Called

Sometimes you dream and you hold on to faith but you’re still stunned when your dream comes true!  It’s a moment you cannot describe.  Twenty years ago, I met a person who honestly changed my life.  What I mean by changed is that he inspired me to stay the course, finish the race, and to stay true to my calling.  That person is Sean Yost.  After a couple phone calls trying to meet with me about something called YouthQuake Live, I finally met Sean for the first time.   Sean and Bowen Slade came to my office and told me about this outreach they started to reach teenagers in the city.  I was already over my head running Young Life and Wild Life at the beaches along with being the Youth Pastor at my church.  I had no intention of getting sucked into something else that what cause me to be more busy and exhausted.  Thank God I said yes or I feel confident I would no longer be serving God in ministry.  I can only imagine what trouble I would be getting into if I turned my back on my calling.

I had come to a place of disillusionment of what ministry was about.  I discovered it was a bunch of hard work, dealing with crazy parents of teenagers who expected you to fix all their kids problems, which they created over the life of their child.  It was grueling and I was loosing my heart for youth ministry.   So many sad stories and hopeless situations and it was getting to be too much.  Christians didn’t act like I thought they should and I was about ready to give up.

We took our youth group to YouthQuake Live in a small Ponte Vedra strip mall and my life was forever changed.  My teenagers rushed forward during the altar call and the message was so passionately delivered that I really wanted to respond to the altar call as well and did so inside my heart.  I saw a genuine faith and love for God like I have never seen in another person.  I wanted to link with Sean so that what he had would be transferred to me!  I made the best decision to join the leadership team of YQL and the rest is history!  I was renewed in my faith, and reenergized to reach teenagers! Sean not only inspired me but also some key members of our youth group.  James McDonald was pulled out of his shell and became one of the most dynamic, hilarious cast members YQL has ever known. 

Last night, we hosted a Conference at our church and invited Sean to be our guest speaker.  That funny cast member is now our worship leader who has written powerful original songs that were captured in a live recording which is being produced by my nephew, William Smith! (Also a stand-out cast member of YouthQuake Live!)  It was like a crazy clash of my hopes and dreams colliding right before my eyes.  Pastor Howard has fostered and allowed unprecedented collaboration, freedom and unity at our church like I have never experienced in 40+ years!  He has helped to mend broken relationships and open our church up to new opportunities like never before!  He has empowered his staff to grow and develop in their gifts and talents!  I felt the good pleasure of the Lord last night as we launched our first Called Conference!  I believe supporting and partnering with churches is a true picture of what the Body of Christ is suppose to be!  I believe it is the true heart of God for us to love and support other ministries!

I remember many years ago meeting another passionate, on fire guy who had  contagious joy!  I was at a church event with Sean Yost when John Wyatt was introduced.  Sean told me he was involved with an awesome surf ministry.  Little did I know that his wife would become one of my very best friends, his daughter and my daughter would be best friends and dancers, that we would be raising our families together at the same school and in the same neighborhood.  It blows my mind how God strategically brings people together for His plans and purposes!   Now John is our guest speaker tonight!  Again…mind blown today as I ponder the goodness and the faithfulness of God!  I am so grateful I didn’t throw in the towel, turn my back on church and ministry when times got tough!  I am overwhelmed with thankfulness that dreams do come true!!  I guess it’s time to dream a new dream!  Who knows what’s coming next!!!  BOOM!!