July/August Update

Thank you, dear friends, supporters, and prayer champions. We do this together! Thank you to each of you for coming alongside the ministry. Your prayers, participation, and excitement helped make this summer a huge success, and we couldn’t have done it without all of the amazing hearts focused on our young people. I personally know of hundreds of schools and over 500 people who put footprints on campuses to pray, and well over 300 that have been adopted in prayer all year long. It’s worth it! Our students are worth it. We are committed to creating an opportunity for every young person in America to know and follow Jesus.

I am taking the last week of August through Labor Day for personal time off to recharge for the Fall.

Thank you for your partnership; we are truly better together!

Here is the July/August 2023 update.

TEXAS/LOCALLY

New NNYM Texas campus coordinator, Tom Close, and I had a great meeting in Dallas with Collision Ministries leader, Gabriel Steinmeyer. He is working in North Dallas and has helped train 50 North Dallas students in having gospel conversations. We also met with our NOW DFW leaders, Mike Hicks, and other area educators in Allen to plan a LIFT (Lasting Impact for teachers) event in Dallas and Stephenville, with one possible in North Fort Worth. Working with Christian Educators Association International, we hope to empower Christian educators to become ambassadors and Christian influences on their campus by encouraging them and informing them of how they can legally express their faith on campus. Students need mentors, and educators are with students eight hours a day. Activating this group in Texas will provide an increased Christian influence on our campuses and begin to change the culture in schools.

I enjoyed leading worship my family, Holly, Jason and Jacob Bollinger, along with longtime friend, Melody Adair at Renaissance Church in Richmond, and also at Calvary Baptist in Rosenberg.

Declaration’s 220 Camp in Waxahachie was incredible. It’s part of my home (Declaration Church) ministry where I serve as missionary in residence. Around 450 spent time in God’s presence, at least 23 came to Christ, many made recommitments, and 52 were called to ministry. That’s a huge win! I’ve been privileged to spend quality time serving my home church, Declaration Church, in Spring, investing in student ministry, worship ministry, missions team, and was honored to preach as well. I’m grateful to be in such a supportive and influential church, who does so much right! Pastor John Sherrill, staff and the leadership teams are a great example to others in priorities for the next generation.

Some Declaration students and young adults joined us as we helped with recreation for children at the backpack giveaway at our Five Oaks outreach. I’m in discussion with my friend and children’s curriculum writer, Taylor Johnson, who helps lead the ministry at Five Oaks to train leaders and disciple students. I also met with other key network leaders across the state, planning with them and mentoring them.

Watch for Beaulah Konur’s podcast soon, where I was interviewed about students’ choices and consequences. Beaulah is a prayer champion in Spring, Texas, and developed our “Pray for Texas Schools” Facebook page.

Movement DFW: I met with our team and local network leaders on several occasions, preparing for Greg Stier to lead Dare2Share gospel training for leaders and students in North Dallas and South Fort Worth, September 18-19, the week before See You at the Pole. Thanks to Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas Baptist Men and NOW DFW, the event will be free for all participants.

NATIONALLY

July 1-7
Mission Portland/Vancouver
I led a group of 16 students in Bible School in Kalama, Washington, and Sports camp for High School/Middle School in Hillsboro, Oregon. We had 1 new believer in Kalama, and 7 High School soccer players in Hillsboro. (77 enrolled). We built a strong relationship with the soccer coach and connected the students to the new upcoming FCA at their school through our regional network coordinator. Former Gonzaga Basketball player and Northwest NNYM coordinator, Phil Ball, spoke to the students one night and did an amazing job.

July 31-August 1
Old Zion Baptist Church in Independence, Louisiana
I served as a sports camp pastor and had the privilege of leading 11 children to the Lord. They had a total of 18 come to Christ through the camp. Our new Louisiana NNYM State Coordinator, Blaine Saint Germaine, who is on staff at the church did a great job coordinating the camp.

Our team of five has been hard at work updating Barry St. Clair’s books, which will be called “Campus Connections: A Field Guide to Campus Ministry”. It will be in digital format and made available for free to youth leaders. Many youth leaders see the school campus as an add-on and not the mission field. We hope to change that thinking and help them with strategies and resources to reach students where they are. “An Awesome Way to Pray” will also be re-released giving leaders a plan to prepare their students to minister on campus and pray in triplets for their friends.

An article I was asked to write for Interlinc on Lofi music was featured this week.
What an honor! Check it out.
(click the image to view)

GLOBALLY

I had a great visit in Dallas with Arif Ashiz, leader of the Hope Network in Pakistan, consisting of 500 churches there. I will teach be speaking via zoom to 150 students during two sessions at their youth camp on September 14.

On August 17, we facilitated a zoom training in Jesus Focused Youth Ministry training to many of our Links International Missions family. There were 35+ leaders on the call from 8 countries. We’re planning a second training in Spanish for another 2-3 countries. Most of these leaders represent around 400+ students which means a reach of 5000+ young people around the world. They will be resourced and coached as they multiply strategy and discipleship in their context, widening the gospel influence, developing disciple-makers, and discipling students and young adults. Thanks to JFYM President, Randy Riggins, for leading the training, and Jason and Holly Bollinger of Links International for inviting and coordinating the training.