Mike King

Discussing Youth Ministry and Race: A View from the Pew

My friend, associate and Youthfront board member, Dr. Dean Blevins recently posted a wonderful summary of the Youth Ministry and Race Relations Dialogue we held at NTS. 

"Every once in a while you realize you are in the middle of something really, really special.  I have over thirty-five years experience listening to presentations in varying contexts, first in broadcast television news and later in academic settings. November 12^th was special, as I sat in a pew and was drawn into a panel discussion over the issues of youth ministry and race." Read rest of the post here.

Dr. Dean G. Blevins currently serves as Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship at Nazarene Theological Seminary. An ordained elder, Dean has ministered in diverse settings and currently also serves at the USA Regional Education Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene. A prolific author, Dr. Blevins recently co-wrote the textbook Discovering Discipleship and edits Didache: Faithful Teaching, a journal for Wesleyan Education.

YOUTH MINISTRY AND RACE: A CONVERSATION

The public outcry following the verdict of the Zimmerman trial last summer exposed anew the pain and reality of the highly racialized society we live in.  Our churches and our youth ministries are not exempt from these patterns of racial isolation.  Beginning at 8:30 am on November 12, Dr. Brandon Winstead will address the historical, social and cultural issues that have shaped the realities of youth ministry and race in the US.  In a second session, Dr. Winstead will lead a panel discussion with other scholars and ministry leaders regarding the implications and future this reality holds for ministry among youth.  We will conclude at 11:30am.

Keynote:  Dr. Brandon Winstead 

Panelists: Rev. Montague Williams, Dr. Claire Smith, Rev. David Gilmore and our very own Youthfront staff member Kurt Rietema

November 12, 2013

Nazarene Theological Seminary

8:30am-11:30am

Co-Sponsored by Youthfront

Conner Gives Back

Guest Post by Amanda Tate

One of the coolest parts about having been around the Youthfront community for nearly ten years is that I get to see the impact that growing up in this ministry has on youth.  When I was a Cabin Leader at Youthfront LaCygne in 2005, I had a 7th grade girl in my cabin named Connor Spriggs.  I remember sitting with Connor outside the Snack Shack that week, probably eating ice cream and just talking life, but I never thought our relationship would continue beyond that. Several years later, I worked on staff at West for the first time and reunited with Connor, who was then on Teen Staff.  Last summer, I had the privilege of spending a whole summer with Connor as we both returned to West on Summer Staff, and we will work together once again this summer.

Connor’s faith first became real for her as a camper, and her experience on Teen Staff took her faith to the next level as she learned what it meant to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  And as for why she continues to be a part of this ministry, Connor said, “My desire is to join with the Youthfront team in creating that same Christ-centered environment I experienced years ago, so that students may come to know the vast love of our Father and begin pursuing a life-changing spiritual journey.”

We don’t always get to see where our campers go after they leave a week of camp, so it’s been a blessing to get to see Connor grow through the ministry of Youthfront and want to now give back so that others can experience Christ in the same way. It’s a reminder to me of why we do what we do.

Immigrants Need The Church to Stand Up For Them

We hosted around 100 Pastors, Youth Pastors and Ministry leaders yesterday at Youthfront for a focus on Immigration reform.  The event was sponsored by CCDA and featured CCDA's President Noel Castellanos.  Youthfront staff members Kurt Rietema and Amber Booth, along with Mission Adelante staff member Jason Schoff organized this informative event. 

Here is a video of the media coverage of the event.

  "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 19:33-34 ESV

Immigration Reform Lunch Briefing with Noel Castellanos from CCDA

Next Tuesday, April 23, Youthfront is hosting an event sponsored by the Christian Community Development Association.

CCDA is providing an Oklahoma Joe’s bbq lunch for pastors and ministry leaders.  The special guest is Noel Castellanos, CEO of CCDA.  He will be addressing the current issue of Immigration Reform.  Many churches in the KC metro support ministry initiatives among Hispanics which serve many whom are here without proper documentation.  Right now, immigration reform is at a critical juncture and many Christians are unsure what they can or should do about it. 

Join us from 11-1pm at Youthfront's auditorium to hear from Noel about how you can navigate your church to think differently about immigrants through Scripture and participate in making historic changes for millions of families that have been torn apart by poor immigration policy.  

Feel free to invite other key leaders, but please RSVP with the number of people who will be attending with you by emailing Kurt Rietema - [email protected]

Youthfront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd. Shawnee Mission, KS  66205

Two Time World Series Champion Jeremy Affeldt and His New Book

On Baseball's Opening Day, Youthfront supporter, friend and associate Jeremy Affeldt releases his first book taking readers off the field and into his life story.  The story of Jeremy’s relationship with our President Mike King and his involvement in our ministry, as well as details of his active participation with Youthfront’s Something to Eat ™ initiative are featured prominently in the book.  Expected to make multiple best-seller lists, this book offers a compelling, page-turning story for all readers.  Another fan of Youthfront and five time Major League All Star, Mike Sweeney says, “Jeremy Affeldt may be a two-time World Series champion and one of the greatest left-handed relievers in major league baseball but that is just the tip of the iceberg as to the man that he is.  As you will read in this book, Jeremy Affeldt is not defined by baseball. He is defined and validated as a child and follower of the most high God.”

Affeldt, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, tells of the ups and downs of his life and major league career beginning with his childhood spent in a military family, the impact his parents had on his life, and his tumultuous high school years.  Affeldt admits that he was often an uncaring, self-centered athlete who was difficult for his parents and teachers. So much so, that his dad kicked him out of the home on more than one occasion.   Although he attended a Christian school, Jeremy wasn’t buying any of it until a series of events led him to see his need for Christ.

After being kicked out of games and sitting the bench because of his behaviors and his attitude, one of his coaches gave him books on attitude and anger control as well as scriptures that Jeremy read mainly so he wouldn’t have to watch the games from the stands. As the Bible began to come alive for him, he was also influenced by God’s transforming work in the life of another student who had been Jeremy’s archenemy. That was the beginning of Jeremy’s close walk with Christ.

Jeremy Affeldt tells of his opportunities in baseball, his marriage to his high school sweetheart and, of course, his success including two World Series Championships – after many setbacks and injuries – in the major leagues.

The book includes Jeremy Affedlt’s passion for social justice and his humanitarian endeavors as he continues to use his time and finances to do God’s work throughout the world.   Available now, discover the side of Jeremy that thrives off the field; the side that is passionate about freeing the slave, feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty and seeking justice for the oppressed.

ORDER BOOK

Stirring Imagination

Recently, Youthfront partnered with Generation Alive and Able Works to mobilize 450 high school students in East Palo Alto to package 100,000 meals for our Something to Eat™ initiative. East Palo Alto is divided from Palo Alto by a freeway. Palo Alto is a very wealthy area fueled by the success of the Silicon Valley. Apple, Google and Facebook are some of the corporate success connected to Palo Alto. East Palo Alto lies in stark contrast to Palo Alto. About 65% of the residents of East Palo Alto are Hispanic/Latino, 16% are African-American, and 10% Pacific Islander/Asian. Several years ago, Michelle Pfeiffer starred in the movie Dangerous Minds as a teacher, teaching a classroom of East Palo Alto high school students whose lives were being  destroyed by drugs, gang involvement, illicit sex, crime, etc. For a young person, living in East Palo Alto can still be a dangerous reality. In the few months before our Something to Eat™ event several young people were killed through drug and gang  violence.  The names Something to Eat™ and Something to Drink™ come from Matthew 25 when Jesus led us to imagine that when someone is hungry or thirsty and we give them food or water it is the same as giving food and drink to Jesus.

More than 450 young people from this under-resourced community moved outside of the dominating and destructive script many of them feel trapped in and instead worked to raise money to provide food for those around the world who are suffering from starvation. Most of these  young people have grown up with a script that imprisons them into thinking that they are stuck forever in a story that centers around poverty,  drugs, gangs, crime and violence. I wish you could have been an eyewitness to what happened in this Something to EatTM event. We worked hard all day and yet, these teenagers didn’t even want to take a break. We stopped for short five minute breaks throughout the event to talk and  reflect on why we were doing what we were doing – information about the world hunger crises, about the importance of taking care of each other along with inspirational thoughts. We had local artists perform Street Poetry that was uplifting and spiritually rich. It was amazing to see what was unfolding.

The East Palo Alto Police Captain spent the day with us. He was so enthused that he was on the phone talking to the news media reminding them that they were all at the recent murder scene involving young people and they needed to come and see the good things young people were doing.  I got into a conversation with the Police Captain, an East Palo Alto School Board member and a former mayor of the city. We talked about how important it was to provide the opportunity for these young people to participate in an alternative script to the broken scripts that they had grown up with and ensnared by. We agreed that these young peoples’ imaginations were being unleashed and this has the potential to alter their life scripts forever. It was also cool to learn that the Police Captain grew up in Kansas City and had served our country for many  years as a presidential appointed U.S. Marshall

Albert Einstein declared, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge  defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” I believe Youthfront’s mission to bring youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ happens because we embrace the most powerful script of all – the Gospel.  The Gospel unveils a story that unleashes the imagination of those who have ears to hear. The Gospel story has the power to render other scripts impotent. Think of Jesus’ own  disciples. They fled in fear when he was arrested. They witnessed his crucifixion. They were hiding in a state of dreadful trepidation. And when a few of Jesus’ followers, mostly women, went to his tomb the Gospel story breaks forth with the declaration “He is not here, he has risen!” Still the disciples hid in disarray and confusion.  Although a few were convinced that Jesus Christ was resurrected, some, Thomas for instance still didn’t have the imagination to believe that the Gospel proclamation that Jesus was risen could be true. And then he saw Jesus. Thomas declared, “My  Lord and my God!”  I believe the Christian story properly told stirs the imagination of the listener. 

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

“How do we as youth workers seek justice - and teach our students to do the same? How do we help the world’s most vulnerable people  in our own neighborhood -without enabling dependency?”

If you find yourself asking how to teach students what it means to seek justice and love mercy, this event is for you.

We’ll meet at the South Branch Library in the Argentine neighborhood in Kansas City, KS for a short presentation and discussion on how to do “missions” with dignity, followed by a tour of the community and a Something to Eat™ meal packaging event at the Franklin Center. As we wrap up, we’ll enjoy delicious
homemade Mexican food from one of our neighborhood friends.

When: Thursday, Nov. 29th, 9:00 AM - noon

Where: South Branch Library in the Argentine neighborhood of KC, KS

Cost: $10 - includes lunch and Something to Eat™  packaging experience

Register online at www.youthfront.com/justicetraining

I Am A Recovering Ideologue

Ideology: a set of beliefs, especially religious, philosophical or political beliefs on which people, parties or countries base their actions.

Ideologue: a person who zealously advocates an ideology with an uncompromising and dogmatic manner. Ideologues often employ questionable tactics to advance their positions because they believe the end justifies the means. 

I am a recovering ideologue. Ideologues often colonize environments and justify the use of dubious means to accomplish results supporting their ideologies. Because of their passionate advocacy, they are willing to throw people under the bus to advance their causes. They are black and white in their thinking. You’re either with them or against them. There is no middle ground. They see categories, not people. They guard against looking into the faces of real people, knowing that might shed light on the hypocrisy of their ideological dogmas.

If you think I’m talking about someone you radically disagree with, you just might be an ideologue. Perhaps a little self-reflection is in order.

We must ask ourselves, In what ways am I willing to twist a theological position just to advance a cause I believe in? We must learn to read Scripture over and against ourselves instead of assuming the warnings are always directed at the other and not ourselves.

Having come out of a conservative background (both politically and theologically), Ironically, I find it hard not to be dismissive of the people who are like the person I used to be. My world is more expansive now. As my world of relationships has expanded, I naively assumed political and theological liberals would be kinder and more progressive. However, I’ve learned that all ideologues are the same. They want their way. They’re right; you’re wrong. If you think differently, you’re an enemy. They label and dismiss those who don’t agree with their positions.

Youth workers, don’t be ideologues! Our vocation is pastoral. See people as people, not issues. Be open to the Holy Spirit taking you places you assumed you would never go . I wonder if Jesus was initially uncomfortable hanging out with sinners. I wonder if Jesus was troubled with being constantly criticized by the religious elite for pushing against the prevailing positions of those ideologues. I wonder if we experience the same level of frustration he experienced when we shed our desire to be ideologues.

I’m not saying in any way that this means we should be wishy-washy or unconcerned with truth. I have no hesitation in saying I am Christian to the core, orthodox in the doctrines stated in our historic creeds. I believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried and that he arose, bodily, physically from the dead on the third day. For some, those beliefs make me an ideologue.

But I will not torch others. I do not feel the need to be the Holy Spirit and bring down judgment on those who have a different perspective than I do. I am committed to conversations and relationships with those I don’t agree with. I want to be open to learn from others. I seek first to understand. We can be people who disagree on important issues without demonizing one another. We can demonstrate theological, sociological and relational generosity to our students. I’m thrilled that more and more people are rejecting old categories like liberal and conservative or right and left and discovering new, more biblical ways to navigate difficult and complex issues. 

If you are prone to be an ideologue, as I am, please take a few minutes and read what Paul says here in Romans 12:14-18. Let it sink in. Meditate on these words from the Lord.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

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REBBL

REBBL is a tea company started with a vision to end slavery in the Peruvian Amazon.  This initiative is an idea that was concieved of by my good friend and collaborator in Gospeling, Jeremy Affeldt and my friend David Batstone, President of Not for Sale.  Check out this video.