We asked four youth workers what transitions they felt are the most critical in the lives of youth. Here's what they said... Fred Odouyoye: I think there are a few segments of transition that are critical i...

Teens are transitioning from children into adults. It is an amazing transformation. In that remarkable journey, one nagging question looms large: At what age does a teenager become an adult? The question is...

As an 18-year-old freshman in college, I learned to rock climb.   Steve was the experienced climber with all the equipment. Brad and I were the cocky friends who were ecstatic to learn the ropes of cli...

Recently my wife and I watched a marvelous movie, McFarland, starring Kevin Costner.  This film, existentially about a washed-up teacher and coach who has made mistakes and is forced to move to a largely Hispa...

For more than a year, I told others I perceived I was headed toward burnout. I had used that word before—burnout—but only in a hypothetical sense. Burnout was a terrible experience that happened to othe...

Youth workers tend to be huge fans of opportunities that stretch students spiritually, if not also a variety of other ways. We're often in our sweet spot when we see teenagers growing beyond what's comfortable....

It’s 4:47 a.m., and I’m wide awake. Looking at my phone, I’m frustrated because I barely fell asleep at 12:30 a.m., and I didn’t plan to get up until 6:30 a.m. All I can think about are the things that ...

"I want to talk about pornography." That's what the 15-year-old boy said to me after hearing me talk at his Christian school about "God and Sex." Sadly, he wasn't a curious young dabbler looking for someone to ...

Our family frequently takes long road trips. Whenever we pass a deer sign, my son taps me on the shoulder and says, "There's a deer." I explain to him that it is only a drawing of a deer, and the sign is cautio...

If your group is looking for a mission that can also be a beautification project, consider approaching the mayor or town council in your area.  Ask if your group can be assigned a spring beautification project...