Slavery is Alive and Well

Lately, God has been laying a passion and compassion to bring attention to the global pandemic of child trafficking - specifically sex trafficking!  My spirit is in pain when I think of what is happening, right now, to children around this world at the hands of abusive and evil men.  I'm still in the process of doing some research of agencies that exist to help with this amazing area of need - and I have no idea where this will lead for me to help - but perhaps it will help to bring another "voice" into the mix.

I ran across this video after reading about the A21 Campaign - or you can check them out on Facebook - in an article in a magazine:

Here are a few other sites to check out:

• http://www.polarisproject.org
• http://www.childrenofthenight.org
• http://www.madebysurvivors.com/
• http://www.iast.net/
• http://www.endhumantrafficking.org/
• http://www.catwinternational.org/
• http://www.humantrafficking.org
• http://www.redeemedministries.net/

And, yes - it happens in the United States, too!  Another article exists HERE.  So what are we gonna do about it???

Curious - What do ya think?

This is quickly becoming a serious issue for families to deal with!  What does everyone think?

Who is Making the Call?

Ran across this video yesterday and thought it fit nicely with the last post on Service.  Besides thinking that serving in ministry is optional - when according to God's Word it is not - we also tend to think that serving in Children's Ministry is something we do only because "they are desperate and really need me."



Here's the thing:  as a Children's Director I am only God's mouthpiece!  I am not the one who asks or calls you to serve - that's God department.  What we do every week in Children's Ministry is JUST as important, if not MORE important, than "big people service."  Think about how many believers accept Jesus before they turn 13???  It is a staggering percentage of adult believers came to Faith before they were in 6th Grade.  These kids are impressionable, mold-able, and ready to alter their lives for the sake of the Call of God.

So, when you tell someone you can serve - or CANNOT serve - who are you answering!?  God.....or "Pastor Bob?"

Lead Me - From Sanctus Real

Fathers:  in light of Father's Day yesterday, and the fact that our wives and children are SCREAMING for us to lead them, this video is just what I needed!!!!

Lead Me-Father's Day from Ryan Black Films on Vimeo.

Song is sung my Sanctus Real.  Here is the story behind the song from Matt:

The Story Behind "Lead Me" - Sanctus Real from BrightBulb Entertainment on Vimeo.

Aslan is on the Move!

Chronicles Of Narnia 3

Faithbook - Summer Children's Ministry

Come be a part of living out Faith @ Home by ministering with your kids in faithbook!

Questions??????

This is a  promo video for the D6 Conference.  Church leaders - I encourage you to check it out!!!



The line up of speakers there is INCREDIBLE:  Dr. Kevin Leman, Mark Holmen, Tim Hawkins, Rob Rienow, The Skit Guys, and so on....

Tips on Prayer

For those of you who are looking for some tips on prayer, check out this video:




Side Note:  I always thought that those who interlocked fingers must secretly like each other.....I'm just sayin'!

Children's Pastor's Conference

I had the privilege and enjoyment of attending and volunteering last week at the 2010 Children's Pastor's Conference in Nashville, TN.  This is a premier Children's Ministry conference for pastors, directors, teachers, leaders and volunteers of children's ministry.  The event is hosted by the International Network of Children's Ministry based in Castle Rock, Colorado.

For a 2nd year in a row I was able to volunteer as a Conference Assistant helping set-up and maintain Audio/Video equipment for several of the Breakout Sessions.  It is always a blast meeting new CM folks and re-connecting with people from around the country.  Below are some pics into the week of CPC.

The Beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN.

The AMAZING - but CRAZY - 2010 Conference Assistants!

The Lads from New Zealand had the best booth there - IMHO!

Worship with Michael Neale was incredible!

Green Team RULES!!!!  No, I'm not related to Shreck or he Hulk; and yes I feel fine!

I got nothing to say...

Throwing down with Karl Bastian - aka Kidologist!

Ryan Frank heads up Kidz Matter out of Sweester, IN.

Quite possibly the highlight of CPC this year was Tim Hawkins!

I hope you enjoyed this little trip into my week at CPC!

They're.....just.....kids!

I hear these 3 little words more than I want to admit!  And, like Mike Johnson from Fellowship Church, it IRKS me!  Kids deserve our best!  They deserve to be trained properly before sending them on the front lines of the battle field!  Watch this powerful video for a great illustration of what it means when we DON'T train our kids to follow Christ:



What I love about the volunteers of Anchor CM and Family Journey in Faith is that they care about giving kids the suit of armor they need to stand against the schemes and battles they will face.  WAY TO GO TEAM!!!!

Dean

Real Prayers from Real Kids

Ran across this video put together by the folks at Granger Community Church in Granger, IN. Have tissues available!!!


Kids Prayers from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Why should we forgive?

...from a kid's perspective!

Saturday Venue Live

Check out this video of the new Series for Saturday Venue Live Kids - TransFormed.  The program comes from High Voltage Kids Ministry.

Saturday Venue is also looking for a few volunteers to assist in either the Pre-school or Elementary areas.  There are opportunities to work on teaching, singing and leading kids with the Elementary group under my direction.  I will personally train you to develop the skills necessary to become a dynamic kid's presenter.

Let me know if you are interested!!!

Hungry For You, Jesus

In our staff Chapel time today, we sang this song.  This really struck me today and made my cry and long for my Father.  May it encourage you today, as He is waiting for you too!

The World is Changing....Rapidly

Saw this video on Facebook a few days ago and hesitated to put it on my blog. Take a look at it when you can. It's a little long, but provides some eye opening facts about how Christians are decreasing rapidly and Muslims are increasing.

Thoughts??

President's Speech - So Any thoughts?

Whether you watched "The Speech" here or somewhere else (or not at all), do you have any thoughts on what the President said? Basically, it seems to have come and gone much like any other thing politicians seem to say.

The President seemed to focus on the broad topic of Personal Responsibility - a topic also well covered in the Bible. Nothing earth shattering or that upsetting in the speech....except I do have one thought.

As believers, we are called to have Christ at the VERY CENTER of our lives. Seemingly everything we do and say should be done with keeping Him there. So, the millions of lost people that saw this video today: Did it help them come any closer to a relationship with their Creator? Did it help the thousands (likely more) Christian kids in public schools grow any deeper in their walk with Christ? See I don't have an issue with the President speaking to the kids in our schools...I think with parental notification and coaching they SHOULD watch the video. What I struggle with is whether or not this helps our kids and families to KNOW God more? (Even if I do not favor his opinoins and policies, his story is one many public school kids can relate to!)

I think it can if the parents step into that process. Human behavior defaults to the sinful and negative side of things. We must be intentional in teaching our kids to see God and take on Biblical values. If we leave things up to "nature," our kids will not come to it on their own. And if we believe that God's Word is sufficient for ALL OF LIFE, then a speech by some guy in a powerful office won't even phase them - one way or another.

But just don't leave it hanging there either. Take this and ANY opportunity to teach your kids about God and His Word to us.

Dean

PS - The pic is one of an actual cover off Time Magazine back in 2007. You can read the article online HERE.

So it begins again...

What you ask???? (Seriously, did you ask that?)

Recruiting for Fall Children's Ministry!!!

When I Grow Up... from Marty Taylor on Vimeo.

If you are interested, send me an email!

Dean

A True Story of Love

Dr. J. Robert McQuilken had been the President of Columbia Bible (International) College for nearly 22 years. But his wife, Muriel, came down with Alzheimer's and he found himself torn between to divine callings. He made the right choice!

If you would like, you can get more information about Dr. McQuilken's story HERE.

The Hope of Anchor CM and Family Journey in Faith

Think of the possibilities!!!



His, Dean

Legend of the Seeker

I have been crazy busy at work these last 2 weeks getting the Summer programming set up and volunteers placed.  I'll hopefully be back next week with some more posts.

Until then, watch a few episodes of Legend of the Seeker on Hulu.com.  What a great show with some of the age old prophetic and messianic themes in them.  The seeker is on a quest to destroy the evil of Darken Raul.

Enjoy!