NYWC has been really good so far. We finished our Critical Concerns class on Middle School Ministry with Marko and Scott Rubin.  It was some great information.  Marko caught me like a deer in the headlights…He was recapping the day before and ask, “Where’s Alden?” I was caught of guard and raised my hand.  He said, “Alden, sorry it was slow yesterday.”  What he said was in reference to my post recapping the previous days class and he did it in a joking manner.  It was funny and actually gave me the opportunity to talk to him at a break during the class.  I made sure to let him know that I was not knocking him, etc. and he assured me that he knew that.  Marko, like I said yesterday…keep pushing people to continue to evaluate themselves and their relationship with Jesus.

Friday was actually opening day with Andy Stanley doing the first General Session.  He rocked it out.  I always enjoy listening to Andy Stanley, he always teaches with clarity and conviction.  The title of his session was, “The Most Power Person in the World.”  He used the text in the book of John where Jesus washed the disciples feet.  Below are some of the notes that I took:

General Session #1: Andy Stanley
The Most Power Person in the Room
John 13:1-7, 12-17

• If you are in a position of leadership, you have power.
• The question is not how much power you have or will have, but what you will do with it!
• You don’t know how much power God wants to bless you with…
• What do you do when you realize that you are the most powerful person in the room?
  When you sit down with your staff…
  When you speak to your students…
• The answer to that question will shape your character and legacy of your leadership.
• **I wonder if anyone who has followed me, has ever been overwhelmed by my humility?
• When the most powerful person does something we lose our excuse not to do it…ex. Jesus washing the feet.
• **We must look to leverage our power for the sake of the people in the room!  (If we do anything other than that it is to say that we are GREATER than JESUS!)
• Most people leverage their power for themselves and that is a sign of weakness…
• Can you be trusted with power?  Only if you are willing to give it up!
• How do I leverage the power of God has temporarily given me for the betterment of the people around me?
• Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for man.”
• We must remember that we only have power that is given to us by the grace of God!  We must manage that like it doesn’t belong to us…with loose hands and a loose grip!
• What are you going to do when you realize that you are the most powerful person in the room?

After a breakout session the crew meet over at Ted’s Montana Grill for dinner.  My sister, Ashley and her husband, Nathan, joined us for dinner.  It was really good and a nice surprise.  BCoop, Tyler and I capped off the night by going over to The Tabernacle and catching David Crowder Band in concert.  They did an awesome job and I am looking forward to them leading worship at one of the general sessions.

Well, this will be the beginning of a multiple posts from the NYWC in Atlanta, GA.  Here are some highlights from the day:

• We left right on time this morning and with our staff that is straight a miracle of God.  We hit a little traffic but not to bad for ATL.  We are riding in a Honda Odyssey, which I am making sure that I get a picture of BCoop driving the bad boy.
• We are staying at the Marriott Downtown is ONLY four bocks away from GWCC. Also next door to The Tabernacle.
• We were able to check in at 11:30AM, which is almost unheard of and since I am a Silver Member of Marriott Rewards they gave me three rooms of the concierge level, with a lounge with free food and drinks! SWEETNESS!!!  We have definitely enjoyed that so far…
• BCoop and I have a little contest going on, but I cannot share the details until a little later on in the week.
• I am attending the Middle School Ministry Critical Concerns Course.  Marko and Scott Rubin are co-teaching the session.  Marko’s part this morning was interesting, but a little slow.  Not due to his style, but because of the content.  It was a lot of information that I already have heard about development.  He did a good job of talking though it and keeping it interesting.  Side note on Marko…Some people don’t like his style, but I personally appreciate his willingness to lay it out on the line and say it like it is.  It is evident that he has a passion for Jesus, Middle School Student, and Youth Ministry.  I personally believe that his style and candor is much needed right now and youth pastors need to listen.  Keep rocking it out Marko!
• Dinner tonight was AWESOME!!  We ate at Fogo De Chao.  Wow!  It was crazy awesome to have people just bringing you food constantly.  The service was amazing, the food was great, and they did an awesome job waiting on us.  What an experience!!!!

Well, I am out for the night!  Catch back up tomorrow!

Here are a couple of thoughts wondering through my head:

• I am excited about heading to the ATL tomorrow for Youth Specialties‘ National Youth Workers Convention. I look forward to this conference each year. I ALWAYS walk away with so much information to process, but more importantly so much encouragement. I am extra stoked about taking 5 other of my comrades with me from NewSpring Church. This will be the first time for each of them going to the NYWC, so I will be excited to watch them learn, be refreshed, and encouraged.
• I am also looking forward to catching up with some ministry partners from all over the country and seeing how they are doing. Wes, Brandon, Nathan, and many others…come prepared to buy my lunch… I am looking forward to seeing all of you!
• Tonight I am speaking for our Student Ministry Service in our series called 360. I am speaking on the topic of parents. I am really looking forward to it, but I am really nervous about speaking to middle school and high school combined. It should be a fun and quite interesting.
• By the way, there are some of you have emailed me and asked for an update on our current change in the way we are ministering to our students. Well…it is AMAZING! We have had so many positive responses from students, volunteers, and parents. Of course, there are some things that we are still working out as we go, but it has been wonderful!
• I got a new computer this afternoon. I went to lunch and when I came back my old laptop was missing. I went and asked and they told me that I was getting a new laptop and that it would be ready in a couple of minutes! WOW! I love how NewSpring is always equipping me more and more to be able to do my job…which is to minister to students! I am so blessed!
• I booked a trip to Hawaii today! Deanna and I have been saving up for a trip for our 5 year Anniversary. Well, we have made it early due to being smart with our money and telling it where to go (Joe would be proud!). It is amazing what your money can do it YOU take control! We are heading out in May to spend a week in Hawaii! I am so excited…I have never been before. Anybody got any good suggestions??
• Clemson plays BC this week. I hate to say this, but I hope Clemson wins. I can’t believe that I am saying that! I will say that I would like to beat them coming off of a HIGH after getting to the ACC Championship.
• Not to much to say about my Gamecocks! They are pitiful. You can’t do much when you give up over 1200 yards in two weeks. The thing that keeps my head high is that we have Darth Visor and he has two weeks to plan, scheme, and prepare for the Tigers.
• If you are going to be in ATL for the NYWC, please contact me! I would love to catch up if at all possible!

Well, I am out for now. I will be blogging from the conference with my new laptop computer, so check back! Peace!

We started a new series last night at our Student Ministry Service called 360 and we are going to be looking at some topics (prayer, quiet time, parents, relationships, etc) in a 360 view. Not looking at what we just think about the topic, but what are others saying. Should be a lot of fun! The videos we created were done to be a springboard for the message and done in a tv show format, so keep that in mind as you watch the different clips.

Here is the link to check out our first teaser for 360.