February Update
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 -
Hey everyone!
We have a lot to be thankful for this past month. First, thank you all! With your support, it’s going to be a great year.
February has been a month to rejoice over the wave of revival coming from Asbury University, influencing many other colleges and schools, and coinciding with the surprisingly huge reception of “The Jesus Revolution” (Do not miss this!) film release. God is moving powerfully. We were also able to fill in a number of gaps in our state with key leadership and pray together for ways to see revival spread. We know that Baylor and A&M were two schools deeply impacted by the spirit of renewal that is happening. Hallelujah!
We’re also celebrating our grandson, Jacob Bollinger, who is now the Youth Ministry Intern for the Rise Student Ministry at Renaissance Church in Richmond, Texas. The legacy continues and we’re so very proud of him!
LOCALLY
PRAYER
Our friend, Beaulah Kondur, from the Woodlands, is doing a great job leading the “Pray for Texas Schools" Facebook group, which now has over 300 praying with us. (Please join it if you haven’t yet) We shared it on a National Campus Strategist call and are hoping to have a social media prayer group in every state soon, for both adults and students. Along with the site, we promote a quarterly school prayer walk which took place February 12th. Many of our team went to schools across the state and prayer walked.
MENTORING
I am privileged to continue meeting with the Driskells and the good work they’re doing in Montgomery County, as well as, investing in Anthony Tollett, Grandview’s Youth Intern. I get to speak to Grandview youth once a month as well.
I also am privileged to help Declaration Youth develop their worship team, and continue to do interim worship leading at Calvary Baptist, Rosenberg.
BIG EVENT
Local Montgomery County Coordinator, John Alexander hosted Ryan Edberg and the Kingdom Youth Conference here in Spring, Texas.
TEXAS & BEYOND
MAJOR TEXAS CONFERENCE
Our Accelerate Texas state Conference was a huge success. We gathered near Hico, Texas, at the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center with key ministry leaders and NNYM staff to ask “How can we accelerate the reaching of students in Texas in 2023?” Great plans are now in the works to see the results coming from some great ministry minds. Special guests Billy Beacham and Doug Clark were a great encouragement, along with some of our Colorado staff leaders. Jadon Parker and brother Jack did a great job leading in worship as well. Besides our prayer-walking strategy, we will be training leaders through two key organizations (which multiply quality leadership, greatly needed here). Also, we will be doing some youth conferences at the beginning of the school year in rural areas for students who can’t always make it to the metro areas. They and their leaders will be equipped and empowered to do prayer/care/share campus ministry, for little cost and with quality programming.
NETWORKS
We have three new networks in Texas just last month and are working to identify or develop many more after our conference.
DFW MAJOR EVENT
Our Movement DFW event is March 23rd at Dallas Baptist University. I am on the team for planning and implementing this gathering to bring pastors, youth leaders, businessmen, educators, and more together to “change the trajectory of Christianity for the next generation”, beginning with the DFW area, in response to our research from last year. Guests include Shane Pruitt (NAMB Gen-Send leader), Grad Griffin (Fuller Youth Institute, Author of “Growing Young”), Greg Stier of Dare2Share, Billy Beacham, and Mark Matlock, President of “Movement” and many key leaders from across the area. We will present the research, hear from leaders, set goals, then develop measurable actions to reverse the trend of students leaving the faith. God’s timing is perfect with all that’s happening around us as well. Please pray for great results with at least 15% of our churches.
NATIONALLY
Our national campus Strategist team is working to identify 500 key strategists across the US to help us reach every campus.
I am working with Kevin Miles (South Central NNYM regional coordinator) and Chris Renzelman (Northwest NNYM coordinator) and with my good friend and mentor, Barry St. Clair (Founder of Reach-Out Youth Solutions and now working with an international mission organization) to update Barry’s incredible book, “Penetrating the Campus”. The goal is to give it to every youth leader possible, helping them know in practical ways how to do sustainable and impactful campus ministry. Barry is graciously giving this away as his gift to the next generation of leaders.
GLOBALLY
We’re working through Links International USA to receive donations for earthquake relief in Turkey.
I am in contact with leaders in Nicaragua and will soon train a leader in Jesus Focused Youth Ministry in order to develop many other youth leaders in English and Spanish, in person and online.
Our Movement DFW research and information will be shared with key youth leaders in 10 global regions through our NXtmove connections to assist them in the same goal: changing the trajectory of Christianity for the next generation.
Jesus Focused Youth Ministry is expanding through many languages and our online platform for training.
Updates/Prayers
We’ve lost three dear friends in the last few weeks. Please pray for the families of Susan Hayes and John & LuAnn Hart. They were wonderful ministry partners with us and were both the epitome of selfless service for the Kingdom. Their influence is great and will live on for many years to come.
Movement DFW. Pray that God will come in power, that all over Texas, revival will break out, and plans will be made to not only help students stay in the faith, but to thrive and his disciple-makers for the next generation. Pray that we can see God move in power in the US and among the nations.
Thank you for your generosity that is helping us continue the work of reaching students and training student leaders all across the world.
