Had a couple of great interviews this week in the D.Min project. Randy Jackson and Bill Hautt.

Two very bright men who love God and love the mission of YL.

One of my big take aways (for those of you in YL work) is that our work with those who partner with us financially is very similar to our work with kids.

And both of these types of relationships are life giving and an honor to participate in!

Whenever a young staff person approaches me with a question about what to do with a donor, I ask them one question:

“If that was a Young Life kid, what would you do?”

95% of the time they give me a great answer:

I would keep showing up. 

I would be thankful.

I would honor them.

I would keep inviting them into my life.

I would keep investing in their life.

Then I tell them: “GO DO THAT!”

That’s it.

May each of us keep “doing that” – with our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

That’s a great way to live!

Kevin

This is a phrase that we use around our house with regularity.

Not “You are a bad boy,” rather, “you have not been the best version of you.”

We all know what the best version of ourselves looks like: Kind, present, caring, compassionate, inviting, patient.

And we all know what the opposite it when we fail to put our best foot forward.

In our work, in our homes, in our relationships, when no one is looking…

Every now and then, we are not the best version of us.

J-Man is a particularly thoughtful and smart bugger. This leads to lots of laughter, silliness and ridiculously deep conversations with this little 4 year old.

He can also throw a tantrum with the best of them. I mean, in the history of all tantrums.

Like, he’d win a gold medal in Rio if tantrums were a sanctioned Olympic sport.

I want to say that I always give him the best version of myself when I react to his tantrums.

Um. Not the case.

This is usually when I display the worse version of me. Impatient, gruff with my voice, more upset than I’d like to be.

I’m working hard on how to react to him with more patience, a bit more love in my voice and with a firm kindness.

So yes – let’s attempt to get some rest, a bit of exercise, and eat a little better today.

So that we can all be the best version of ourselves.

Our colleagues deserve it. So do our neighbors and our families. The world deserves that.

YOU DESERVE THAT.

Because, quite frankly, with all of the garbage you and I bring to the table, we are still a masterpiece of fine art that is loved by the Creator and many others.

Kevin

Stories of the first YL clubs in Colorado Springs, of Bob Mitchell as his YL leader, and listening to Jim Rayburn give club talks were the lunchtime topics of discussion.

I had the great opportunity to interview Rick Yates at Western Seminary yesterday.

Rick served on the Young Life staff in numerous capacities from 1958-1978. He told stories that have been told for generations: Of prayer, faith, living in near poverty as a staff person and how to relate Jesus to teenagers in a winsome and humorous way.

He told stories of all day prayer meetings, and how Rayburn would take trains all over the nation visiting staff and donors. Praying the entire time.

After many laughs and stories (this fella is REALLY funny), and hearing about how hard it was financially at times, I asked him: “why did you keep doing it?”

As tears started welling up in his eyes, he said: “Jesus made us keep doing it. I was so grateful for those years. One of the greatest parts of my life that I got to be a part of that.” 

Per my research in the Western program, I have two big takeaways:

• Do we still pray in YL? Do our strategies, initiatives and training trump relying on God? More so – Do I still believe that prayer is more powerful than strategy?
• Do we trust God more than we trust ourselves?

If you are on the staff, this is for you:

• When you go on reduced salary, when your R2 numbers do not add up, when every volunteer quits on you and your biggest donor or best friend bails on you…
• REMEMBER what a great honor it is to do this.
• I suggest we all hop on a train and pray the whole way. 

Thanks Rick! I will never forget our time together. Your joy, laughter and ability to tell the Jesus story has given me life!

Kevin

We were having breakfast in our home with some good friends yesterday. They are outstanding folks who we admire greatly. Plus he sings in a band. And that’s cool.

In the middle of serving Korean Chicken and Jalapeño Waffles, J-man walked up to me and gave me my 37 year old Winnie the Pooh Bear.

Barely hanging onto his eyeballs and left leg,that raggedy old thing warmed my soul.

Or maybe it was the way that J gave it to me and the look of deep, deep care in his eyes.

You see we tend to throw old things away. Sometimes that is good. Other times, we should hang on to the raggedy.

Rags have something to offer us when they are offered with care.

As I’ve been thinking about fundraising this week, I think it’s important to note that rags are ok. They can even be good.

Oftentimes, as we look to grow our business, ministry or even friendships, we tend to look for the bright, shiny and clean.

The rag tag bunches of people get overlooked. You get overlooked. I get overlooked. 

I love how Jesus surrounded himself with a Rag/Tag and Diverse bunch of supporters.

There were plenty of mental health/spiritual issues, anonymous donors, questionable people, enemies.

Jesus is in the business of esteeming people and give them a role in his work! What an incredible example for those of us in ministry.

May we break the mold as we think about potential customers, friends or donors.

There are people that you have never thought of that need a relationship with you – and you with them.

You need them.

They need you.

We need we.

Whether you are a friend, a neighbor, a fundraiser or a business person, take ten minutes to scroll through your contacts on your phone and ask yourself – “Who needs to be involved with what I’m up to today?”

How could that bring a new season of life?

How could their presence bring vibrancy to our company, cause or purpose?

How can you insert vibrant life to them?

Bring your rags and I’ll bring mine.

Let’s look at each other with care, share story and watch God do something with our tiny little and extremely important lives. Together.

Kevin

PS – Let me know if you want the Korean Chicken and Jalapeño Waffle recipe. They are silly tasty.

There is much to glean from the story and experience of others.

I remember my grandfather and grandmother on my mom’s side of the family recounting stories of the Netherlands and WWII. These stories have impacted how I think about family. They bring reality to an attitude of thankfulness.

Funny stories that we share around the dinner table remind us of the good times in the past and the great memories to come.

Story shapes us. They molds us. Stories makes us who we. Story guides us and creates pieces of our identities.

As a handful of you are aware, I’ve entered a new chapter in my story.

Sarah and I took a year to decide to enter this chapter. With a bit of fear and excitement all mixed together.

I find myself in a library today, entering a new season of study at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI.

Why? Because my story is still unfolding, being shaped, tracing it’s course.

Kind of like a river. Kind of like your story.

My first learning unit in the Doctorate of Ministry program is all about learning the “Art of Hearing” as presented by Rubin and Rubin.

I will be investigating the oral tradition, history and theology of fundraising in YL and the impact on methodologies practiced today.

Interviewing the likes of Jeff Munroe, Jack Fortin, Janie Sutherland, Bob Mitchell, Arnie Jacobs, Ted Johnson, and many other fine folks.

And it pumps me up!

We have a rich history in YL. One full of great stories that have shaped our mission to kids. A story that has changed the course of lives of staff people, donors, committee members and leaders alike.

This story longs to be told. I’m going to work hard to tell it. 

So yes, on most Friday’s over the course of the next few years, I will be documenting my journey in this program on the blog.

Don’t worry – other days will still have funny stories of our family and the antics that play out in our everyday lives.

My hope is that the telling of story will help you (and me!) value the course that the Lord has brought each of us on, and continues to wind out before us.

Your story is valuable. I’m excited to hear more about it.

Kevin