Worship Gathering in Kansas
Dozens of national youth ministries, churches, prayer ministries, and denominations are working together to prepare a field south of Kansas City for a worship gathering for thousands of young believers May 25, 2008.
“With Christ the King as their sole focus, students will sing and proclaim praise to Him,” said Paradise organizers, who hope to “cultivate an environment where participants can encounter God with minimal distractions.” As a result, the “One-name-only” event will not feature any celebrity speakers or musicians. No products will be marketed or sold, and no organizations will be promoted.
Organizers are praying that students from across the nation will embark on “sacred pilgrimages” to the event, where they will participate in worship events designed by their peers.
Registration fees have been kept low ($20-27 before March 15) so more young people can participate. Students and leaders who register get access to online study materials that will help participants prepare for the event. For details visit www.paradise08.com
Taking Care of AIDS Victims
On Feb. 10, churches around the nation will rally together to address the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The catalyst for this outreach is the National Day of Care. Participants are encouraged to funnel their AIDS-targeted donations through denominations, relief organizations, and ministries. Donations made directly to the Day of Care go to organizations such as World Vision, Save Africa’s Children, Samaritan’s Purse, Grace for Africa and Ikhayalethemba Village in South Africa.
Help in this arena is critical: 3 million people died of AIDS last year alone, and nearly 75 percent of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. The United Nations expects that as many as 25 million children will be orphaned due to AIDS by 2010.
“We want people to be enthusiastic about making a difference in a child’s life,” says Dr. Michael Hattabaugh, director of the National Day of Care. “Imagine what can happen when [we] all pitch in-we can save Africa. That’s the goal of the National Day of Care.”
For more information, go to http://www.nationaldayofcare.org/ or call (800) 220-8776.
Getting in Gear
Willow Creek Community Church is hosting a youth ministry conference with an eye toward innovation April 9-11 at its South Barrington, Ill., campus. The conference is called “Shift” and brings together some of the church world’s most creative minds, including Brian McLaren, Kara Powell and Dan Kimball.
“Rather than highlighting one specific model of ministry, we’ve invited some of the most innovative thinkers and leaders we could find and asked them to shape our experiences and discussions,” the conference’s Web site says.
To register or for more information, go to http://www.shiftexperience.com/
New Catholic Web Site Launched
A new Web Site offering pragmatic, everyday advice to Roman Catholics officially launched last November.
ActiveParishioner.com is primarily an outlet for books on a myriad of topics, including decision making, careers, caregiving, parenting, and prayer. The site has lots of free resources, too, including Church statistics, lists of bishops, dioceses and Catholic academic institutions, and a calendar of conferences and gatherings around the nation.
Visitors also can pray online and access daily Mass readings and meditations on the site. There’s even a blog. For more information, visit http://www.activeparishioner.com/
Lab Time in Fort Worth
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s annual Youth Ministry Lab will be conducted April 4-5 at the seminary’s Fort Worth, Texas, campus. The Lab, run by students from the seminary, has been a landmark training seminar since 1968; and officials expect to attract 1,300 participants.
The Lab offers conferences for every participant in youth ministry, including ministers, youth workers, volunteers, worship leaders and spouses. Speakers include Francis Chan, Wes Hamilton, James Lankford, Billy Beacham and Phil Newberry. The Jeff Johnson Band will lead worship.
For more information or to register, go to www.youthministrylab.com. Interested participants also can find out more by calling (817) 923-1921, ext. 2522.
Cool Brew
In the classic film Casablanca, Rick Blaine tells ex-squeeze Ilsa that all their problems don’t amount to a hill of beans. But the folks at Ugly Mug Coffee believe that some problems might be solved by a hill of beans.
Ugly Mug Coffee has grown from a popular Memphis java joint to purveyors of its own fair-trade brew made from top quality Arabica beans. “By buying fairly traded coffee, farmers can feed and clothe their families, receive adequate healthcare and provide educational opportunities for their children,” reads a press release from Ugly Mug.
In addition to helping coffee growers, though, some proceeds from the purchase of the brew go to help other programs worldwide, including a Mexican computer lab, Peruvian water wells and a health clinic in Guatemala. And, according to Ugly Mug officials, it can help folks stateside, as well.
“With our fundraising program we are able to help send youth on mission trips and camps where they can experience God in a different way,” the release says. “We are currently helping hundreds of schools and churches raise money by selling our coffee, hot chocolate and chai. Many of the churches using our fundraiser program are taking mission trips to the coffee-growing regions we support.”
For more information, go to http://www.uglymugcoffee.com/
Fuller of Resources
Fuller Theological Seminary’s Center for Youth and Family Ministry exists to translate research into resources that can transform youth and family ministry. CYFM offers 130 free resources on its Web site, www.cyfm.net, and also sends a free bi-monthly e-journal to subscribers. For more information, go to the Web site.
