At the beginning of May, I headed out to Cincinnati for the National Network of Youth Ministries’ staff retreat. (Above photo is our staff and board of directors who were in attendance.) Because we are all spread out around the country, this was the first time I met many of them in person, rather than seeing them on Zoom meetings.
Throughout the event, we talked a lot about our renewed mission and vision, which centers around seeing youth leaders thrive. Because if we begin to see them thrive, we will see youth ministries thrive, and we will see Christian students thrive, and we will see all teenagers changed by the story of Jesus.
It was a crazy week, though. Not only did I have the opportunity to present and speak a few times throughout the retreat, we also had nearby tornadoes and a huge flood rushed through the entrance to the camp stranding about half our staff one night, forcing us to find another place to sleep that evening.
I also had the chance to visit a couple different ministries in the area. One of which is called Lord’s Gym, which is a huge light for children, women, and drug addicts. They are doing amazing work, so please keep them in your prayers. I’m hoping to get one of their directors on my podcast at some point too, so we can spread the word about what they’re doing for the Kingdom.
I’m also really excited to do some more traveling this summer, and I hope to see many of you during those trips to share what God is doing and to bless you as you have been a huge blessing to us. In that, I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.
“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”
Steve Cullum 