entry in the morning when I have had some sleep...it will be more detailed. Good night...all is well at the Embassy Suites.

Saturday, June 9, 10:07 a.m.
What a difference a night of sleep makes. I think everyone is feeling great after last night and a late morning. I really excited about the aquarium. I think the students are going to see some stuff that amazing them. It is so funny to me that in the midst of six flags, the braves, and great food...God will once again take center stage with His creation and wow kids who have been and seen so many places. Today, He will wow us with some fish he spoke into creation. I can’t wait...He always puts on the best show!
I think this trip has excited and assured me about the long-term stability of the Rock Creek Student Ministry. One thing that I have heard over and over is that Trek6 was a major success and the relationships formed there have had an impact on this trip. I am so excited to see the story God writes with these two classes of students.... and I am glad that I am going to be right in the middle of it. Before I left, someone joked, “I bet you are really excited to spend 10 hours on a bus with 7th & 8th graders and then take them all around Atlanta!” I laughed because I knew they didn’t get it. Of course I was and am excited. Where else could I be! The end of this trip brings the feeling that every trip always has...I love these students and want them to fall in love with the God who loves them more than I ever could. That is why we go...that is what Rock Creek is all about!
Well, there will be no more entries, pics, or video until we get home. Sorry, but it is hard to get wireless Internet service on the bus. I look forward to seeing all of you, Sunday Morning, at 10:30, in the care center parking lot.

Finished Empty,
Jason

Wanted

2007-05-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Three to twenty six…as I sat and listened to the seniors honor their parents and peers; I couldn’t get that thought out of my head. Even I didn’t believe this was possible and I had dreamed big. Just two years ago…there was only three of them.
How did it happen? What was the formula? How can we do it again? As I began to think about all those questions, one thing stood out. There was not one senior that graduated that we didn’t have story with. There was not one senior that had not experienced a life long memory. All of them had close relationships with their life group leaders and me.
As I went to sleep I had an overwhelming sense of contentment. We did it the right way. We had not used these kids to boost numbers. We did not manipulate them into coming. We did not simply entertain them for a year. We had invested in their lives and they began investing in their friends. That was the plan and it worked.
The truth is students are smart. They know when they are being used and when you really care. At the end of the night…one comment stood out and forever changed my view of student ministry. She said when she started coming to Rock Creek, she felt wanted… not needed.
And so it all begins again. There are thousands of students in Little Rock who need to feel wanted not just needed. As I fell asleep, I found the answers to my questions. The formula is simple but costly! We must continue to take Jesus as he is to students as they are! We will love them. We will serve them. We will invest in them. That is what we do…it is why we breathe.

Seniors

2007-05-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks, I have spent a ton of time getting ready for all of our senior activities. We make a big deal out of our seniors’ graduation. We will make a video honoring them and showing highlights from the year, recognize them on a Sunday Morning at Rock Creek, have a seniors dinner for family and seniors, and then I am taking them to St. Louis for three days.

I demand these events to be the best and everyone who works for me hates this time of year because I can be very demanding. I want to come up with creative ways to show them how much I care and give parents opportunities to make incredible memories. I want them to walk away seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, and experiencing how much they mean to me.

As I started thinking back to the past year and what these seniors have done...I was blown away. They doubled the size of every trip we took this year, gave $1500 to buy Kenyan orphans new shoes and backpacks, gave $500 for Peru students to get new computers, pulled off a dinner theater in front of 1,000 people, built relationships with the residents at the Union Rescue Mission, saw over 25 of their peers baptized, and are getting teams together to participate in Relay for Life.

When they were juniors, they were not looking forward to this year...mostly because there were only 4 of them who were involved. When we have our seniors’ dinner, there will be 25 seniors to honor. The reason is simple.... investment. Those 4 took a challenge to live a senior year that was not about them. One by one, a new senior would come along and begin to do the same. I watched as each new relationship was formed and then another and then another. To watch them live the vision of the student ministry has been on of the most rewarding years of student ministry I have ever had.

As many student ministries grow, it becomes hard to continue to have close relationships with students. Some student pastors and student staffs just give up and put all their energy into a once a week event. I fight very hard for our ministry to stay away from that path. It is very hard work...but then again...making disciples always has been.

I am going to miss this group very much. I am going to miss their leadership and friendship. I am excited to see what God is going to do...because God has big plans for these seniors. I have never seen a so many leaders in one class with so many gifts. My prayer is that they would live a life that only God can get credit for. I pray that they will throw up on the idea of the American dream, and consume the life that Jesus has called them to. If that happens...the world will change because of these seniors! I can't wait to watch...what a story...God is good!

Leadership Part 2

2007-04-18T07:59:00.000-05:00

Mark Evans, my pastor, surrounds himself with incredible people. Whenever he has a big decision to make, he always has a certain number of people that he leans on for advice and to be sounding boards. Now, make no mistake, he makes the final call and everyone knows that, but he always seems to listen as he is making tough decisions. I believe that is big time leadership and incredible security. You see a leader who wants all the credit for everything or is worried about looking inadequate can never take the risk of asking for others help. The leader who is worried about those things is more concerned with himself than he is with what he is leading.
Next time you are in charge and calling the shots, surround yourself with people you trust and can lean on for wisdom. Remember, Leadership is not about making the decisions on your own, it is about owning the decision once it is made.

Leadership Part 1

2007-04-09T08:49:00.001-05:00

Leaders are always caught between “the way things are” and “the way things should be.” I have never met a leader who was completely satisfied with the way things are. There is always something that can change, something that can be done better, or something that can improve.
I recently sat with one of my friends in my office. He was heartbroken and stuck between “the way things are” and “the way things should be.” Many times, such as this case, when we have no one to share our passions with, we become frustrated. I sat and listened as months of frustration flowed. It was great. It seemed as though with every word, he was getting “lighter.” I watched, as every sentence he delivered appeared to lift burdens off of him. He is passionate, has vision, and has amazing leadership skills, but he was just frustrated…stuck between the way things are and the way thing should be. When he left my office he seemed much more at peace. All he needed was someone to say, “yes, you are not alone, I hear you, and I believe in you.” He needed someone to help him re-ignite his passion, vision, and help him chase some big dreams that God has laid out in front of him.
I walked away from our talk having learned something about leadership. I believe one of the jobs of great leaders in the church is to help other leaders identify, clarify, and run down big dreams that God has laid out before them. Big dreams that only God can take the credit for! Those are the kind of people I want to be around! I want to work with people who believe God is up to something big and he wants us to be right in the middle of it. It is our responsibility, as leaders, to find and hire people who have dreams that match the vision that God has laid out for our ministries and churches. Make no mistake…there is nothing more glorifying to God than someone who is using every gift and talent to glorify Him…it is our job to help people get there!

Ski

2007-03-21T06:41:00.000-05:00

I am running through the checklist once again and getting ready to hit the slopes! Don't let this body fool you...I still got it and I am ready to own the mountain once again. Well, at least the blue section of the mountain.
I am expecting more from this trip than any other trip I have ever been on. We have so many students going with us that have never been anywhere with us before, we are going to blow them away! There are so many things that I am excited about. I don’t' know where to start.
The trip is full and with a heavy heart, I had to turn some students away. I guess that is better than students not wanting to go. Our total group will be 64 and there will be 54 senior high students packed into a 55-passenger bus.... for 20 hours. You may see it as miserable...I see opportunity. None of them will have ipods, gameboys, or magazines. They will be forced to build relationships, and I don't mean by asking someone to be a friend on facebook. I have seen it happen so many times...the longer the bus trip...the more they bond. That is what I am after.... relationships that change students.
When are taking 35 first time skiers and 40 of our students have never seen the Rockies. I feel like a Dad to these guys and girls when they look at me and say, "I have never been anywhere like this...thanks so much." That statement is what I am after. I dream of taking students places they have never been before...spiritual and geographically.
I am very excited about Sonlight Camp. Sonlight has been a refuge for me. It has been a place where I could take wounded students, patch them up, and send them back into the world. It is a special place. Josh Hilliker will be leading worship, again. There is no one better. I have never seen anyone connect with students in worship the way he does. I am ready to mix my hot chocolate, play some mafia, and build relationships.
I am learning more and more about student ministry each year. Each year I learn, I realize how much I don't know. The one thing I do know is you can't fake student ministry. This can't be just a job. You can't hate 20-hour bus trips. You have to love it all to love students, and you can't create that passion, it has to be inside you. I pray every day that I will never lose that passion. I pray that I will never lose the excitement. This year.... it is still there...praise God!

Stuff

2007-03-08T06:34:00.000-06:00

The Story
Every teenager dreams of the moment they will walk out the front door and see a new car. Well, when you are from Arkansas…it is a new truck you wait on. I don’t know how he paid for it or anything for that matter, but he always came through when it counted.
Just as sweet as the moment is when you sit in your first car, equally as sour is the moment you wait in the road after your first wreck.
The story is simple. I was traveling home with the windows down and enjoying the idea in my head that every person that passed wanted my truck and if they happened to be female, they sure did think that I looked good in my truck. I was moving towards the light and in the left turn lane. The car in front of me put on their blinker at the same time that I did. However, very quickly, they stopped to turn into the Wendy’s parking lot. I plowed straight into the back of the car.
I got out, making sure that everyone was fine, and they assured me that they were. I waited for the police to come as the man that I had hit began to give me looks that did not equal the grace given to the waitress a couple of chapters earlier. I stood there, we finished, and I went home.
I was very upset. There was minimal damage to my treasure, but I was not sure what the response was going to be when I entered the house. I will never forget what happened next.
As I walked in the house crying and waiting for the verbal lashing, Dad looked me straight in the eyes and said, “It is just a piece of metal son…I am glad that you are ok…we can fix trucks.” Oh the mercy. I deserved a verbal beating or at least I thought I needed one. Although is was an accident, I had been a bit careless. Nevertheless, it was mercy and a teaching moment for Dad.
To make matter worse, the lady in the back seat began experiencing “back pain.” The price they would sue a 16-year-old boy for would be the damages physical and emotional plus all my future earnings. That’s right, all my future earnings. Remember, this is just a few weeks into my new found freedom.
I was in the hallway when he called the family to inform of the situation. I told him that the ambulance had not been called to the scene and the woman walked away. She also reported to the police officer that she was fine. I felt awefull.
I had to answer a few sporadic questions here and there, but Dad did not hang the accident over my head while he was going through the legal stuff.
It was the complete opposite of what i was expecting. I thought the world was going to come to and end. He very quickly put into perspective that we were talking about a piece of metal. Yes I had made a mistake but the lesson was more important than the truck.

The Lesson
Now don’t get me wrong, we were very strict on the way we took care of our trucks. If we missed an oil change or negelected to wash it, Dad was the first to be all over us. This story is not about irresponsibility and how with stuff that is ok. There probably couldn’t be anything futher from the truth than the previous statement.
The point is, people are more important than our posessions. For some parents I have seen that is not the case at all. Growing up, the message I learned was, “yes we must take care of our things and be thankful that we have them, but they are not and never will be the most important things in our life.”
I had a life group leader that worked for me a couple of years ago. She has a very bad accident. She called me to come help because the wreck was around the corner from the church. When I got there, she asked to borrow my phone. She called her dad in tears. She begain to cry even more when he never asked if she was ok. He thought is would be a good time to lecture her about how she always drove to fast and was irresponsible. Those two things may have been true, but the timing was horrific. When she hung up the phone, she looked at me and said, “He has always cared more about this car than me.”

The Word.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 5:21

The Application
You can say that your son or daughter are the most important thing the world. You can say it to them until you are blue in the face. However, what you communicate with your actions is what they really hear. What do you spend you time working on? What do you spend your time thinking about? What is your most prized posession? Does you son or daughter know they are more important than the answer that filled in those blanks?
Good news, if you have teenagers, you don’t have to wait long for them to mess something up! We all know that most of them are bulls in china cabinets. My advice...see the whole picture. Maybe it is time to teach your child that they are more important than any posession you own.

Marriage

2007-03-02T10:28:00.000-06:00

The Story
I have been trying for over a year to think of one story that stand out for this chapter. There are too many stories so I will have to melt them together.
If he said it once...he said it a million times, “I can always have more sons….I only have one wife!” I am trying to remember a time when I was ever confused about the most important member of the Curry house, but I can’t! I think from day one, it was pounded in our heads that she was number one. Yes, he said it all the time. Yes, he said it to her when he thought we weren’t listening. Yes, he said it when he knew that we were listening just in case it was misunderstood, which it never was!
I think the reason it is hard to pick out a story is because he said it every day with his life! Most men have sarcastic things to say about their wives and make time for their buddies while putting their marriage on the back burner. Not my dad!
He spent time with her, bought her gifts, did projects for her, told her how beautiful and wonderful she was, and hugged her when he got off the planes. Never fake or forced, but just to let her know he missed her. Before anyone knew what “love languages” were, he spoke them all!
I was always amazed by how much time they spent together. I mean, none of my other friend’s parents spent that much time together. He never forgot an anniversary or a birthday and there was always a getaway for them.
Most men fail to love their wives the way that God intended because they have never seen it modeled. There was never any question in my mind the level of commitment that I was making to Courtney. I mean, how else was one supposed to love. From about the age of as long as my memory can go back to about 13, I can’t remember him ever buying anything big for himself. All the gifts were about mom or us. What a contradiction to the culture that we live in.
I don’t think that he will ever quit teaching this lesson. I will never forget this past Christmas as my wife and I watched the two fifty-year-olds jump around like kids when mom found out she was going back to Maui. Her face lit up! Her smile filled the room…especially when she opened her endless tanning package. He had thought of it all, but that was nothing new!
I never remember them getting in a fight., in front of us. I never remember them yelling at night. I never remember a harsh word to her. If he had never spoken at a camp, never led a church, never started a ministry in Kenya, never had sons, never done anything but love my mom the way he did, that would have put him in my Hall of Fame!

The Lesson
How else is your child supposed to learn what marriage looks like? How about a television marriage? Is that where they are getting their model? I am afraid that our generation will continue to follow the example laid out by their parents generation. You children imitate what they see. Do you want your children to give gifts...let the see you give. Do you want your children to show affection...let them see you show it. Do you want your children to learn how to handle confrontation and conflict...let them see how you handle it. I grew up saying what most teenager never say...I hope my marriage is just like my parents. It is very simple. You must get to the point where you realize that your parenting, marriage, and your life is not about you...it is about dying to yourself so that God can be glorified through every aspect of you life.

The Word
Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, understand and support you husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.

The Application
Love your wife. Let your sons and daughters see you love your wife. I suggest picking up the book, “The Five Love Languages.” It will help you understand how to love your wife.
I have two daughters. I can spend my entire life teaching them what kind of man they should marry. When they are teenagers, I could say it until I am blue in the face and it will have little impact on them. However, if I begin to show them by being the kind of man they should marry, it will be burned in their hearts and minds. That is the application. Your children feel loved when you love your spouse and they learn how to love when you love your spouse. If you want to have a dramatic impact on your son or daughters’ marriage then have begin with your own!

Letter From Kenya

2007-03-01T09:44:00.000-06:00

If you read this blog regularly, then you know that a couple of weeks ago the Rock Creek Students gave $1,500 to buy orphans new shoes in Kenya. This is the letter that I recieved from that orphanage. I will not correct the grammer to give you the real taste.

Dear Pst. Jason Curry and the students,
We greet you with the name which is above all names. We would like to appreciate for meeting with our needs. We've been fasting and praying for along timeand finally God has answered our prayer request through you. We don't know how we can express ourselves but the joy is in our hearts. We have realized that truly God loves us and he can use anybody to meet with any desire that somebody has.
Do you know how much is means to meet with the needs of these orphans. This is a miracle that has never happened unto our lives. We are proud of what you have done with the ministry to unto us.
We were walking naked but now we have clothes we needed. We were walking bare footed but you brought us shoes. If there is somebody God can bless, let him start with you first. If we can wear clothes and put on shoes then everybody in world can because our God is able.
We've started believing in things which we never thought that we could have in life. We are like others who have mummy and daddy. When we wore those clothes, the first thing to be told was "you are smart." Truly a friend in need is a friend in deed. You have become more than a friend unto us.
We are thankful to you for everything. We would like to make a wish that may everybody in your ministry that has a need, let God meet with it this year.
We love you and will always, always pray for you. May joy of the Lord be upon each one of you.

Yours in Love,
Fresh Start Orphanage
The Kids With a Vision

Another Year

2007-02-26T07:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday…what an amazing day. After 531, everyone surprised me with a cake, a best buy gift, and a card. I couldn’t believe it. Everyone really went out of his or her way to make the day special for me and they did it without me even finding out. I feel so special to be part of a team like the Rock Creek Student Ministry.
I am so thankful for the students. They amaze me more and more each day. Two weeks ago they gave $1500 for orphans. Right now they are giving their time to raise money kids in Peru. Over 15 of them show up at least an hour before each week to help pull off 531. Last night they kept rolling in to hear what God wants for their dating lives. Then they poured their hearts out in their life groups. They take it to another level each week with their passion and commitment to see God change their generation. I am praying they never grow out of it.
Our life group leaders and food team continually amaze me. Each week they pour their time and hearts into these students. The student ministry does not work without them. It is a very simple process…Connect-Grow-Serve, with the undercurrent for all three being relationships. They have bought into it and it is changing them and the students.
We have come so far as a ministry in the past year and I truly believe the best is still to come. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next.

Deposit

2007-02-24T08:23:00.000-06:00

The Story
When we reached the deer stand, Dad once again gave the full debriefing: “Here is what we are looking for, this is where the deer are going to come from, this is the time of day it is going to happen, here is where you shoot the deer, are you listening to me, this is how long you stay in your stand after you shoot, you do not fall asleep or you will die, and if you need some help come and find me.” To a teenage boy, all I heard was we were on a mission to kill!
The truck pulled away and it began. Then it happened! The stars lined up and the one referred to as “The Big Boy” walked out! The checklist began to ring in my mind. I took a deep breath, aimed for the shoulder, made sure he was really that big, let him get broadside, held my breathe…, and squeezed! With the squeeze of a trigger, a “mortal man” became heroic! The beast fell at the hands of the great hunter!
Dad, quickly pulled up on the four wheeler. Like a kid on Christmas morning opening presents with wide eyes, he looked up and whispered, “Did you get him?” I replied, “I think so, and Dad, he is huge!”
This is where it got fun! Deep inside, Dad was and is always hoping that I can take him to the smallest speck of blood, look at him and say, “He ran that way and I am not sure if we will ever find him!” You see, he was born with this tracking gift. He becomes one with the deer. One time, I saw him put his fingers on his head, make horns, and paw at the ground to begin thinking like a deer. Ok, he didn’t do that…but it’s close.
While I was searching a hundred yards away standing on the main blood trail, he exclaimed, “Here he is!” He was more excited than if he would have killed it himself. We hugged, we high-fived, we laughed, broke out the disposable camera, it was great.
But there is a the part of this story that Dad probably never knew meant so much to me. I love to kill deer, but the deer hair can take me down! Trust me, we learned the hard way. I am highly allergic to the hair. I can’t skin the deer. I will swell up like a blowfish and if I am not careful and it can send me to the hospital. In Redneck Land, skinning your own deer is a passage of a boy to man-hood. There were times when I felt like I wasn’t going to be a good father or a good man because, I will not be able to show my children or grandchildren how to skin a deer. Sounds silly I know, but not to a fourteen year old boy!
As many times as Dad could have complained, he didn’t. He never took a cheap shot. He never pointed it out. He never made everyone laugh at my expense. It is not a big deal now, but as a teenage boy, it could have wounded me worse than any deer we ever killed. For years, every time we went to skinning rack, I readied myself for the attack, but he never let it come.
I know now that hunting was never about him. In fact, his life has never been about him. He knows that when one of his sons wants to hunt in the same stand with him, it is because we need some time to talk. If a hunting stand meeting is pursued, he is always there to welcome it. He never turned his back on those moments…He always answered the bell.

The Lesson
As a student pastor, I watch father after father try to find common ground to build moments with their sons. Then I watch as a cheap shot to impress the student pastor or another father takes the breath out of their sons. Oh, the son would never admit that is hurts, but it does.
We live in a world full of insults and tear-downs. A teenage boy goes from one war zone to another all day. Don’t think so...try sitting at the lunch table of jr. high cafeteria one day or drop in on the locker room.
A teenage boy knows his flaws. He knows his failures. Sure there are times to confront problems that can be corrected. However, some of the insults and jokes from childhood have left many men with scars well into manhood.
Seams simple...it is not. It is so much easier to tear down than it is to build up.

The Word
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will be discouraged.”

The Application
You can’t force times to be encouraging. You have to recognize the opportunities to say something and the opportunities not to say something. Open your eyes. Each day, your son gives you the opportunity to deposit or withdrawal. There will come a time when you need to make a big withdrawal and confront something serious in your son’s life. You have to have enough in the bank to do that. Choose wisely. Sometimes the best deposit is not making a big withdrawal.

Shoes

2007-02-17T16:31:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I challenged our students to step up and take care of some orphans that were in desperate need of new shoes. Can you imagine? I must be an idiot to ask American students to care enough about orphans in another country to actually make a difference. I could tell you what happened...but I will let a letter from my father do the talking.

Dear Rock Creek Students,

I just wanted to say thank you for your overwhelming gift of $1,500 to purchase shoes and clothing for our orphans in Kenya. These kids seldom get anything new. When they do, it comes from God through people like you.
I wish you could see the faces of these kids when they discover that they are getting new shoes. There is no way to describe their joy and grattitude to God for how he meets their needs. For some...a few months ago they were sleeping in the ditch by the roadside. Tonight they are warm, well-fed, and loved...because of God.
I will take some pictures and send them to Jason so can share them with you. Pray for Teresa and i as we carry the love of God to people who feel they have been forgotten.

By Grace, Your Brother,
Mike Curry
Ephesians 6:19-20

Rescue

2007-02-16T16:12:00.000-06:00

THE STORY
I can’t remember the year, but I know that I was very young. It was a hot summer day, and I was learning the thrills of water skiing. I had improved to the point that I could push myself and the limits of my skinny little body. I am sure that it must have been fun for him to watch a mad man flying across the wake, grinning from ear to ear, screaming watch this dad!
I pushed, pushed harder, and pushed as far as my limits could take me. I guess that is something I got from him. I can hear the echoes of Mom exclaiming, “You had to push it to the max!” As usual, something went wrong. I looked down to see my ski disappear into the wake and it was all over. I went down hard but I was up quickly. That was a lesson I learned early on…you don’t stay down! When I came up for air, my eyes were closed, but the ski that had fallen off was coming for me. I never saw it, and it sliced across my eye-lid leaving a scar that remains today.
That is not what I remember best about the story. My father was always safe around boats, but I will never forget the sight of him jumping in, fully clothed, while the boat was still moving, to make sure his boy was safe.I took my little arms and wrapped them around his big neck and knew that everything was going to be fine.

THE LESSON
I can’t imagine a love any different from that. From that point forward, even to this day, he has always been there when I called for help.
That story gave me a clear picture of how Father God loves to rescue us. I would need it nearly 15 years later as I faced on of the greatest battles of my life. I was heading into my senior year at Mississippi College. I had just finished a junior campaign in which I finished hitting .420 and leading the team in almost every offensive category. I was voted to the first team All-West All-American Team and even bigger for my, the teams Most Valuable Player. I had worked very hard to get where I was and began each day by running. I loved to run. I would get up early each morning in college and run three to six miles. I love the feeling that I was working harder than ever one else.
One morning, about three miles in to my run, my legs began to hurt in a way that they had never hurt before. When I finally stopped and looked at my legs, the sight was frightening. The sides of my lower legs between the shin and calf was severely swollen and expanded. As I took off my shoe, I noticed that both of my feet were purple. A friend noticed my condition and drove me to the training room. On the third table from the right on a beautiful fall morning, I was told that I had developed “Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome.” The cold hard fact was that there was no surgery to repair it at that time and I would never be able to run long distance again and I was going to gradually get slower and slower.
My dream was shattered. It was a long shot, but I had a chance at playing ball after college if I could put up some big numbers and display leadoff speed.
I will never forget laying there on that training room table in tears. My world had been torn apart. I laid there for a couple of hours until the story of dad jumping into the water came to my mind.
God quietly said…I am here for you…just like that day. The peace and comfort that came in that moment are indescribable. I just remember thinking that everything was going to be fine and God would take care of me.
There are so many students who can not grasp the rescuing father as a description of God. How could they? When has their earthly father been there? When has he rescued them? It was not hard for me…I new what it felt like to be rescued.
The truth is, we all need to be rescued. We can’t make it through this life without it.

THE WORD
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord you God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
I think there should be an exclamation point at the end of that last sentence. God is with us. Through the ups and downs of our life…he is always there. He is definitely the God that rescues.

THE APPLICATION
There is going to be a time in your son’s life when he need to know that Dad will come to his rescue. He has got to know that Dad is in his corner. That doesn’t mean that you bail your son out of every problem. What it means is when your boy needs the big hitter to come in and knock a grand-slam, you will be there!

Grace

2007-02-15T19:27:00.000-06:00

THE STORY
“What is she doing? How could it take so long to get our drinks?” I sat and griped as I looked for our waitress to return with even the first sign of salsa. Now, I am pretty patient, but this time was different. It took her ten minutes to get our drink orders, another ten to bring them, and now we were waiting on the chips and salsa.
My scaled eyes could not see past the circumstances and quite frankly, I didn’t care what was going on in her life. All I knew is I needed some food. Typical teenager response. I could not see anything past by own hunger. Dad, he saw an opportunity.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times that Dad’s frustration with a waitress ended our stay at an establishment early. He had become notorious for getting up early from a meal and leaving. But this day, he had another lesson on his mind.
The entire family watched the older man behind us begin to give the waitress an earful of disapproval and rage! I saw Dad’s eyes change and he looked at her with compasstion. We sat and ate, and she continued to mess up our order and all the tables around us! But what happened at the end could have never been predicted.
As she apologized for the one-hundreth time, she left the ticket glaring on the table. I told him not to leave her a dime. Then, he reached into his wallet, pulled out a fifty dollar bill, and asked my mom for a pen. He then wrote a simple word on it…GRACE! I couldn’t believe it! I was amazed! I actually thought about grabbing it but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. We didn’t stay to see her reaction, and he didn’t say something to her so he could be applauded. He simply walked out, and we drove away.

THE LESSON
Looking back, it is amazing the life lesson I learned that afternoon. I believe that we treat others the way we believe God treats us. What a picture! I mean, who wouldn’t want a dad like that? Yes…you messed up! Yes…you didn’t get the job done! Yes…you didn’t do what was required! But, here is something you don’t deserve or expect. I am so thankful that when I read scriptures about God being a father, I don’t have to imagine what that love looks like…I have seen it!

THE WORD
For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it if the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8

THE APPLICATION
Take advantage of an opportunity to show someone Grace. At the moment when it is least expected and not earned, show someone uncontrollable grace. If your son reacts the way I did, you will know that it worked. When your son begins to be the one teaching the lession, you will know that it changed him!

Value

2007-02-13T07:46:00.000-06:00

I am in the process of writing a book. For the next few days, I am going to put a couple of the chapters on this blog. I would love some feedback, especially from parents. The book is intended to give parents a view a parenting from a student's perspective...Enjoy.

“Bottom of the Ninth”

THE STORY

The stage was set, bottom of the ninth, two outs, man on first, and down two runs. It was the regional tournament in my senior year at Mississippi College. On the line was the game, the season, my career, and a trip to the college world series. The situation was simple, and there was no one else I wanted in the box but me. Just as I stepped in the box, the manager for the other team called time and began his long walk to the mound. He reached for his right arm to signal for the closer. I knew what he was bringing, ninety-three m.p.h. with a little adrenaline on the side. As I stepped out of the box and walked back to the on-deck circle, I caught a glimpse of my dad!
My mind drifted very quickly over a lifetime of baseball. The one thought that stood out was how far I had come and how much he believed in me. During ninth grade tryouts, I barely had the arm to make the timed throw from center field to the backstop. A “rip” from my bat wouldn’t even reach the outfield grass. I think coach let me stay on the team as a developmental player, most likely because my older brother was a star. No one knew what that did to me! It was embarrassing and very depressing. Only one thing mattered in my high school--your average. To not even make the team was tough.
I came home one day after a tough day of practice, and I really wanted to quit! I remember the stern words he spoke to me: “Son, you are not a quitter and you are one of the best hitters I have ever seen!” Could he really believe that? And then he issued the Curry battle cry, “Son, the cream always rises to the top!”
My mind focused back to the game. No longer was I the young boy that just wanted a chance to get on the field. I was the seasoned veteran whose body had caught up with my baseball mind.
The time had come and 15 years of baseball had come to one defining moment. Everything was in slow motion as I began to walk to the plate. Coming out of the bull-pen…I knew that the pitcher would try to get ahead early and I was waiting on the fastball.
Life does not offer this opportunity very often. There are many roles to be cast for this epic, but I had the role of hero on my agenda! I gripped my weapon and the words echoed in my head, “The cream always rises to the top.”
I stepped in the box, and the showdown was now in its final stages. The crowd began to rise as the confrontation elevated to the highest drama in baseball. Your best against our best. He rocked back and began to deliver the pitch. Sure enough, here comes the inside fastball. My body moved in the obedient way that it had been instructed for many years. I turned, pivoted, and then let my hands fly. As I made contact, I could hear the ball, but I could not feel it hit my bat. If you have ever hit a homerun, you know that when you hit it well, you do not feel it and it is almost as if you swing straight through it.
The ball rose and disappeared through the heavy mist that had engulfed the field that late May night in Mississippi. I could hear the crowd erupt and see the runner in front of me leaping with joy.
The left fielder sprinted with his back to the field and I realized…..I just won the game and we are going to the college world series.
Suddenly, I looked up to see the ball falling down from the mist, and I saw the left fielder standing on the warning track. I watched as he reached up, caught the ball, and my dream. The game, the season, my career, and a trip to the college world series-- lost.
I bowed my head for just a moment and then one last time, I ran off the field with my head up. The other team celebrated as I wept in the dugout. It was more than a game to me. It was the relationships that would be lost. It was the dream that had suddenly come to a halt. I walked out of the dugout and the television cameras caught me in a moment for the good stuff that people wanted to see. I pulled it together for a moment.
I gathered my gear and began to walk out of the dugout, and into a new era of my life. I walked off the field, and I was avoided by every person at the park. It seemed that no one had any words to say. To be honest, I’m not sure if there were any words I wanted to hear…and then I saw Dad.
He didn’t avoid the situation; he rarely did. My mom and little brother looked understandably upset, but his eyes were not sad. I could barely cry the words, “I almost did it Dad, as I burried my head into is chest.
With his Mississippi College hat held high, he looked past my eyes and into my heart, “Almost? Son, you just did what every athlete dreams of.” I didn’t understand and he paused for just a moment. Then he finished, “Whether they loved you or hated you, cheered for your team or the other, or don’t understand the game of baseball…for one final moment you did what every athlete dreams of…you made everyone in the ballpark stand-up and gasp for air one last time. You could have folded under the pressure, but you didn’t! There’s not another player I have ever seen that I would want to hit in that situation.”

THE LESSON

A man can do anything in life if he knows that his dad is proud of him. A son is always asking the question, are you proud of me? Do I measure up? Do you think I am the wild warrior?
I have seen so many Dad’s strikeout in this situation. It takes a Dad who understands that there is more on the line than the game to win in this situation. That is the difference between a minor league dad and a major league dad.
He could have rushed out of the ballpark and got in his car, but he didn’t. He didn’t hang his head in shame. He had to choose which role he would walk out of the park playing that night. He chose to play the hero.
As a student pastor I deal with so many parents that love their kids with “if’s and when’s” attached to it. Not my Dad, not his love. Love, that is true love, never has “if or when attached to it.” It is hard for many of my students to understand that Abba’s love is not conditional. That God loves us for free. There is nothing I can do to make God love me anymore and there is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, he just loves me!
I wonder sometimes what would have happened if that ball would have cleared the left field fence. Maybe some things would have changed, most likely my ego and pride.
I realized the other day that in the big picture, it was not me that was really at bat. I was the one that everyone saw, but it was my Dad who had one of the biggest “at-bats” of his and my life. I gave it all I had that night, but I just didn’t get all of the ball. Dad…his is still going!

THE WORD

While He (Jesus) was speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5

If the Jesus needed the encouragement and affirmation of love from God, his father, how much more do your son’s need that same affirmation?

THE APPLICATION

Step up to the plate! Begin to understand that things are not as they always seem. Take advantage of some of the greatest failures in your son’s life to display your unconditional love.
Warning...if your value comes from your son’s success or failure, you will never have the vision to see this kind of opportunity. You will be too consumed with the temporary to see the eternal value.
You can do this! If you will see that value in this lession...the ball you hit will never land! Remember, a son that knows his father is proud of him, can do anything in life.

A Fight For Margin

2007-01-30T19:14:00.000-06:00

Courtney and I are out of town for a little vacation. A time to rest, refocus, and be restored. God is so smart. When we scheduled this trip, we knew we needed it, but now we know how bad. We are both exhausted. I have just come off back to back weekend retreats and I am in the middle of finalizing the details for six student trips we have in the next 5 months. To top it off...I am 20 days away from a trip to Kenya. It is time to slow down and find the margin.
Ah....it always comes back to margin. I have found one thing to be true these past two days....you have to fight for it. No one is giving Margin away and the enemy loves to keep us buried under the urgent and while we pass on the important. I will not. I will not carry the pressures, concerns, plans, or problems that come with student ministry on this vacation. That is exactly what the enemy wants and a fight He will lose.
Has it happened to your before? You missed out on opportunities for margin because you couldn't let go of the urgent? I hope that you will fight for the important and let the urgent go. Next time you have the opportunity to find the margin...go after it with all you have and don't let anything get in the way of finding it.

The Story

2007-01-22T06:26:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, I took the juniors and seniors away on a retreat in the Ozark Mountains. The trip was amazing. We played football in the sleet, sat around the fire and sang, ate great food, told stories, played mafia (a game we love), went on an amazing hike and I am pretty sure I had a couple of heart attacks during the climb.
The trip was great, but my favorite part came the last night. As we sat around the fire, I began to ask the students some questions. What are your greatest fears, greatest talents, dreams, and so on? Their answers were amazing. The last question was incredible. I asked them why they started coming to Rock Creek, and what made them stay. One by one, they pointed out each other as the reason they were here. Because another friend in the room went, they came. The relationships had gone beyond a self-serving friendship into something that changed another’s life.
It was a top five moment for me as a student pastor. To see where we have come from in the past two years in our understanding of relationships and their importance is incredible. I am so excited to be a part of this senior and junior class. They've got it. They understand what this is all about. They have embraced the truth that is so clearly laid out in Psalms 33.... God is up to something.... and he wants us to be a part of the story.
I am more excited than I have ever been as a student pastor. I am more relaxed, focused, in the margin, determined, and passionate than ever. I can't wait to see how this next chapter reads.

GO.07

2007-01-11T21:19:00.000-06:00

The vision for Rock Creek Students in 2007 is very simple... GO! Whether it is to a friend at your school or to an orphan in Kenya....We as Christians are all called to GO!
The truth is, we are all going somewhere. We are either going towards God and His purposes or we are going our own way, and pursuing our own plan. Our Heart as a Student Ministry is that we will see students GO like never before.
As God continues to push our students to dream big and GO, we know this vision will bring a new level of dependency...and in turn a new level of intimacy with God. We can't wait to see what story God will write with these students.
The plan is simple...Jesus is better than anything this world has to offer...too many have not tasted and seen how good He is...we must GO!

A New Viewpoint!

2007-01-10T21:44:00.000-06:00

One of the seniors in our student ministry wrote this next entry. It is better than anything i have ever written...enjoy!

"Have you ever heard the stereotype "I'm not going to church because it's full of hypocrites.." ? It breaks my heart to hear it come from the mouths of people I care for and want to experience God's love.. This view is a wise deception.. It reminds me of the twisted lies the devil snares people with in The Screwtape Letters.

I used to use the same excuse, an umbrella of selfishness and fear to reside under.. It's easy to blame 'the others' for not being perfect so you have an excuse not to be.. During the time I believed the lie that I was above the 'self-righteous liars that called themselves Christians', I was extremely angry.. I was bitter at the world and the fake people in it..

I was also scared. So caught up in the comfort of my false independence, I didn't even realize I was the fakest person I knew. I was a phony. My hatred towards the people that 'were so wrong' was revealed as a hatred for myself and the fabricated beliefs that held me back from truly experiencing love with my Lord. .

Every human is a hypocrite in some way, form, or fashion.. As humans, we are flawed.. Thank God for grace. . We are called by God while we are still sinners.. and not, as I've realized, after we transform to perfection..

The church is full of broken people.. Broken people with their eyes looking to God.. No one is perfect and everyone falls..

It's up to all of us to help each other to our feet again.. Instead of pointing disdainfully in each others faces, while wearing the garments of a fake."
http://abbyalyssa.blogspot.com/

Go!

2007-01-06T19:45:00.000-06:00

It is good to be back! I hope everyone had a great break. Tomorrow night will be the first time that we have met together as a student ministry in quite a while. I am so excited. I feel as though the team and I have a crystal clear view of the vision that God has laid out for us at Rock Creek.
I am extremely excited about 2007 and about the potential for great things. I am praying for God to push the students to places they have never dreamed to go. I am praying that God will wreck the idea of the American Dream for these students. Monday I am going to put a map in my office. I am going to chart the global impact from here on out. Wherever our students go when they leave, we are going to put it on the map…I am excited to see it fill up. It is time to dream big.
I wonder where you fit into the big story of God in 2007? I believe that God is calling the American Church to dream bigger than ever before. I don’t know if the generation before us can catch it but I know ours can…who will go?

Christmas and Purpose

2006-12-25T21:46:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!
I am finally home on my couch. Courtney, Carson, and Cameron are all in bed. I just got a second to take a look at the calendar for the next couple of weeks and months. I have to tell you that I am extremely excited. Passion in Atlanta, Retreats in the Ozarks, Ski Trips in the Rocky's, and a trip to Kenya. I am so excited about the opportunities God has laid out.
I think I should be tired from the Holiday's, Dinner Theater, Christmas get-togethers, and carting my clan around the last few days. However, I am not. I find myself focused and relaxed. I believe, I have finally discovered a way to find the Margin in the midst of all the chaos and tyranny of the urgent.... COURTNEY!
Courtney is my margin. She doesn't add stress to my life. She is a breath of fresh air. She handles everything in the family so well. I am more and more amazed at her ability as Mom. I was interviewing for a job one time and a man asked Courtney if she had been called to work with students like I had...he implied that we should be a team at church and she should have the same passion I do. She quickly answered, "I am called to be Jason's wife, one day a Mom, and do both of those the best of my ability." I was amazed and still am at the clarity in which she understands her purpose. She'll never have a website or be recognized on a major stage and she is ok with that...they were never in line with who she was created to be.
What is your purpose? Are you content in your purpose? I pray this Christmas Season will find you content in your purpose here on earth. Be You!

Results

2006-12-18T07:02:00.000-06:00

The Dinner Theater was a success. About 1000 people came, we raised over $1200 in the auction, the tech team, prop team, waiters and watresses, and actors did an amazing job. The night went great. I was so proud of our students.
Last night we gathered together at 531 for Worship. The night was amazing. Three of our students were baptized last night. We took Communion together and worshiped. It was so refreshing.
Those are the facts. However, they may not be the most important results. Sometimes in life, the measureable results take a back seat to the unmeasurable. I don't know what the full impact of this weekend will be and that is okay. I don't know how many families will come to Rock Creek because of the Dinner Theater. I don't know what students will see that Jesus is better because of the baptisms. I am not sure what will change in some hearts after taking communion for the first time. I just don't know...and that is ok. I stopped living for measureable results a long time ago...I have found there are bigger results that can't fit on a scale.

Comment!

2006-12-14T08:24:00.000-06:00

Today, I received an anonymous comment on my last entry. I wrote, "As I looked around the room, I saw the faithfulness of God. A year and a half ago, not one person, other than myself, was involved in the students at Rock Creek." An anonymous person commented, "no one...really? no one?"
I will not have my integrity questioned by someone who is afraid to put his or her name. Not only is it not Biblical to confront someone like that, it lets me know that the person does not care about me at all. All they care about is making an attempt to discredit my word.
If you have people like this in your life--stay away from them. This is not what confrontation looks like at all. If you feel someone needs to be called out on something, then you must go to them and do it. The key is...go to them. That is what the body of Christ looks like.... that is truly serving someone on the most important level.
I will answer the comment. Yes. Not one person that was in that room was involved in the student ministry when I arrived at Rock Creek 18 months ago.
You have a choice today. If someone does something wrong or you feel as though they are in the wrong. You can take the easy road and leave an anonymous comment...or you can have enough love to confront them to their face.
By the way...my email is jcurry@churchatrockcreek.org.

Christmas Party

2006-12-11T06:15:00.000-06:00

We had the Life Group Leaders Christmas Party this past Saturday night. It was a very fun night. Dennis and Karla Simpson let us have it at their house, which just happens to be one of the coolest houses I have ever been to. We played a few games and ate and everyone had a great time. Towards the end of the night, I began to give my speech before I gave away my presents to everyone. I have to admit that I really got emotional. As I looked around the room, I saw the faithfulness of God. A year and a half ago, not one person, other than myself, was involved in the students at Rock Creek. Now I sat in the middle of gifted, smart, passionate, leaders.... I was humbled.
These people can do anything they want in life. We have incredible college students, gifted professionals, smart medics, creative artists, entrepreneurs, and the list goes on and on. As I talked, I couldn't help but be excited. With this group of leaders, there is no limit to what God will do. I am so thankful to be at Rock Creek. I am passionate about the task at hand. I want to see God do things that no one dreamed possible.
I am excited about where God is going...and even more excited about joining him on the journey.

Dinner Theater

2006-12-07T05:15:00.000-06:00

It is dinner theater time and that means that I am completely in over my head once again. Each Christmas, The Student Ministry puts on a performance that rivals that of any school play. However, most of the students have no acting experience and I definitely have never written a play. Some how, everything will come together. I found myself so busy yesterday that I stopped and asked the simply question, "Why are we doing this?" The answers immediately came to my mind and I was reminded of the purpose of an event like the dinner theater. However, can you imagine how depressing or frustrating it would have been if I would have had no answer. Purpose is the reason behind everything you do. There must be a purpose or there is no point. What are you stressed over this Christmas? What has you running wide open? Whatever it is, it is worth it? Does it accomplish anything at all? Busy just for the sake of being busy is a waste of time. Leave behind the good things this Christmas and focus on the great!

Friends

2006-12-01T05:33:00.000-06:00

Well I am back. I know you have been lost without me. I just returned from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I am now the new head coach. No, I was visiting friends and speaking at Circlewood Baptist Church.
It was such a refreshing trip. Wednesday Night, after I spoke, a group of old friends went to eat some dinner. I was amaazed. I was blown away that they even wanted to see me much less take time out to do it. I know life moves on and it has been almost two years since I left, so I wasn't expecting much. I was wrong. I sat there and realized how blessed I am. As we took a trip down memory lane, I was close to a few tears. I know that is pathetic, but I was.
I have had meanigfull relationships at ever phase of my life. There have always been people there for me. The Tuscaloosa bunch is very special. There are many hours of dreaming and venting that have been spent with people at that table. I would not be the man I am today without them.
There is no application this morning. I am overwhelmed at how blessed my life is. May your be blessed as well....Merry Christmas.

Uncensored, Unrestrained, and Uncontrollable

2006-11-27T19:33:00.000-06:00

Jesus outside the box. That is the message on my heart this Christmas. Jesus uncensored, unrestrained, and uncontrollable. The Jesus that we encounter in the scripture is all of those things. He is neither a baby in a manger nor is he confined to a cross. Although I think we like him in those two places because he is controllable in our box. HE IS NOT THERE.
This Christmas I am going to attempt to put on display the uncontrollable bigness and majesty of Jesus. I believe when our understanding of the greatness of God is expanded, we are exposed for who we really are and in turn Jesus' love is exposed for how great it is.
I will travel to Tuscaloosa tomorrow and begin a Christmas Sermon that I pray will open people's eyes. Pray...the Kingdom is not a matter of talk, but a display of power.

Pics from Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T20:10:00.000-06:00

The Fam!

Me and My Girls

Grandma & Grandpa

My Brothers

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T05:33:00.000-06:00

I have much to be thankful for this year; it is hard to find a starting point. I am going to rand my top five things that I am most thankful for.

1. Courtney. She continues to amaze me with her abilities as a mom. She runs our house with an incredible mix of love and discipline. I can't imagine doing life without her. She balances me so well. She brings a different perspective to all my circumstances. She is a great listener. Above all, she is my sweetheart. I am more in love with her than ever.
2. Carson & Cameron. It is a circus at our house around six every night. I love it. Cameron is finding her personality and letting everyone know it. She has such a sweet heart. Carson is a wild woman. She is climbing everything, playing chase, hide-and-go seek, and imitating everything Courtney and I do. I never believed that I could love a person as much as I love my two little girls. I love tripping over their toys!
3. Family. I can't tell you how much everyone has meant to us this year. Having two children so close together is tough. We couldn't have done it without the help of our families. They have been so supportive. From Aunts and Uncles to my brothers and Courtney's sister, we could not have made it through this year without them. The main help has come from Gammy, Pops, Grandma, and Grandpa. I think they are enjoying their new roles in life. I am sure that Christmas is going to be over the top.
4. Friends. There have been a couple of people this year who have continued to be there for me. When I am happy, they share the joys. When I am down, they are there for me to vent. God continues to put people in my life who are walking with me along this journey of life. I am excited about where it is going.
5. Rock Creek. This past year, I stopped being the "new guy" and got to be, Jason. I can't believe how close I have grown to the students and life group leaders in such a short time. It has been exciting each step of the way. I am excited about where we are headed. The opportunity to dream has no limit and I have been encouraged to chase all those dreams down. God's will and purpose for my life is becoming clearer each day and I am finding myself more and more satisfied in my gifts.

I could go on for a while. I really have so much to be thankful for. Well I have to go...one of those girls I am thankful for would really be thankful for a bottle right now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From My Mom to Yours

2006-11-20T11:21:00.000-06:00

It has come to my attention that more parents that I realize read this blog. I want to start posting some things that will help you. This entry is the beginning of a section we are starting geared to helping parents on rockcreekstudents.com. So I hope you enjoy the words from Teresa Curry...

A boy’s first love relationship is with his mother, and if it were up to his mother, it would be his last! I have often said that I wish my three boys could be the age of baseball Little Leaguers forever and ever! An age where I could watch them play all the time, they would come home with me every night, and they would not yet be old enough to be totally obsessed with girls. The bittersweet part about parenting is that we spend countless days of physical, emotional, and spiritual energy on the human beings who we must one day release to someone else. It doesn’t seem fair, but it must be fair because it is God’s perfect plan. That is why we must be diligent about preparing them for their roles as strong warriors for Christ, whether they end up being single or as husbands and then, as fathers.

A son’s relationship to his mother is the beginning point for learning how to relate to girls and how he feels about himself as a man. You see, your young son is very insecure about growing up and becoming a man. He is not sure whether this will ever happen or whether he can do it or not. He is not sure he’ll be able to be this strong spiritual leader to impact the kingdom of God. He is not sure he can be a godly man that his wife and children will want to follow. He is starting to move toward manhood, and it is a perilous journey.

Your son does know that one very important person stands in his way between childhood and adulthood. That person is his mother. At first this relationship is very comforting and makes him feel secure. But at some point, I’m sure it’s when hormones kick in, he probably decides that being masculine and being a mama’s boy are enemies. He cannot reconcile in his mind how to be both – so one has to go. Guess who it is?!!? Mama!! So he begins to “cut the apron strings” so he can be released to pursue manhood.

But here’s the conflict…mamas do not want to “cut the apron strings.” We want to hold on as tightly as we can. So…the boy has to struggle even more to cut away. And if you have a young son who has reached puberty, you know that these “cuts” can hurt deeply. These cuts first show up when a son pulls away for the first time when you try to hug him. He is totally embarrassed if you try to kiss him. Or he doesn’t use “sweet talk” anymore and sometimes can be downright hateful. He begins to pretend that he was birthed without a mother and doesn’t want his friends to know you exist. You may also notice that being with and around dad is very important. He is now moving into a stage where he wants to learn about man things. This is especially difficult if you, as his mom, have spent your entire life wrapped up in this boy and have had your needs met through his love and affection, rather than your husband’s and God’s.

So, what must we do? We must begin to communicate to him verbally and non-verbally that we know we must let him go out into the world someday, but that this is a good thing. This launching is healthy. It is a plan that was devised by God, and we have been given the honor of helping them sink or swim. We must communicate that we are not opposed to them having girls as part of their lives – even though our hearts are breaking as we see our son’s attention and affection transferred to another. We will no longer be the total focus or at the top of his list. If you will give your son breathing room and a little space now and begin to let go a little – with joy – he will come back to you. Yes, in a different way, but in the special way that God designed him to be. Once he is secure in the knowledge that he will one day become a man, that his masculinity is intact, he will be secure enough to love his wife, to love his children, and to love you – of course, all in a different way.

My conclusion was that my role as a mom was to help my sons become men – men who were strong spiritual warriors for Christ, men of character, men who would love and care for their wives and children. How could this be done? Where would I start?

One idea actually came from my reading about mothers who had impacted sons in the Christian world. One such mom was Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of worldwide Methodism and authors of many Christian writings, poems, and hymns. Her sons won tens of thousands of souls to Christ, impacting generations to come. Susanna and her husband, Samuel who was a minister, were married in 1688. She bore between 17 and 19 children; ten survived. Because she wanted to develop a personal relationship with each child, she scheduled a private appointment with each one of them once a week for encouragement and molding of their character.

I decided to try this and use the time to train my children in whatever area seemed to surface at the time. Sometimes these moments happened spontaneously at home; sometimes they had to be planned times with each child. These are some that I remember; mostly going out to eat at McDonald’s, at pizza places, or to a nice restaurant. These did not always happen at night. I’ve scheduled dentist or doctor appointments near lunch and then taken them back to school after we ate together. We have gone to movies, professional baseball games and Razorback football games. I even talked one into going to see the musical “Oklahoma” at Hendrix College. OK, so he didn’t make it until intermission! There were, after all, 14 songs, complete with live orchestra and dancing and singing!

The main purpose of this time alone was to focus on the child. Sometimes there were no deep conversations. Other times I was able to look deep into his eyes and by listening carefully to get to know him, his needs and his fears. I believe it was the world-famous Christian psychologist and author, Dr. James Dobson, who said that children have an emotional “gas tank”. It is drained each and every day by negative influences and negative friends. Parents can spend time with their children; loving (including hugs and kisses, whatever is age appropriate), supporting and encouraging. These actions fill up their “gas tanks.” These tanks represent how secure they are with who they are. If they feel confident and healthy about who they are, then they don’t have to seek out other ways to get filled, some of which may be very negative and detrimental to their emotional well-being. They are not as dependent on what others think. They are not as emotionally needy.

But how can this be lived out in a practical way? One of the areas I wanted to concentrate on was teaching my boys how to treat girls and relate to them in a healthy way. Any time I could work it in the conversation, we talked about the kind of girl they should spend time with, always aware that this girl could possibly be their future wife. I had prayed for their future wives since they were infants. When they were quite young, we may have referred to these times as “dates.” As they got older, I had to drop the date word, and just say, for example, “How about we go get something to eat?” This is one of my favorite things to do. Besides spending time with each son, I wanted to begin to teach them about social manners; how to order from a menu, put your napkin in your lap, to know which piece of silverware to use, how to summon a waiter, how to figure a tip and pay the bill. I also wanted to teach them how to treat a girl with respect in any setting; opening the door, pulling out a chair, carrying on a conversation, looking people in the eyes. Much of this was modeled by their dad, but I wanted them to have a real-life experience.

If you have been around Jason Curry any length of time, you know that he is a natural born leader – he loves to be in charge. Part of this is a natural desire to become a man. So when we would go out to eat (I believe we frequently went to Dixie Café on Geyer Springs Rd.), I would make every effort to make him feel like he was the man in charge for the evening and my date. I would defer to him and let him talk to the hostess. I would show him how to let me go ahead of him to the table and then see that I was seated first. Sometimes we talked about school, sports and sometimes nothing important at all. Other times he knew I was teaching him something he’d need to know about dating or being the man in charge. Jason was very young when we had this time together, but you should have seen how grown up he could act and look when he was giving the waitress the money for our bill.

But more importantly, I was sending him messages; (1)I know you will eventually have a relationship with a young woman and that’s OK – that is a good thing. (2) I have no doubt you will grow up to be a man who can be the leader of your family and make an important impact in God’s kingdom, whatever that looks like. I was “cutting the apron strings”. I was saying, “I am going to release you to grow up; and, if you’ll let me, I’d like to be part of that process. I am not going to fight your growing up. I am going to help you accomplish it.

This is a difficult thing for a mom to handle: that our son will leave us one day, and leave us for another woman! I remember one Valentine’s Day when my youngest, Josh, and Jason and I were in the kitchen for breakfast. I had actually helped my oldest son, Chris, and Jason buy candy and a valentine for their sweethearts. See, I was communicating that relationships with girls are OK. But Jason’s comment threw me for a loop! He was in the sixth grade. The youngest son still believed what I had drilled into his brain, “My heart belongs to mom”. Well, I knew Jason’s heart was throbbing for another. I said to him, “Well, at least I still have one sweetheart left (my youngest), because you and Chris have found new sweethearts.” Jason didn’t miss a beat, he said, “That’s because my male testosterone has kicked in!” I’m sure my mouth dropped open in disbelief. I quickly said, “You don’t even know what that is.” He quickly replied, “Yes I do, we learned in health class that testosterone is a chemical in my body and when it kicks in, I will become attracted to girls!” Well, believe me, he was right! And I spent the day doing a lot of research for myself on “testosterone” and decided my teaching and training had better kick into a different gear!

Our children catch us off-guard all the time don’t they? I even get kisses from my adult boys now. I do want to encourage you moms about these special little surprises. Your boys will probably come back to you some day, not for good, but for short, sweet times. Once they feel secure in their manhood and how that relates to life and women, they will feel safe in their relationship to you. They will see that they can love a woman and mom – both at the same time, but in distinctly different ways.

My boys are now ages 28, 26 and 23. The two oldest sons are now married, each to a woman who loves God with a pure heart and is a perfect mate for each of them. I go out on lots of dates with their dad, always enjoying soaking up my husband’s full attention, but also knowing that their dad is modeling for my sons how to treat a wife. But don’t think for a minute I wouldn’t like to go out on a date with my married sons. But these sons know that I know that their wives are their first priority, yes even over me and rightly so. God said that’s the way it’s supposed to be. So I still enjoy our telephone conversations, e-mails, sweet kisses on the cheek and hugs, hearing “I love you”, and watching them love on their wives and children. I still try to go on a date with my single son. I don’t call it that, but after all, what is a date: two people, spending time together, enjoying each other’s company. These dates started in early childhood and have continued into adulthood. During the summer, my 23 year old son and I went to see the Arkansas Travelers play baseball. How happy was my heart as a mom during that evening? That’s a pretty secure young, single man who can walk into a professional ballpark – in front of God and everybody – with his mom. I pray and hope that these type relationships can develop in your family as well, so you can release your son into the world as a strong Christian warrior, a son who will never let go of a deep love for his mother.

Pic of the Week

2006-11-18T07:29:00.000-06:00

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

This one is from my time as Student Pastor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the picture, from the left is Chris Smelley, Me, & Brad Smelley. When I first moved to Tuscaloosa, I didn't have a dime. The Smelley family let me move in. When courtney and I were married, we bought a small duplex that was not done being built. We lived the first couple months of our married lives at the Smelley's. I am forever greatful for what they mean to me.

Chris, on the left, is a quaterback at South Carolina. He has had a great year and will be in the mix to get some playing time next year. Brad (The Freak) is the starting quaterback at American Christian Academy. If he doesn't already, he will have the college offers rolling in very soon. Then there is me...the has been!

Football & God

2006-11-16T20:35:00.000-06:00

McFadden for Heisman! Can I get tickets to the L.S.U. game? Do you think they will fall at Mississippi State? Are you going to tailgate? Can you believe this year? Did you vote for McFadden?............
The past couple of weeks have been amazing. People can't get the Razorbacks off their minds or their tongues. I am the first to say that I have been caught up in the middle of it all. I have been looking for tickets, listening to the radio, and looking on the Internet more than ever.
I wonder what would change in our culture if we got that "caught up" in our relationship with Jesus. What if it was what we talked about all the time? What we studied the scripture like the stats. What if we plugged our Savior as much as we do our Heisman? What if we talked about it with our friends daily?
The fact is we don't. The truth is we won't...until he shows up. That will change everything. Just the sight of his return will cause all to "fear" and "awe" His very existence. Did you catch that? If we ever catch a true glimpse of Savior...it will change everything. I hope you catch a glimpse now and as he continues to reveal himself...you will be more in awe.

Breakaway-Renovation

2006-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

Paul says in Romans 12 that we don't need to conform to the ways of the world. What is he saying? He is saying, it is time for a breakaway. Don't let life suck you into the meaningless life so many people live. Be apart of something bigger than you. Then he says something that has to catch your eye. He says, let God transform you by the renewing of your mind. At first that word renewing can be skipped until you really understand it.
The Greek word there is actually renovate. Now read it.... renovate your mind. When you renovate something it gets messy...and you start wondering why am I doing this. It always takes longer than you think it will and you have to start by tearing out the old stuff. Now, none of that sounds fun but the end result can be spectacular.
Have you ever seen someone go through this process? It is almost like they are a different person...and in truth, they are...they have had a breakaway. I believe you can have a breakaway every day. God is so passionate about transforming you and your life by renovating your mind.
The problem is that it begins in His word. That is why Jesus told us if we will marinate ourselves in His word, we will know the truth and then it will set us free...renovation!
I believe that God is just waiting for someone to take Him up on the truths in his Word. It is almost like he is saying, just try me and see what happens. Maybe today you need your mind to be renovated to think the way God thinks and to see things the way God sees them. Wow...that is definitely not the pattern of this world! Careful...if you begin to pursue God you might find a purpose worth dying and living for...it might just be a breakaway.

Breakaway I

2006-11-13T09:17:00.000-06:00

None of us dream of growing up to be like everyone else. None of us wish of living in a neighborhood where every house looks the same. Yet, as we get older, it seems as though our culture is herding us all down the same path. Sometimes it is too much to bear and we need a breakaway. That is why people look forward to drinking on the weekends or watching the Razorbacks, because we all need a break from the routine.
Sometimes we confuse a breakaway with a running away. We run to our past to an old relationship, job, or place where we felt alive. Or we want to just get in our car and go. The truth is, a runaway is never really a solution because everywhere you go...there you are.
So how can we be content with where we are, where we aren't, and where we are going? This week I want to help you uncover a truth that can set you free.
Jesus put it this way, if you will abide in my teachings, if you will marinate in my word, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Isn't that what we are all after...freedom from this world system.
I want to ask you what you are marinating in today? What are you abiding in? What is your foundation? Jesus says, if your foundation is he and his word...there is a breakaway there.

Pic of the Week

2006-11-11T07:03:00.000-06:00

You Live for It... here it is...the Saturday Morning Pic of the Week

Two weeks in a row...Carson claims the top spot. She had surgery this week and came out of it great. She recovered so well. Before the surgery she was given a little "cocktail" to help her calm down. She started giving out long wet kisses... so someone can't hold their medicine to good.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Communication

2006-11-10T08:17:00.000-06:00

Courtney and I had a great talk last night. Leading up to the talk, we were both a little frustrated with each other. In any relationship there is going to be conflict. The last few months of our marriage we have really tried to meet our conflict head on, with two principles in mind. We love each other and want what is best for each other. If you really believe those two things, any conflict can be resolved.
Last night, as we began to talk to one another, we realized that what we thought we were communicating to one another was not what the other was getting at all. We know each other's love language and we work hard to speak them to each other, but we were missing badly in a couple of areas.
In your relationships, it doesn't matter what you are trying to communicate... all that matters is what the person you are communicating to hears. Your good intentions and even kind words are meaningless if they do not register for who they were intended.
Even if you had your heart in the right place and you went out of your way to communicate your message, the person must get it. If they didn't get it, it is not their fault...you have to change the method of delivery.
When you communicate today, especially with those you love. Make sure you are getting the message across. Be creative. Be Repetitive...Be what you have to be. Just don't let poor communication hurt your relationships.

Sandals

2006-11-09T05:19:00.000-06:00

I am about to put on my sandals and head out the door into a situation that I have never faced. Today brings about another level of dependence. This morning is Carson's surgery. I want to stress that this is a very simple surgery. It will only last about 30 minutes and she will be getting back to normal by tomorrow. I think the thing that scares me the most is that it is out of my control. I am praying for the doctor this morning. I am asking God to protect my little girl. However, it is apparent that I have no control over the events of today.
The choice I do have is how I react to the events of today. You have that choice as well. Here in a moment I will turn to the book of Colossians, which I am reading write now, and begin a process of dying to my selfish desires and myself. That is the only hope I have today. It is the only hope for my responses to the things I can't control. It is my only hope to become less like me and more like Jesus.
Instead of fighting for complete control over things you can't control. I pray that you will depend on God. I hope that He will soften your heart and rule your reactions. As you walk into things that you can't control, I pray that you will walk with God.
God is good.

A Father's Love

2006-11-07T01:25:00.000-06:00

The time will reflect that I have just finished feeding Cameron her midnight bottle and she is trying to go to sleep.
We are two days away from Carson's Surgery. Although it is simple and her eyes will not water anymore...I am getting more nervous. I am going to try to parallel two things in this entry that will barely brush up against one another. As I sit here, I am heartbroken at the idea of Carson in pain. The anesthesia scares me to death. For a few days after the surgery, there will be some blood in her tears. For a father...that is unbearable.
Tonight for the first time in my life...I understand on a new level (not even close to completely) what God must have felt watching his Son die. What I understand is that I can't understand how he allowed it to happen. I can't fathom the love. It is literally overwhelming.
Have you considered the great love that God the father has for you? Have you really stopped to think of the price that not only Jesus paid, but also his Father? I hope you have. I hope the reality of that love has changed your life. I hope it is still changing your life.
I love this new adventure called Fatherhood. God is teaching me so much. I hope you are learning too!

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

Busy

2006-11-06T19:53:00.000-06:00

When I arrive at the office this morning, I had 15 voicemails & 25 emails. All legitimate calls and messages that needed responses. Today was a very busy day, but I felt like I "moved the ball down the field." It was one of those days where I just had to leave work; I didn't get done at work. When I sat down at my desk, I knew what all was waiting. However, I opened a book that I am reading and began the next chapter. God revealed some things to me in that chapter that I needed for one specific conversation I had today. God is amazing. He knows just what we need. I hope you slow down and spend some time with Him. You might find if you seek him first...everything else will be added.

Pic of the Week

2006-11-04T05:55:00.000-06:00

Here it is...the Saturday Morning Pic of the Week. The most feared animal in the Curry Kingdom. There has never been film with the speed to catch this amazing animal. I give you, The Carsosarus. She demands attention! She demands to be fed! Beware... she poops when she wants.

Happy Birthday

2006-11-03T07:09:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY! Courtney, my wife, is 26 big ones today… we are getting old.
Courtney is the most gracious person I know. She is so content to be behind the scenes and encouraging. Living with me can't be easy. We are always on the go. There is always another event to get ready for. There is always an idea. And yet she still encourages me, dreams with me, and helps me run down those dreams. Courtney is a great listener. She is content to just sit and listen when someone has a problem... she is a great friend.
This birthday brings a new attribute that I love most about my wife. She is an amazing mom. It has been a difficult two years, having two babies. Each day brings about a new challenge. She juggles everything so well. They always have exactly what they need when they need it...she deserves a major award for that!
One of my favorite things to do is to watch her play with Cameron or Carson. She is so in tune with every possible love language... they are all going at the same time. Nice words, hugs, time, gifts, and well everything she does for them is an act of service because they can't do anything. Now don't let her fool you. She is a disciplinarian. She is also quick with punishment. I don't think I have ever known a parent that was as big on love and discipline like she is.
The point of all this... my wife is the most amazing woman on earth. Today is her birthday, but I feel like the lucky one. Every day of my life is better because of her. Well gotta go... I am making cinnamon rolls... that is how big of a day it really is.

Milk & Dr. Pepper

2006-11-02T07:20:00.000-06:00

Today is seven days from Carson's Surgery. This morning, the idea of her in a hospital gown is breaking my heart. She is still asleep, but I can't wait for her to wake up. We will sit together under a blanket... with our drinks (she'll have some milk, I'll have a Dr. Pepper)... watch some cartoons... and snuggle. My favorite times with her are when she wakes up.
It's amazing how trying times make us more aware of the people we love. Don't get me wrong; I love Carson with all my heart every day. But the next seven days are going to be a little more special. I want her to know that I love her. I want her to know that I will protect her. I want her to know that I love spending time with her.
There is no application other than the one you want to make on your own... I just heard someone stirring in her bed... gotta go... time for milk & Dr. Pepper

Worship

2006-11-01T16:06:00.000-06:00

The fifth chapter of Acts is not for the faint of heart. I will not tell you what it is about in hopes that you will pick up your bible and read it for yourself.
The question that is raised in this chapter is are you more concerned with you appearance in worship than worshiping authentically. If you read the end of Acts four, you find that Barnabas brings all he has from the sale of some land to give to the poor and the church. Ananias and Sapphira brought only part of the sale. The problem...the deceived everyone into believing that brought it all.
Are you more interested in the appearance of your worship or in the authenticity of it? God will not accept your left over offering. He wants you to go all in with everything you have. Pretty simple principle.... amazing difficult application.

Passion

2006-10-31T05:45:00.000-06:00

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

2006-10-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

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

2006-10-28T07:36:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-26T04:36:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

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.