Six years ago I responded to a call from the Lord to move to Minnesota and assume

the responsibility of Youth Pastor at Trinity EFC.  During my first month there I recognized that fact that we had a very "energetic" 8th grade class.  One of my first jobs was to find a teacher for the class because at the time there wasn't one.  Finally, at the 11th hour, the father of one of the boys said he would teach the class.  I knew this was going to be one of those challenging groups in the youth ministry.

As the years went on I was not wrong about the challenges.  They were a challenge, to me and to every youth leader in the ministry.  We prayed earnestly for this group, we had people very frustrated by this group, but these guys continued to come.  As they grew and got into high school, their energy was now getting them in trouble.  Parents were getting concerned now as well and people in the church were talking about this group of guys.  But they continued to come and continued to sit under the teaching of the Word of God.  Would anything stick?  I prayed it would.

Two years ago I saw some small breakthroughs.  After a weekend retreat, some of these guys desired to have a small accountability group.  So I started meeting with them.  We met for a while but shortly thereafter I resigned from the church, never really seeing any growth in these guys.

During the last year I have received a couple e-mails from 2 of these guys telling me how God has turned their lives around.  Another one is currently dating my niece and I have seen a change in him as well.  God is faithful.  In fact, this year Vicki and I are heading up an internship program here at AIM to work in our Admissions department helping get kids out on the mission field and 2 of these guys have applied to be part of the team!  Unbelievable.  The guys who presented the most challenges to me in 20 years of youth ministry have been transformed and are now asking to come and serve under our teaching and leadership.  God is amazing!

I am really excited about this internship.  I am excited to disciple these guys now that they want the discipleship.  I love to see God at work!